The Thompson-Okanagan development region is the third-most populous in the province after the Mainland-Southwest and Vancouver Island-Coast development regions. It is the home of Interior Salish Indigenous peoples including the St’át’imc (Lillooet), Secwepemc (Shuswap), Nlaka'pamux (Thompson) and Syilx (Okanagan). The Thompson-Okanagan includes five regional districts, 31 municipalities, and 29 First Nations. Historically, the Thompson-Okanagan economy was largely based on forestry, mining, and agriculture. While these industries remain important today, they are now part of a highly diverse economy dominated by s... continue reading

Harmful bacteria exist on commonly touched surfaces including railings, handles and doorknobs. Some people may not realize that copper has unique antimicrobial properties and is proven to continuously kill bacteria that cause infection. It’s also naturally occurring, safe for people and the environment, and is the only solid metal touch surface registered as a public health product by Health Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Copper surfaces eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria within two hours without needing any special maintenance or processes, making it a simple and effective preventative m... continue reading

British Columbia has a diverse climate, landscape and product mix that supports over 3,000 local food and beverage producers. An exciting opportunity for B.C. producers is now available in Germany. The Canadian Consulate in Düsseldorf is working on an ecommerce project to build a Canada-themed store-in-store under the roof of the German online supermarket MyEnso. Founded in 2018, MyEnso is an online supermarket with 25,000 food and non-food products of well-known international brands and private labels. The company has distribution centers throughout Germany with nationwide distribution and targets both end consumers and industr... continue reading

In the heart of British Columbia lie vibrant communities stimulated by abundant natural resources and recreational opportunities. The Cariboo Development Region delivers on a personal and professional level year-round, with a growing economy, top industry jobs across sectors and lifestyle activities that make the most of the mountains, rivers and lakes in the area. It’s also highly accessible, from recreational considerations including a network of wheelchair accessible trails to business needs such as a well-integrated transportation network of highways, railways, ports and airports. Daily commute times in cities across t... continue reading

Perhaps Plato said it best, "Necessity is the mother of invention." Some of British Columbia's technology firms are surging ahead despite – or perhaps because of – the incredible social and economic challenges created by the COVID-19 global pandemic. These B.C. companies are achieving technological growth and making significant contributions to the COVID-19 response and recovery, thanks to their agility and innovative vision. Within one week, a made-in-B.C. online platform to address sudden supply and demand for personal protective equipment and other medical supplies moved from concept to reality. The&... continue reading

The health and safety of employees and communities has always been important to British Columbia’s mining sector, where the standards for safe practices are among the highest in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the industry to take even greater measures to prevent transmission, protect workers and maintain safe operations to keep British Columbians working.Mining in B.C. Builds Community May is Mining Month in British Columbia. This year the industry moved events to an online format to continue building community relationships safely. Events included awards for Mining Person of the Year, Women in Mining and Mining... continue reading

With more than 300 life sciences companies operating throughout the province, British Columbia has a vibrant health sector offering investment opportunities in diverse products and services. The industry in British Columbia is at the forefront of developments in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, medical devices and medical technology. With the government and community support that is integral to the industry culture of British Columbia, the life sciences sector is making strides in the fight against COVID-19. The COVID-19 crisis has created enhanced medical needs, which have spurred innovation in life sciences in British Columb... continue reading

The ability to pivot in times of crisis demonstrates British Columbia’s resilience and ingenuity. In British Columbia, government, industry associations, companies and research universities are working together to overcome the challenges of the current global pandemic. We have compiled a selection of examples of the versatility and innovation emerging to support the people and businesses of this province.    Government Supports People, Business The provincial and federal governments are building complimentary programs to streamline regulations and services. The provincial response highlights one of the fundamen... continue reading

With the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) affecting business operations globally, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia have implemented measures to ensure continued access to goods and services. Notably, essential travel, including that associated with goods and services remain open. Supply chains must closely adhere to recommended health and safety measures to continue operating. There are resources available to businesses to ensure continued trade. Exporters are supported by organizations like Small Business BC, who have created resources for businesses impacted by the virus and compiled lists of r... continue reading

The Northeast region of British Columbia is characterized by rural communities and picturesque landscapes. This region is bordered by the Yukon and Northwest Territories in the north, the Rocky Mountains to the west and Alberta to the east. A strong, established history of industrial success in natural resources and a diversifying economy provide diverse investment opportunities. The Northeast is one of the fastest-growing regions in British Columbia thanks to the rapid development of the energy sector and currently boasts the province's highest rate of employment and demand for workers. Wind energy and hydro power are key i... continue reading