Ranked as one of the world's healthiest and most livable areas, Greater Vancouver, on Canada's west coast, is a region that's full of life. With breathtaking natural beauty, economic prosperity, safe neighbourhoods, an excellent education system as well as an entertainment haven, this is a place where you will quickly find yourself at home.

Early springs, mild winters and breezy summers make out-of-doors activities accessible year-round. You can ski, golf, cycle or swim. You can play a pick-up game of beach volleyball or join a team and train for the annual marathon or dragon boat races. Where else can you shop for fresh local produce in the morning, catch a round of golf in the afternoon and ski in the evening?

Living "west coast style" includes dining on the freshest harvest from sea and garden on a restaurant patio overlooking English Bay. Local wineries and "microbreweries" offer excellent quality and unique flavours. Vancouver is energized by its diversity and takes pride in its multiculturalism: revel in your own culture, or discover a new way of living!

If you are considering moving to Canada with a young family, you'll be interested to know that our local school boards are focused on ensuring the highest quality of learning experience for all students, with a focus on student engagement, learning and development in a safe, inclusive environment.

1. One British Pound is worth roughly two Canadian Dollars. The Australian and New Zealand dollar is roughly equivalent to the Canadian dollar. The US dollar is roughly 1 1/4 quarter of the Canadian Dollar.
2. Most retail shops are open 7 days a week; many are open late Thursday and Friday evenings.
3. Average yearly temperature ranges from 0-5 Celsius in winter to low 20's in summer.
4. Canada's "official languages" are English and French; English is most common mother tongue followed by Chinese, Punjabi, German, Italian, French, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish.
5. Family entertainment includes a space centre, aquarium, Imax and movie theatres, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, fishing, harbour cruises, art galleries, opera and numerous parks and gardens.
6. Greater Vancouver's commuting system includes highways, bus service, light rapid transit and passenger-only ferry service covering 1,800 sq. kms.
7. Greater Vancouver has four major universities including Simon Fraser University, the University College of the Fraser Valley, Trinity Western University and the University of British Columbia, which has BC's only medical school, and is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities in the world.
8. Vancouver hosted the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

**Accepting applications today only for Fraser Health