B.C. is finally gaining, not losing, Canadians again

People in Vancouver | BCBusiness

Following a slow year and increased competition with its neighbours, B.C. is bouncing back

B.C. may be on the rebound following a slow 2013, according to a new report from the Canada West Foundation. For the first time since 2012, the province experienced a net gain of migrants in the first quarter of 2014—that is, more Canadians moved here than left. “The province had been struggling with a net exodus of residents, drawn by hot economies in its two closest provincial neighbours,” writes Shafak Sajid, a policy analyst with Canada West, in the August edition of the foundation’s economic review.

As you can see in Canada West’s chart below, numbers have been low since 2011.

Also helping matters is the fact that B.C.’s retail sales were up 3.4 per cent in April and May, the report says. Meanwhile, the housing market remained stable, and exports have rebounded in the wake of Port Metro Vancouver’s month-long labour strike in March.

Now let’s see how the last half of 2014 goes.

To read Canada West’s latest review, go here.