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