The B.C. government says it’s unveiling new supports through WorkBC that will better support military spouses when relocating to the province. Sophia Song is married to a member of the Canadian Armed Forces has had to follow his career across the country. Roughly five years ago, her husband’s career brought the family back to the West Coast when he was positioned at CFB Esquimalt. Song says all the moves over the years have made it hard to build her own career and often found herself underemployed. “I can tell you that although my career was great in commercial real estate in Toronto, it didn’t quite translate in Petawawa, Ontario,” said Song. In order to help military families find stability and meaningful employment when relocating to B.C., WorkBC is now allowing the spouses of those service member to access its services before moving to the province. “This could benefit 1,000 people this year,” said Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson on Friday. “We know that having a job connects people better to their communities and it makes them feel better.” WorkBC services include job search help, career planning, training referrals and employment supports. “It’s a practical change but one that will make a real difference for hundreds of families,” said Darlene Rotchford, parliamentary secretary for Armed Forces development and Veterans Affairs. Rotchford expects the move to help those military families find and secure housing prior to their arrival in the province. “If you can secure employment and you’re going to look to get rent or your mortgage, ensuring that you have employment earlier will actually help with the housing portion,” said Rotchford. Song says the move will go further than that. “I would probably say it will help with retention if anything,” said the military spouse. “If spouses are happy where they are living there is less reasons for military families to want to leave and go back home where they do have family support.” For many, moving to B.C. from other jurisdictions across Canada can come with some sticker shock. Song says if military spouses can find earlier, gainful employment within their profession it would take a lot of the stress away from making the move west. “It’s hard and I talk to spouses every day who still struggle,” said Song. “They are either underemployed or they are home alone with children without any family because their husbands are being posted at sea and it’s very difficult to make ends meet.”
