New annual international visitor arrival statistics show that in 2016, British Columbia saw a total of 5,532,065 million visitors – an increase of 12.3% accounting for 605,198 more visitors compared to 2015.

The B.C. Aboriginal Business and Investment Council (ABIC) has updated its website to make it easier to do business with First Nations companies, promote economic development among Aboriginal communities, and showcase the successes of Aboriginal businesses throughout the province.

Effective Feb. 1, 2017, the regulation c. 37 for the Provincial Immigration Programs Act (PIPA) will come into effect.

In the first 11 months of 2016, more than 5.1 million international visitors arrived in British Columbia, a 12.2% increase over the same time frame in 2015.

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, has issued the following statement in response to today’s launch of a WTO trade challenge against B.C. wine in grocery stores policy:

The Province of British Columbia finished 2016 with a record number of jobs created, the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, expanded economic activity and increased exports in key market sectors.

With almost one million job openings anticipated between now and 2025, British Columbia wants to encourage employers to sponsor apprentices and help build and expand the province’s skilled workforce to meet this growing labour demand.

2017 is ready to ring in where 2016 is leaving off for employment growth in British Columbia – and that’s at the top spot in Canada.