The province is expanding eligibility for WorkBC services to better support military spouses and dependent adult children relocating to B.C. with the Canadian Armed Forces, removing delays and reducing employment gaps.
Previously, military families relocating from another province had to establish B.C. residency before accessing WorkBC services, a process that could create months-long employment gaps and delays.
“We’ve heard how frequent relocations delay access to employment supports for military spouses, how moves disrupt careers and add financial and emotional stress,” said Sheila Malcolmson, minister of social development and poverty reduction, at an announcement on March 6 at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.
She said this change, which began in January, could benefit as many as 1,000 people this year.
“Relocating as part of a Canadian Armed Forces family is not like a typical move. Things move quickly, decisions are urgent, and employment often has to wait until everything is settled. One of the biggest challenges I faced during each posting was the employment gap,” said Sophia Song, a military spouse and realtor. “Even when I was ready and eager to work, I couldn’t access local employment supports until residency was established. That delay made a stressful transition even harder, financially and professionally.”
During her time sitting on the Seamless Canada Steering Committee, Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford said they identified that 60 per cent of spouses moving to B.C. were unemployed.
“It’s about easing the financial and emotional strain that comes with relocation, and helping families focus on settling into their new community,” said Rotchford, who also sits as the parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs.
WorkBC helps B.C. residents access job search resources, employment planning, skills assessments, training, work experience placement and more. It’s funded by the federal government through employment insurance contributions.