A cover letter is a one-page document that provides your prospective employer with an overview of your qualifications, showcasing specific work experiences that make you a strong candidate for the role you are applying for. It’s your chance to demonstrate how your background aligns with the specific needs of the employer, and to highlight the transferable skills that make you an asset to the organization. While a cover letter is not always required, if a job posting asks for or recommends it, be sure to include one. It is essential to customize your cover letter for every application to effectively address the company’s unique requirements. 

Other considerations

• Take the time to thoroughly review the job posting and note examples where you’ve applied the required skills. 
• Research the company to understand its culture, voice and values. 
• Proofread your draft cover letter carefully to ensure there are no grammatical or formatting errors.

A resume is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences in a way that demonstrates you can succeed in the role. Keep in mind that employers typically spend a very short time reviewing each resume, so it’s essential to make yours clear, concise, and focused on your most transferable skills. To stand out, tailor your resume to the specific industry and role you’re applying for, emphasizing the experiences that best match the job requirements. Ideally, your resume should be a one or two page document that includes the following sections:

Personalize your resume
To help your resume stand out, feel free to personalize it by adding a colourful header, a unique layout, or other design elements. However, ensure your resume remains well-organized and easy to read. We don’t recommend adding photos or graphics to a resume.

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can stand out as a top candidate. Here are some key strategies to help you succeed:

Other considerations

• Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your interview, and take a moment to introduce yourself with a smile while maintaining eye contact with the interviewer(s). 
• Dress in professional attire that suits the industry and company culture. 
• Listen carefully to each question and taking a few seconds to gather your thoughts before responding. 

UBC Careers: Explore opportunities available in the areas of clerical/secretarial, technical, trades, management and professional positions, and for faculty positions.

UBC Hiring Solutions: gain experience working at UBC through temporary short term placements. 

Dual Career Programs: assist partners in exploring faculty and staff job possibilities at UBC, as well as other career options in the Greater Vancouver area.

The search boards are a great tool, however, it is recommended to apply directly on the said company's websites, through their careers page. 

• CivicInfo BC
• Canada’s Top 100
• BCJobs
• Canada Job Bank
• WorkBC
• LinkedIn
• Indeed

The cost of renting in Kelowna varies greatly depending on the rental location, size, age, and condition of the home.

For a bachelor or studio suite (a single room with a kitchen and bathroom) monthly rental costs start at about $1,400, while the average one-bedroom apartment costs $1,700 and a two-bedroom apartment is typically $2,000 per month.

The usual practice is to pay half of the month’s rent up front as a damage deposit that will be given back to you at the end of your rental agreement, as long as you leave the place clean and well maintained.

Resources for renters

To help you understand your rights as a tenant, here are some valuable resources:

• Residential Tenancy Office – Provides landlords and tenants with information and dispute resolution services.
• Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (tenants.bc.ca) – Provides legal education and information about residential tenancy matters to tenants, community advocates and others.

Where to look for rental housing

If you need short or long-term accommodation on or near the Okanagan campus, consider the following:

• UBCO conferences and accommodations – Short-term contemporary, standard or deluxe apartments with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms. Bookings available online (okanagan.ubcconferences.com) for the non-academic season: May- mid-August only.
• University District - Condominium rentals about a 5-10 minute walk from campus.
• ARGUS Properties Ltd. - Residential rental properties in and around Kelowna. Ask for the Argus Advantage program discount for UBC employees
• ​​​​​Worman Residential Rentals - Numerous purpose-built affordable rental properties to fit various lifestyles.
• Associated Property Management- search their website for existing listings or contact them to add your name to their list of 'searching'
• Nest Host- short-term corporate stays in furnished homes or apartments.
• Zumper- Homes and condos for rent website.
• Sabbatical Homes – Popular website maintains a rental listings web page, with options often lower-priced than on standard rental sites.
• Padmapper- A new website with numerous listings to choose from and statistics, updated monthly, regarding the local rental market.
• Kelowna Resort Accommodations – 120 fully furnished units available for short or long term.
• Owner Direct rentals – Short-term rentals available on this website, including at Quail Ridge, close to UBC and situated on a golf course with options for villas, condos or house rentals.
• Kelowna Tourism listings – Hotels, motels, vacation rentals, bed and breakfast rentals.
• Classified listings – Use these websites and agencies to help find rental options in and around UBC and Kelowna: Castanet; Craigslist; Kijiji.

There are a variety of housing options for purchase in and around Kelowna, including single family homes, apartments, condominiums, and townhouses. The following tools, sites and services can assist you in purchasing a home in the area:

Real Estate Council of British Columbia- Procedures and information about buying a home in British Columbia.

Association of Interior Realtors- Tools to help you find a realtor, a home and learn about Kelowna neighborhoods.

Rank My Agent - a tool to find the top rated agents in Kelowna.

Canadian Bankers Association – Consumer information on mortgages, financing and the Canadian Home Buyer’s Plan.

Canada Home & Mortgage Corporation – Information on mortgage loan insurance, mortgage-backed securities, housing policy and programs, and housing research.

Get full details on home-buying options, realtor and banking information on our buying a home in B.C. page.

The following resources are available to members of the UBC community:

• UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) –  A confidential counselling service that can help you or your family members with any personal problem, big or small, that affects your family life, your work life or your general wellbeing.
• Relocation fact sheets have been provided, below, but please contact our Relocation and Benefits Associate for more information:
  • Housing resources (PDF)
  • Neighbourhood profiles
    • North Kelowna (PDF)
    • South Kelowna (PDF)
    • West Kelowna (PDF)
  • Child-care resources
    • Child-care resources (PDF)
  • Elementary and secondary schools
    • School registration K-12 (PDF)

If you require more information, please contact:

Jacky Ivans
Relocation and Benefits Associate
Human Resources, UBC Okanagan
Phone: 250-807-8928
Email: jacky.ivans@ubc.ca

Office 
OM1 – 1157 Alumni Ave
Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7

Kelowna child care resources

Get information on childcare in B.C. at the BC Government's Childcare BC website. Child care resources for Kelowna and area include:

• UBC Okanagan Child Care- On-campus child care for infants to school-age children for UBC students, faculty, staff and the community.
• Childhood Connections Okanagan - Provides daycare listings and resources for childcare in Kelowna and surrounding areas.
• Boys and Girls Club of Kelowna – Childcare and after school program information
• Document

  child_care_resources.pdf (577.92 KB)

   

Elementary and secondary schools

B.C.'s Ministry of Education is the branch of the provincial government that oversees standards and the quality of the educational system for both publicly-funded and privately-funded schools, from kindergarten through grade 12 (ages 5 - 17).

The Central Okanagan School District in Kelowna, and the Vancouver School Board provide area maps, school directories, and information on local programs and services.

See the school registration, transportation and private school information for Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon: 

With an aging demographic, UBC understands that faculty and staff sometimes care for aging family members, and may benefit from supportive resources.

In addition to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and the Welcome and Relocation Services Centre, here are some examples of external services that can help.

Provincial government’s B.C. Seniors guide: Information for seniors on housing, transportation, finances, recreation, support services, personal security and more.

Seniors Outreach & Resource Centre in the Kelowna area that offers programs and services to assist and enhance the lives of seniors. 

Interior Health Long-term Care for adults who can no longer live safely or independently at home. 

UBC recognizes that relocation often includes a spouse or life partner who may be looking for work. 

Careers at UBC

• Look for UBC career opportunities including postings in the areas of clerical/secretarial, technical, trades, management and professional positions, and for faculty positions.
• UBC Okanagan’s human resources department has auxiliary casual positions for short-term temporary placements that can be either part time or full time. Most of the placements are secretarial and clerical positions, but we also have demand for administrative, clinical secretarial and facilities maintenance staff.

General career and business resources

• Service Canada: Services such as finding a job, starting a business, raising a family, having a baby or planning for retirement.
• Kelowna Community Resource Centre: Assists those with professional experience in finding work in their field and assists with job search and resume writing skills.
• Monster.ca: Information and resources on various careers, an online job searching tool and the ability to create your own work profile.
• Workopolis.com: Information and resources on various careers, an online job searching tool and the ability to create your own work profile.
• Indeed.com: An online job searching tool specializing in finding and monitoring job announcements of employers across Canada. Includes e-mail alerts to job seekers.

Living in Kelowna, you'll have access to a large network of health practitioners, including doctors, dentists and physiotherapists.

B.C's Medical Services Plan, mandatory for all B.C. residents, pays for many medically required services when they're performed in a hospital. There's a three-month waiting period for new residents to obtain coverage under the BC Medical Services Plan.

If you're new to BC or Canada, it's important to arrange for temporary health insurance during this waiting period for you and your family. You're welcome to use any insurance provider you prefer, including those who provide preferred rates to UBC faculty and staff. Learn more about private coverage.

Depending on your job and the length of your appointment at UBC, you may also be eligible to receive extended health and dental benefits as part of your employment benefits package. Learn more about health care coverage options.

See this resource to learn how to find a doctor or specialist in the Kelowna area:  https://www.interiorhealth.ca/locations

UBC’s benefits provider, Sun Life, provides online health and wellbeing companion tools that can help you understand how healthy you are and what health risks you may be facing. As well, you can get up-to-date information about medical conditions, diseases and tests and information about various prescription drugs and how they are used.

You can also create a personal health file online where you can store your health records in an encrypted database protected from outside intrusion. Please note that use of this service is voluntary, anonymous and confidential.

To access the members’ website as a UBC employee, you’ll need an access ID and PIN. To get a Sun Life access ID and PIN, you may register online, or call the Customer Care Centre at 1 800 661 7334. Before Sun Life provides your access ID, you'll be asked a few personal questions, including:

• UBC’s group policy contract number (25205)
• your member ID, which is your seven-digit employee number from your pay stub

Your temporary password will be mailed to you the next day.

Other programs at UBC include return to work, ergonomics, and seminars that promote personal and community health.

Learn about other health and wellbeing options at UBC.

Find a family doctor in the Central Okanagan is an online tool  for a program to help local residents find a family doctor. To search for a specialist or location through Interior Health go here. 

MediMap is an online program to help find a walk-in clinics, in your area, where you can drop-in to see a physician at short notice. Should you have a medical condition, any registered doctor can refer you to a specialist.

Find a physician for your family through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.

Find a dentist in your area through the BC Dental Association.

Doctors are on call through the emergency ward at most local hospitals, which are open 24/7. 

Okanagan-based hospitals can be found through the Interior Health website and include:

• Kelowna General Hospital
• Vernon Jubilee Hospital
• Penticton Regional Hospital

Many independent pharmacy or drug stores exist, in addition to those found within large grocery store chains. Examples of large chain stores with pharmacies include Pharmasave, London Drugs, Shopper’s Drug Mart and Rexall Drugs.

From driving to buses to walking or riding your bike, there are various accessible ways to take you around the city of Kelowna and neighboring communities.

Public transportation

The Kelowna transit system has service throughout the City of Kelowna as well as servicing the communities of West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon and Peachland. There's also an Express rapidBus that runs through Kelowna directly to UBC Okanagan.

Get more information at bctransit.com.
or
Faculty and staff can arrange for a discounted pass through UBC Parking Services. See ProPass for more information. 

Cycling

Cycling is not only a form of exercise but is a popular mode of transportation among residents of Kelowna. There are nearly 300 km of on-street bicycle lanes and 40 km of separated paved multi-use paths. Kelowna’s ‘Rails with Trails’ pathway is one example of a paved multi-use pathway that provides a safe, accessible route for cyclists).

Learn about Kelowna bike routes.

See UBCycles for all biking activities and resources on UBC's Okanagan campus. 

Car sharing

Driving options in the Okanagan include car sharing programs with ZipCar and Modo.

Driver’s license and car insurance

If you have a driver’s license from another Canadian province, the United States, or overseas, your license is valid in British Columbia for a period of 90 days as long as you meet B.C.’s licensing requirements. Prior to the end of the 90-day grace period, you must visit the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) driver licensing office to register for a BC driver’s license.

Most vehicles must be registered, licensed and insured within 30 days of arriving in B.C. You should speak with ICBC about your vehicle’s insurance needs. Be sure to bring the title, registration, and evidence of current insurance with you.

To save money on insurance costs, it's recommended that you bring 10 years’ (or as much as you have) driving history and insurance claims history.

Information about bringing your vehicle to BC is available on the ICBC website.

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. All employees are required by Service Canada to present their SIN card to their employer within three days of starting work. you'll also need a bank account to have your paycheque deposited into.

Foreign academics who are to receive salary or an honorarium must apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from a Service Canada Centre. It can take up to three weeks for a SIN card to be issued, but when the application is made, Service Canada will issue a receipt of application. This receipt and a copy of the work permit must be supplied to your UBC department administrator who will forward them to faculty relations and payroll. It's mandatory that all non-Canadians supply these two pieces of information. UBC appointments cannot be processed without them.

For more information about obtaining a Social Insurance Number, visit the Service Canada website.

Taxation in Canada/B.C. income tax

While at UBC, any earnings received are considered Canadian income, unless otherwise indicated by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in writing prior to arrival.

Please note that, by law, deductions are taken from your salary for Canada Income Tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI). If you receive fellowship earnings, these will not be deducted for CPP and EI.

In the spring of every year, you'll receive T4 and/or T4A slips from UBC's payroll department, which you will use to file your tax return. You must ensure your forwarding address is up to date in the event you leave UBC prior to this time.

Please contact a financial advisor or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for tax and financial information.

You can also access the CRA website for a self-directed online course on understanding taxes, which includes help on how to file a tax return.

If you have any questions about paying income tax in Canada, please refer to CRA’s information for non-residents or contact the International Tax Services Office (collect calls are accepted):

• Calling from Canada and the U.S.: 1 800 267 5177
• Calling from outside Canada and the US: 1 613 952 3741
• Fax: 1 613 941 2505

Get information about taxable benefits related to UBC housing programs.

Banking and credit cards

There are a number of banking institutions and branches for you to choose from in British Columbia, including:

• Royal Bank
  • RBC Newcomer Advantage
• Bank of Montreal
  • BMO New Start Program
• TD Canada Trust
• CIBC
• HSBC
• Scotiabank
  • Scotiabank Start Right Program

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found on campus and throughout the city.

Mortgages in Canada

When buying a home, you may rely on a lender for a mortgage to finance the purchase of your home. If you're using one of the home ownership programs being offered by UBC, you may be restricted by which lenders you can use.

Outside of this, you may be able to get a loan with any of the major banks in Canada or go through a mortgage broker.

How to set up a bank account in British Columbia as a newcomer to Canada:

To open a Canadian bank account in British Columbia as a newcomer, you'll need to visit a local bank branch in-person, with valid identification and proof of address. We recommend that you thoroughly review the offerings and features of different banks to ensure you select the one that aligns best with your financial goals and requirements. We advise thoroughly reviewing the offerings and features of different banks to ensure you select the one that aligns best with your financial goals and requirements.

1. Choose a bank: Research and compare banking options available for newcomers in BC.
2. Gather documents: Bring your passport, work permit, and proof of address.
3. Visit a branch: Go to a local bank branch to open the account (some banks may offer online options).
4. Choose account type: Select from available accounts, often with newcomer benefits like no-fee services.
5. Complete the process: Provide required details and sign up for additional services like credit cards if needed.

Banks on Campus

CIBC  located at 5796 University Blvd

Bank of Montreal (BMO) located at 2142 Western Parkway

RBC Royal Bank 2 locations; 5905 Berton Avenue, and 6133 University Boulevard (in the NEST)

Scotiabank located at 5960 University Boulevard

TD Canada Trust located at 3308 Shrum Lane 

Vancity located at 3308 Wesbrook Mall 

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), a provincial Crown corporation, provides basic auto insurance to B.C. drivers. If you have a driver’s license from another Canadian province, the United States, or overseas, your license is valid in British Columbia for a period of 90 days as long as you meet B.C.’s licensing requirements.

Prior to the end of the 90-day grace period, you must visit ICBC to apply for a B.C. driver’s license. You will be required to provide proof of your previous driving experience and note that when you qualify for your new B.C. license, you'll need to surrender your previous license to ICBC.

To learn more about switching to a B.C license, visit ICBC Moving to B.C.

If you are moving from another country and planning to import your vehicle, visit Information on importing a vehicle from another country. ICBC requires that you register your car for insurance purposes within 30 days of arrival.

UBC is the largest campus-based childcare provider in North America, and off-campus childcare options are also available.

Vancouver also has a world-recognized primary and secondary school system.

Learn more about child care and schooling.

Are you looking for a family doctor? Here are some suggestions you can explore:

College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC: Find family doctors accepting new patients and/or walk-in clinics in your community. 

Pathways Medical Care: Under “Find Care” enter “Vancouver”. A map and list of open clinics will pop up. Click the clinic name to find out if they are available for walk-ins, taking new patients, and/or how to book an appointment. 

Medimap: Find up-to-date walk-in clinic wait times and/or see a physician virtually.

HealthLink BC Services: 8-1-1 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia. The 8-1-1 phone line is operated by HealthLink BC, which is part of the Ministry of Health. By calling 8-1-1, you can speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist.

Health Connect: Register to get access to a doctor or nurse practitioner in your community in B.C.

UBC Teladoc: UBC Extended Health Plan includes access to Teladoc (formerly Best Doctors), a network of medical and mental health specialists who can guide you through your treatment needs. Teladoc is a confidential service that provides clarity, confidence and understanding if you or your eligible dependents have any concerns or doubts about a diagnosis, need help deciding on a treatment option or question the need for surgery.

Lumino Health: Find your next health provider, access insights, and discover discounts.

Find a Doctor BC: A website dedicated to helping patients help each other find family practitioners accepting new patients in BC. Use of the website is free, but to help keep the lights on they also offer a notification service for $3.99/month so you can be notified via email when a doctor in your area starts accepting new patients. 

UBC Health Clinic: UBC Faculty of Medicine operates the clinic on the Vancouver campus. The clinic provides full-service family practice care, including obstetrics and nursing home care, for individuals and families living on the UBC campus or in Lower Mainland.

BC Dental Association: Find a dentist in your area.

Hospitals in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland:

Fraser Health (serving Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Mission, Delta, Langley, and Chilliwack)

Vancouver Coastal Health (serving Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Powell River, and Sea-to-Sky)

BC Women’s Hospital

BC Children’s Hospital

Learn about other health and wellbeing options at UBC.

The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the BC provincial government’s medical insurance plan administered by Health Insurance BC. All eligible BC residents and their dependents must enroll in MSP, which pays for the medically required services of physicians and surgeons, hospital services, as well as dental and oral surgery when it is medically required to be performed in a hospital.

If you are coming to UBC from outside of BC or Canada, there is a waiting period of 3 months or 2 months plus the remainder of the month that you arrived.  

1. If you are coming to BC from another Canadian province or territory, you should maintain coverage with their former provincial medical plan during the MSP wait period. This will ensure you are covered for any medically necessary physician and hospital services by your former province as you wait for your MSP coverage to start. ​​​​​​
2. If you are coming to BC from outside of Canada, you should arrange for private coverage during the MSP waiting period. Faculty and staff employed or appointed by UBC from outside Canada can purchase private coverage during the waiting period through David Cummings Insurance Services, Sun Life’s Inpatriate Health Plan or another private insurance agency of your choosing, so that you will be reimbursed for medical claims. You are responsible for the cost and purchasing of your own private insurance. 

Further details on the plan, temporary health insurance and application process can be found on UBC MSP page.

The UBC Extended Health and Dental Benefits plans will reimburse you and your eligible dependents for some or all of the cost of many healthcare services that are not covered by the Medical Services Plan. Information about eligibility, definitions for dependents, and everything you need to know about the extended health and dental benefits available to your employee group can be found on the Benefits page.

UBC offers many other benefits plans that are designed for the health and wellbeing of our staff, faculty and their families in mind. A complete list of benefits available to you as an employee of UBC can be found on the Benefits page.

Vancouver is a mosaic of diverse neighbourhoods, each with different housing options. Our housing section offers information on and off campus rental housing options, short term stays, buying, and UBC's Faculty Home Ownership Programs.

Learn more about our housing programs and resources.

The Central Relocation Fund is governed by the UBC Relocation Policy and supports eligible faculty and senior management moving to Metro Vancouver to work at the Vancouver Campus or to the Kelowna area to work at the Okanagan Campus.

Visit our Moving for Faculty and Senior Management page for more detailed information.

Importing or travelling with pets?

Please review the government rules and regulations on bringing in a pet to ensure compliance and prevent delays at the border.

With the proper documentation, you may arrange pet shipment with an airline. Below are two Canadian Airlines and their shipping requirements for a pet. You may also want to explore the pet shipping requirements of other airlines that operate flights to Vancouver.

• Air Canada
• West Jet Airlines 

There are a few Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals within close proximity to the UBC campus: 

• University Vet Clinic
• Amherst Vet Hospital
• Point Grey Vet 

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. All employees are required by Service Canada to present their SIN card to their employer within three days of starting work. You'll also need a bank account to have your paycheque deposited into.

Foreign academics who are to receive salary or an honorarium must apply for a Social Insurance Number from a Service Canada Centre. You may apply online or in person at a Service Canada Centre.

For more information about obtaining a Social Insurance Number, visit the Service Canada website.

How to Apply

Required Documents for work permit holders:

1. Valid work permit, study permit, or visitor record
2. Passport (Canadian or foreign) OR Canadian Government-issued ID

Online Application:

• Visit the official Service Canada website.
• Complete the online SIN application form and upload necessary documents.

In-person Application:

• Visit a Service Canada Centre (SCC) in BC.
• Bring original documents (not photocopies) for verification.

Any earnings you receive while working at UBC are considered Canadian income for tax purposes, unless otherwise specified by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in writing before your arrival.  Visit the CRA website to access resources for understanding taxes in Canada. CRA offers a self-directed online course to help you understand taxes, including guidance on how to file your tax return. UBC Finance also offers Tax Seminars, usually in February. 

The deadline for filing your tax return in Canada is April 30th each year, but this may vary if you are self-employed or have other specific circumstances. Your T4 will be available for tax purposes sometime in February; you can expect to receive a paper copy via mail, and you can also access your T4 on Workday when it becomes available. 

To find your tax documents on Workday, login and then select menu>pay>my tax documents.

Tax Refunds or Payments:

If you overpaid taxes, you may be eligible for a refund after filing your tax return.

If you owe taxes, you will need to make a payment by the deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

By consulting the CRA or a qualified financial advisor, you can ensure you are fulfilling your tax obligations in Canada and taking advantage of any tax credits or benefits available to you.

Visit the CRA website to access resources for understanding taxes in Canada.

CRA offers a self-directed online course to help you understand taxes, including guidance on how to file your tax return.

Tax Information for Non-Residents:

If you are a non-resident for tax purposes, refer to CRA’s dedicated tax information for non-residents to understand how taxes apply to you. Ensure you meet Canadian tax filing requirements based on your residency status and income.

Tax Forms:

You will typically need to complete T1 General forms for your personal income tax return.

Additional forms may be required depending on your income type, residency status, or other factors.

Tax Treaties:

Canada has tax treaties with many countries. Check if your home country has a treaty with Canada, as it may affect your tax obligations or reduce your tax rate.

Seek Financial Advice:

Contact a financial advisor for personalized tax and financial guidance.

Contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) directly for specific tax-related questions and concerns.

CRA Tax Resources:

International Tax Services Office (collect calls accepted):

• From Canada and the U.S.: 1-800-267-5177
• From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-613-952-3741
• Fax: 1-613-941-2505

Getting around UBC and Vancouver is usually easy, even if you don’t own a vehicle. There's public transportation and car and bike sharing networks as well as ride-hailing services.

Public transportation

The Lower Mainland has a reliable transit system that includes buses, SkyTrain / Canada Line (rapid transit), the West Coast Express (commuter train), and the Sea Bus, that all link Vancouver with its surrounding areas. Visit Translink for information on current schedules, fare information, and trip planning tools to help you get around.

Carpooling and Ride-sharing

UBC has partnered with Liftango, a leader in on-demand shared mobility technology, to provide our commuters with a free, easy to use carpool network made up exclusively of UBC staff, students, and faculty. 

UBC carpool drivers can earn up to $2 per day on their UBC Card if they use the Liftango app and pick-up at least one person on their way to and from campus.

Download the app on the App Store or Google Play and refer to the sections below for more information.  

Visit Carpooling and Ride-sharing for more details.

Car share

Vancouver has two car sharing networks that operate throughout the city. They're easy to sign up for and offer a great alternative to public transport or driving your own car around Vancouver.

• The Evo fleet is made up of Toyota Prius Hybrids, with seating for five and bike/ski/snowboard racks. Evo offers a pay as you go model, and flexibility in pick up and drop off locations.
• Modo is a locally owned member co-op allowing two-way trips. Park the car where you picked it up.  Rates include gas, insurance and permitted parking.

Bike share

Cycling is one of the fastest and most enjoyable ways to travel around UBC and across Vancouver. Bike share programs make public bikes available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis. The bikes can be unlocked from one location and locked in convenient locations in the service area, making bike share ideal for short, one-way trips. 

• People living, studying, and working on UBC campus have access to HOPR bikes for commuting on campus, running errands, and riding for fun.
• Mobi by Rogers is Vancouver’s official bike share program operated by Vancouver Bike Share Inc. Mobi serves as a convenient way to get around the city and is ideal for short rides and one-way trips. Mobi e-bikes are coming to UBC campus September 2023 and will be expanding over the coming months with a total of 10 stations by summer 2024. Mobi bikes and e-bikes can be docked and undocked at any of Mobi’s stations throughout UBC and the City of Vancouver.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services

• Uber and Lyft services are both available in Metro Vancouver. Visit their website or download the app for more information.
• Yellow Cab Vancouver Taxi Service is an owner-operated company serving the residents, tourists and business professionals in The City of Vancouver and the surrounding area since 1921. Yellow Cab prides itself as being the leader in the Vancouver taxi industry in British Columbia and is presently the longest operating taxi Company in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Visit their website to book a taxi in Vancouver.
• Black Top & Checker Cabs offer a variety of services, from airport service, jump start assistance to pickup and delivery courier service. You may book a taxi online, phone or through their mobile app. Visit their website for more information.

For information on UBC specific transportation options, visit Campus and Community Planning.

Do you enjoy applying your business skills within an academic context? Working in business and administration roles is about fostering meaningful relationships, bringing in funding, ensuring resources are wisely allocated, hiring the best, and looking after the institution’s reputation.

As a world-class university, UBC continually fosters new ideas and research that contribute to creating a better world. If you're energized by the pursuit of discovery, help us lead, conduct, or support diverse research projects that challenge or confirm existing conclusions and opinions.

Healthy meals, a great cup of coffee, physical activity, social opportunities and a good night’s sleep. These are the things that help people feel their best. UBC provides a variety of job opportunities that support wellbeing and help others to stay healthy, happy and motivated.

While learning and research are at UBC’s core, our work wouldn't be possible without physical spaces to work in. Are you interested in helping to plan, build, maintain, or support UBC's facilities, from classrooms to labs, offices, amenities and the walkways and gardens in between?

Students are at the heart of UBC. Helping students to grow requires learning support – from libraries, to museums and admissions – along with providing a caring environment, academic advice and opportunities for fun. Help develop a future generation of leaders.

UBC depends on information creation, consumption and sharing. As researchers pore over massive databases, and students do everything from their smartphone, laptop or tablet, you can help ensure everyone can learn, work, and connect seamlessly.