Quebec saw many thousands of people migrate out of the province last year, continuing an annual steady exodus.
Photo Credit: CBC

Quebec resident exodus to other provinces continues.

Quebec business leaders say they are quietly concerned about the ongoing out-migration of residents to other provinces.

According to the latest statistics, Quebec lost 13,100 residents who have moved out, primarily to Ontario and Alberta.

It should be noted that the population grew thanks to the acceptance of 52,000 immigrants in 2013 mainly from China, France, and Algeria. This figure however is down from 55,000 newcomers in 2012.

However that growth has been trailing the Canadian average for the last four years according to the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ).

In spite of the immigration influx, business leaders say the interprovincial migration means that Quebec is losing an important part of its labour force, and skills.

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)

http://www.cfib-fcei.ca/english/index.html

there are about 65,000 jobs waiting to be filled in the province.

Martine Hebert, principle vice-president of thd CFIB, says there may be many reasons for the outflow of residents but suggests two possibilities: first that Quebec is a port of entry into Canada, and once accepted by Quebec, they migrate to other provinces, or second, that there are simply better opportunities elsewhere in the country

  • Quebec exodus to other provinces
  • 2013 : 13,086
  • 2012 : 8,682
  • 2011 : 5,825
  • 2010 : 4,348
  • 2009 : 4,247
  • 2008 : 9,707
  • 2007 : 12,675
  • 2006 : 11,828

Interestingly a poll taken just after the provincial election win of the separatist Parti Quebecois in 2012 showed 42% of the Anglophone population of the province was considering leaving.Many cited language issues and lack of career potential for non-francophones,

Richard Yufe, a member of the group Canadian Rights in Quebec was quoted by the CBC in 2012 saying., “The environment in Quebec is hostile”.

He said “[In] the law firms, the accounting firms, the marketing firms, there’s a perceived notion that you can’t have too much of an English face

Jackie Smith, an Ontario Real Estate Broker, whose selling area is in eastern Ontario near the Quebec boundary, said at the time that she had noticed an increase in business since the election.

“We tend to notice a surge when the PQ gets into power,” she said.

Another increase in exodus happened once again around the time of a general election in 2007, when language tensions and possibility of a separation referendum were once again in the background.

In 1971, before the PQ’s first election, the anglophone population sat at 788,833. By 2011, the total had dropped to 599,230.

Nevertheless, business leaders say the province is losing an important part of its labour force, and skills.

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) there are about 65,000 jobs waiting to be filled in the province.

Martine Hebert, principle vice-president of thd CFIB, says there may be many reasons for the outflow of residents but suggests two possibilities: first that Quebec is a port of entry into Canada, and once accepted by Quebec, they migrate to other provinces, or second, that there are simply better opportunities elsewhere in the country

2013 : 13,086

2012 : 8,682

2011 : 5,825

2010 : 4,348

2009 : 4,247

2008 : 9,707

2007 : 12,675

2006 : 11,828

Interestingly a poll taken just after the provincial election win of the separatist Parti Quebecois in 2012 showed 42% of the Anglophone population of the province was considering leaving.

Jackie Smith, an Ontario Real Estate Broker, whose selling area is in eastern Ontario near the Quebec boundary, said at the time that she had noticed an increase in business since the election.

“We tend to notice a surge when the PQ gets into power,” she said.

Another increase in exodus happened once again around the time of a general election in 2007, when language tensions and possibility of a separation referendum were once again in the background.

In 1971, before the PQ’s first election, the anglophone population sat at 788,833. By 2011, the total had dropped to 599,230.

Categories: Economy, Immigration & Refugees, Society
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