Year-end data from Statistics Canada show a net total of 100,797 people moved to the province in 2021
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British Columbia saw net migration of more than 100,000 people last year, the highest total in six decades.
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Year-end data from Statistics Canada show a net total of 100,797 people moved to the province in 2021, the highest annual total since 1961. It tallies how many moved here from other parts of Canada or another country, minus those who left.
Premier John Horgan touted the high numbers as a fix for BC’s labor shortages, where it’s anticipated there will be roughly a million job openings over the next decade.
“People are coming to BC in record numbers because they know that by investing in people, we are building a stronger province where their families will have a safe and secure future,” said Horgan in a statement. “We welcome these newcomers with open arms, and we are determined to deliver the services and housing people in BC need to support this record growth.”
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Roughly a third of those who came to BC last year — 33,656 people — arrived from other provinces or territories, the highest in-country migration to the province since 1994 and the highest in Canada in 2021.
“Building a BC that’s attracting record numbers of newcomers is an important part of our work to help tackle the labor shortage,” said Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon, “as these new British Columbians will help us fill the jobs of tomorrow, drive innovation and support our care economy.”
The remaining 67,141 people came from abroad, the second-highest international immigration rate on record.
A provincial nominee program introduced last month will allow immigrants with international training in health or child care can more easily transfer their credentials to work in BC
The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation says BC is leading Canada’s economic recovery from the pandemic, with 84,000 more people working in the province since before COVID-19 — a job recovery rate of 103.2 per cent.