Only 7,000 skilled immigrants have come through the programme so far
The Federal government is being urged to expand the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Programme in a bid to address the ongoing labour shortage in key sectors. The said programme provides skilled foreign workers, international students, and entrepreneurs with a way to become a permanent resident in BC so they can help resolve the province's labour market needs and grow the economy.
However, only 7,000 skilled immigrants have been permitted to come through the programme in 2022, which the provincial government wants to expand to 10,000 by 2025.
"This will help address our labour shortage and ensure British Columbians can receive the services they count on," said BC Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon in a statement.
Kahlon made the remarks after BC had the most people joining the workforce in July, according to the latest Statistics Canada Survey.
"The province added 14,900 full-time jobs last month, while our unemployment rate remained historically low at 4.7%," said Kahlon.
"Because we focused on making investments in people, we are leading Canada's economic recovery and are well positioned to deal with the challenges of global uncertainty and rising inflation being felt all around the world."
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According to the survey, the Canadian economy lost 31,000 jobs in July, while unemployment rate remained steady at 4.9%.
Kahlon, on the unemployment rate, said that the province is working to accomplish its goal of filling the one million job openings it projected over the next 10 years.
"We know that the record low unemployment rate is contributing to a tight labour market. That’s why, as part of the StrongerBC Economic Plan, we are working to make sure British Columbia is well positioned to fill the one million job openings projected over the next 10 years," he said.
"With our Future Ready plan, we are investing to make education and training more accessible, affordable and innovative so we can help businesses grow, while preparing British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow."
