With so many people moving to B.C. from Ireland, that country has opened a consulate office in Vancouver.
The new office, which officially opened Monday, is the second consulate in Canada in addition to the Irish Embassy in Ottawa.
The space at The World Trade Center at Canada Place is being shared with Germany’s consulate.
About 675,000 people who identify as being of Irish descent were living in B.C. in 2016, according to the most recent Statistics Canada data. After a recession hit Ireland in 2008, Canada saw an increase in young people and families looking to move here.
Tánaiste @simoncoveney has today welcomed Ireland’s Consulate in Vancouver opening. It reflects the strength of the 🇮🇪-🇨🇦relationship and will support our vibrant Irish community in the region. Congratulations to all involved. #Working4Irl pic.twitter.com/MRXXaSWGDx
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) October 29, 2018
Some great events this week for the launch of the new @IrlinVancouver
DOORS are OPEN to the public TODAY!!
With great thanks to the new consul general Frank Flood and his team supporting the vibrant Irish community in British Columbia 🇨🇦🇮🇪 and our upcoming film festival #VIRFF pic.twitter.com/P6Lw07VsDY— Vancouver Irish Film Festival (@VIRFForg) October 30, 2018
This year, the federal government made roughly 10,700 working permits available for Irish citizens through the International Experience Canada holiday work program.
Through its temporary foreign worker program, the immigration ministry has reported more permits being made available to Irish citizens, from 230 in 2005 to more than 1,500 in 2014.
@ashwadhwani
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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