Look West: Advancing Major Projects and Expanding Global Opportunities in B.C.

Key Points:
What is British Columbia doing to strengthen its position as a global destination for investment, trade and innovation? British Columbia’s Look West strategy is designed to strengthen the province’s global competitiveness through investment, talent development and trade expansion.

• Faster project delivery: Streamlining processes to accelerate major investments in infrastructure, clean energy and critical minerals.
• Stronger economic growth: Investing in workforce development and expanding high-growth sectors including technology, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
• Global opportunities: Leveraging B.C.’s Pacific Gateway advantage and partnerships with First Nations to attract investment and increase international trade.

British Columbia (B.C.) is strengthening its global competitiveness through Look West, a targeted strategy to advance major projects, expand high-value employment across key sectors and bolster the foundational infrastructure necessary to support economic prosperity in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
With its Pacific gateway location, abundant natural resources and highly skilled workforce, B.C. is well positioned to drive growth and connect international partners to new opportunities across key sectors.

A Province Built for Global Opportunity

British Columbia is Canada’s gateway to Asia-Pacific, offering direct access to some of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Anchored by major ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C. has North America’s shortest and most efficient shipping routes to Asia. Its integrated transportation network, including rail corridors and highways, connects coastal ports to industrial centres across Canada and the United States, supporting the seamless movement of goods across global supply chains.

Through Look West, the Government of B.C. is building on this strategic advantage by strengthening export infrastructure, expanding trade capacity and enhancing supply chain resilience. These efforts are designed to move more products, from natural resources to advanced technologies, efficiently to international markets, while creating new pathways for trade beyond traditional partners. For global companies, this translates into faster market access, reliable logistics and a well-connected base for reaching key international markets.

Delivering Major Projects with Speed and Certainty

Accelerating project delivery is a core focus of the Look West strategy. The Government of B.C. is streamlining permitting processes, reducing barriers and improving coordination across regulatory systems to help projects move forward with greater speed and certainty. With a target of securing $200 billion in major project investment by 2035, this approach is already taking shape through priority developments in clean energy, critical minerals and infrastructure, reinforcing B.C.’s reputation as a stable and reliable place to invest. Businesses and investors can explore current and upcoming opportunities, including priority projects across key sectors, through B.C.’s major projects page.

Investing in a Skilled, Global Workforce

A highly skilled, diverse workforce is one of British Columbia’s greatest strengths and a key factor in its global competitiveness. Through Look West, the Government of B.C. is building on this advantage with a comprehensive approach to talent development, expanding training capacity in skilled trades, technical fields and high-demand professions that support major projects and growing industries.

This includes a commitment to double investment in trades training by 2029, alongside increased apprenticeship spaces, work-integrated learning opportunities and targeted programs to prepare workers for careers in energy, infrastructure, mining and advanced manufacturing. These efforts are designed to ensure a steady pipeline of talent to support major projects and meet evolving industry demand.
B.C. is also focused on attracting and retaining talent from across Canada and internationally, while strengthening connections between industry and training providers. By aligning education and skills development with employer needs, the province is building a workforce that is responsive, innovative and ready to support long-term growth.

Growing High-Impact Sectors

Look West targets the industries shaping the future economy, aligning British Columbia’s natural advantages with global demand. The strategy identifies priority sectors including clean energy and critical minerals, maritime and shipbuilding, aerospace and defence, life sciences, agriculture, and advanced technologies such as AI and quantum computing.

By supporting expansion, building capacity and strengthening supply chain participation, Look West is creating new opportunities for investment while positioning these industries for long-term global success. Targeted supports are working to help scale production in emerging sectors, advance innovation through research and commercialization and strengthen connections between businesses, suppliers and international partners.

B.C. is taking direct action to anchor and grow strategic sectors across the province. Strong partnerships and dedicated investments are expanding B.C.’s maritime and shipbuilding capabilities, increasing employment and opportunity in life sciences and biomanufacturing, and leading a greater share of national defence and infrastructure opportunities. At the same time, continued investment in technology, clean energy and critical minerals is enabling B.C. to meet rising global demand for sustainable solutions and advanced industrial inputs.

Together, these efforts reinforce British Columbia’s position as a competitive, future-focused economy, one that offers global businesses the scale, expertise and stability needed to grow in key markets.

Partnerships that Enable Sustainable Growth

Collaboration is fundamental to the Look West strategy, with partnerships playing a key role in delivering sustainable and prosperous long-term growth. In particular, collaboration with First Nations is central to advancing major projects and unlocking economic opportunities across the province. These partnerships are grounded in shared decision-making, respect and a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of development are experienced by communities throughout B.C.

Across priority sectors, projects are increasingly advanced through co-development models that create shared economic participation, support local capacity and enable long-term revenue generation. From energy transmission infrastructure to critical minerals and natural resource development, these partnerships are helping move projects forward efficiently while strengthening environmental stewardship and community outcomes.

Initiatives such as new transmission lines, clean energy developments and resource projects are demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate timelines while building certainty for investors. By aligning project development with community priorities and regulatory processes, B.C. is creating a more predictable and inclusive investment environment.

Together, this approach reinforces British Columbia’s commitment to reconciliation while enhancing its reputation as a stable, responsible and globally competitive place to invest and do business.

Opportunity for International Investors

Look West sends a clear message to global businesses: British Columbia is open for partnership and poised to deliver. The province offers a compelling value proposition, including direct access to Asia-Pacific and global markets, a highly skilled and diverse workforce, and more efficient pathways for project development through streamlined processes. Businesses can also tap into opportunities across high-growth, sustainability-driven sectors, supported by a stable and transparent investment environment.
At a time when global investors are seeking reliability and certainty, British Columbia continues to demonstrate its ability to get major projects built—creating strong returns, fostering innovation and delivering long-term value for partners around the world.

Looking Ahead

Look West sets out a 10-year vision to strengthen B.C. and Canada’s economy, positioning the province as a leading economic engine and a hub for innovation, trade and investment.

By accelerating major projects, investing in people and expanding global connections, British Columbia is not only building a stronger economy at home, it is creating new opportunities for partners around the world.

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