About Us

*If you are an immigrant to Canada and are looking for assistance and resources, please visit Welcome BC

The Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC) is taking action to change hiring practices, policies and perceptions about immigrants. Our goal is to connect more immigrants to employment that reflects their knowledge and experience.

The IEC-BC is working to find local, collaborative solutions that:

1. Raise the interest and capacity of employers to hire immigrants
2. Raise public awareness about the advantages of having immigrants in the workforce
3. Enhance coordination of programs and policies for immigrant employment

We are working to change things from inside the business community — things that help immigrants get started like paid internships, mentorship programs, and cross-cultural training so managers and human resources professionals better understand immigrants.

IEC-BC’s Board is composed of many influential Vancouver business leaders, along with leaders from labour, education and organizations that serve immigrants. BC Hydro CEO Bob Elton is the Chair. The larger Leadership Council also has 150 members from the business community, labour, regulatory bodies, educators and immigrant serving organizations.

IEC-BC is overseen by Vancouver Foundation, Canada’s largest community foundation. Initial financial support has been provided by the Province of British Columbia, as well as Maytree Foundation/ALLIES and Vancouver Foundation.