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Your B.C. Government

Labour Mobility and Skilled Workers

Your B.C. Government believes that all Canadians should have the legal right to work anywhere in Canada. Reducing barriers to the free movement of workers, goods, services and investments supports the economic vitality of our province and our country. The Province is also expanding training opportunities to help people and businesses meet their skilled-labour needs.

What your B.C. Government is doing for labour mobility and skilled workers:

  • B.C. and Alberta signed the groundbreaking bilateral Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement in April 2006. TILMA came into effect on April 1, 2007, and was fully implemented on April 1, 2009.
  • TILMA creates the second-largest economy in Canada, with a combined B.C.-Alberta market of almost 7.8 million people, 30 per cent larger than Quebec.
  • It is estimated that TILMA will add $4.8 billion to real GDP and create 78,000 new jobs in B.C. alone.
  • TILMA gives workers the freedom to move from one province to the other by recognizing occupational certifications of workers regulated in both provinces, reducing costs in both time and money.
  • TILMA will also apply greater consistency in recognizing the credentials and qualifications of foreign-trained professionals within the two provinces.
  • TILMA is critical to our economy as inter-provincial trade barriers cost consumers, businesses and investors time and money every year due to unnecessary red tape.
  • TILMA streamlined business registration and reporting requirements so that businesses registering in one province will automatically be recognized by the other.
  • According to surveyed members of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 84 per cent are in favour of TILMA.
  • Environmental, consumer protection, health and safety issues are exempt from TILMA.
  • Municipal land use bylaws are exempt from TILMA as long as they operate to treat British Columbia and Alberta residents equally.
  • Your B.C. Government expanded the Provincial Nominee Program, speeding up the process for skilled immigrants with job offers in B.C., helping at least 2,000 highly skilled immigrants annually.
  • In 2007, 1,881 skilled immigrants became permanent residents of B.C., exceeding the target of 1,730. Over the next three years, the Provincial Nominee Program expects to increase the number to 15,000.
  • The Province is developing a pilot project to make the program available for entry-level and semi-skilled immigrants in the tourism and hospitality, and long-haul trucking sectors to address acute shortages.
  • Your B.C. Government created the Skills Connect for Immigrants Program to help highly-skilled immigrants move more quickly into jobs that match their qualifications, supporting our growing economy and helping to fill labour shortages, including occupations in the health sector.
  • As of March 2008, 1,515 immigrants had enrolled in the Skills Connect program, and 220 of those were already registered in the health sector.
  • Your B.C. Government has dramatically cut personal income taxes to attract and retain skilled workers; B.C. now has the lowest personal income tax in Canada for people earning under $116,000.
  • On Jan. 1, 2008, your B.C. Government eliminated mandatory retirement to increase the supply of skilled workers and give people 65 and older choice.
For more information:
Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development
Provincial Nominee Program
Skills Connect Program
WelcomeBC
Work BC