You're assuming that every high quality dev follows the money down south. My experience is that there is still plenty of high quality developers and admins her

You're assuming that every high quality dev follows the money down south. My experience is that there is still plenty of high quality developers and admins here in Toronto who, due to circumstances, can't move down or simply choose to stay for reasons that aren't money - usually quality of life. By offering above-average local salaries, it is very easy to hire these people. I know because I've done it.