Investing in BC's Vancouver Island and Coast Region

The Vancouver Island/Coast economic region is located on the west coast of B.C. and includes all of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and some of the coastal regions of the Mainland. This region is known for its temperate climate, unspoiled wilderness and beautiful coastlines.

In this very diverse area, you will find mountains, beaches, ancient rainforests and agricultural farmland. Boating, kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing are very popular, and the region is home to many artists, festivals and cultural events.

Vancouver Island/Coast includes the city of Victoria, which is the capital of British Columbia and the oldest city in Western Canada. It also includes several medium-sized cities and many smaller ocean-side communities.

The service sector plays a major role in the region's economy. Many people have jobs in health care, public administration, and accommodation and tourism. Other important industries include logging and fishing.

The B.C. government forecasts an annual employment growth rate of 0.8 percent in this region to 2022. It is expected that there will be 147,200 job openings over the 10-year period. The top employment growth industry is Health and Social Services.