Introduction
Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia, located on Canada’s spectacular west coast. Surrounded by mountains and ocean, Vancouver is consistently named one of the top cities in the world.
The Greater Vancouver region is home to more than two million people and 81,000 businesses in 21 municipalities. The City of Vancouver is the largest municipality within the Greater Vancouver region, with a population close to 600,000 within an area of 115 square kilometres. The city’s vibrant downtown core is one of the most population-dense areas in North America and boasts an impressive balance of business, living and recreation.
The region is experiencing continued population growth driven by in-migration from other Canadian provinces and international immigration. In 2004, more than 7,000 newcomers moved to British Columbia from other provinces, and an additional 28,000 from other countries. Close to 70% of these newcomers eventually settle in the Vancouver region.
Vancouver’s population growth is supported by strong economic expansion. Vancouver is home to 40 head offices of Canada’s largest 500 corporations, accompanied by an array of financial, legal, scientific and technical service companies. These services support a growing technology sector, with strength in biotechnology, telecommunications, wireless , fuel cells and new media. Vancouver is a major North American production centre for film and television , which has been a catalyst for the city’s expanding creative industries. Visitors from around the globe are discovering Vancouver’s hospitality, driving growth in tourism. Some of these visitors decide to make Vancouver their permanent home, creating demand for new housing and services, and a booming construction industry. And because the region is home to more than half of British Columbia’s population, Vancouver is a regional hub for trade, transportation, health care and education.
Quality of Life
The lifestyle preferences of skilled and creative people are increasingly important factors in determining where business is located. Vancouver’s cultural and intellectual pursuits, leisure opportunities, favourable climate, and clean and safe environment are consistently cited as quality of life factors that make it one of the most desirable places in the world to live and work.
In addition to its spectacular coastal setting and the best climate in Canada, Vancouver offers rich cultural amenities, diverse recreation, a range of housing options, and a safe, clean environment. Vancouver’s city hall has won numerous awards for excellence in community planning and commitment to sustainability. The results are reflected in the city’s interesting and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Vancouver’s exceptional quality of life makes it a magnet for global talent. Businesses report that it is easy to recruit staff to live in Vancouver.
And according to an Angus Reid survey, 82% of workers in Vancouver would not accept a matching job offer in another location, compared to 47% of workers living in Toronto or Montreal.
Check out the Newcomer’s Guide to Vancouver
, a comprehensive look at Vancouver’s services and amenities.
Buisness Advantages
In a nutshell, what does Vancouver have to offer business?
Highly competitive business costs . Vancouver boasts an average cost advantage of up to 20% for research and development and knowledge-intensive industries as compared to US cities, with considerable savings in payroll, health care and utilities costs.
A talented multilingual workforce that is experienced and highly educated.
Access to ten public post-secondary educational institutions including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design, and the BC Institute of Technology. These institutions provide more than 29,000 graduates each year and supply leading-edge expertise for research and development.
Excellent transportation infrastructure that provides easy access to markets. Vancouver International Airport supports close to 700 direct flights to US cities, 120 to Asia, 45 to Europe and 18 to South and Central America every week. The Port of Vancouver is the closest North American port to Asia, making it faster to ship to Hong Kong from Vancouver than from Los Angeles.
A convenient time zone . Located midway between Europe and Asia in the Pacific time zone, Vancouver companies are able to communicate with all continents during the course of a regular business day.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Vancouver has excellent transportation, education and utilities infrastructure to support its growing population and business base.
Transportation
Vancouver is Canada’s gateway to the Asia Pacific region. More
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Education & Research
Vancouver is a focal point for post-secondary education in British Columbia, with ten public post-secondary institutions in the region.
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Utilities
Vancouver has advanced utilities infrastructure that provide quality services and capacity for further growth. More
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