Half (52%) of Canadians who have considered moving to the US indicate the election of Donald Trump has lowered their likelihood to consider relocating
Brain Drain
For years the United States has been the go-to destination for Canadians looking to take their careers to the next level. In general, better pay, lower taxes, and a bigger job market have made the idea of heading south appealing, especially for younger, highly educated professionals.
Gen Z Most Motivated to Move
A recent survey has found that over one-in-five (21%) Canadians with a university degree or higher have considered making the move in the past five years, highest among members of Gen Z (29%) and Millennials (23%). The top motivators among Canadians who have considered a move to the US are higher compensation (31%) and lower taxes (29%).
Donald Trump’s Impact
Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States, many Canadians who were once tempted to chase the American dream are now reconsidering their plans. Among those who have considered a move to the US within the last five years, about half (52%) indicate the election of Donald Trump has lowered their likelihood to consider moving to the US in the next four years. A similar number (51%) report that the new tariffs imposed by the US have had a negative impact on their likelihood to consider moving.
Read more
Research publisher
Humi is an employment platform for Canadian businesses providing a unified payroll, HR, and benefits solution.
Methodology
These findings are from a survey conducted by Humi from April 7th to April 9th, 2025, among a representative sample of 1515 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
