B.C. was second to Ontario in the number of temporary foreign workers Canada's provinces brought in last year to address labour shortages, according to the latest Statistics Canada figures.
More than 58,450 temporary foreign workers were in B.C., up 34% from 43,513 a year earlier. A total of 91,733 foreign workers were in Ontario last year compared with 83,000 in 2007.
B.C. has more than doubled its contingent of temporary foreign workers compared with five years ago when it had 26,854.
More than 53% were in Vancouver last year. Kelowna, Abbotsford and Victoria had the province's smallest portion of temporary workers.