Central One Credit Union chief economist Helmut Pastrick describes the growth in B-C’s population over the first quarter as “healthy.” Statistics show between 55 and 60-thousand people moved to B-C in the first quarter, which is a growth of about 1.2 per cent. Pastrick says the in-migration can put increased pressure on an already stretched housing market, but he also says it will bump up consumer spending, which is a benefit. Population growth also adds experience to B-C’s labour force and Pastrick says that will help to address existing labour shortages