B.C. Regional Series:  Lower Mainland / Southwest Region

The Lower Mainland and Southwest region of British Columbia (B.C.) is a vibrant metropolitan region and one of Canada’s most multicultural areas. It offers access to West Coast lifestyle activities as well as all the amenities of dynamic urban hubs. The region’s thriving economy is filled with opportunity and the workforce to make innovation happen.

This region of B.C. includes Vancouver and the surrounding Metro Vancouver area, the Fraser Valley, Squamish, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast. It is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in Canada. It has more than 3.6 million people including many traditional First Nations communities along with an array of ethnic communities, infusing daily life with rich cultural traditions founded in B.C. and around the world.

A Gateway Connected to Global Markets

A strong network of roads, railways, airways and shipping routes make transportation to and from this region efficient and cost effective.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is one of B.C.’s six international airports and offers direct links to major business centres around the world. International destinations include the United States, Australia, France, India and non-stop connections to six cities in China. It has been ranked as the number one airport in North America for a record 14 times in the previous 16 years.

YVR is also a key hub for cargo, transporting 339,000 tonnes of cargo a year, the second busiest airport in Canada. With more than one million square feet of cargo buildings and warehouse space, it offers competitive costs and policies that allow companies to re-export goods without duties or taxes. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port with 29 major terminals moving the most diversified range of cargo in North America to over 170 global trading economies. Investments exceeding $9 billion from governments, industry and the port authority have been made on terminal and transportation infrastructure enhancements in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. These projects add road, rail and terminal capacity, and improve efficiency to support the movement of goods through the Asia Pacific Gateway.

Innovative Workforce Culture

The region attracts talent from around the globe, and thanks to B.C.’s first-class education system, tomorrow’s leaders and innovators are graduating locally from top-calibre institutions and specialty schools. Vancouver is home to some of Canada’s best schools for software development and artificial intelligence, along with developer bootcamps such as  BrainStation and CodeCore Bootcamp. These collaborative learning environments meet the fast-growing tech and digital media industries’ demands.

B.C. is home to 25 colleges and universities, such as The University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU). UBC consistently ranks among the top five percent of universities in the world, and both are recognized world-class institutions supporting leading innovation and skills training in primary sectors helping to build B.C.’s economy and collaborations around the world.

Local organizations and initiatives foster the continued development of innovation, creativity and business growth. The government supports this ecosystem  through Innovate BC and the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund.

Quality of Life in the Lower Mainland and Southwest Region

Vancouver is consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities, celebrated for its natural beauty, ready access to beaches and the outdoors, mild year-round climate and steadfast commitment to public transit and other active transportation infrastructure, including walking and cycling. B.C’s publicly funded health care system ensures that all eligible B.C. residents have access to medically necessary health care services, eligible prescription medications, medical supplies and pharmacy services.

Vibrant Communities Throughout the Region

The Fraser Valley borders the United States and offers desirable lifestyle amenities such as Harrison Hot Springs.

The historic city of Mission and the fertile farmlands of Mission offer charm and character. The city of Mission offers opportunities in light and advanced manufacturing, commercial retail, information technology, tourism and commercial and industrial development.

Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish and Lillooet all offer outdoor adventure opportunities with convenient access to Vancouver’s metropolitan amenities. Nestled between Vancouver and the world-famous Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, Squamish has been ranked as one of the top three cities for work by BC Business Magazine with access to global markets, a strong workforce and a place that honours the deep cultural and historic connections with the local First Nations of the Squamish (Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxumixw) and Lil’Wat (L̓il̓wat7úl) Peoples.

Just northwest of Vancouver on the Sechelt Peninsula, Canada’s Sunshine Coast is a vibrant collection of communities, each with a unique charm, character and culture that are perfectly suited to the growing small business economy, emerging tech hub and bustling arts community. The Sunshine Coast district provides all the benefits of oceanfront living, with access to Vancouver by ferry or in less than 20 minutes by plane with a chance of whale sightings enroute.

Sunshine Coast is a city on the rise and sees enormous growth in both investment and population in recent years. Key sectors for this city are agriculture and value-added processing, aerospace innovation and manufacturing and technology and is home to the Abbotsford International Airport, an increasingly important part of the regions social and economic transportation network.

From bustling urban centres to serene coastal communities, the Lower Mainland and Southwest region of B.C. offers a unique blend of opportunity, innovation and quality of life—making it a dynamic gateway to global markets and a thriving place to live, work and grow.

Stay tuned for additional articles on other regions and sector opportunities in British Columbia, or follow Trade and Invest BC on LinkedIn or X for regular updates.