40% of Interior residents ‘seriously’ thinking about leaving BC: poll

More than 40% of BC Interior residents say they are seriously thinking about leaving the province because of the cost of housing.

According to the results of a Angus Reid poll released June 10, 41% of British Columbia's Interior residents say the cost of housing is enough to make them seriously think about leaving.

The number is slightly higher than in Metro Vancouver where 36% say the cost of housing may push them out.

Overall, 36% of BC residents say they are thinking of leaving because of housing.

Last year, the province lost 8,000 more residents to other provinces than arrived. The highest number since 2012, says Angus Reid.

While housing affordability is what makes people seriously consider moving, the cost of living is residents' major concern.

The poll found the top issue for BC residents was the cost of living at 66%, with healthcare in second at 52% and housing affordability at 44%.

Crime came further down in a list of importance at 23%, and the opioid crisis at 16%. Homelessness was 15%.

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For high earners making more than $100,000 a year, 52% said the BC NDP government hadn't focused enough on encouraging business investment, while this number dropped to 34% for those making less than $50,000.

The survey also found that more than half of BC residents, 53%, thought the BC government had not focused enough on housing, while 7% thought the government had focused too much on it.

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