“My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver
“My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster
“B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish
“The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna
“My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River
“As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond
“My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver “My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster “B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish “The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna “My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River “As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond
"Everything has gone up except wages.... It would be irresponsible of me as a father to stay here and accept mediocre wages and the impossibility of home ownership." — Jarred from Westbank
“The increasing tax burden and overregulation make it harder and harder to survive here. I run a small construction business and I can’t keep up with the compliance demands while trying to grow.” — Jason from Sechelt
“700,000 B.C. residents don’t have access to a family doctor. Why we are leaving is no mystery.” — Dave from Courtenay
“Remove the red tape, provide tax breaks for local businesses, encourage new industries to move here...Make it easier to do business in B.C. again.” — Priya from Vancouver
“Between permits, zoning restrictions, and layers of bureaucracy, it takes too long and costs too much to get projects moving in B.C. It’s like the system is designed to say no.” — Trevor from Kelowna
“I am a senior who is still working because I cannot afford to retire in B.C. Housing is unaffordable, food costs have doubled, and it's exhausting.” — Katherine from Vancouver
"Everything has gone up except wages.... It would be irresponsible of me as a father to stay here and accept mediocre wages and the impossibility of home ownership." — Jarred from Westbank “The increasing tax burden and overregulation make it harder and harder to survive here. I run a small construction business and I can’t keep up with the compliance demands while trying to grow.” — Jason from Sechelt “700,000 B.C. residents don’t have access to a family doctor. Why we are leaving is no mystery.” — Dave from Courtenay “Remove the red tape, provide tax breaks for local businesses, encourage new industries to move here...Make it easier to do business in B.C. again.” — Priya from Vancouver “Between permits, zoning restrictions, and layers of bureaucracy, it takes too long and costs too much to get projects moving in B.C. It’s like the system is designed to say no.” — Trevor from Kelowna “I am a senior who is still working because I cannot afford to retire in B.C. Housing is unaffordable, food costs have doubled, and it's exhausting.” — Katherine from Vancouver
We Asked and B.C. Answered
Since launching the Stay With B.C. campaign, we’ve heard from thousands of British Columbians across more than 100 communities.
Every story was unique, but a clear theme emerged. People love this province and want to stay, but many are being pushed to the brink by a rising cost of living and a weakening economy. Whether it was a young couple trying to buy their first home, a parent concerned about their child’s future, or a business owner struggling to retain staff, the message was the same: something has to change.
Thank you, British Columbia, for engaging with us, sharing your stories, and reaffirming your commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous province. Your voices, ideas, and solutions will be shared directly with policymakers as we continue to advocate for an economy that works for everyone.
“My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver
“My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster
“B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish
“The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna
“My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River
“As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond
“My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver “My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster “B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish “The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna “My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River “As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond
“Remove the red tape and get to work accessing our resources then sell those resources to the world.” — Scott from Mission
“If we can’t get our LNG and wood to the world fast, this province is finished.” — T from Fort St. John
“I should be able to afford to live by myself in B.C. with an engineering degree. But I can’t. It’s brutal and I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice. — Alex from West Vancouver
“Everywhere we look within B.C., we get signals that the economy is not right for us. B.C. does indeed have the most beautiful nature in the world, but that's not enough to keep people here long term.” — Melanie from Burnaby
“I have a bachelor’s degree and still work at Starbucks. I can’t get a job that pays more than $21 an hour, and I can’t afford to survive here anymore.” — Sara from Surrey
“Reduce the wait times for building permits...It holds back projects and jobs, which has a knock-on effect on other industries.” —John from Port Coquitlam
“Remove the red tape and get to work accessing our resources then sell those resources to the world.” — Scott from Mission “If we can’t get our LNG and wood to the world fast, this province is finished.” — T from Fort St. John “I should be able to afford to live by myself in B.C. with an engineering degree. But I can’t. It’s brutal and I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice. — Alex from West Vancouver “Everywhere we look within B.C., we get signals that the economy is not right for us. B.C. does indeed have the most beautiful nature in the world, but that's not enough to keep people here long term.” — Melanie from Burnaby “I have a bachelor’s degree and still work at Starbucks. I can’t get a job that pays more than $21 an hour, and I can’t afford to survive here anymore.” — Sara from Surrey “Reduce the wait times for building permits...It holds back projects and jobs, which has a knock-on effect on other industries.” —John from Port Coquitlam
“As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond
“My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver
“The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna
“B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish
“My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster
“My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River
“As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond “My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver “The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna “B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish “My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster “My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River
“The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar
“We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops
“Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof
“The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston
“My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville
“Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River
“The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar “We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops “Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof “The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston “My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville “Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River
“Reduce the wait times for building permits...It holds back projects and jobs, which has a knock-on effect on other industries.” —John from Port Coquitlam
“I have a bachelor’s degree and still work at Starbucks. I can’t get a job that pays more than $21 an hour, and I can’t afford to survive here anymore.” — Sara from Surrey
“Everywhere we look within B.C., we get signals that the economy is not right for us. B.C. does indeed have the most beautiful nature in the world, but that's not enough to keep people here long term.” — Melanie from Burnaby
“I should be able to afford to live by myself in B.C. with an engineering degree. But I can’t. It’s brutal and I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice. — Alex from West Vancouver
“If we can’t get our LNG and wood to the world fast, this province is finished.” — T from Fort St. John
“Remove the red tape and get to work accessing our resources then sell those resources to the world.” — Scott from Mission
“Reduce the wait times for building permits...It holds back projects and jobs, which has a knock-on effect on other industries.” —John from Port Coquitlam “I have a bachelor’s degree and still work at Starbucks. I can’t get a job that pays more than $21 an hour, and I can’t afford to survive here anymore.” — Sara from Surrey “Everywhere we look within B.C., we get signals that the economy is not right for us. B.C. does indeed have the most beautiful nature in the world, but that's not enough to keep people here long term.” — Melanie from Burnaby “I should be able to afford to live by myself in B.C. with an engineering degree. But I can’t. It’s brutal and I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice. — Alex from West Vancouver “If we can’t get our LNG and wood to the world fast, this province is finished.” — T from Fort St. John “Remove the red tape and get to work accessing our resources then sell those resources to the world.” — Scott from Mission
“I am a senior who is still working because I cannot afford to retire in B.C. Housing is unaffordable, food costs have doubled, and it's exhausting.” — Katherine from Vancouver
“Between permits, zoning restrictions, and layers of bureaucracy, it takes too long and costs too much to get projects moving in B.C. It’s like the system is designed to say no.” — Trevor from Kelowna
“700,000 B.C. residents don’t have access to a family doctor. Why we are leaving is no mystery.” — Dave from Courtenay
“Remove the red tape, provide tax breaks for local businesses, encourage new industries to move here...Make it easier to do business in B.C. again.” — Priya from Vancouver
“The increasing tax burden and overregulation make it harder and harder to survive here. I run a small construction business and I can’t keep up with the compliance demands while trying to grow.” — Jason from Sechelt
"Everything has gone up except wages.... It would be irresponsible of me as a father to stay here and accept mediocre wages and the impossibility of home ownership." — Jarred from Westbank
“I am a senior who is still working because I cannot afford to retire in B.C. Housing is unaffordable, food costs have doubled, and it's exhausting.” — Katherine from Vancouver “Between permits, zoning restrictions, and layers of bureaucracy, it takes too long and costs too much to get projects moving in B.C. It’s like the system is designed to say no.” — Trevor from Kelowna “700,000 B.C. residents don’t have access to a family doctor. Why we are leaving is no mystery.” — Dave from Courtenay “Remove the red tape, provide tax breaks for local businesses, encourage new industries to move here...Make it easier to do business in B.C. again.” — Priya from Vancouver “The increasing tax burden and overregulation make it harder and harder to survive here. I run a small construction business and I can’t keep up with the compliance demands while trying to grow.” — Jason from Sechelt "Everything has gone up except wages.... It would be irresponsible of me as a father to stay here and accept mediocre wages and the impossibility of home ownership." — Jarred from Westbank
“Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River
“My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville
“The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston
“Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof
“We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops
“The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar
“Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River “My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville “The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston “Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof “We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops “The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar
"Everything has gone up except wages.... It would be irresponsible of me as a father to stay here and accept mediocre wages and the impossibility of home ownership." — Jarred from Westbank
“The increasing tax burden and overregulation make it harder and harder to survive here. I run a small construction business and I can’t keep up with the compliance demands while trying to grow.” — Jason from Sechelt
“700,000 B.C. residents don’t have access to a family doctor. Why we are leaving is no mystery.” — Dave from Courtenay
“Remove the red tape, provide tax breaks for local businesses, encourage new industries to move here...Make it easier to do business in B.C. again.” — Priya from Vancouver
“Between permits, zoning restrictions, and layers of bureaucracy, it takes too long and costs too much to get projects moving in B.C. It’s like the system is designed to say no.” — Trevor from Kelowna
“I am a senior who is still working because I cannot afford to retire in B.C. Housing is unaffordable, food costs have doubled, and it's exhausting.” — Katherine from Vancouver
"Everything has gone up except wages.... It would be irresponsible of me as a father to stay here and accept mediocre wages and the impossibility of home ownership." — Jarred from Westbank “The increasing tax burden and overregulation make it harder and harder to survive here. I run a small construction business and I can’t keep up with the compliance demands while trying to grow.” — Jason from Sechelt “700,000 B.C. residents don’t have access to a family doctor. Why we are leaving is no mystery.” — Dave from Courtenay “Remove the red tape, provide tax breaks for local businesses, encourage new industries to move here...Make it easier to do business in B.C. again.” — Priya from Vancouver “Between permits, zoning restrictions, and layers of bureaucracy, it takes too long and costs too much to get projects moving in B.C. It’s like the system is designed to say no.” — Trevor from Kelowna “I am a senior who is still working because I cannot afford to retire in B.C. Housing is unaffordable, food costs have doubled, and it's exhausting.” — Katherine from Vancouver
“As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond
“My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver
“The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna
“B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish
“My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster
“My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River
“As someone born and raised here, I find myself unable to buy a home in the city I love. I’m a teacher, a good job, and I still can’t afford anything reasonable. It’s heartbreaking.” — Lily from Richmond “My young family is strongly considering moving to Alberta. As a nurse and architect in Vancouver, we are unable to afford living here.” — Chelsea from Vancouver “The cost of housing is pushing families out. Our kids are growing up and realizing they’ll never own a home here. What does that say about our future?” — Sasha from Kelowna “B.C. is beautiful, but for many young professionals, it’s just not sustainable—especially if you want to start a family” — Zach from Squamish “My rent keeps going up, my bills keep going up, but my pay is the same. I'm just trying not to fall further behind.” — Ly from New Westminster “My family and I are moving to northern Alberta next month. I love B.C., but I can’t wait anymore to get into the housing market.” — Ryan from Campbell River
“The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar
“We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops
“Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof
“The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston
“My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville
“Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River
“The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar “We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops “Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof “The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston “My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville “Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River
“Remove the red tape and get to work accessing our resources then sell those resources to the world.” — Scott from Mission
“If we can’t get our LNG and wood to the world fast, this province is finished.” — T from Fort St. John
“I should be able to afford to live by myself in B.C. with an engineering degree. But I can’t. It’s brutal and I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice. — Alex from West Vancouver
“Everywhere we look within B.C., we get signals that the economy is not right for us. B.C. does indeed have the most beautiful nature in the world, but that's not enough to keep people here long term.” — Melanie from Burnaby
“I have a bachelor’s degree and still work at Starbucks. I can’t get a job that pays more than $21 an hour, and I can’t afford to survive here anymore.” — Sara from Surrey
“Reduce the wait times for building permits...It holds back projects and jobs, which has a knock-on effect on other industries.” —John from Port Coquitlam
“Remove the red tape and get to work accessing our resources then sell those resources to the world.” — Scott from Mission “If we can’t get our LNG and wood to the world fast, this province is finished.” — T from Fort St. John “I should be able to afford to live by myself in B.C. with an engineering degree. But I can’t. It’s brutal and I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice. — Alex from West Vancouver “Everywhere we look within B.C., we get signals that the economy is not right for us. B.C. does indeed have the most beautiful nature in the world, but that's not enough to keep people here long term.” — Melanie from Burnaby “I have a bachelor’s degree and still work at Starbucks. I can’t get a job that pays more than $21 an hour, and I can’t afford to survive here anymore.” — Sara from Surrey “Reduce the wait times for building permits...It holds back projects and jobs, which has a knock-on effect on other industries.” —John from Port Coquitlam
“Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River
“My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville
“The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston
“Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof
“We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops
“The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar
“Government’s addiction to debt will continue to ensure that each year ahead will look worse than the year prior...My children understand this idea. Why the government doesn’t is beyond me.” — David from Powell River “My kids have no chance when it comes to BC, they will HAVE to move away.” — Ryan from Parksville “The BC government needs to look elsewhere to source revenue rather than taxing its citizens to death.” — Aaron from Creston “Get rid of the bureaucratic overburden... Make the regulations make sense, and simple to follow.” — Russell from Vanderhoof “We need to grow our resource economy as pulp mills have closed and mines aren’t being opened. These provide the type of jobs that attract young families to live and work here in BC.” — Ty from Kamloops “The lack of natural resource investment to support a green transition seems like an ongoing mistake and something that should be rectified to help the province.” — Adam from Castlegar