Home - Canada & Immigration - Canada Facts - About British Columbia (B.C.)

The Basics of British Columbia

The western-most province in Canada, British Columbia (BC) borders the Pacific Ocean. British Columbia is home to almost 4 million people and is internationally known for its natural beauty. The province is working hard to prepare to host the Olympic Games in 2010 in Vancouver and Whistler

The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, which is situated on Vancouver Island. The most populous city in the province is Vancouver, Canada's third largest city. Immigrants make up a high proportion of B.C.'s population with over one third of Vancouver's population from abroad. The vibrant multicultural atmosphere and excellent quality of life make B.C. a major destination for newcomers to Canada.

Economy and employment

In recent decades the BC economy has diversified significantly, now featuring an extensive industrial and service economy. Forestry, mining remain, construction, and are among its leading industries. Tourism is also a considerable source of revenue for the province.

B.C. has the largest fishing industry in Canada and sizeable cattle and dairy farm operations. It is Canada's third-largest generator of hydro electricity and second-largest natural gas producer. The Vancouver area has become an important financial, business and technology center and is the third-largest film and television production centre in North America.

Unemployment rates in the province are at their lowest levels in 30 years. Many of new jobs are in the service or technology sectors.

Standard of Living

British Columbia is well known for its standard of living, with Vancouver consistently ranked among the top cities in the world to live and work in. For new immigrants, Vancouver, Victoria, and interior BC communities provide economic opportunity and support networks of existing immigrant communities.

While the cost of living in British Columbia is among the highest in Canada, average salaries in B.C. are also quite high to compensate ($31,544). B.C. has the highest provincial minimum wage and the second lowest personal income tax rate. With huge areas of protected parkland, two mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean, there is plenty of opportunity for recreation and health living.

Residential Housing

The housing market in British Columbia is slightly more expensive than the rest of Canada, especially within the cities of Vancouver and Victoria. Many people who live in Vancouver choose to live in neighbouring suburbs such as Richmond, Surrey or Burnaby, which offer lower housing costs and more space to accommodate families.

Education

In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. Within this taxpayer-funded system, there is a range of choices including community schools, alternative schools, aboriginal education programs, French immersion, fine arts programs, sports or trades programs and of course the main public stream.

British Columbia has a well-respected public education system anchored by world-renowned research universities. BC's top universities, including the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University, and the University of Victoria form a research and development network that attract scholars and scientists from around the world.

Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient British Columbia, like the rest of Canada, has universal, publicly funded health care.

History

British Columbia has some of the richest aboriginal history of any province in Canada. With the province's expansive coast line, B.C. supported the highest aboriginal population density of anywhere in Canada.

British Columbia joined Canadian confederation as a province in 1871. Back then, B.C. was a major receiver of immigration from all over Europe as well as from China and Japan. With the arrival of transcontinental railroads, B.C. evolved from a mostly farming economy to forestry and mining.

B.C. experienced a period of industrial growth and development after the Second World War. With the forestry industry bringing in a great deal of revenue, the province successfully modernized its economy. Also a period of cultural development for B.C., Vancouver and Victoria became cultural centers, attracting authors, artists, poets, musicians and academics.

Culture

With one of the best natural environments in the world to enjoy outdoor recreation, the B.C. culture has embraced this good fortune to include a healthy appreciation of recreation.

B.C. culture is also significantly influenced by its history of high levels of immigration to the province. British, German, Chinese, German, Indian, and Japanese community influences can all be found throughout the province.

Demographics

British Columbia is home to about 4.25 million residents. The birth rate however is at only 1.4 children born per woman, below the Canadian average of 1.6. Population increase is therefore largely coming from immigration. With the labour force already feeling pressure, British Columbia will depend heavily on immigrants to fuel the labour market.

Chinese-Canadians account for approximately 10% of the province's population, along with sizable Japanese, Filipino and Korean populations. There is also a large number of Canadians from South Asia living in B.C., especially in Southern Vancouver and in Surrey.

Immigration

With the province's decreasing birth rate, the province is expected to depend on immigration for all of its growth in the near future. To help meet its needs, British Columbia participates in the Provincial Nomination Program, which allows the province to help speed up the immigration process for qualified applicants that wish to settle in British Columbia and have the tools to contribute to the province's development. B.C. is also a major destination for individuals coming to Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Government

Canada's government works on a federal system, with control over certain affairs belonging to the national government in Ottawa, and others under the control of the provincial governments. The province of British Columbia has its own democratically-elected parliament (known as the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia).

The Major Cities

Vancouver

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia and consistently ranked in the top three most livable cities in the entire world. Vancouver enjoys a temperate climate as far as Canadian standards, and it generally does not experience the cold snowy winters that are typical elsewhere in Canada. Vancouver features one of the largest parks of its kind in North America, Stanley Park. The skyline of the city features mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

The city has often been called a "city of neighbourhoods", made up of various areas that each have their own character and culture. Many of these neighbourhoods are identified by the immigrant communities that dominate them, such as Little Italy, Japantown or the Punjabi market. Other non-ethnic neighbourhoods such as Gastown or Granville also retain unique character and flavour.

More than half of the residents speak a first language other than English. While the large percentage of immigrants has allowed communities to retain much of their culture, it has also created a city-wide culture that shares and celebrates a fusion of different cultures.

Vancouver has a diverse financial and service-based economy. The presence of high quality research universities has made it a home for many high-technology industries including telecommunications and video game design.

Victoria

The city of Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is located on the Southern tip of Vancouver Island. Victoria is a short ferry-ride away from the city of Vancouver.

Victoria is well-liked for its mild climate and peaceful nature. While the city has a flourishing culture and is a center for the arts, it has a smaller-town feel amongst its suburbs. Victoria has a very low crime rate and is known for excellent standard of living. Government administration and services and tourism comprise the major employers in the city of Victoria. Victoria is also home to the well-known University of Victoria.