Immigration and Multiculturalism — Continued

Goal: The social and economic benefits of immigration and multiculturalism are maximized

Planning Context

British Columbia continues to be a major immigrant-receiving province, though our share of immigration peaked in the mid-1990s. Immigration to British Columbia is currently about 15 per cent of the national total. This is not expected to change over the next few years.

Immigrant Landings in British Columbia 1991 – 2001

Many immigrants arrive in British Columbia with little understanding of how to secure housing, how the job market functions, and how the legal, transportation, banking, education, and health systems work. About one-half of immigrants arriving in the province do not speak English at landing.

In 1998, 35 per cent of new arrivals held bachelor or graduate degrees; 40 per cent had secondary school or less. Many immigrants arrive with intended occupations in the regulated professions and trades. However, often they experience difficulty getting their foreign credentials recognized by provincial regulatory bodies and licensing authorities.

Objectives	Key Strategies
1. Stronger communities through action on racism and greater awareness of multiculturalism.	• Respond to incidents of racism and hate.
2. Accelerated settlement of immigrants allows them to realize their full potential and contribute to the economy.	• Develop performance-based standards and provide funding for third-party service providers of immigrant settlement services.
3. Increased and expedited immigration with emphasis on skilled immigrants helps meet skill shortages.	• Manage international qualifications program. • Manage the Provincial Nominee program. • Renegotiate the Canada/BC Agreement for Cooperation on Immigration.