When people think of B.C.’s economy, mining, forestry, tourism and our booming tech sector are often mentioned.

Manufacturing is a key contributor to B.C.’s economic diversity and future growth.

British Columbia's network of international trade and investment offices, managed by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, work to connect B.C. companies to international enterprises, building strong links to the natural resources, skills, products and services that make British Columbia an attractive place to invest and do business.

British Columbia is a strong supporter of rules-based trade and the many benefits that free trade agreements bring for B.C. businesses and all British Columbians.

As Canada’s gateway to the Asia Pacific, British Columbia is a strong supporter of rules-based trade and the many benefits that free trade agreements bring for B.C. businesses and all British Columbians.

The most recent BC Stats report (2016 data) shows jobs and wages in British Columbia’s technology sector have reached a new peak as B.C.’s tech and innovation industry continues to thrive.

152,620 job openings are expected in the Vancouver Island/Coast region to 2020; about 23% of these (34,550) are expected to be newly created jobs.

Employment opportunities in the mining sector are expected to grow over the next decade, with more than 10,000 job openings expected by 2020. The industry will need skilled workers in several key occupations, including machinery and transportation equipment mechanics, primary production workers and vehicle drivers.

In 2011, the B.C. forest sector employed more than 53,000 workers. In addition to new jobs, as many as 25,000 job openings are expected across the sector over the next decade as existing workers retire.

Several media reports in recent days have focused on temporary foreign workers hired to do work for Canada Dehua, a company that is undertaking coal exploration activities at two sites in northeastern British Columbia. The following facts have been absent from much of this reporting: