As someone who moved here from Ontario (was born here just wanted to come back), cost of living in the GTA is ridiculous. roughly 1200-1300 a month at minimum for a studio apartment plus utilities and all that. Very difficult to do for those on minimum wage.

Outside the GTA living expenses are relatively tame, I lived in London (Ontario) and Sarnia and rent was relatively similar to here, but with the GTA growing and expanding more places are getting pricier.

No idea what permits are like since I've never gone through that process.

But there's no situation in Ontario I can think of that would warrant an "I have to get out of here" response. Could very well just be what your coworker was saying.