Canadians are Moving Back to British Columbia

March 26, 2005

For the second year in a row more people are choosing to make British Columbia their home because of the opportunities this province offers, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said today following the release of figures that show the highest net inter-provincial migration to B.C. in almost decade.

“Our plan to rebuild B.C.'s economy is working,” said Hansen. “The fact that thousands of people are moving here and putting down roots is a sign of growing confidence in B.C.'s future.”

Data released by Statistics Canada shows 7,080 more people moved to British Columbia from other provinces, than left during 2004. Between 1998 and 2000 B.C. recorded a net interprovincial migration loss of 44,717 people. In 2003, B.C. recorded the first positive net interprovincial migration in six years for a total of 3,747.

“This past week both the TD Bank and RBC forecast B.C. would continue to be an economic leader this year, and Statistics Canada shows B.C. with the highest job growth rate in the country with 205,600 jobs created since December 2001,” said Hansen. “In the late 1990s we saw tens of thousands leaving B.C. and these latest figures show B.C. is once again a destination province.”
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