In 2024, Canada experienced the highest number of emigrants in its history, a surprising shift for a country long considered a safe haven in the developed world. Immigration is vital to Canada’s economy and population growth. Pioneers from Europe laid the foundation of Canada, with settlers building the first cities, followed by waves of immigrants from around the globe seeking refuge from wars and famines in places like Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Scandinavia. Canada’s vast land is rich in resources, theoretically capable of self-sustenance without external trade. So, why are so many people leaving this land of opportunity?
The primary reason is the high cost of living. Major Canadian cities, like Vancouver and Toronto, rank among the most expensive in the world. In Vancouver, a single-bedroom apartment requires an income exceeding $100,000. Montreal is quickly catching up. Rent prices are staggering, and minimum wage jobs do not cover basic living expenses. The traditional rule that rent should be a third of one’s salary is now obsolete. Today, in Canada, it often takes three minimum-wage incomes to afford an apartment. Even dual-income households struggle. Natasha Salonen, a small-town Ontario mayor, mentioned in an interview with the National Post that she can’t afford to buy a house and still lives with her parents.
