High costs squeezing Canadians

Nearly 40% of Ontarians polled consider leaving province, as 44% of Torontonians mull a move

- KEVIN JIANG

Canada has reached record levels of immigration in recent years — but as housing costs continue to soar, many are finding their Canadian dream has turned into a nightmare.

According to the latest poll from the Angus Reid Institute, about two-in-five recent immigrants say they’re seriously considering leaving their province of residence due to housing unaffordability.

The data comes amid a growing flood of Torontonians abandoning Ontario’s capital for more affordable pastures, with 220,000 more Canadians having left the city in the past two years than arrived.

According to the poll published Wednesday, an average 28 per cent of Canadians say they’re seriously considering leaving their province of origin over steep housing costs, with the sentiment felt strongest in Ontario (39 per cent) and British Columbia (38 per cent) — provinces with some of the priciest properties in Canada.