Quebec Edges Ahead of Ontario as The Top Province for Keeping New Immigrants After One Year

Quebec has reached a symbolic milestone in Canada’s immigration landscape. For the first time, the province has surpassed Ontario in retaining newly landed permanent residents during their first year after arrival. While the difference is narrow, the shift reflects deeper changes in how immigrants choose where to build their lives in Canada.

According to new data released by Statistics Canada, 91.5% of permanent residents who arrived in 2022 and initially planned to settle in Quebec were still living in the province twelve months later. Ontario followed closely at 91.3%. In a period marked by rising interprovincial mobility, Quebec’s ability to retain more than nine out of ten newcomers stands out.

Why This Result Matters in a High-Mobility Era

Immigrant mobility across Canada has increased steadily since the pandemic. In 2023, 13.5% of immigrants admitted the previous year moved to another province or territory, up sharply from 10.1% in 2022. This trend reflects greater flexibility among newcomers as they respond to job markets, housing costs, and lifestyle preferences.

Against this backdrop, Quebec’s one-year retention rate represents more than just a statistical win. It signals that newcomers are finding early stability in the province, despite broader national patterns showing increased movement.

Quebec now leads the country in one-year retention, ahead of Ontario, British Columbia at 88.5%, and Alberta at 87.3% for the same cohort.

A Rapid Improvement Since Twenty Nineteen

Quebec’s progress has been swift. In 2019, the province retained 85.9% of immigrants after one year. That figure climbed steadily, peaking at 93.4% in 2021 before settling at 91.5% in 2022. Even with a slight decline from the peak, the overall upward trend remains clear.

Ontario’s numbers, by contrast, have remained relatively stable over the same period, hovering around the low ninety percent range withoutnotable growth. This stability allowed Quebec to catch up and eventually move ahead.

Net Gains Reinforce Quebec’s Momentum

Beyond retention, Quebec also recorded a positive net interprovincial migration balance. For immigrants admitted in 2022, the province gained 2,095 permanent residents from other parts of Canada. This placed Quebec ahead of both British Columbia and Alberta in net gains for that cohort.

In practical terms, Quebec is not only keeping those who initially choose the province, but also attracting immigrants who first intended to settle elsewhere, particularly Ontario. This inflow strengthens the province’s labour market and supports long-term demographic growth.

The Long-Term Picture Remains Mixed

While Quebec leads in short-term retention, the situation changes when examining longer timelines. Five years after arrival, 79.6% of immigrants admitted in 2018 were still living in Quebec, compared with 90.8% in Ontario. Urban retention presents additional challenges. Montréal’s five-year retention rate stands at 71.3%, similar to Toronto but lower than Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. Over five years, Montréal experienced a net loss of 5,725 immigrants from the 2018 cohort, largely to Western Canada.

Why Five-Year Retention is The Real Test

Short-term settlement success does not always translate into long-term permanence. Research from the Conference Board of Canada shows that immigrant departures often peak between three and five years after arrival. Highly skilled immigrants, including doctorate holders and professionals in technology, engineering, and finance, are among the most likely to leave.

Key factors driving departures include slow credential recognition, limited career progression, and employment below skill level. These challenges affect Quebec and other provinces alike. Quebec’s rise to the top in one-year immigrant retention marks an important shift in Canada’s settlement patterns. While the margin over Ontario is slim, the trend reflects growing early stability for newcomers. The larger challenge now lies in translating this short-term success into lasting, long-term settlement across the province.