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VANCOUVER – The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) is delivering its largest-ever advertising campaign entitled “Stay with B.C.,” which is meant to directly flip the script on the “Alberta is Calling” campaign. 

In essence the campaign is designed to spark a conversation about the “critical role a strong economy plays in addressing affordability challenges and keeping young, talented British Columbians in the province,” reads a release.

“For the first time in over a decade, more people are leaving B.C. for other provinces and territories than arriving. Rising costs, limited job opportunities, and strained public services are driving this trend, with an Angus Reid survey (2024) revealing that one in three British Columbians is seriously considering leaving. Meanwhile, other provinces are using the opportunity to aggressively recruit British Columbians.”

The campaign’s counter-narrative attempts to tackle these issues head on with scenarios such as a phone call from Alberta or an online dating profile asking, “Thinking of answering?” or “Thinking of swiping right?”

While lighthearted, they are meant to convey a serious message that living in B.C. “shouldn’t be so hard.”

The campaign features online and physical ads across the province, including in Prince George, Kelowna, Victoria and Metro Vancouver.

From billboards to transit ads, viewers are directed to .

“More must be done at the provincial and national levels to encourage economic growth and private sector investment, which are essential to creating better jobs and higher salaries for British Columbians,” the release adds.