Record number of people moving to B.C.

British Columbia broke a record for the number of people moving to the province last year.

Statistics Canada says B.C.’s net migration was 100,797 people in 2021, the highest annual total since 1961, which the province says will expand the workforce and address the labour shortage.

Net migration is the number of people who moved to B.C. from another province, territory, or another country, minus the number of people who left.

“People are coming to B.C. in record numbers because they know that by investing in people, we are building a stronger province where their families will have a safe and secure future,” said Premier John Horgan. “We welcome these newcomers with open arms, and we are determined to deliver the services and housing people in B.C. need to support this record growth.”

About a third of the new residents (33,656) were from other Canadian provinces or territories, which is the highest number since 1994 and the highest in Canada.

The remaining 67,141 people who made B.C. home in 2021 came from other countries and last year marked the second-highest level of international immigration to B.C. on record.

Learn more about migration to B.C. here.