Immigrating to Canada: Living in British Columbia
Immigrating to Canada: Discover British Columbia
As we mentioned earlier in our article dedicated to Ontario, choosing to move to Canada is a project that requires careful planning.
Before starting any procedures, you need to determine which province you will settle in. Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, offering a wide range of options.
As a French-speaking immigrant, why not consider British Columbia? Ideally located between the sea and forest, it offers an ideal living environment for nature lovers.
Some facts about the province of British Columbia
Geographical location and population
The westernmost province of Canada, bordered by the United States, Alberta, and the Yukon, is where the Pacific Ocean meets vibrant cities and towering forests. Where rugged, snow-capped mountains give way to picturesque valleys. Where bustling cities blend beautifully with the surrounding nature.
With an area four times the size of Great Britain, British Columbia covers 10% of Canada’s territory, making it the third largest province in the country.
Its cities, such as Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria, the capital, are cosmopolitan hubs where you can enjoy a vibrant arts, music, and entertainment scene. Nestled in the heart of nature, it’s easy to escape into the wilderness.
“What I love about this province is the closeness to nature, whether it’s the mountains or the ocean, the laid-back West Coast vibe, and the professional opportunities available.”
Charlotte, a French-speaking expatriate in British Columbia
What about the climate?
What makes British Columbia particularly unique compared to the rest of Canada is its climate.
While the interior and northern regions experience a continental climate with long, cold winters, most of the coastline enjoys a milder, more temperate climate.
A real advantage for those who dread -30°C temperatures! However, you’ll need to get used to the frequent rain, so much so that Vancouver residents sometimes jokingly call the city “Raincouver”.
Francophonie in British Columbia
With around 64,323 people, about 1.4% of the population, the French-speaking community in British Columbia ranks third in number of speakers after Quebec and Ontario.
Approximately 315,000 British Columbians are able to speak both official languages.
A little over half of the French-speaking population lives in Greater Vancouver and the provincial capital, Victoria.
Greater Vancouver Area
Population
The Greater Vancouver area has the highest population density in the province, with nearly 675,218 residents, making Vancouver the 4th largest city in Canada after Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary.
Although the province is predominantly English-speaking, only 49.4% of the population in this region speaks English as their first language, according to recent studies. Over a third of the population is made up of immigrants.
The French-speaking population is steadily growing. There are around 30,000 French speakers in the region, representing 1.7% of the population.
Education
As a French-speaking immigrant, your children’s education is likely a key part of your relocation plan. In Greater Vancouver, there are 7 primary and secondary schools offering French-language programs.
For higher education, you’ll find the University of British Columbia (UBC), ranked among the top 40 universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
Economy
Greater Vancouver is the province’s largest employment hub, partly because it is the third-largest film production center in North America, after Los Angeles and New York.
However, this also results in very high real estate prices. Along with Toronto, Vancouver ranks among the most expensive cities in the world, after Tokyo and Paris. As a result, most people live in the suburbs.
Greater Victoria Area
Population
Located on Vancouver Island, the provincial capital Victoria and its surrounding area are home to 367,770 residents. However, the ethnic diversity is lower than in Greater Vancouver, with most immigrants coming from European backgrounds.
The French-speaking community is also smaller, representing 1.7% of the population, or 6,433 French speakers.
Education
If you’re considering moving to Greater Victoria with your children, you’ll find six French-language schools offering programs from primary through secondary levels. The list of schools is available on the Francophone School Board of British Columbia website.
Economie
The cost of living in Greater Victoria is more affordable than in Greater Vancouver. Housing and transportation costs are comparable to those in Montreal, for example.
This makes it a great alternative for those who want to live in an urban environment without the high costs of major cities.
If you enjoy British-style architecture, Victoria will charm you. With a large population of British origin, the city’s buildings often resemble those you’d see in London. So British!
The job sectors hiring in British Columbia
If you’re planning to move to Canada for work, it’s essential to research the growing job sectors in your chosen province or region.
British Columbia is an economic engine for Canada, offering many job opportunities. As mentioned earlier, its role in the film industry creates a wide range of jobs across various sectors.
For more information on job searching in Canada, be sure to check out our dedicated article.
Which immigration program should you choose?
Depending on your profile, age, education, and goals in Canada, several options may be available to you.
One of the most popular programs among French-speaking immigrants is the Express Entry program.
“Express Entry may be the most underrated pathway to permanent residency among French nationals. Yet, this selection system strongly favors French speakers who want to settle in Canada.”
Me Natacha Mignon, CEO, Immetis
Aimed at obtaining permanent resident status, this program is a great option for French speakers looking to settle in an English-speaking province.
For reference, in 2019, 13,482 permanent residency applications were submitted through this program.
Other options are available! If you would like more information or a full legal opinion, contact our professionals.
Fun facts
To wrap up this overview, and if you’re still not convinced, here are a few fun facts that might help:
Want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life? Did you know that nearly two-thirds of British Columbia’s land (an area larger than France) is covered in forests? Some trees have never had any human contact.
Prefer sports to forest walks? You can admire the world’s largest hockey stick, measuring 62.48 meters long and weighing 28.12 tons. It was created for the 1986 World Expo and is now proudly displayed in the city of Duncan.
Thinking about changing your diet? British Columbia has the highest number of vegetarians and vegans in Canada. Restaurants cater to this population with a wide variety of plant-based dishes.
If British Columbia appeals to you, we’re happy to offer a free pre-assessment of your immigration options.
This article was last updated on January 26, 2021.