Over the past couple years an alarming number of people have left the province, presumably in search of better job prospects elsewhere. According to BC Stats, 11,106 people moved from B.C. to Alberta in 2012 – a 225% jump from the 3,418 people who left in 2011.
The exodus over the past two years equals nearly the entire population of Pitt Meadows, White Rock or Salmon Arm.
While it’s been more than a decade since B.C. has seen such an annual outflow to Alberta, a resurgent exodus is affecting our province’s population growth. Fewer than 30,000 new people (predominantly immigrants) decided to call B.C. home in 2012. That’s less than half the annual total in 2008 and 2009, a fact that could be influencing the current correction in B.C.’s real estate market.
But if job seekers are leaving for greener pastures on the other side of the Rockies, they could be in for an unpleasant surprise. Although Alberta has the highest average wages in Canada, its wage growth has stalled so far this year. One reason may be employer push-back.
According to a June survey by Edmonton-based ATB Financial, more than two-thirds of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Alberta are finding it difficult to hire and retain experienced workers. More than a third (37%) of employers say salary expectations of employees are too high. It has gotten to the point that more than a quarter of employers say they can’t compete with their competition because of the province’s labour issues.
With rising wage expectations, 35% of Albertan SMEs say retaining staff is difficult. More than half say salary expectations of existing employees are too high.
Such prospects sound good for job seekers. But employer push-back may strengthen with continued uncertainty over whether Alberta can ship more of its black gold south and to Asia via B.C.
While many Albertan SMEs were optimistic about the province’s economic future, nearly a quarter fear an industry downturn, 17% fear the Alberta economy will be financially worse off in six months and 16% predict poorer employment opportunities. •
