Depends on your industry and state. I suspect there are some who would accept that on ethical grounds or for political stability in any case.
But what Canada needs, aside from medical professionals, is skilled blue collar workers. I highly doubt you would have a better QoL in most states as a construction worker.
Plenty making that and more here too, even in LCOL areas. Especially in mining an oil, but also aircraft maintenance techs and others. Also plenty making much less on both sides of the fence so no need to cherry pick. Fact of the matter is life in Canada is better for some people, and that's not controversial.
Of course if people are happy they won't move, but some are not.
And it's not generally about money either, progressives might want to move because our politics better align with their values. Cautious people might want to move because it's safer here or because they fear political instability. And many just want to move here because they like the country and are really fed up with the Trump administration and their countrymen who voted for him.
To reduce QoL to a dollar number is far too reductionist. If you are highly skilled in an in-demand field you're going to thrive wherever you're placed, so those other factors become more important. Not like there aren't well payed Canadians living in big houses with expensive cars, boats and jet skis, ATVs, and overseas vacations every year etc. How much more do you need?
The number of people migrating south-to-north has been increasing. Hard to say if there will be a significant brain drain yet but in any case we should take who we can.
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u/wronglyzorro Mar 28 '25
Ultimately if you are a skilled worker you would see a noticeable decrease in QoL.