CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

BC workforce can expect growth

Thursday, 6 September 2007

Employment opportunities in British Columbia are expected to continue their rise thanks to a number of industrial, construction and resource projects in the province. Much of the growth can be attributed to preparations for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler.

In a new report with the colourful title “Let the Good Time Roll,” British Columbia’s economic outlook is solid. B.C. can expect 3.1% - 3.2% growth over the next two years. The economic forecast is so rosy that B.C. is planning on lowering its income tax rates. The Pacific province may soon have the lowest rates of income tax in Canada for all but very high income-earners.

Construction projects driven by the 2010 Winter Olympics, natural resources, infrastructure improvements and greater industrial coordination between BC and neighbouring Alberta are all expected to contribute to BC’s economic growth.

Indeed, one of the few limiting factors on the BC economy, and the Western Canadian economy at large, is a lack of skilled workers. Much of Canada and even North America’s domestic labour supply has already been exhausted, meaning that there are simply not enough workers to fill vacancies in the province.

Increasingly, industries in the province are looking to skilled workers from abroad.