Although primary industries are still important, the centres of gravity in the Canadian economy have shifted to big cities with thriving high-tech and service sectors, such as Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Increasingly automated, resource production and agriculture don't need as many strong backs. The jobs that once tied families to small-town Canada are drying up. So young people go to the big city in search of education and opportunity. Small towns shrivel, peopled by those who couldn't afford to retire someplace warm.
Many economists believe that's a natural evolution among wealthy industrialized nations.
It's also not a modern phenomenon. Structurally what happened is the low-priced resource ran out. Except for Quebec and parts of the Maritimes, most Canadian towns don't have deep roots like in Europe. Settlers came to exploit what was there, says Goldberg. The notion that you move out to find jobs some other place seem to be anathema to many people.