| The Province of British Columbia is located in Western | | | | premier resorts in North America and due to host the |
| Canada, it borders with the Yukon and Northwest | | | | 2010 Winter Olympics. Already projects are beginning |
| Territories to the North, Alberta to the East and the | | | | to improve the infrastructure and there are plans to |
| U.S. states of Montana, Idaho and Washington to the | | | | build a two lane highway linking Vancouver and |
| south. The Pacific Ocean coastline to the west is the | | | | Whistler Mountain Resort.As with all the Provinces; |
| only part of Canada on the Pacific Ocean and is | | | | Education, Healthcare, Social Assistance Benefits and |
| home to Vancouver IslandWith an area of 944,735 | | | | Driver Licensing are all managed by the Provincial |
| square kilometers; it is Canada's third largest province | | | | Government of British Columbia. The Provincial |
| in area and population (4,162,535). More than half of | | | | regulators for qualification transfer can be found in |
| the population lives in the south western corner of | | | | our "Jobsearch" pages. One extremely important |
| the Province. Most of British Columbia is in Pacific | | | | responsibility of the Provincial Government is to |
| Mountain time which is Greenwich meantime (GMT)-8 | | | | administer the Employment Standards which include |
| hours. Daylight saving is in effect from April to | | | | your rights (maternity, minimum wage etc.) and |
| October making it GMT -9 hours. Being home to the | | | | responsibilities as an employee in BC. It is imperative |
| fantastic scenery of the many Provincial and National | | | | that you understand these before you start |
| Parks, British Columbia is a magnet to outdoor | | | | work.The liquor laws, as with all of Canada, are very |
| enthusiasts and tourists alike. The hundreds of | | | | strict in the Province. The legal drinking age is 19 |
| Provincial parks are fantastic though completely out | | | | years and licensed establishments will ask for I.D. if |
| shadowed by the majestic National parks including | | | | someone looks under the age of 25 years. Drinking is |
| Yoho, Kootenay and Glacier National Parks.The | | | | not permitted in a public place unless it has been |
| Province has many different landscapes including | | | | specially approved. Liquor in a moving vehicle must be |
| beautiful beaches, immense lakes and rivers, | | | | sealed and not accessible to anyone in that |
| mountains and even a desert area. British Columbia is | | | | vehicle.Apart from the Provincial Income Tax British |
| also home to some of Canada's wettest and driest | | | | Columbia has two main taxes, firstly the GST (Goods |
| areas. The climate varies greatly from one area to | | | | & Services Taxes) this is currently at 7% and is |
| the next, but generally the coastal area of British | | | | applied to most goods and services sold in Canada. |
| Columbia tends to be the mildest with cool and wet | | | | Secondly, PST (Social Services Tax - Provincial) this is |
| winters, the summers are warmer but the area is still | | | | currently at 7.5% and is applied to merchandise that |
| prone to precipitation. The interior has cold winters | | | | is bought or leased in B.C. There are some |
| with a lot of snow and dry hot summers. All these | | | | exemptions to PST; these include all food items for |
| factors combine to create fantastic sports and | | | | human consumption, clothing and footwear for |
| Recreational Opportunities that will keep all the family | | | | children less than 15 years of age and |
| busy!The City of Vancouver lies in the southwestern | | | | medications.Also, there is an environmental tax which |
| corner of British Columbia and as Canada's third | | | | is charged to tires and lead acid batteries bought in |
| largest city dominates as the population centre of | | | | the province. Hotel rooms are subject to taxation |
| the Province. The Provincial capital is Victoria, a much | | | | charged at between 8 - 10% depending on the |
| smaller city on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. | | | | location. Be aware that most prices are advertised |
| Vancouver is one of the most amazing cities in the | | | | without any taxes; these are normally added on at |
| world with great beaches, skiing, hiking, sailing and | | | | the point of payment and can cause confusion if you |
| most other activities catered for. The city has an | | | | are not expecting it!The main industries of B.C are |
| outstanding and vibrant night life with world class | | | | Forestry, Fishing, Agriculture, Mining, Tourism and |
| restaurants and clubs. Victoria is a more sedate affair, | | | | Manufacturing. After several years in recession, the |
| though it too offers an exciting nightlife. Being the | | | | British Columbia economy is now recovering. The |
| Provincial capital means that there is some history in | | | | forestry industry has received a massive boost after |
| Victoria with the Parliament building overlooking the | | | | a lengthy dispute with the USA over lumber import |
| harbour area.There are several other cities of a fair | | | | duties imposed by the US on Canadian wood is |
| size - Kamloops, Kelowna, Revelstoke, Vernon and | | | | drawing closer to settlement. The world free trade |
| Prince George being the largest. The northern cities | | | | organisation has ruled in Canada's favour and it looks |
| tend to be supported by logging and fishing industries | | | | likely that the US will have to repay the Billions of |
| while the southern areas generate excellent income | | | | dollars in illegal duties already collected and allow the |
| form the tourist industry. The Okanagan area is a | | | | free trade to resume. This enables the Province to |
| vacation centre for many Canadians with hot | | | | claim one of North America's most competitive |
| summers spent by warm lakes. The winters bring | | | | Business Climates and has tremendous economic |
| snow to the Fernie, Panarama and Kimberley ski | | | | opportunities existing throughout the province. |
| resorts, whilst Whistler Blackcomb is one of the | | | | |