Statistics released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada have revealed that a growing number of people are migrating to Canada’s small and mid-sized towns towns, rather than the traditional big cities.

Last year, Charlottetown’s migration intake increased by a staggering 73 per cent on 2006, with other small regions such as Moncton and Saskatoon welcoming a migration increase 31 per cent and 40 per cent on the pervious year. Overall, Alberta revelled in a massive increase of 93 per cent migration intake compares to the figures for 2006.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada explained that the shifting pattern in migration was party due to the Provincial Nomination Program, which encourages skilled workers to immigrate to Canada’s more regional areas.

Overall, the statistics and social factors surrounding immigration to Canada’s smaller towns are highly favourable. New migrants find it easier to integrate into society in regional towns, income rates are higher on average, unemployment is lower, and the demand for housing is greatly reduced.