Invest in BC 2018

2018 | BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

INVESTINBC SPECIAL REPORT AGRICULTURE ŊƂ Ƃp¨ Ƃ p º× ŊƂ ºº×Ƃ{­¨p¨Üp ŊƂ º ¨ ­Ç¾ Ƃ º­Ñ º¾

SALMON FARMING KELOWNA & KAMLOOPS LNG LIVES

OPPORTUNITIES IN EVERY REGION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

PUBLISHED BY

BC Economic Development Association

NEW CANADIANS

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TREASURE HUNTING

BUILDING FOR TECH

2018-04-25 9:28 AM

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CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE PRIME MINISTER

6

LETTER FROM THE PREMIER

7

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, BC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

8

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR, BC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

8

DATA

10

BC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

80

LNG LIVES | 12

COLUMN

BCEDA PARTNERS

Mathison—30

DIAMOND FortisBC

FEATURES LNG lives B.C. agriculture Salmon farming ‘Treasure hunt’ for future mines Building for tech Tale of two cities Welcome to B.C.

12 14 18 21 23 26 28

Province of BC PLATINUM Pacific Coastal Airlines GOLD CAPP

B.C. AGRICULTURE 14 |

BUILDING FOR TECH | 23

ASTTBC ICSC SILVER Community Futures Destination BC Local Intel Kwantlen Polytechnic University BRONZE AdvantageBC Futurpreneur Office of Small & Medium Enterprises GIS Planning

SALMON FARMING | 18

Townfolio Capital EDC MDB Insight Vicinity Jobs Nations Creations 468 Communications

TALE OF TWO CITIES | 26

Liquid Capital West Coast Financing Corp.

SUPPORTING PARTNERS Business in Vancouver Small Business BC ExecutivePulse Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGIONS

2018 | BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT

INVESTINBC SPECIAL REPORT AGRICULTURE

Lower Mainland/Southwest Vancouver Island/Coast Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo North Coast Northeast Nechako

• Beef and dairy • Berry bonanza • Greenhouse growers

31 45 52 58 62 67 70 77

SALMON FARMING KELOWNA & KAMLOOPS LNG LIVES

OPPORTUNITIES IN EVERY REGION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

PUBLISHED BY

BC Economic Development Association

NEW CANADIANS

TREASURE HUNTING

BUILDING FOR TECH

PUBLISHER: Sue Belisle EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER; VICE-PRESIDENT, GLACIER MEDIA:

Thompson Okanagan | 52

Kirk LaPointe EDITOR: Frank O’Brien DESIGN: Randy Pearsall PRODUCTION: Rob Benac WRITERS: Nelson Bennett, Patrick Blennerhassett, Katya Holloway, Pat Johnson, Baila Lazarus, Peter Mitham, Frank O’Brien, Tom Walker PROOFREADER: Meg Yamamoto INTEGRATED SALES MANAGERS: Pia Huynh, Laura Torrance, Chris Wilson ADVERTISING SALES: Benita Bajwa, Dean Hargrave, Blair Johnston, Corinne Tkachuk NATIONAL SALES: Shirley Moody OPERATIONS MANAGER: Michelle Myers ADMINISTRATORS: Katherine Butler, Marie Pearsall RESEARCH: Anna Liczmanska, Carrie Schmidt

Kootenay | 58

Invest in BC 2018 is published by BIV Magazines, a division of BIV Media Group, 303 Fifth Avenue West, Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1J6, 604-688-2398, fax 604-688-1963, www.biv.com.

Cariboo | 62 Northeast | 70

Nechako | 77

Copyright 2018 Business in Vancouver Magazines. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or incorporated into any information retrieval system without permission of BIV Magazines. The list of services provided in this publication is not necessarily a complete list of all such services available in Vancouver, B.C. The publishers are not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions in this publication.

ISSN 1205-5662 Publications Mail Agreement No.: 40069240. Registration No.: 8876. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Department: 303 Fifth Avenue West, Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1J6 Email: subscribe@biv.com Cover: Klaudia Matasova at Houweling Nurseries Ltd. in Delta Photo: Chung Chow

PRODUCED BY

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

2018

Dear Friends: I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to the readers of Invest in British Columbia magazine.

Invest in British Columbia profiles the latest business and investment opportunities and challenges in the province. This year’s edition offers a wonderful opportunity to recognize the important role British Columbia plays in our national economy.

I would like to commend everyone involved in the magazine’s publication for their commitment to informing readers and for their efforts to attract investments to their communities.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, please accept my best wishes.

Sincerely,

The Rt. Hon. Justin P. J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada

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Letter from the premier

There is no question that British Columbia is a great place to invest. We have a talented workforce, innovative entrepreneurs, and diverse, energetic communities. As the British Columbia Economic Development Association’s 2018 edition of Invest in BC magazine will show, our province is rich with opportunity.

Our province is strong because of the people who live and work here. That’s why we are working hard to make life more affordable, strengthening services and making sure that we build a strong, sustainable economy that works for everyone – so that everyone has a stake in the continued success of our province.

When we work together, we work harder, and we achieve more. British Columbia has tremendous potential, incredible access to resources, and VNLOOHG ZRUNHUV LQ HYHU\ FRUQHU RI WKH SURYLQFH :KHWKHU LW·V WKH ÀOP industry or the mining industry – we’re open for business, we’re ready to work, and we’re excited to make B.C. even better.

I hope that the 2018 edition of Invest in BC magazine inspires you to imagine new opportunities in our beautiful province.

John Horgan, Premier, British Columbia

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Letter from the president and CEO, BC Economic Development Association

Valuable partnerships build B.C.’s prosperity

W

Dale Wheeldon

elcome to the official publication of the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA). Invest in BC is designed to give you a brief overview of British Columbia and to encourage you to invest in our diverse province. The magazine strives to provide valuable information on the eight economic regions of British Columbia, as well as timely trends in our ever-changing economy. I hope that you find this information of value to you, and take the time to consider what an investment in British Columbia could do for you, or your business.

Over the past year, I have been fortunate to travel to different areas of the province. It makes me proud to have had the opportunity to experience the great work being done by local and First Nation governments throughout B.C. When you take the time to really discover all of what British Columbia has to offer, you will be amazed and convinced that as a province we really are a strong and diverse economy and one that offers unparalleled opportunity.

BCEDA has grown to over 500 members who are working together to grow local economies. Our members represent a range of communities, First Nations, businesses, chambers of commerce, Crown corporations, tourism groups, financial institutions, government agencies,

non-governmental organizations and educational institutions. Their agenda is to create valuable partnerships and build prosperity for all those involved.

BCEDA is the leading provincial association of economic development practitioners in the province of B.C. BCEDA provides services that help member communities grow and expand new and existing businesses, attract new business investments and work towards strategic infrastructure investment, land-use planning and community enhancement.

In 2017, BCEDA worked very hard to assist communities impacted by wildfires. In fact, BCEDA was the very first non-government association to activate a disaster recovery program to assist businesses and communities. We could not have done what we did without the significant support offered by FortisBC and Pacific Coastal Airlines. These two, in addition to the numerous other sponsors during 2017, helped us support those in need.

Please feel free to contact me, my staff or any of our members to discuss anything about economic development in British Columbia.

Dale Wheeldon, president and CEO, British Columbia Economic Development Association

Letter from the chair, BC Economic Development Association

British Columbia truly ‘open for business’

W

Sue Kenny

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elcome to the 2018 edition of Invest in BC. The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is pleased to once again partner with Business in Vancouver to produce this excellent publication. BCEDA represents more than 500 economic development professionals located in every region of the province.

Inside the pages of this magazine you will find great information on the communities that comprise BCEDA’s membership and the many and varied opportunities that they have to offer.

Whether it’s natural resources, energy, technology, food production, tourism, international education, or transportation and shipping, B.C. has a multitude of investment opportunities. The province’s many other advantages include a highly skilled workforce, low corporate tax rates, world-class infrastructure and services, as well as welcoming and inclusive communities.

Although many say it, British Columbia is truly “open for business.” Municipalities, regional districts and First Nations invest over $60 million annually in economic development and tourism programming. The BC Economic Development Association works hard to leverage that investment by supporting the professionals

charged with guiding their community’s efforts through enhanced marketing activities, and professional development programs and materials.

In recent years BCEDA has led the charge on responding to business needs in the aftermath of a disaster.

There has been an increase in fire and flood over the past 10 years that has triggered BCEDA to research a method of action to alleviate the stress that unexpected business closures cause. We adopted the method used by our counterpart in the United States, the International Economic Development Council.

BCEDA’s Economic Disaster Recovery Program has assisted communities in Alberta and British Columbia, and most recently the fires in the B.C. Interior. Our response team of volunteer experts contacted businesses to identify their needs and connect them with the right people to answer their questions.

In closing, I want to encourage all who read this publication to use it as a primer to further explore the investment opportunities that abound in all regions of the great province of British Columbia.

Sue Kenny, chair, British Columbia Economic Development Association

2018-04-25 9:28 AM

COMOX VALLEY

W

ith its central Vancouver Island location and transportation links, the Comox Valley is one of the largest regions on the Island, boasting a diverse economic base and an extraordinary quality of life. Direct access to a growing trading area is provided via the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) serviced by major carriers including Air Canada and WestJet, as well as mainland BC Ferry service, and harbour to harbour flights to downtown Vancouver. This accessibility has established the Comox Valley a strategic mid-Island hub for investment across key sectors including agri-food production & agri-tech innovation, tourism, and residential & commercial development. The area also boasts a combination of amenities unlike other Island communities including the largest full service ski & snowboard resort, a new regional hospital, coupled by a post-secondary college, and Canada’s only west coast Canadian Forces Base 19 Wing Comox, with a new Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Training Centre currently under construction, another significant economic driver in the Comox Valley.

For more information contact John Watson, Executive Director, Comox Valley Economic Development Email: john@investcomoxvalley.com Phone: 250-792-0375 Web: investcomoxvalley.com Twitter: @ComoxValley Facebook: Comox Valley Economic Development

Invest in the DISTRICT OF TAYLOR British Columbia (Left) Councillor Brent Taillefer, Councillor Betty Ponto, Mayor Rob Fraser, Councillor Dave Lueneberg, Councillor George Barber.

±

Taylor

“As the Member of Parliament for Prince GeorgePeace River-Northern Rockies, I am proud to represent the people of the District of Taylor in Northeastern BC. I grew up in this area and am now raising my family here too. With our growing economy, beautiful landscapes and thriving communities, Northeastern BC is the perfect place to come live and work.”

– Bob Zimmer, MP

N

“Taylor is growing at a great pace. We have been following a plan to create a healthy community that is a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.

Our town is second to none for “small town feel” and big town amenities. Invest your future with us.”

– Rob Fraser, Mayor

Located in the opportunity-rich Peace Region of BC, Taylor is a hub in British Columbia’s growing energy production sector. Rich in resources and industry, we are continuing to grow with a new 50-lot subdivision in the heart of our community.

Build your future home in our 50 lot subdivision!

Visit www.districtoftaylor.com or call 250-789-3392 for more information

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

REGIONAL POPULATION 2017: 4,807,393 Biggest cities in each development region

Northeast 73,418 FORT ST. JOHN

Nechako 41,351 SMITHERS

22,618

5,462

Change from 2016: È+1.2%

Change from 2016: Ê-0.7%

North Coast 53,659 PRINCE RUPERT

Cariboo 154,519 PRINCE GEORGE

12,220

74,000

Change from 2016: È+0.7%

Change from 2016: È+0.3%

Thompson Okanagan 555,832 KELOWNA

129,500

Change from 2016: È+1.0%

Vancouver Island/Coast 809,134 GREATER VICTORIA

367,770

Change from 2016: È+1.0%

B.C. .C. POPULATION Lower Mainland/ Southwest 2,969,384 VANCOUVER

2014 14 2015

653,046

2016 2017 4.40

Kootenay 150,096 CRANBROOK

20,242

Change from 2016: È+0.2%

Change from 2016: È+1.3% 4.45

4.50

4.55

4.60 Millions

4.65

SOURCE: BC STATS

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4.70

4.80 SOURCE: BC STATS DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS, 2017

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TOTAL EXPORTS FROM B.C. IN 2017 SOUTH KOREA

$2.82 BILLION Share: 6.5%

JAPAN

$4.48 BILLION Share: 10.3%

UNITED STATES

$22.4 BILLION

MAINLAND CHINA

Share: 51.3%

$6.66 BILLION Share: 15.3%

INDIA

$1.05 BILLION Share: 2.4%

WESTERN EUROPE

SOUTH AMERICA

Share: 4.5%

Share: 1.3%

$1.9 BILLION

$561 MILLION SOURCES: BC STATS; STATISTICS CANADA

B.C. ECONOMIC PROJECTION 2018

REAL GDP GROWTH IN CANADA, 2018 FORECAST

2017

2018

Real GDP

$226.4 billion

$232 billion

% change 2.5%

British Columbia

Wholesale trade

$9.86 billion

$10.1 billion

2.9%

Ontario

Housing starts

39,500

37,500

-5.0%

Net in-migration

48,200

49,300

2.2%

Unemployment rate

5.4%

4.8%

-6.0%

Manitoba Alberta Saskatchewan Quebec

SOURCES: CENTRAL 1 CREDIT UNION, ECNONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BC 2017; CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORP. HOUSING OUTLOOK 2017

Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island New Brunswick Newfoundland & Labrador %

.0

-2

%

.5

-1

%

%

.0

-1

.5

-0

0% .5% 1.0% 1.5% .0% .5% .0% 2 2 0 3

0.

SOURCE: RBC ECONOMICS RESEARCH, MARCH 2018

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

LNG LIVES

Shell-led LNG Canada has shortlisted developer bids for its $40 billion Kitimat export terminal and pipelines NELSON BENNETT

L

NG Canada has shortlisted two international consortiums for the design, procurement and construction of its proposed liquefied natural gas plant in Kitimat. But before Shell and its partners make a final investment decision – expected in the second half of this year – it needs Ottawa to exempt the project from trade duties on prefabricated steel from China and Spain.

LNG Canada announced February 2 that it has shortlisted two major international engineering and construction consortiums for the design, procurement and construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Kitimat.

“I think the fact that we are at this second shortlisting is an indication we are serious about doing this thing,” says Susannah Pierce, LNG Canada’s director of external relations.

The announcement came just days after Premier John Horgan returned from Asia, where he met with a number of the companies involved in the consortium.

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LNG Canada CEO Andy Calitz also was in on some of those meetings, Pierce confirms.

In 2016, LNG Canada delayed a final investment decision it had been expected to make that year, and its lead contractor cancelled the bidding process for prefabricated LNG modules.

The company went back to the drawing board and asked fabrication yards in Asia to come up with some better prices, in an effort to get capital costs down.

The project would have a total capital cost of about $40 billion, including the LNG plant in Kitimat, a new gas

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RIGHT: The LNG Canada terminal

at Kitimat is moving closer to a final investment decision as the search for a developer is down to two firms | LNG CANADA

pipeline and upstream natural gas assets.

LNG Canada has now shortlisted two consortiums to handle the design, procurement and construction: TechnipFMC PLC-KBR Inc. and JGC Corp.-Fluor Corp.

“I think the fact that we went back to market was really because we believe that there needed to be, and there could be, significant reductions in the overall cost of constructing this project,” Pierce says.

But any savings the company might realize through a second bid will be blown entirely out of the water by duties that Canada applied to prefabricated steel imports last year.

In the summer of 2017, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and the Canada Border Services Agency imposed anti-dumping duties in response to complaints

by Canadian manufacturers that China, South Korea and Spain were dumping cheap steel into Canada.

Imports of fabricated industrial steel components from China and Korea could be hit with 45 per cent anti-dumping duties.

If those duties are applied to the prefabricated LNG facilities, called “trains,” that would need to be built in China or Korea – which are among the few countries with that expertise – the duties could be onerous.

LNG Canada and a number of other companies have applied for a judicial review of the duties. But that is not likely to even be heard until 2019, which would delay a final investment decision.

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LNG projects are timed to meet windows of demand, which are affected by long-term contracts. LNG Canada is aiming for 2024 to be in production. Once a final investment decision is taken, it is expected the full project will take five years to build, Pierce says.

In addition to applying to the federal court for a judicial review, LNG Canada has also applied to the federal Ministry of Finance for a remission order setting aside the duties for its project.

The modules used in LNG plants are sophisticated pieces of machinery that no Canadian manufacturer is capable of building, according to LNG Canada and other LNG projects, like Woodfibre LNG. “If we had to wait for a judicial review determination, that could bring us into 2019,” Pierce says. “Hence the only other alternative for us is to go the remission order route.

“We’ve made the argument with Finance that we need to know, because this is really critical for us to make a cost-competitive proposal. These modules cannot be built in Canada, and if we have to assume these duties, which we would build into our economics, then it has a significant impact on our competitiveness.”

LNG Canada has also raised concerns over competitiveness issues in B.C. It is a high-cost jurisdiction compared with the U.S., due to a lack of existing pipeline infrastructure and terminals.

In addition to carbon taxes that companies don’t pay in Australia and the U.S., companies here would also pay a special LNG tax, which other LNG-producing jurisdictions don’t have.

The new NDP government has initiated a competitiveness review to look at the issue of competitiveness. É

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

B.C.

AGRICULTURE Ambition and innovation deliver fresh, safe food to the world

PETER MITHAM

A

griculture has been an essential part of the B.C. economy since the earliest days of colonial settlement. A rugged geography separated it from the eastern half of North America while the Pacific meant a long voyage by sea for anything else. Compounding the geographic barriers, the 49th parallel established a political separation that set the stage for today’s myriad policies governing the cross-border movement of farm products.

The result is a local market proud of what its farmers produce, and growers and packers that have won the hearts of overseas markets with produce renowned for its purity and high quality. All told, the province’s agri-food sector rang up $14 billion in revenues in 2016, including $3 billion in farm-gate revenues and $3.8 billion worth of exports.

“We’re known around the world as a healthy, safe place to grow food,” says Reg Ens, executive director with the BC Agriculture Council, which represents 14,000 farmers and ranchers and close to 30 farm organizations in B.C. “It’s not to say that there aren’t going to be some tough issues and some challenges for us to keep working through. The industry is going to evolve but I think it’s pretty strong.”

The recent provincial budget, which pledged $29 million to the agriculture sector over three years with the aim of renewing and strengthening the industry through programs that will expand production and domestic consumption, underscores the optimism.

“You can go out and you can do trade missions internationally,” says B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham,

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an organic grape grower prior to entering politics. “But if we’ve got that foundation at home, then we’re creating jobs here, which is so, so important, and opportunities for the whole entire province to be involved in agriculture, because a lot of these things can happen in rural areas.”

Specialty beef production a new avenue for B.C.’s cattle industry | PETER MITHAM

BEEF BONANZA Q When it comes to rural opportunities, beef is a linchpin for the B.C. Interior. B.C. cattle represent just five per cent of the national herd, but they’re the foundation for a host of activities ranging from forage production to meat processing.

The loss of slaughter facilities after the reform of provincial meat-processing regulations were developed in 2004 means 90 per cent of cattle in B.C. are slaughtered in Alberta, but new opportunities are emerging.

Specialty meat production – including grass-fed meat – has caught the imagination of consumers seeking a natural alternative to grain-finished beef. Blue Goose Cattle Co. is among the best-known names among countless smaller operations. Among the latest additions is Nutriva Group of Abbotsford, which plans to launch

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a specialty beef brand this year. It will be processed by Meadow Valley Meats, which is expanding its capacity in Surrey through the expansion of a plant that dates back to the 1980s.

Production of forage to feed cattle through the winter complements the ranch sector. While cattle graze high-altitude range in the summer, often Crown land, the need for winter hay means thousands of tonnes of forage are harvested each summer. B.C. is known for its high-quality hay. Yields are often sufficient to supply the needs of ranchers elsewhere in North America, not to mention overseas. Operations such as TopHay Agri-Industries Inc. have made significant investments in B.C. with a view to harvesting alfalfa and pelletizing it for shipment to ranches in China.

While beef production is often tipped as an important contributor to global warming, B.C.’s beef sector has taken steps to mitigate its impact. Contemporary beef production is far more efficient than in the past.

Beef production now emits 15 per cent fewer greenhouse gases than in 1981. Programs such as the B.C. Environmental Farm Plan and the Applied Sustainable Ranching program at Thompson Rivers University help producers do a better job of raising cattle in harmony with the environment. The ranch sector also adopted a code of practice, laying down rules in 1991 governing the treatment and welfare of animals and releasing an updated version in 2013.

TOP, ABOVE: High-tech

systems are helping boost

MILKING VALUE Q Of the five supply-managed sectors

in B.C. – dairy, eggs, broiler chickens, turkey and broiler hatching eggs – dairy is the biggest, with a farm-gate value of $586 million on annual milk sales approaching 790 million litres. That amounts to nearly a fifth of all B.C. farm revenues.

B.C. is home to not only Canada’s biggest dairy, the massive 3,000-head operations of Chilliwack Cattle Sales, but also many businesses engaged in milk processing and dairy genetics. These range from small ventures such as Morningstar Farm of Parksville, which sells milk by the bottle from a coin-operated dispenser, and artisan cheese makers such as Poplar Grove in Naramata, to larger operations including Burnaby-based Avalon Dairy Ltd. and Blackwell Dairy Farm Inc. in Kamloops.

Water buffalo farmers on Vancouver Island provide a different take on dairy, harvesting milk for rich yogurts and cheeses from the likes of Natural Pastures Cheese Co. in Courtenay. Happy Days Dairies Ltd., a Chilliwack goat dairy, has three plants in B.C. and Alberta.

The innovative nature of the sector shines through in the work of Vitalus Nutrition Inc. in Abbotsford, which processes milk proteins into nutritional components added to infant formula, yogurt and energy bars. It recently partnered with Gay Lea Foods to build a new processing plant in Winnipeg, which expands not only its own reach but also the market opportunities of farmers in Manitoba.

Closer to home, Corner’s Pride Farms Ltd. of Rosedale has embraced automation. While not the only farm to embrace robotics, it is notable for having undertaken the single largest install of Lely robotic milkers in Canada.

Its milking herd of 1,650 cattle is in the final stages of

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the productivity of B.C. dairies | BC DAIRY ASSOCIATION LEFT: B.C. is the world’s

third-largest producer of blueberries | BRIAN A JACKSON/SHUTTERSTOCK

transitioning to 30 of the sophisticated milking systems.

An automated forage delivery system is also part of the transformation of what began 50 years ago as a 30-cow dairy. The system gives Corner’s Pride’s cows greater autonomy, which in turn makes them more productive and reduces labour requirements at a farm that runs with a staff of 40.

Perhaps more important, the move creates high-skill job opportunities that are more rewarding for workers than simply herding cattle. While farming still requires hard physical labour, new technologies are changing the way work is done. The sector’s evolution means better conditions for both workers and livestock.

Backing up the technology are several measures to protect animals, including a code of practice, originally released in 1990 and updated in 2009, as well as the new industry-led ProAction initiative, participation in which has been mandatory for producers since January of this year.

BERRIES FOR THE WORLD Q Abbotsford lays claim to being the raspberry capital of Canada, but blueberries are by far the province’s biggest small fruit. B.C.

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

B.C. agriculture

Berries also anchor U-picks, farm markets and agri-tourism operations such as those of Driediger Farms and Krause Berry Farms in Langley and Emma Lea Farms in Delta.

Cranberries are a case in point. Massachusetts-based Ocean Spray buys the majority of B.C.’s cranberry crop, and a portion of those berries find their way into Craisins, the sweetened dried version of the tart fruit. Just a fraction is sold fresh. The massive bogs that run north from Delta across Richmond to Pitt Meadows, home of the farms run by the Aquilini family’s Golden Eagle Group – the largest berry producer in the province – underscore the crop’s importance.

Research is key to the ongoing success of the industry. In addition to seeking new varieties, researchers investigate practices to improve yields, protect the environment and improve overall sustainability of fruit production. The work takes place in the field, as at the BC Cranberry Research Farm in Delta, where a bumblebee farm promotes pollinator populations, and in the labs of Genome BC, which has received $500,000 in federal funding to develop better tools to ensure the high quality of the strawberry plants growers ship to farms around the world.

A critical element of plant propagation for the fruit sector is the Centre for Plant Health in Sidney, which Ottawa has pledged $80 million to redevelop and modernize.

Canada’s key plant pathology lab, the Sidney centre ensures growers have clean plant material that’s free of diseases that could otherwise decimate production locally and internationally.

GREENHOUSE GROWTH Q B.C. greenhouses are best TOP: Staffer Klaudia Matasova

at Houweling Nurseries Ltd. in Delta. The company is known for its tomatoes but is also a supplier of nursery plants to the greenhouse vegetable

produced nearly 67,803 tonnes in 2017, enough to make it the world’s third-largest blueberry producer after the U.S. and Chile. Raspberries, by contrast, totalled just 8,227 tonnes, still representing three-quarters of the national crop.

Strawberries are a fraction of the local berry business at just 1,442 tonnes, but a significant one. The work of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada berry breeder Chaim Kempler saw two new strawberry varieties, Stolo and Nisga’a, introduced to the market in 2007 and 2009.

Kempler is now retired but his work continues at BC Berry Cultivar Development Inc., which oversees trials of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries that can resist disease, be harvested by machine and – most of all – meet consumer demand.

With a total farm-gate value of more than $300 million, berries are possibly the sweetest side of B.C. agriculture in the province next to wine. Tree fruit growers, by comparison, received just short of $160 million for their labours in 2017.

Quick-frozen, berries can be shipped anywhere in North America or the world.

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sector | CHUNG CHOW ABOVE LEFT AND RIGHT: B.C.

greenhouses are clean, efficient and insectfriendly food production systems | PETER MITHAM

known for vegetables, but cut flowers, nursery stock and cannabis all come from structures that harness solar energy to produce green revenues. Greenhouse vegetables are by far the most valuable greenhouse crop, though many expect that to change when cannabis becomes legal. B.C. is home to one of North America’s largest greenhouse growers and marketers, Windset Farms of Delta, which has struck deals to extend its reach in the U.S. A pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution was 2001, when a Delta grower broke the monopoly formerly held by BC Hot House Foods Inc. This opened the door to multiple marketing agencies, including Windset, allowing producers to diversify and form new alliances that facilitated growth. Production occurs primarily in the Lower Mainland, but the Okanagan is also home to significant greenhouse operations. Thorp Family Organic Farms in Oliver, for example, supplies vegetables to Oppenheimer Group, a Vancouver-based produce distributor that’s attracted global investment.

Today, greenhouse vegetables from B.C. farms travel across the U.S. and overseas to markets such as Japan, which recently opened its doors to peppers in recognition of the high quality of B.C. produce. The growth of producers at home has also allowed them to make investments in the U.S. to support demand during the winter months.

The floriculture sector is approximately equal in size to greenhouse vegetables, with two together ringing up more than $600 million in farm-gate sales annually.

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Similarly, Houweling Nurseries Ltd. and Bevo Agro Inc. in Langley propagate plants for the greenhouse vegetable sector and others. Bedding plants are also produced under glass, while a range of other plants get their start under cover at the nurseries of Qualitree Propagators Inc. in Chilliwack and Nats Nursery Ltd. in Langley.

The two companies serve demand across Canada and internationally. Nats’ biggest order, however, came when it was asked to deliver 350,000 seedlings for the green roof of the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Cannabis, though, is vying to be the crown jewel of B.C.’s greenhouse sector.

Village Farms Canada LP and Victoria-based Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc. signed a deal last summer to convert a 25-acre greenhouse in Delta into a federally licensed cannabis production facility. Emerald Health also plans to develop a million-square-foot greenhouse in Richmond. While medicinal production is the initial goal, recreational cannabis production isn’t ruled out.

Similarly, Canopy Growth Corp. is partnering with SunSelect Produce Inc. of Delta to develop three million square feet in two greenhouses at a 55-acre site in Aldergrove through BC Tweed Joint Venture Inc. The venture is tipped as creating the largest pot farm in the world.

While cannabis is attracting fresh investment in the greenhouse sector, many expect a shakeout as the sector adapts to its newly legal status. Uncertainties also surround how the crop will be treated. Government considered medical marijuana a legitimate crop, because it’s a plant, but stopped short of granting it the full range of support because it was also a federally regulated drug.

ORGANIC ALTERNATIVE Q Greenhouse growers like

to tout the low-input nature of their operations, which take place in controlled environments where integrated pest management reduces the need for pesticides.

Biological pest control means many operations would qualify as organic. However, organic horticulture must take place in soil, and most greenhouse production systems aren’t soil-based.

There are plenty of other producers with a variety of organic designations in B.C., however. The latest federal census of agriculture identified 449 certified organic producers in B.C. in 2016, as well as 110 farms in the three-year period of transitioning to certified organic production.

“Certified” is an important distinction; according to Statistics Canada, a total of 550 farms claim to have organic products for sale, but these aren’t necessarily certified as such. But come September 2018, provincial regulations mean only farms holding a certificate from an authorized certifying body will be allowed to label their produce “organic.”

“We need to continue to build public trust and we need to maintain it,” says Carmen Wakeling, co-president of the Certified Organic Associations of BC, who says the province’s efforts to secure the integrity of the organic designation has been invaluable. “They’ve been really great to work with.”

Protection of the label ensures that producers of everything from beef to beets can point to a legally protected designation when consumers ask, and also access

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The BC Cranberry Research Farm in Delta teaches growers the latest techniques | PETER MITHAM

B.C. FARM FACTS Annual REVENUES of

$14 billion Annual EXPORTS of

$3.8 billion CHILLIWACK hosts Canada’s LARGEST SINGLE DAIRY HERD:

3,000 head ABBOTSFORD is the

raspberry capital

of Canada

Fresh FLOWERS SALES total a year

markets beyond B.C. Previously, only producers with a nationally recognized designation could do so.

The organic sector is much more than growers, however.

B.C. is home to major organic food processors, including Nature’s Path Foods Inc., best known for its cereal products. Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna is committed to the organic cause and has proposed the ambitious goal of converting the Okanagan Valley entirely to organic farming practices by 2020.

The target may be easiest for grape growers, with producers such as Mission Hill Family Estate in the process of transitioning its vineyards to organic protocols. However, for tree fruit growers afflicted by pests, chemical controls remain vital, if not organic.

Still, a favourable climate works in the region’s advantage. Quebec salad maker VegPro International Inc. purchased 700 acres of the historic Coldstream Ranch at the end of 2017 with a view to field production of lettuce and other greens. Plans call for expanding production from an initial 200 acres this year to more than 600 acres within three years – and, ultimately, organic certification of the fields.

“They’ve tried to do it on the East Coast, but it’s a bit challenging to do,” says Jonathan Blais, who is overseeing the project for VegPro, which includes a packing plant employing up to 200. “They see the Okanagan as an area where they’re going to be able to do organic production.”

Summerhill founder Stephen Cipes acknowledges that not everyone sees says the world as he does, but he sees the potential for even half the acreage in the Okanagan to be organic, or transitioning to it, by 2020.

“We’re in very good shape,” he says. “To have the valley be organic, it would be a mecca for the world to visit.” É

$600 million 449

certified ORGANIC FARMERS in the province

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

SALMON FARMING Small in footprint, young in age, the industry harvests 92,000 tonnes of salmon and contributes $1.5 billion to the B.C. economy annually

TOM WALKER

JEREMY DUNN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BC SALMON FARMERS ASSOCIATION

Salmon production is now second only to dairy as B.C.’s largest agriculture sector

S

almon farming in B.C. is a young industry, but it punches far above it’s age in provincial agriculture. “It’s really only been in B.C. for around 40 years,” says Jeremy Dunn, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA). In the mid-1970s entrepreneurs along the B.C. coast cobbled together nets with logs, dropped in some local chinook or coho salmon and tossed them some feed. Some died, some swam away, some were eaten by seals or sea lions and some went to market. Lessons were learned and a new ocean-based agriculture began in B.C.

“Salmon production is now second only to dairy as B.C.’s largest agriculture sector,” says Dunn. “Just over 92,000 metric tonnes were produced in 2016, and that contributes more than $1.5 billion to the provincial economy. Farmed salmon have been B.C.’s most valuable agriculture export for the last seven years.”

A lot has changed since those early years. Atlantics are now the species of choice (see sidebar), and most of the salmon farms in B.C. are now owned by Norwegian or

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Japanese interests, which operate in multiple countries.

There are 109 licensed salmon tenures along the B.C. coast that are principally owned by four companies: Marine Harvest Canada, Grieg Seafood BC, Cermaq Canada and Creative Salmon (a Canadian company producing organic chinook). Most are at deepwater remote sites in the northern Salish Sea and the west coast of Vancouver Island. Between 60 and 70 sites operate at any one time, while the remainder are fallow.

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Salmon farm tenures take up approximately 0.05 per cent of the B.C. coastline, an area about the size of Vancouver’s Stanley Park.

An average farm site has 10 36-by-36-metre-square galvanized steel net pens that reach 30 metres deep and hold about 75,000 salmon.

“Total [full-time] employment generated by the industry is over 6,500,” Dunn points out. Most of the jobs are in North Island communities where residents struggle to find year-round employment in the shrinking lumber or commercial fishing industries.

“Those are good jobs,” Dunn explains. “Many of them involve outdoor work and they pay 30 per cent above the provincial average.” Salmon farm employees work in land-based freshwater hatcheries to spawn and care for the young fry salmon for their first year. They staff the farms that grow them, harvest the fish, process them and work the boats that support the farms.

Veterinarians lead fish health departments and trained staff conduct breeding projects. And there is a

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New circular pens for Grieg Seafood BC at Gore Island. An average B.C. farm pen holds 75,000 salmon | GRIEG SEAFOOD BC James Walkus Fishing Co.’s $15 million, 30-metre harvest boat is the second boat the First Nations company has had built in Vancouver in the last five years | MARINE HARVEST CANADA

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Salmon farming

LEFT: Marcus Fritsch, site

manager, Venture Point farm. A farmed salmon will grow to adult size, six kilograms, in 18 to 24 months | MARINE HARVEST CANADA RIGHT: Small footprint: salmon

farms take up approximately 0.05 per cent of the B.C. coastline, an area about the size of Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Shown is Marine Harvest’s Hardwicke farm | BC SALMON FARMERS ASSOCIATION

lot of technology on a farm site. An operator watches on a four-part computer screen as an underwater camera monitors the automatic feeding process. Instruments sample water temperature and current speed, dissolved oxygen, and salinity. Air compressors stand by to supply an aeration system to support water quality.

Sophisticated boat-based machinery reaches down to clean the nets.

The salmon pens, the on-site barges, the boats that harvest the fish and ferry the workers to the sites, the dive teams that inspect and clean the nets and the companies that manufacture the feed are all from B.C. and mostly based on Vancouver Island. “ BCSFA businesses are planning some $300 million in new investment over the next four years,” Dunn says.

Some examples: ■Grieg Seafood BC recently contracted Poseidon Ocean Systems in Campbell River to build five 200-metre round net pens at a total cost of $10 million, says Rocky Boschman, managing director at Grieg.

■The James Walkus Fishing Co., which serves salmon farms, will take delivery of a new harvest boat this

WHY RAISE ATLANTIC SALMON IN B.C.?

MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE SALMON RAISED IN B.C. AND WORLDWIDE ARE ATLANTICS Atlantic salmon can be considered the Hereford cows of the salmon farming industry. “The species adapts better to the net pen systems, converts feed better and has a longer shelf life than Pacific salmon,” explains BC Salmon Farmers Association executive director Jeremy Dunn.

The flesh of Atlantic salmon is firm, cooks well over high heat, is the standard in European salmon cookery and makes an excellent sashimi, he adds.

Atlantic salmon are not an invasive species.

Non-indigenous does not mean invasive. The

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poultry raised in commercial chicken barns is not indigenous to B.C. either, but we don’t consider them to be invasive, Dunn explains.

“The scientific studies … show that there is very little ecological concern about Atlantics colonizing the Pacific ocean or out-competing Pacific salmon for food,” says Dunn.

Indeed, both the Canadian and Washington state governments made numerous attempts to establish Atlantic salmon in Pacific waters over the last century, with no success.

summer. It’s the second 30-metre-plus boat the First Nations company has had built in Vancouver in the last five years, and it will cost $15 million.

■Marine Harvest has just opened a value-added processing plant in South Surrey at a cost of $7.5 million, with a capacity for 75 employees to process 12,000 tonnes of salmon annually.

Dunn admits that recent press has put the industry in the spotlight. There have been repeated calls for salmon farms to be moved onto land – a business model that is still developing with current technology. Kuterra, a land-based salmon farm near Campbell River, has only recently turned a profit after four years of operation and significant support by government, First Nations and U.S.-based conservation groups. A Thrifty Foods on Vancouver Island was advertising 100 grams of Kuterra salmon for $5 in January. That’s nearly $23 a pound. This compares with around $9.99 per pound for conventional farmed salmon.

Members of several First Nations occupied two Marine Harvest farm sites located between Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland this fall, but were evicted by court order.

“Our members have some 20 agreements with First Nations in every area they farm except the Broughton Archipelago,” Dunn explains. “Those agreements are ongoing relationships that are extremely important to the industry and are constantly evolving. In many cases they include benefit agreements.

“The nations in the Broughton have been steadfast in their lack of interest in having a conversation with our members. They have told us that this current issue is not about science; it’s about rights and title, so it is a bigger discussion than aquaculture. This is issues they have with the government, and unfortunately we are somewhat caught in the middle of that.” É

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‘TREASURE HUNT’ FOR FUTURE MINES Slow-go helicopters provide detailed exploration data across a huge swath of northern British Columbia FRANK O’BRIEN

Geoscience BC helicopter mapped nearly 10,000 square

H

igh-resolution imagery captured by slow-moving helicopters has given B.C.’s resource industry its most detailed look at potential mineral deposits in northern B.C. Bruce Madu, vice-president of minerals and mining with Geoscience BC, says the helicopters flew just 80 metres above the ground in “go-slow” mode and a tightgrid formation to map 9,600 square kilometres of northern terrain. The flights followed grid lines just 250 metres apart.

kilometres in Phase 3 mission to capture mineral deposit information | SUBMITTED

“The resolution is the best I have ever seen,” Madu says.

Referred to as a “treasure hunt” by some Geoscience BC staff, the mapping project will provide resource companies, governments and First Nations information on potential mining deposits in a remote swath of the Peace River Regional District.

Geoscience BC is an open-source public information agency that seeks out new information about what lies beneath the surface dirt in British Columbia. It seeks out baseline data about the composition of the subterranean earth in this province. That information is then used by mining companies, petroleum companies and other industrial interests that want to make the most educated guesses possible about where to concentrate their expensive investment efforts.

But the data is also available free to environmental groups, local governments and anyone else with an interest in land-use planning.

In February, Geoscience BC disclosed the findings of its exhaustive scan of the land in the general vicinity of Williston Lake north of Prince George and Mackenzie.

It is already home to the Kemess mine, so valuable mineralization was empirically known to be located in

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

‘Treasure hunt’ for future mines

Map shows area of latest Phase 3 search; Phase 1 and Phase 2 locations shown at bottom | SUBMITTED

that area. The new high-tech report will give a better subsurface view of what’s around it.

The data can’t tell what specific minerals – such as gold or copper – may be found but provides clues to which areas hold potential.

This science mission was known as the Search Phase 3 (SP3) project, as it was an extension of two similar scans done in other nearby plots of land. Although the SP3 parcel covered a space nearly 10,000 square kilometres in area, the helicopter carrying the scanner had to fly a course more than 40,000 kilometres long, equal to the entire circumference of the planet.

All results – from raw data to a series of summary maps – are available publicly for free.

The SP3 operation cost about $1.7 million but “projects like these are proven to bring new investment to the province,” Madu says.

Agreed, says Joel McKay, CEO of Northern Development Initiative Trust which invested in the research program.

“The mining sector in British Columbia is gaining as commodity prices recover, creating new potential investment opportunities that will benefit communities across northern B.C.,” McKay says. “This data is critically important to informing mineral exploration decisions and helping our region capitalize on global trends.”

The portion of the mining industry most affected by research like this is the exploration sector. Junior mining companies are the ones that typically go out into the wilderness and put the geological pieces together that eventually lead to major deposit discoveries and become mines.

This kind of work usually takes many years. Data like the SP3 information helps to speed that exploration work up and improve acuracy. “[This is] just the sort of regional data set that is most useful to the mineral exploration industry in the search for new mineral deposits in the province,” says David Moore, president and CEO of Serengeti Resources, a junior mineral exploration company.

“Data from Geoscience BC surveys like Search Phase 3 are proven to bring investment and lead to discoveries in British Columbia,” says Edie Thome, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration.

I n tot a l , t he t h re e-ph a se sc a n now prov id e s high-quality and up-to-date data on potential mineral deposits covering 65,100 square kilometres of northern B.C., Geoscience BC notes. É

B.C. MINING BY THE NUMBERS, 2016

$8.7B $1.4B $3.4B $1.8B

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Gross mining revenues Capital spending Gross metallurgical coal revenues Copper revenues

$651M $589M $650M 9,329 700

Gold revenues Silver revenues Paid to government People employed directly by mining B.C. exploration companies SOURCE: MINING ASSOCIATION OF BC

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BUILDING FOR TECH Amazon takes an entire Vancouver office tower as developers stake sites for high-tech clients Tech giant Amazon has leased this entire new office tower in downtown Vancouver and already has 1,000 employees downtown | OXFORD PROPERTIES

FRANK O’BRIEN

T

he British Columbia technology industry in 2017 employed a record 106,430 people: that is more than B.C.’s mining, oil and gas and forestry sectors combined. And tech power is now transforming Vancouver’s commercial real estate.

U.S. technology giant Amazon has leased an entire new office building in downtown Vancouver, evidence of the burgeoning technology sector that now accounts for about 30 per cent of the office space being leased in the city.

Amazon already has about 1,000 downtown workers in 156,000 square feet of office space at the Telus Garden complex on West Georgia Street.

Amazon is also subleasing about 53,000 square feet of

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space as it waits for its new 150,000-square-foot office tower on Dunsmuir to complete.

U.S.-based Microsoft has laid claim to three acres of office space on Granville Street spread over two floors.

Other tech headliners like SAP and Vision Critical have also taken substantial downtown space. Electronic Arts, one of the world’s biggest video game producers, was founded here, as was tech leader Hootsuite. The latter is

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Building for tech

Blackbird Interactive and Samsung are among tech tenants in this 160,000-squarefoot tower, shown in rendering.

It is now under construction as the first new office development on the False Creek Flats, an emerging Vancouver tech hub | PCI DEVELOPMENTS

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 24

currently co-backing a 60,000-square-foot tech campus it will anchor in East Vancouver.

The intense demand has developers staking claim to entire zones and designing entire new towers specifically for tech clients.

The best example of the former is Vancouver’s False Creek Flats, 450 acres roughly bounded by Main Street, Prior Street, Knight Street and Great Northern Way. The area is zoned for industrial and commercial use through a tech lens.

The zoning was expected to shelter commercial developers from the soaring land prices that characterize neighbourhoods with a potential for high-density residential.

But that may not work out as planned.

“Our clients got in ahead of it,” says Blair Quinn, executive vice-president of CBRE Canada.

His clients, PCI Developments and Low Tide Properties, bought a 1.85-acre site in the Flats in 2016 for $34.6 million.

BC Assessment now values the site at $72.1 million.

PCI and Low Tide plan to build a 160,000-square-foot, seven-storey office building, with Class A space aimed squarely at the city’s tech industry.

Blackbird Interactive game studio has taken 29,000 square feet, with Spaces, a tech co-working space, leasing 39,000 and Samsung leasing 20,000 square feet.

The next hot spot for tech-related real estate could be Railtown, an aging industrial enclave just above the rail tracks and port in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, which now has zoning similar to that in False Creek Flats.

At least three new mixed industrial and office projects are planned for Railtown, totalling more than

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This 24-storey tower is designed for the Vancouver tech industry.

Inspired by Japanese Noguchi lanterns, it is composed of white glass cubes separated by lush hanging gardens | WESTBANK CORP.

B.C. TECH’S BIG DATA 2017 profile of B.C.’s technology sector

250,000 square feet. These include a seven-storey, 152,000-square-foot office and industrial complex designed for technology companies, by Omicron and Rendition Developments. Being built on the site of an old boiler factory, it received city permit approval last December, subject to conditions.

At 353 Railway Street, a six-storey, 35,000-squarefoot building is planned by Rendition, which originally applied for permits in 2015. Now approved, it is expected to break ground this year and complete in 2019.

The potential for tech talents is also dictating office design, seen most spectacularly in the “lantern” building, designed by Merrick Architecture. The 24-storey tower is designed as a cluster of white glass cubes. It was specifically designed for the tech industry, according to developer Westbank Corp. É

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$28.9B $9.4B 106,530 10,236 $1,690

revenues (record high) total wages and salaries (record high) employees (record high) businesses (up 2.3 per cent from 2016) average weekly wage (85 per cent higher than B.C. average)

SOURCE: BC STATS, PROFILE OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, 2017

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

TALE OF

TWO CITIES

Kelowna and Kamloops take different routes to success

PATRICK BLENNERHASSETT

K Ken Chau, associate professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus: “we are definitely experiencing a lot of spillover effect from Vancouver” | SUBMITTED

en Chau is probably the most in-tune person to talk about Kelowna’s diverse economic landscape and potential future.

Chau is an associate professor at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus school of engineering. He is a real estate investor who owns Cora, a breakfast and lunch restaurant in the city. Chau also recently launched Happipad, an online rental platform that looks to better connect landlords, renters and managers in the local area. Chau says Kelowna’s biggest challenge is the one now hitting virtually every major city in the province: housing.

“We are definitely experiencing a lot of spillover effect from Vancouver,” says Chau of Kelowna’s real estate landscape. According to January 2018 statistics from the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB), the entire area saw an increase in both sales volume (27 per cent) and new listings (45 per cent) compared with January 2017. Chau says he’s noticed a particular demographic moving into the city: displaced Vancouver professionals.

Chau says the frustration from former Vancouverites is evident. They have high-paying jobs and financial security, but can’t afford to live in Vancouver with its “impossible costs.”

Kelowna now has 152,000 residents, after seeing a population increase of 8.4 per cent from 2011 to 2016, according to Statistics Canada. The city also added 3,821 private dwellings over the same period, and the average age in the city is 43.8, slightly higher than the provincial average.

Not that Kelowna is that inexpensive. The average price of a home as of January was $523,402, up 19 per

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cent from a year earlier, despite an increase in listings, notes OMREB president Tanis Read.

“It’s not really surprising that the volume of new listings hasn’t had an effect on pricing,” she notes in a press release. “We still need more inventory to match current demand.”

Chau believes housing will continue to be Kelowna’s defining issue when it comes to economic sustainability.

He notes it’s even impacted the restaurant he owns.

“The housing issue in Vancouver has benefited Kelowna,” he says. “There is a slippery slope of course; as Kelowna becomes less affordable, we’re also displacing people. At Cora, we’ve lost several staff because they can’t afford to live in Kelowna.”

Kerry Rempel, a professor at Okanagan College’s school of business in Kelowna, says there is an interesting dichotomy between her city and the Okanagan’s second-largest municipality, Kamloops, located about a two-hour drive northwest. Kamloops has a population of 90,280, and while it has diversified its economy from

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primarily resource jobs over the past decades, it has yet to develop any substantial tech industry enclave as Kelowna has. According to the BC Innovation Council, the Okanagan is home to 558 technology businesses, and most of them are based in Kelowna.

The Kamloops region “seems to be a little more focused on blue-collar work, so a lot more industry there,” says Rempel. “More focused on agriculture and a different type of agriculture than you might see here in the Central Okanagan. Where there it might be more ranching and farming in and around Kamloops, in Kelowna, it’s more orchards.”

According to the provincial government, the Thompson Okanagan region has 29.9 per cent of B.C.’s farmland area, most of that located within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, which encompasses Kamloops. The Central Okanagan region, which includes Kelowna, has seen a recent boom in the demand for sweet cherries to China due to a 2014 trade pact with the world’s most populous country. Acreage devoted to sweet cherries in the Central Okanagan region grew 35.7 per cent between 2011 and 2016, to 2,146 acres.

Another booming industry in both Kamloops and Kelowna is the craft beer scene. In Kamloops, the Red Beard Café, located on the North Shore, is a restaurant

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Kelowna is dealing with housing and population pressures as it continues to build a strong economy in the Central Okanagan | STAN JONES/SHUTTERSTOCK

The Red Beard in Kamloops: part of a wave of craft breweries and outlets that are now flourishing across the Thompson Okanagan region | SUBMITTED

that also has a gastropub. Mitch Forgie, who launched Red Beard with his wife back in 2012, says the pub’s success has hinged on doing something out of the ordinary.

“If you’re going to be an independently run organization, I feel you have to have a niche,” he says, noting they modelled Red Beard after Vancouver’s Alibi Room. “Instead of trying to get a whole bunch of people to sort of like you, you have to get a few people to really like you.” É

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

WELCOME TO B.C. It is new Canadians – not foreign buyers – who are shaping the future of British Columbia

PAT JOHNSON

F

oreign buyers of Metro Vancouver real estate get a lot of the blame for the affordability crisis. But experts in the field say they play a secondary role, with immigration and an overlooked homegrown factor having a much bigger impact.

In the last five years alone, more than 200,000 people have moved permanently into British Columbia from offshore, and that number will increase over the next five years as federal immigration restrictions become more generous.

Statistics Canada estimates that foreign buyers own less than five per cent of housing in Vancouver. The numbers range from a low of 3.2 per cent of detached homes to 7.9 per cent of condo apartments. Foreign buyers represent less than one per cent of the residential market in the rest of the province.

But there are lots of variables that make pinpointing definitive numbers difficult. In almost half of Vancouver’s 100 priciest property deals, the beneficial owners have been unknown, says a 2016 report by Transparency International Canada.

“Numbered companies, offshore and domestic trusts, and stand-in owners hide the true source of the capital that is flowing into our real estate market,” B.C. Finance Minister Carole James said in her budget speech in February, adding: “We’re going to change that.” She then raised the foreign-buyer tax to 20 per cent from 15 per cent and expanded it from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island and the Okanagan region.

However, Nathanael Lauster, associate professor in the department of sociology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and author of The Death and Life of the Single-Family House: Lessons from Vancouver on Building a Livable City, has estimated that the value of Canadian-owned property outstrips foreign-owned by a 5-to-1 ratio. That’s an estimated $45 billion worth of property in Metro Vancouver owned by non-Canadians

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Freshly minted Canadians celebrate their citizenship at Vancouver ceremonies on Canada Day 2017 | IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA

compared with $227 billion owned by Canadian citizens.

There are fine lines, too, between who is a foreigner and who might eventually opt for Canadian citizenship – for example, foreign students whose parents buy them a condo or the many investors who later become permanent residents.

Most agree that Canada’s immigration policies select for relatively wealthy newcomers. An immigrant investor category operating in Quebec allows what some call a back door into the country – with in-country migration

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Net population movement to British Columbia January 2017–December 2017 Net inflow

52,938 persons

TERRITORIES

155

ALBERTA

10,540 INTERNATIONAL

32,912

SASKATCHEWAN

2,088

MANITOBA

2,836 2,887 ONTARIO

QUEBEC

882

ATLANTIC

638

SOURCE: BC STATS

tilting westward to Vancouver. Even the skilled worker category has an in-built tendency toward wealth. If a person meets the skilled immigrant requirements, they’re probably already doing OK economically, says Lauster.

Citizenship and landed immigrant status come with a host of advantages unavailable to foreign owners, making those options sweeter.

“If you manage to become a permanent resident or citizen, then it comes with a whole range of benefits,” says Joshua Gordon, assistant professor of public policy at Simon Fraser University, whose research focuses on the Vancouver housing market. “[These include] the capital gains exemption [if the property is a primary residence], access to social services like health care and education, potentially pensions, social services of one kind or another, an effective regulatory system and so on and so forth. You get all of those things for the mere cost of your property taxes.… What that means is that Vancouver real estate is a fantastic asset that you are willing to pay a lot for. That drives the price of that asset up in a way that doesn’t necessarily reflect what local incomes could purchase.”

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Housing prices are decoupled from local wages, Gordon says, “but the non-citizen buyer is not necessarily the biggest part of that.”

The federal government recently announced it would admit one million more immigrants by 2020, and history indicates that a disproportionate number of those will choose the West Coast – and, according to research by UBC geographer Dan Hiebert, immigrants are more likely to buy homes than are Canadian-born citizens.

While new Canadians and foreign buyers play a role in spiking real estate values, Tom Davidoff, associate professor at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, points to a homegrown phenomenon. No, it is not migration from other parts of Canada. Tens of thousands of Canadians move to B.C. each year, but British Columbians leave the province too, making the numbers close to a wash.

The Philippines and India recently leapfrogged China as the largest origin countries for newcomers to Metro Vancouver. These tend to be a different kind of immigrant – often domestic, health-care or construction workers – and they will likely have an impact at the lower and middle levels of the real estate market, and in the rental pool. É

Nathanael Lauster, associate professor in the department of sociology at the University of British Columbia: the value of Canadian-owned property outstrips foreign-owned by a 5-to-1 ratio | SUBMITTED

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

30 | INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

B.C.’S ECONOMY LEADS THE NATION IN 2018 Outside forces, from trade agreements to global resource prices, expected to cool the robust economic growth that now characterizes British Columbia LORI MATHISON |

T Three regions – Southwest B.C., Vancouver Island/Coast and Thompson Okanagan – accounted for 96 per cent of B.C.’s population growth and 92 per cent of our province’s new jobs in 2017

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he year 2017 was not without challenges for British Columbia. The uncertainties over North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations began last year and continue today.

American duties on Canadian softwood lumber dampened forestry activity in the province, and we experienced one of the worst wildfire seasons in our province’s history.

Despite t hese setback s, B.C. enjoyed another year of robust economic growth in 2017. Although GDP slowed to 3.1 from 3.6 per cent between 2016 and 2017, our provincial economy saw record employment growth, gaining 87,300 jobs across the province in 2017.

As a result, the unemployment rate fell by 0.9 percentage points to 5.1 per cent, the lowest since 2009. In addition, B.C.’s population grew by another 1.3 per cent to reach 4.8 million residents last year.

Continued population growth and demand for housing kept B.C.’s real estate market busy. The BC Real Estate Association reported that 103,763 residential unit sales were recorded by the Mu ltiple Listing Service (MLS) across B.C. and the average MLS residential price in B.C. went up 2.7 per cent to $709,579 in 2017. A hot housing market also prompted more residential development projects. The overall value of building permits in the province increased by 15.3 per cent to $11.4 billion. RBC Economics estimated that housing starts reached 42,600 units.

A closer look at regional data from the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia’s Regional Check-Up report indicates that jobs related to construction and real estate activity continue to propel B.C.’s job growth, particularly for our urban regions,

including Southwest B.C., Vancouver Island/Coast and Thompson Okanagan. Collectively, these three regions accounted for 96 per cent of B.C.’s population growth and 92 per cent of our province’s new jobs in 2017. Almost 80 per cent of the 80,700 total new jobs in these three regions were in the construction and finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing industries.

In addition, activity in the mining industry picked up as commodity prices recovered, creating new investment opportunities that benefited B.C.’s rural communities.

According to the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia, mineral exploration spending picked up for the first time since 2012 and grew 20 per cent in 2017.

Another positive sign is that junior mining companies increased their spending on exploration activity by $41.6 million to $246.6 million. This indicates renewed optimism for the mining industry in the province.

With 600 fewer jobs, Northeast B.C. was the only region to experience job losses last year. The region’s unemployment rate also fell by 3.8 percentage points to 5.9 per cent, reflecting the outflow of unemployed workers in the previous two years and a slight decline in labour force participation.

Northeast B.C.’s economy is closely tied with the province’s oil and gas activity. This sector saw a revival in the second half of 2017, due to the Pembina Pipeline expansion and AltaGas’ Townsend expansion and North Pine liquids facility projects, which are expected to have a positive impact on the region’s economy.

Looking into 2018, one of the biggest concerns is B.C.’s major projects inventory, which saw a decline in value for the second year

in a row, and dropping 5.1 per cent to $412.7 billion between September 2016 and September 2017. This was largely due to a 7.7 per cent decrease in the value of mining, oil and gas extraction projects, which together make up 45 per cent of the total value of our major projects.

The cancellation of four projects – Aurora LNG, Pacific NorthWest LNG and the construction of two Northern Gateway pipeline projects – contributed to a loss of $17.4 billion in potential investment and related economic activity in northwest B.C. Despite these concerns, B.C. is expected to be a grow th leader among the provinces, even with GDP growth expected to slow to 2.3 per cent. Likewise, job creation will likely continue but at a more moderate pace. Interest rate increases, a tightening of mortgage lending standards, and the provincial government’s new housing strategy may moderate real estate activity in the province. T he anticipated slowdown in real estate activity will likely spill over to retail sales and other related industries. For B.C.’s rural regions, the recent revival in commodity prices should continue to encourage mining activity and help offset some uncertainties over NAFTA renegotiations and the final decision on softwood lumber tariffs. É Lori Mathison, FCPA, FCGA, LLB, is president and CEO of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC). The Regional Check-Up reports are published by CPABC and will be available in May at bccheckup.com.

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Lower Mainland/Southwest

GLOBAL GATEWAY Vancouver is the big port in the Lower Mainland-Southwest but neighbouring centres challenge in film, aerospace and population growth

3.9%

Share of B.C. land area

■Abbotsford ■Burnaby ■Chilliwack ■Coquitlam ■Delta ■Gibsons ■Hope ■Langley ■Lillooet ■Maple Ridge ■Mission ■New Westminster ■North Vancouver ■Pitt Meadows ■Port Moody ■Richmond ■Sechelt ■Squamish ■Surrey ■Vancouver ■West Vancouver ■Whistler

SkyTrain’s Evergreen Extension opened in December 2016 and spurred rapid growth throughout Coquitlam, where building permit values jumped 37.8 per cent in 2017 from a year earlier | SUBMITTED

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KATYA HOLLOWAY

F

rom the sandy shores of the Pacific Ocean to its towering ski slopes, B.C.’s southwest corner is known not only for its quality of life and thriving tourism industry, but also as a hotbed of big ideas and homegrown businesses gaining global exposure.

Its outdoorsy West Coast lifestyle is appealing to a highly skilled workforce that is fuelling innovation in technology and the creative industries. A strong economy is also driving construction to record-breaking levels.

Vancouver, B.C.’s premier city, is home to three of Canada’s five “unicorn” startups, each valued at more than $1 billion, including Hootsuite, Slack and Avigilon.

It also has one of the top video game clusters in the world, as well as visual effects and animation studios. Tech giants Microsoft, Electronic Arts and Amazon all have a strong local presence.

“Technology in Vancouver is driven, in part, due to globally high interest and investment in new innovations including quantum computing, virtual reality and clean tech,” says Bryan Buggey, Vancouver’s economic development manager. “Furthermore, certain sectors are really beginning to cluster here including animation, video games and visual effects.”

Some 75,000 people work in the industry within the region. The appeal to do business in Vancouver, says Buggey, is a lower cost for local talent, which is equal in skill to American counterparts yet much less expensive than in Seattle or San Francisco.

“This means that many of the global brands are expanding here and hiring more Vancouverites all the time.

Investment in our tech companies is at an all-time high.”

The region is also the third-largest film and TV production centre in North America, with approximately 40 sound stages shooting 400 productions each year.

One of the region’s newest studios – Sim International’s

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32 |

INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Lower Mainland/Southwest

Employment outlook 1,800,000 1,600,000 Total employment

1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 16 20 25 20 20 20 SOURCE: BC LABOUR MARKET OUTLOOK 2018

Building permit values $12

Billions of dollars

10 8 Metro Vancouver is the third-

6

largest film and TV production centre in North America, with

4

approximately 40 sound stages shooting 400 productions

2

each year | SUBMITTED

l l l l tia cia ria ta en er st To is d m ndu Re Com I 2016

2017 SOURCE: BC STATS

Major private employers By number of employees Professional, scientific & technical services Construction Manufacturing Finance, insurance & real estate services Accommodation & food services

30 ,0 60 00 ,0 90 00 ,0 12 00 0, 15 000 0, 00 0

Transportation & warehousing

SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

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North Bend studio in Coquitlam – opened in the fall of 2016 and has been full ever since. Today, it’s home to one of North America’s top-rated television series, The Good Doctor. Coquitlam is also home to one of the most in-demand film locations in North America, Riverview Hospital, which hosts about 300 filming days each year. In 2017 Surrey charted its third consecutive record-breaking year for issuing film permits, totalling 189 productions.

Known as the gateway to the Asia-Pacific, the region is home to Canada’s busiest port, facilitating trade between more than 170 world economies. Last year, more than three million containers were shipped out of Port of Vancouver, totalling approximately $200 billion worth of goods.

Meanwhile, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) faced record-breaking growth in 2017, having welcomed more than 24 million passengers, an 8.4 per cent increase over the previous year. That makes YVR one of

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| 33

LEFT: Looking over the Cambie

Bridge into downtown Vancouver: the city posted $3.09 billion in construction permits in 2017, compared with $2.7 billion in 2016 | SUBMITTED BOTTOM LEFT: The contender:

Surrey is the fastest-growing city in B.C. with about 1,000 new residents arriving each month. In 2017, 2,642 new businesses opened in the city, a 21 per cent increase from the previous year | SUBMITTED

the fastest-growing airports in North America, says Craig Richmond, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority.

Cruise ships are also a critical economic driver for the region, with each ship bringing an average of $3 million to the local economy. In 2017, Vancouver welcomed almost 843,000 cruise passengers on 236 vessel visits, reflecting a two per cent increase in passenger volumes over 2016.

This year, Vancouver will host 33 conventions and events, the highest number the city has ever hosted, attracting more than 100,000 out-of-town delegates.

In terms of development, Vancouver raked in $3.09 billion in construction permits in 2017, compared with $2.7 billion in 2016. Burnaby generated $1.05 billion in permit values last year, beating its previous record of $879 million in 2015.

The opening of SkyTrain’s Evergreen Extension in

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December 2016 is fuelling strong growth throughout Coquitlam, where the total value of building permits jumped 37.8 per cent in 2017 over the previous year, totalling $475 million. Abbotsford also reported record-breaking building permits in 2017, representing a 92 per cent increase over the previous year to a total value of $481 million. Aviation and aerospace is the No. 1 sector driving the city’s economy; the Industry Training Authority predicts the sector will need 4,000 new staff in the next five years. Abbotsford International Airport has 114,528 aircraft movements per year and more than 677,000 passengers.

Abbotsford is the agriculture capital of Canada, with gross farm receipts three times those of Ontario’s

In 2017 the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority won the North American Marine Environment Protection Association award for environment protection.

Fraser Port is a part of Canada’s busiest port, trading with more than 170 world economies.

Last year, more than three million containers were shipped out of the Port of Vancouver, valued at approximately $200 billion | ROMAKOMA/ SHUTTERSTOCK

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

34 |

INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Lower Mainland/Southwest

Simon Fraser University’s wearable lower limb anthropomorphic exoskeleton, developed by a research team at the SFU Surrey campus, is part of a burgeoning high-tech industry that employs 75,000 across the Lower Mainland | CITY OF SURREY

Niagara region, which is Canada’s second most productive agricultural area.

“A growing and diverse community, Abbotsford is affordable, conveniently located with access to vital transportation networks, and boasts a skilled and educated labour force,” says Mayor Henry Braun.

The city of Surrey, which is B.C.’s second-largest city behind Vancouver, is facing a population boom, with approximately 1,000 new residents moving into the city each month, according to Stephen Wu, Surrey’s economic development manager.

“Surrey is experiencing an unprecedented level of growth in terms of both population and building development,” he says.

In 2017, 2,642 new businesses set up shop in Surrey, marking a 21 per cent increase from the previous year.

Surrey City Centre has a vibrant health technology district, including Innovation Boulevard, Western Canada’s first dedicated health technology accelerator.

Throughout the region, the health and wellness sector is also thriving, ranging from vitamin products such as Natural Factors to the burgeoning hemp product businesses.

Vancouver is the headquarters for some 800 mineral exploration companies, including Teck Resources Ltd. and Goldcorp, as well as a coterie of companies in the oil and gas sector. É

CITY OF MAPLE RIDGE Hotel Development Opportunity

Maple Ridge The City of Maple Ridge and CBRE Hotels have recently completed a hotel feasibility study demonstrating the market demand for a 100+ room Select Service hotel in Maple Ridge.

With the City’s new tourism strategy and continued business growth, there’s never been a better time to invest in Maple Ridge.

A great place to open your business A growing population coupled with an increasing disposable income presents great opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs and investors.

Maple Ridge is a proven market for quality home builders, boutique shops and restaurants.

We’ve also been selected as “The Most Business Friendly City” by the Commercial Real Estate Development Association for the past three years in row. Maple Ridge is actively fostering a business climate that encourages private investment by new and existing companies to help meet the growing demand for the high-value local jobs. The Employment Land Investment Incentive Program is designed to accelerate investment and job growth in Maple Ridge by providing municipal tax exemptions, reduced development cost charges, and reduced building permit fees on designated employment lands.

For a copy of this report, please contact Economic Development at 604-467-7320 or invest@mapleridge.ca

mapleridge.ca mapleridge.ca

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An unparalleled quality of life Maple Ridge is a family-oriented community that offers our residents an unparalleled quality of life. We are one of the fastest growing cities in the region, offering a unique combination of high average annual family incomes (almost $100,000) and the most affordable real estate in Metro Vancouver that makes Maple Ridge one of the best cities for young families in the province.

Located just minutes from an abundance of outdoor recreational activities, Maple Ridge residents have easy access to lakes, provincial parks and over 200 kilometers of multi-use trails. Maple Ridge Council is also planning significant investments in new recreational and cultural facilities to create a complete community that supports the artistic and athletic aspirations of our residents.

For more information, visit investmapleridge.ca or call 604-467-7320.

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NEW WESTMINSTER Central Located at the heart of Metro Vancouver, New Westminster is only 30 minutes from Downtown Vancouver, YVR and the U.S. border. With five SkyTrain stations, New West is easily accessed by transit and as well by river, road and rail.

Competitive Businesses that locate here enjoy competitive lease rates and a strong, supportive community. The City continues to make the cost of doing business even more attractive, including participation in an InterMunicipal Business License program providing a more affordable licensing option for construction-related businesses.

Progressive As western Canada’s original city, New Westminster has a history of creating opportunity and setting trends. Businesses and residents now have access to BridgeNet, a city-owned fibre network, creating opportunities for multiple internet service providers to offer high speed internet access at competitive rates. With BridgeNet, New West is making the steady transition to a knowledge-based economy and facilitating a competitive edge for our business community.

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Recognized Last year, New Westminster was selected from a global list of 400 cities and awarded SMART21 status by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) for efforts to meet the demands of the broadband economy and grow a prosperous and digitally-inclusive community.

Supported by an active and engaged economic development office and bolstered by its reputation as a central, competitive and progressive community, the City of New Westminster has staked its place as an idea location for business to thrive and grow.

Be a part of the success. Invest in New West.

Contact: Economic Development Office City of New Westminster 604-527-4536 info@investnewwest.ca www.investnewwest.ca

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

Chilliwack Population: 90,000 Chilliwack Offers Business A World Of Advantages Chilliwack, home of Canada Education Park, is one of the best places to operate a business. Located in southwest British Columbia (BC), in a regional market of about 2.5 million people, with easy access to international freight ways, Chilliwack is ideally located for industrial, commercial, and institutional businesses.

Competitive costs, combined with a strong economy and a superb quality of life, make Chilliwack a destination of interest for business investors locally and around the world.

Business-Friendly Government The City of Chilliwack is committed to ensuring that a competitive business environment is maintained by working with the business community and implementing development policies that lead to success.

Chilliwack has the fastest approval times for development and building permits, rezoning applications, and subdivision approvals, according to the Vancouver Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties.

Vibrant Economy Chilliwack’s economy, affordable real estate and skills-focused education put Chilliwack on the top 10 list of BC cities for investment in the British Columbia Investment Towns Report by the Real Estate Investment Network.

Enjoying a strong economy and a stable growth rate of two per cent, Chilliwack is attracting a multitude of employers. Molson Coors is building their new B.C. brewery in Chilliwack! Currently, Chilliwack’s growing economic sectors include: agriculture, aviation and aerospace, creative media, education, food and beverage processing, health care, manufacturing, professional services, real estate, retail/wholesale trade, technology, and tourism.

Proximity To Markets – Closer Than You Think!

Chilliwack provides easy access to local, regional, national and international markets (American, Asian and European). Located along the Trans Canada Highway and next to local, national and international railways, Chilliwack is only 20 minutes away from a USA border crossing and Abbotsford’s International Airport, 90 minutes from Vancouver’s International Airport and 60 minutes from the nearest shipping sea port.

There is an estimated population of 90,000 within Chilliwack, plus about 295,934 people living within a 30-minute commute and 2.8 million people within 130 kms, including Vancouver.

Qualified Workforce Chilliwack’s first-rate education system, which is supported by the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and the new Agriculture Centre of Excellence, School District #33 and other public and private advanced education opportunities, provide a wealth of qualified local talent.

Together, these institutions offer a wide variety of programming, ranging from apprenticeship training to university degrees. Chilliwack is also home to Canada Education Park, which showcases several major institutional facilities including the RCMP Pacific Region Training Centre

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 36

(PRTC), Justice Institute of BC (JIBC), Canada Border Services Agency, and the University of the Fraser Valley.

Low Costs Chilliwack is one of the most cost-competitive locations for business in North America. r *OEVTUSJBM 5BY *ODFOUJWF TBWF PO JOEVTUSJBM QSPQFSUZ UBY GPS ùWF ZFBST with Chilliwack’s Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption program. This translates into thousands of dollars of savings for industrial capital investments. r -PX DPTU PG MJWJOH 7BODPVWFS T DPTU PG MJWJOH JT WFSZ DPNQFUJUJWF XJUI major metropolitan centres in the United States. Chilliwack’s living expenses are even lower than Vancouver — in some cases, about onethird less! r -PX JOEVTUSJBM DPNNFSDJBM BOE SFTJEFOUJBM MBOE DPTUT $IJMMJXBDL T IPVTing costs can be as much as 50 per cent less than Vancouver. Retail space can be as much as 75 per cent less than downtown Vancouver.

Also, Chilliwack’s industrial land prices are significantly lower (30-40 per cent) than neighbouring municipalities located closer to Vancouver. r -PX MBCPVS BOE QSPEVDUJPO DPTUT #$ T DPTUT BSF MPXFS UIBO UIF 64" and other G-7 countries. For example, costs for skilled technical and professional workers can be as much as 33 per cent below comparable US centres. Also employer-sponsored benefits, payroll, tax and health insurance rates are all lower than in the USA. Unbeatable Quality Of Life With a mild climate, proximity to the grandeur of BC’s great outdoors and its limitless recreational opportunities, and all the amenities of any major urban centre, Chilliwack is one of Canada’s most desirable places to live and work.

For More Information: Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) is responsible for attracting and facilitating economic growth for the City of Chilliwack.

CEPCO provides various business attraction and retention services, including site selection assistance, business relocation or expansion support, employee attraction and promotion, immigration investment and other related services.

Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation 46115 Yale Road Chilliwack, BC, Canada V2P 2P2 1.604.792.7839 info@businessinchilliwack.com businessinchilliwack.com

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

Chilliwack offers the benefits of doing business in Metro Vancouver at a much lower cost. With a skilled workforce, lower taxes and lower start-up costs, Chilliwack enables business owners to achieve success with greater buying power!

businessinchilliwack.com Attracting and Facilitating Economic Growth

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1.604.792.7839 info@businessinchilliwack.com

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

Abbotsford ABBOTSFORD: THE STORY BEHIND ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING INVESTMENT HUBS IN CANADA

C

anada is proving itself to be of one of North America’s most supportive business climates. Consequently, the City of Abbotsford – also known as the Hub of the Fraser Valley – is one of the fastest growing business hubs in Canada.

Abbotsford leads the country in agriculture with gross farm receipts of three times that of the Niagara region and is the home of a burgeoning agri-tech scene. “With the most productive agricultural land in Canada, Abbotsford is not only a place to grow, but also home to an increasingly high-tech industry with many opportunities for collaboration, spin-off industries, and dynamic growth,” says Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun.

Development continues to accelerate across Abbotsford as the City saw its highest year on record in 2017 for building permits with a total construction value of $480-million; a staggering 92.25% increase from 2016.

The story of growth underpins the community. Abbotsford adopted a bold new Official Community Plan in 2016 which has resulted in the development of 18 major projects to plan for the City’s future. Currently, at a population of 145,000, Plan 200K is an initiative to prepare Abbotsford to meet the needs of a population of 200 thousand residents. It includes everything from a new Parks Recreation and Culture Masterplan, to a Transit and Transportation Masterplan, and investments in key infrastructure.

Low Business Costs Paired with Specialized Support Another advantage of Abbotsford is the low business costs when compared to the rest of the country. The commercial to residential tax ratio is one of the lowest in the region and was named the “Most Business Friendly City” in 2017 by the NAIOP Awards for Municipal Excellence, and ranked second on The Real Estate Investment Network’ s list for best BC cities for investment.

“Abbotsford’s growing manufacturing sector is both diverse and innovative, with companies that are trailblazers in their fields, using hightech to create niche products. Providing these specialized products and

services across North America and the globe, they are growing our local economy, hiring skilled workers and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in our city. Strength in this industry sector gives our businesses a competitive edge and builds Abbotsford as the Hub of the Fraser Valley,” says Mayor Braun.

If you’re new to Abbotsford and looking to start a business, the City of Abbotsford Economic Development offers specialized support.

Whether it’s a site selection you need help with or arranging key meetings with the right people inside and outside of City Hall, the City of Abbotsford’s Economic Development has a proven track record with helping companies launch, grow, and expand in Abbotsford.

Opportunity in Abbotsford: Location, Location, Location In addition to Abbotsford’s success in agriculture and niche manufacturing, Abbotsford boasts a thriving aerospace and aviation sector, a booming film industry (generating $1m in economic impact last year alone in the City ), and tourism is expanding rapidly with Abbotsford hotel revenue growing 75-80% ($12,000,000 to $21,250,000) in the last four years.

Geographically, Abbotsford is in a prime location to conduct international business. Abbotsford is located only 45-minutes from the Pacific Coast, which puts it at the crossroads of Asia-Pacific and North American business operations.

The City is home to the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) which is widely known as the region’s most business-friendly airport. YXX had a record year of passenger growth in 2017 and continues to offer additional flights to new destinations.

According to Abbotsford’s Mayor, “The Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) is experiencing unprecedented growth in passenger volume. YXX offers convenience and low-cost flight options to an increasing number of destinations and is a key contributor to Abbotsford’s vibrant economy.”

Ultimately, the economic base of Abbotsford continues to grow and offer a variety of opportunities for forward-thinking people to grow and expand their business or career.

NAMED THE MOST “BUSINESS FRIENDLY CITY” ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING HUBS IN CANADA

by the NAIOP Awards for Municipal Excellence, and ranked second as best BC city for investment by the The Real Estate Investment Network.

LEADING THE COUNTRY IN AGRICULTURE with farm receipts of 3 times of the Niagara region and is home to a burgeoning agri-tech scene.

CONSTRUCTION VALUE OF $480 MILLION in 2017, a 92% increase from 2016 for building permits.

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A GROWING MANUFACTURING SECTOR with companies that are trailblazers in their fields, using high-tech to create niche products.

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ABBOTSFORD Innovate here and start

your venture

Abbotsford is the place of forward thinking business owners.

Be part of the story.

CONTACT US:

ยง

604.864.5586 econdev@abbotsford.ca caed.abbotsford.ca @AbbotsfordEcDev

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2018-04-25 9:29 AM

Coquitlam Population: 140,000

T

he City of Coquitlam, located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, is one of the fastest growing communities in the lower mainland and British Columbia. It is estimated that the population of Coquitlam will be 176,000 by 2021 and 224,000 by 2041.

Coquitlam’s proximity to Vancouver, access to markets, transportation and housing options, recreation opportunities, highly educated labour force, open and accessible local government and innovative business community are some of the factors that are driving economic growth. Coquitlam’s major sectors are Professional Services, Retail/Wholesale Trade, Manufacturing, Technology, Tourism, Public Administration, Transportation and Construction.

Investment and Economic Growth Coquitlam, which is the regional service centre for Northeast Metro Vancouver, is experiencing tremendous growth and investment. Recent public projects such as the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, the City Centre Public Library, the Port Mann Bridge/Highway 1 improvements, the King Edward Overpass and the Evergreen SkyTrain Extension, combined with significant investment in private sector development projects (an average of $377M per year in building permits over the past five years), along with the growth and expansion of the business community have made Coquitlam a popular destination for businesses and investors.

Proximity to Major Markets Coquitlam is located in the geographic centre of the lower mainland and is 40 minutes from downtown Vancouver and 40 minutes from the US border. Coquitlam provides excellent access to the 2 million plus Metro Vancouver market and the 10 million citizen trading area that stretches from Vancouver, BC, to Oregon in the United States.

Coquitlam’s proximity to the Vancouver and Abbotsford International airports and Port of Metro Vancouver also provides businesses with convenient access to the Pacific Rim. This connection to major markets makes Coquitlam an attractive choice for a variety of transportation, logistics, and technology and manufacturing companies.

Transportation Options and Accessibility Coquitlam offers direct access to major highways, rail arterials, rapid transit (SkyTrain) and river ports. Access to these major transportation networks, combined with Coquitlam’s central location in the lower mainland, have helped Coquitlam become a magnet for businesses such as The Oppenheimer Group, Natural Factors, IKEA, Canstar Restorations and others. Transportation infrastructure improvements like the Port Mann, Golden Ears and Pitt River Bridges and the Trans Canada Highway improvements have enhanced the flow of goods and services. These transportation investments, as well as the Evergreen SkyTrain Extension, have created numerous economic development opportunities while improving the transportation options available to businesses and residents.

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Superb Quality of Life Coquitlam has competitive housing prices, diverse housing types, high quality education options, diverse dining and shopping choices and accessible transportation services like buses, SkyTrain and the Westcoast Express commuter rail train. Coquitlam also has vast recreation opportunities, a variety of sport and cultural amenities such as Place des Arts and the Evergreen Cultural Centre, an expanding network of civic facilities including the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, City Centre Public Library, and Town Centre Park. The City is also home to an extensive trail network and a variety of natural areas including provincial, regional and municipal parks, such as the 38,000 hectare Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park, the 175 hectare Minnekhada Regional Park, the 404 hectare Colony Farm Regional Park, the 176 hectare Mundy Park, and many more. These attributes are driving population growth and motivating people and businesses to relocate to Coquitlam.

Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Technology The innovation, entrepreneurship and commitment of Coquitlam’s residents and businesses have created a vibrant business climate. The City of Coquitlam is keen to work with these groups to develop progressive solutions that will positively impact the community. This is demonstrated

by QNet, a wholly owned subsidiary of the City of Coquitlam that has invested in fibre optic infrastructure - 60km to date. The network provides low-cost broadband services to businesses and residents via opening up access to high speed, competitive telecom services by leasing unlit fibre optic cable to the telecom industry.

Supporting Business Success The City of Coquitlam is committed to creating a business environment that fosters business growth and prosperity. The City has streamlined processes and is committed to the continuous improvement of the business environment. In 2013, the City of Coquitlam was honoured to receive the BC Small Business Roundtable’s Open For Business Award from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. In 2015, BC Business ranked Coquitlam fifth in its annual list of “Best Cities for Work in BC”.

We invite you to contact us to learn more about the advantages Coquitlam has to offer.

David Munro, Manager Economic Development City of Coquitlam 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC V3B 7N2 P: 604-927-3905 E: economicdevelopment@coquitlam.ca

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Coquitlam |

Invest Innovate Grow

GET CONNECTED to one of B.C.’s fastest-growing communities PRIME LOCATION within Metro Vancouver with easy access

by SkyTrain, Westcoast Express, roads and highways

OPPORTUNITIES abound for new businesses, entrepreneurs and skilled workers WORK-PLAY BALANCE with access to the outdoors, urban amenities, festivals and events

Learn more about the advantages Coquitlam has to offer.

Call 604-927-3905 or email economicdevelopment@coquitlam.ca coquitlam.ca/economicdevelopment

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11/2/2017 11:24:03 AM 2018-04-25 9:29 AM

Lillooet

Population: 2,500

L

illooet is home to approximately 2,500 people, and is a service area for approximately 5,000 located 255 kms north of Vancouver and 134 kms north of Whistler on highway 99. Lillooet focuses on progressive principles of smart and sustainable growth.

Lillooet’s semi-arid climate boasts more than 300 days of dry sunny conditions with temperatures ranging from high 20s to mid-40s in the summer months and averaging only 290 millimetres of rainfall per year.

Winter months are also attractive with an average snowfall of just 32 cm and moderate winter temperatures averaging between +5 and –8 degrees.

Potential development The community plan identifies areas for potential industrial and residential development, including 500 hectares at the airport and more than 80 hectares in other locations. More than 1,200 hectares of farmland are available for a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and forage crops, which has attracted a vineyard and budding wine industry. Our growing season is exceptional, and soil and climate reports are available for those interested. Tourism development is a known growth industry with Lillooet positioned at the corner of three highways. Lillooet’s proximity to Vancouver, Whistler and Kamloops makes it an ideal home base for telecommuters and entrepreneurs alike with modestly priced homes and properties.

Location The community is located at the junction of Highway 99 North, Highway 12 and Highway 40. It is served by CN Rail’s freight service connecting with other carriers in Prince George to the north and Vancouver to the south, 177 km from the port. The airport is equipped with a paved airstrip for private planes, modern commercial jets and turbo-prop aircraft up to 18,100 kilograms/40,000 pounds. Both Jet A and Aviation fuel (100LL) are available on site.

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Lifestyle Residents enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle thanks to a fully operational modern recreation centre with an arena, swimming pool, squash courts, gymnasium and weight room.

A curling rink, skateboard park, softball field, mountain biking trails, parks and other amenities also contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The community is home to Thompson Rivers University, a library, hospital, medical clinic and dental clinic.

Open for business The doors are open for business in Lillooet. Our community is actively seeking business owners, entrepreneurs and families interested in being a part of a community that offers its residents, tourists and employees an adventurous and cozy lifestyle. Lillooet is friendly and welcoming; awaken and restore your senses in a four-season wonderland. Stop working to live, learn how to thrive; get busy living in Lillooet.

For more information, check out our promotional video at www.lillooetbc.ca.

Contact Economic Development Office PO Box 610, 615 Main Street, Lillooet, BC, V0K 1V0 Phone: 250-256-4289 Fax: 250-256-4288 Email: cityhall@lillooetbc.ca

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2018-04-25 9:29 AM

HOPE Embrace the Journey You’ve stopped for lunch in our restaurants. You’ve hiked in our mountains. Now it is time to open your business in our community.

Hope is within easy driving distance of Metro Vancouver and is the ideal location for you if you work from home and serve a client base primarily in the Fraser Valley.

Lifestyle opportunities are unparalleled as Hope offers affordable housing, excellent recreation facilities, and a backyard worth exploring by foot, bike, boat, or skis.

A Lifestyle Worth Investing In Hope is in a strategic location for both work and play. We sit at the cusp of the ever-growing Fraser Valley which makes our community an obvious market for expanding business in 2017 and beyond. All commercial and passenger highway traffic in southern British Columbia flows through Hope on highways 1, 3, 5, and 7. Coupled with our proximity to the US border and Metro Vancouver, this makes Hope an ideal location for virtual commuters and new and expanding businesses.

What sets Hope apart from our neighbouring communities, however, is our strategic location for play. We sit at the junction of four major highways which means we are the base camp for regional adventures.

Our recreational opportunities are endless and include mountain biking, road riding, skiing, hiking, climbing, and paddling.

Living and working in Hope means that you can have the best of all worlds: access to consumers and clients, fibre-optic telecommunications, time for family, and access to wild spaces worth exploring.

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Opportunities Abound There are excellent commercial opportunities available in Hope’s beautiful downtown core and on the higher traffic arterials and highway exits.

Hope offers new retailers affordable start-up costs with access to a large travelling market and a primary domestic trade area of over 10 000 people.

Existing industrial and commercial land is available with quick highway access and municipal servicing in place. Retail-commercial lands are also available for development and redevelopment at attractive price levels compared to neighbouring municipalities.

A Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Bylaw offers a development redevelopment incentive through graduated tax abatement to allow property owners to maximize the benefit of Hope’s low-entry costs and to encourage newer, high-quality development in the community.

Housing costs in Hope are still among the lowest in the Fraser Valley Now is the time to take advantage of our amenities and opportunities a you invest in not only your business, but your life.

For more information on opportunities in Hope, contact: AdvantageHOPE – Hope’s Economic Development and Tourism Agency Email: edo@hopebc.ca Phone: 604.860.0930 Web: hopebc.ca In person: Hope Visitor Centre – 919 Water Avenue

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Vancouver Island/Coast

CONNECT WITH THE ISLAND 9.1%

Share of B.C. land area

Telecom and transportation are among industries achieving major traction on Vancouver Island

■Campbell River ■Comox ■Courtenay ■Cowichan ■Duncan ■Esquimalt ■Ladysmith ■Lake Cowichan ■Langford ■Nanaimo ■North Cowichan ■Parksville ■Port Alberni ■Port Alice ■Port Hardy ■Port McNeill ■Powell River ■Qualicum Beach ■Saanich ■Sidney ■Sooke ■Tofino ■Ucluelet ■Victoria

A $60 million renovation project at the Empress Hotel gave a significant boost to Victoria tourism | SUBMITTED

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BAILA LAZARUS

C

onnectivity is the new buzzword on Vancouver Island and the Central Coast as projects in telecom, tech and transportation get capital infusion in 2018.

Add to that a banner year in tourism, growing interest from Hollywood, aerospace R&D, aquaculture and international education, and the region demonstrates why it draws so much attention for business and investing.

The $45 million Connected Coast project announced in January is a collaboration of federal and provincial money bringing high-speed internet to coastal communities. The project includes 3.5 million metres of fibre optic cable that will pass under the Inside Passage and link the north and central coasts with Vancouver Island.

“With this backbone infrastructure, the efforts within the CCRD [Central Coast Regional District] can now focus on exploring opportunities for last-mile projects,” says Bridget Horel, community economic development officer for the CCRD. “Improvements to connectivity will support the local economy and open up further

development opportunities for tourism – already a significant sector in the region – and other sectors.”

Both Bella Coola and Nanaimo are upgrading their airports. Nanaimo’s runways and terminal are undergoing a $55 million expansion and renovation over the next 20 years. Nanaimo has marked a 110 per cent increase in passengers over the past six years.

Nanaimo’s cargo terminal also continues to contribute to the economy, processing 5.6 million tonnes of cargo, an increase of 50 per cent from 2013.

“The City of Nanaimo is looking at continuous improvement of development processes to minimize regulation, expedite development and permitting processes, saving businesses both time and money,” says Amrit Manhas, Nanaimo’s economic development officer. “The city offers significant tax incentives for multi-family, commercial and heritage developments in the downtown core as well as hotel and motel developments citywide.”

Sectors doing well in the region are healthcare, retail, construction, food services, education, science and technology, says Manhas.

In the Campbell River, Comox and Port Alberni areas,

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Vancouver Island/Coast

TOP: Dock upgrades get underway

at the Bella Coola Valley harbour to accommodate the new BC Ferries Northern Sea Wolf vessel | BRIDGET HOREL ABOVE: Bridget Horel of Central

Coast Regional District: “with this backbone infrastructure, the efforts within the CCRD can now focus on exploring opportunities for last-mile projects” | SUBMITTED RIGHT: Zip-lining businesses

have

opened up near Tofino, Nanaimo and Victoria to complement whale-watching and other tourist excursions on Vancouver Island | BAILA LAZARUS

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“the region is collaborating on tech development and there is a lot of potential with aerospace,” says Line Robert, CEO of Island Coastal Economic Trust. “Shellfish and new species of aquaculture are also strong export areas, as is agri-foods.”

Tourism is still a key growth sector with Indigenous, cultural and “food tourism” growing and showing the greatest future potential, says Robert.

“One new area gaining ground is educational tourism, using the region’s assets and visitors to support environmental and conservation education, providing shoulder season and year-round tourism opportunities.”

Campbell River is also drawing business interest after being named the leading community in B.C. for small business growth in the 2018 Small Business BC Awards. More than 30 B.C. communities were nominated. Campbell River was recognized in the large communities category, for cities with populations greater than 25,000.

High-tech continues to grow on the Island, particularly in the capital region.

“Our high-tech sector, inclusive of gaming, e-commerce, e-education, custom software, mobile and online marketing, has been very successful at in-bound investment,” says Dallas Gislason, director of economic development with the South Island Prosperity Project.

The marine sector also continues to attract financial infusions, says Gislason, stemming from large

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Building permit values $2.5

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ABOVE: Making Lonely Planet’s

list of top 10 extraordinary places to stay, the Free Spirit

Billions of dollars

1.5 1.0 0.5

Spheres draw tourists to Horne Lake, about 45 minutes north of Nanaimo | BAILA LAZARUS TOP RIGHT: The GAIN Auto Group

completed a renovation of the

l l l l tia cia ria ta en er ust To d si mm Ind Re Co

2016

Aerie (now Villa Eyrie) Resort

2017 SOURCE: BC STATS

so its corporate clients can combine business meetings with circuit driving and overnight accommodations | BAILA

Major private employers By number of employees

LAZARUS

Wholesale & retail trade

is one of dozens of wineries, cideries and breweries

Construction Accommodation & food services Professional, scientific & technical services Manufacturing

up annually in response

Transportation & warehousing

to demand | DESTINATION BC/GRAEME OWSIANSKI

0

that have been popping

0 60 ,0 00

Cidery in the Cowichan Valley

40 ,0 0

BOTTOM RIGHT: Merridale Estate

20 ,0 0

contracts from the Department of National Defence, BC Ferries and the coast guard. The region’s largest research initiative, Ocean Networks Canada, continues to attract tens of millions of dollars in grants and partnerships. This project has surpassed $600 million since its inception in 2006-07.

Tourism has come off banner years, according to Calum Matthews, community and industry specialist at Tourism Vancouver Island.

“We’ve now had three consecutive exceptional years and it’s reasonable to expect continued growth,” says Matthews.

This is especially true with new projects within the First Nations communities. From the new Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy, responding to new interest in North Island tourism, to the Stz’uminus First Nation’s new hotel in Ladysmith, many Indian bands have long-term plans to develop their land for tourism.

The Empress Hotel in Victoria completed the final phase of a $60 million renovation in 2017. The James and Rattenbury boardrooms, Library and Shaughnessy Ballroom were among those getting a facelift.

“Tourism is off the charts right now,” says Anthony Everett, new president and CEO of Tourism Vancouver Island. “We used to talk about shoulder seasons; now there aren’t that many dips in business.”

2.0

SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Vancouver Island/Coast

Cathedral Grove near Port Alberni is a huge draw for tourists visiting Vancouver Island to view old-growth forests | BAILA LAZARUS The crew of Impact film near Shawnigan Lake. A generous tax credit has boosted film production on Vancouver Island | SUBMITTED

The implementation of incentive tax credits in 2014 has turned the film industry around, says Kathleen Gilbert, film commissioner with the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission.

Interest from Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix and major studios for movies and original programming has brought “incredible growth in the industry,” says Gilbert. “2015 was a record-breaking year with $18 million in direct spend.”

The opening this year of a new film studio in Parksville promises to increase interest in that area. Vancouver Island Film Studios will have three sound stages, office space and construction and prop shops. É

grow here

Commercial lease rates up to 60% lower than Vancouver or Victoria...

NANAIMO

T

he fifth largest urban centre in BC, Nanaimo is a 20-minute flight or 1.5-hour ferry ride from downtown Vancouver. The economic hub of Central and North Vancouver Island, Nanaimo boasts both a vibrant business community and exceptional quality of life. Businesses choose Nanaimo because of the cost efficiencies, complete range of telecommunication services, easy access to markets and the talented workforce.

Located in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island University (VIU) provides a steady stream of highly skilled and talented workforce to area companies. At a quarter of the price of Vancouver, and roughly half that of Victoria, business owners and employees are often pleasantly surprised at the cost advantages of doing business and owning real estate in Nanaimo.

To meet current and future growth, key institutions such as the Nanaimo Airport, VIU, Nanaimo Port Authority, City of Nanaimo, Health Authority and the private sector are continuously investing in new and expanded infrastructure. Nanaimo offers an enviable lifestyle in a picturesque setting with a variety of employment and investment opportunities.

For more information contact: Amrit Manhas, Economic Development Officer 250-755-4465 amrit.manhas@nanaimo.ca.

INVESTnanaimo.com

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2018-04-25 11:19 AM

TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT

J

ust minutes from downtown Victoria in the heart of the Capital Region lies historic Esquimalt.

Shaped by our stunning shoreline setting, and our storied military and shipbuilding past, the Township of Esquimalt is a captivating blend of maritime geography and fascinating history – with a contemporary setting and outlook.

Home of Canada’s Pacific Fleet at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt and of a vibrant ship repair industry, the Township features stunning seafronts, incomparable parks, easily accessed urban pathways, affordable real estate, a full calendar of community events, and friendly residents.

According to the 2016 Census, Esquimalt grew by 8.9% during the period 2011 - 2016.

Given this growth and increasing interest in the community, the Township has been working hard to encourage sustainable development that works for residents, the business community and visitors. Several new housing and commercial developments are underway.

Municipal Hall is not only working with the development community by streamlining planning processes, but it is also providing avenues for residents to participate in community building through open houses and online surveys.

Esquimalt Town Square is currently under development and, when completed, will be a catalyst for sustainable development in the community for years to come. It includes civic, residential and commercial uses and will feature a public square and through-block art walk, easy access to transit, and bicycle and pedestrian-friendly spaces. The square is expected to be completed in early 2020.

Our recreation facilities are among the best in the region, playing host to national sporting events and music performances by notable artists, as well as providing a range of programs and services for residents. Esquimalt’s scenic parks, including Saxe Point and Esquimalt Gorge have long been the best kept secrets in the region, and the family-friendly Esquimalt Adventure Park was recently opened near the town centre.

A $17 million dollar investment in public amenities through the McLoughlin Point Amenity Reserve Funds project will see capital improvements over the next several years in waterfront parks, recreation facilities and a public safety facility. Residents are providing their input on these improvements through a

comprehensive public engagement process.

Visitors and residents are flocking to our thriving arts and culture events, including the Memorial Park Music Fest, our annual Arts Festival, the Township Classics music series, and the award-winning Esquimalt Farmers Market. The Township also hosts the popular Ribfest each September, attracting visitors from throughout the region and Washington State.

We will be completing our Official Community Plan Review process in 2018. This

vital planning document will promote the long-term economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the community.

Need we say more? Well, yes. There are no Development Cost Charges levied on development projects, and Esquimalt has had a 0% property tax increase for three out of the last four years, lowest in the Greater Victoria Area.

Explore opportunities in Esquimalt. As you can see, we’re ready. Are you? For more information call 250-414-7146, or visit www.esquimalt.ca.

Explore Esquimalt We’re ready. Are you?

Esquimalt Town Square. Completion in 2020.

Township of Esquimalt Economic Development 250-414-7146 | bizhub@esquimalt.ca | www.esquimalt.ca

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PORT ALBERNI

P

ort Alberni is on Vancouver Island in the traditional territory of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations. It is nestled in a valley at the end of a 48 kilometer salt water fjord and on the estuary of one of BC’s most important salmon rivers. The community is known for its forest industry, fishing, summer-heat, generousity to charitable causes, sports tournaments, trails & ease of access to the outdoors.

The following initiatives are diversifying the economy. r "FSPTQBDF 5IF DPNNVOJUZ IBT JOWFTUFE Ä™Ä NJMMJPO JO BO FYQBOTJPO PG the Alberni Valley Regional Airport runway and installation of medium intensity lighting where the Coulson Group modifies aircraft (Hercules C-130, Airbus A-295 and Boeing 737) for night-time forest fire-fighting purposes.. r "HSJDVMUVSF 5XP BHSJDVMUVSBM TVQQPSU XPSLFST BSF MFWFSBHJOH UIF "MCFSOJ 7BMMFZ T Ä€ ĀÚÚ IFDUBSFT JO UIF "HSJDVMUVSBM -BOE 3FTFSWF JOFYQFOTJWF MBOE and good growing conditions. r "SUT $VMUVSF 5IF 3PUBSZ "SUT %JTUSJDU IBT CFFO FTUBCMJTIFE UP TVQQPSU UIF FYUSBPSEJOBSJMZ MBSHF OVNCFS PG MPDBM BSUJTUT TPNF PG XIPN BSF internationally renowned. r 'JTIFSJFT "RVBDVMUVSF 5IF DPNNVOJUZ TVQQPSUT B DPNNFSDJBM ĂąTIJOH agreement for two local First Nations, is investing heavily in habitat restoration projects and is turning its attention to the significant opportuOJUJFT JO TIFMMĂąTI BRVBDVMUVSF r .BOVGBDUVSJOH 5IF DPNNVOJUZ JT JOWFTUJOH ęÞÚÚ ÚÚÚ JO B QSPKFDU UP BTTJTU JO SFBMJ[JOH B NBYJNJ[FE WBMVF XPPE CJPNBTT FDP JOEVTUSJBM DMVTUFS PG DPNQBOJFT $BOBEJBO .BSJUJNF &OHJOFFSJOH SFDFOUMZ CPVHIU TPNF XBUFSGSPOU JOEVTUSJBM MBOE GPS UIF FYQBOTJPO PG UIFJS CPBU CVJMEJOH NBSJOF JOEVTUSJBM PQFSBUJPOT BOE JT FYQMPSJOH UIF GFBTJCJMJUZ PG FTUBC-

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 50

MJTIJOH B ĂłPBUJOH ESZEPDL UIFSF %#" 4JMFODJOH NBOVGBDUVSFT JOEVTUSJBM FYIBVTU BJS JOUBLF TZTUFNT GPS UIF XPSME T MBSHFTU NJOJOH NBSJOF MPHHJOH NBDIJOFT BOE DPOUJOVFT UP FYQBOE JUT NBSLFUT BOE EJWFSTJGZ JUT operations. r 5PVSJTN 5IF .D-FBO .JMM /BUJPOBM )JTUPSJD 4JUF 1BSL JT EFWFMPQJOH new infrastructure and hosting an increasing number of events. The China Creek Campground has secured a partnership with BC Ferries BOE UIFJS WBDBUJPO QBDLBHJOH BSSBOHFNFOUT 4FWFO MPDBM PSHBOJ[BUJPOT have partnered to launch a co-op marketing venture with assistance GSPN %FTUJOBUJPO #$ BOE 4FFLFST .FEJB 5IF DPNNVOJUZ JT JOWFTUJOH JO IJLJOH BOE NPVOUBJO CJLJOH USBJM EFWFMPQNFOU UP DPNQMFNFOU FYJTUJOH BUUSBDUJPOT 0QQPSUVOJUJFT FYJTU UP DBQJUBMJ[F PO UIF Ä ĂšĂš ÚÚÚ QFPQMF who drive through the community, twice, each year on their way to and from Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park.

1PSU "MCFSOJ JT 7BODPVWFS *TMBOE T .PTU "íPSEBCMF $PNNVOJUZ BOE enjoys a modern 52-bed hospital, a private university, a community colMFHF B OFX ęÿÚ NJMMJPO IJHI TDIPPM QVCMJD QSJWBUF BOE 'SFODI JNNFSsion schools, unmatched parks, recreation and heritage facilities for a community of our size, a central Island location and public transit.

Port Alberni is also home to a deep-sea port capable of handling 1BOBNBY TJ[F GSFJHIUFST BOE B 1JFS UIBU IPTUT VQ UP GPVS DSVJTF TIJQ UFOder vessels as well as float planes. A trans-shipment hub for container ships coming from Asia (see www.pathbc.ca) is proposed for the Alberni Inlet.

For more information contact: 1BU %FBLJO ÝÞÚ ĀÝÚ ÝÞÝĀ patrick_deakin@portalberni.ca; www.portalberni.ca

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

CITY OF CAMPBELL RIVER Campbell River: Enriched by Land and Sea

W

ith natural beauty in a mountain and marine setting, Campbell River offers an inviting blend of rural and urban opportunities with the amenities of a large city and the welcoming feel of a small town.

The City is undergoing an exciting period of community and economic development, embracing new economic prospects as its economy continues to diversify and attract the industries and workforce of the future. With a proud history in forestry, mining and fishing, flourishing tourism and aquaculture sectors, Campbell River has a supportive network for companies interested in further developing the supply chain and producing value-added products. Embracing innovation and technology in a changing economy, the City has invested in a progressive Municipal Broadband Network to support emerging opportunities in the high technology and creatives industries sectors. Campbell River has modernized its airport infrastructure, increasing capacity and opening up commercial opportunities for aerospace. The City is a natural choice for companies looking for a highly accessible location, abundant natural resources, first-class transportation and communications networks, and a highly skilled labour force. Campbell River offers one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking environments in the Pacific Northwest – enriched by land and sea.

Advantages for Business r .BSLFU "DDFTT CZ MBOE BJS BOE TFB

r "íPSEBCMF )PVTJOH BOE -BOE 1SJDFT r (SPXJOH 1PQVMBUJPO r 4LJMMFE &EVDBUFE -BCPVS 'PSDF r .VOJDJQBM #SPBECBOE *OGSBTUSVDUVSF r -JGFTUZMF UIBU BMMPXT GPS B XPSL MJGF CBMBODF Municipal Broadband Network Recognizing the importance of enterprise level broadband internet for Campbell River’s new economic climate, the City of Campbell River is establishing a Municipal Broadband Network (MBN) that will provide businesses and organizations in the downtown core with affordable access to enterprise level high-speed internet – the first MBN on 7BODPVWFS *TMBOE 5IF IJHI RVBMJUZ TFSWJDF XJMM PíFS CVTJOFTTFT HVBSBOUFFE CSPBECBOE EFMJWFSZ PG VQ UP ú (# TZNNFUSJDBM XIJDI JT TDBMBCMF with their anticipated growth.

Unparalleled Lifestyle Campbell River features many amenities of a big city with a friendly and welcoming character. Downtown residential developments, arts and culture, and new businesses like a local craft brewery attract young professionals.

With a coveted lifestyle, the community is home to creative thinkers and outdoor enthusiasts. Campbell River’s quality of life incorporates a mild west coast climate, vibrant culture and heritage, stunning ocean and mountain views and with the opportunity to create a healthy worklife balance.

Build Your Business in Campbell River Experience true work-life balance in one of the most beautiful, affordable coastal communities on Vancouver Island.

Campbell River now offers the Island’s ďŹ rst City-owned 1GB internet service, connecting you to the global business world at incredibly fast speeds. Unplug when you want and get back in touch with the beauty of nature, just outside your front door.

The Campbell River Advantage: Balance is everything.

CR advantage

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Contact Rose Klukas rose.klukas@campbellriver.ca

250.286.5738 campbellriver.ca

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Thompson Okanagan

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS Tourism has always been important in the Thompson Okanagan but now more people are moving in to work and invest

10.2%

Share of B.C. land area

■Barriere ■Cache Creek ■Clearwater ■Clinton ■Golden ■Kamloops ■Kelowna ■Lytton ■Merritt ■Oliver ■Osoyoos ■Peachland ■Penticton ■Revelstoke ■Salmon Arm ■Summerland ■Vernon

Penticton and Naramata have

KATYA HOLLOWAY

44 wineries representing 16 per cent of the total grape wineries in B.C. The entire Okanagan Valley hosts a $200 million wine industry totalling more than 240 vineyards and attracting 500,000 wine tourists a year | SUBMITTED

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 52

V

isionaries and virtual workers are moving in to Penticton, changing the face of this lakeside Okanagan city. Take a stroll through the downtown core today and its recent gentrification is evident, from the freshly painted facades to the bike racks, cafés, farmers market, restaurants and breweries – all within walking distance from the beach.

From the vineyard tasting rooms to the packed hotel rooms, the economy is thriving. Real estate and construction is booming, with the total number of building permits jumping 36 per cent in 2017 over the previous year.

It’s local entrepreneurs like Len and Marion Kozier who are making their mark across the province. When Len Kozier started planting grapevines in 2007, he had a vision to do things differently. Within a matter of years, Kozier Organic Vineyard became the first certified organic vineyard on Naramata Bench.

While organic vineyards and wineries continue to be rare in B.C., a growing interest in clean eating and

sustainable farming is creating waves, as seen in the rise of new businesses such as Penticton’s Roche Wines.

Older wineries are catching on too, with Kelowna’s Mission Hill recently revealing plans to transition its Okanagan vineyards to organic.

“There has been more of a shift from conventional to organic grape growing in recent years,” explains David Kozier of Kozier Organic Vineyard, who moved from North Vancouver in 2015 to join the family business. “I was drawn to the vineyard, and it didn’t take long to realize what an amazing place Penticton is to raise a family.”

Today, Penticton and Naramata have 44 publicly accessible wineries – up 10 per cent from last year. This represents 16 per cent of the total grape wineries in B.C., based on B.C. wine industry statistics. The entire Okanagan Valley is a $200 million industry totalling more than 240 vineyards, supporting 10,323 wine-related jobs and attracting 500,000 wine tourists a year.

Within Penticton, commercial business licences increased by 525 from 2016 to 2017, more than 100 of which were home-based.

David Kozier’s wife, Louise Kozier, who is a partner in

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KF Aerospace completes heavy maintenance and/or modifications on scores of aircraft annually from its Kelowna headquarters | SUBMITTED

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 53

Building permit values Millions of dollars

a national PR firm, is among a growing tribe of remote working professionals sharing a co-work office space in Penticton and taking advantage of the quick flights to Vancouver and Calgary.

“It’s attracting professionals who have an entrepreneurial spirit, and because of that, it’s bringing a lot of energy to the city. Professionals who could work anywhere in the world are choosing Penticton as their home base,” she says.

Anthony Haddad, Penticton’s director of development services, says the city welcomes this trend and is seeking “further investment into the development of our youthful entrepreneurial community.”

The city has been focusing on revitalization of its downtown core, which has totalled approximately $12 million in public investment since 2012.

“There are so many ways to invest in Penticton and not just in the land,” says Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

“Investment here can certainly be tangible in real estate and development, but the possibilities to establish or grow a business, and create an incredible lifestyle for you and your family, are almost endless.”

Kelowna is also experiencing a surge in growth, including densification of its downtown, with building permit values jumping 23 per cent in the past year. Corie Griffiths, director of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, says this is a prime time for new businesses to jump in.

“We have something very unique in that you have an opportunity to get in early and help shape the future of innovation in the Okanagan.”

The Okanagan Valley is home to 633 tech companies, employing 7,600 employees, including Strawhouse Labs,

$2,000 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 l l ia ial ia al nt erc str Tot e u sid mm Ind Re Co

2016

2017 SOURCE: BC STATS

Major private employers By number of employees Wholesale & retail trade Construction Accommodation & food services Manufacturing Transportation & warehousing Forestry, mining, quarrying, oil & gas 00

00

,0

10

,0

20

00

,0

30

00

,0

40

SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Thompson Okanagan

RIGHT: Large lakes in the

Thompson Okanagan are a main draw for both tourists and the many people moving in as permanent residents | SUBMITTED BELOW RIGHT:

Passenger traffic

at Kelowna International Airport jumped 9.3 per cent from 2016 to 2017; it is now receiving nearly 1.9 million visitors each year | SUBMITTED BELOW LEFT: Waycon

Manufacturing employs advanced cherry-processing technology | SUBMITTED

FreshGrade and Refresh Financial. The Financial Post named Kelowna the most entrepreneurial city in Canada in 2016 (its most recent ranking of this kind).

More than three million people visit the region each year, according to the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. Passenger traffic at Kelowna International Airport jumped 9.3 per cent from 2016 to 2017, and the

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 54

airport now welcomes nearly 1.9 million visitors each year.

Film production brought in $30 million to the Okanagan economy in 2017.

Kamloops is also expecting a strong year in terms of development, following a record-breaking 2017. Upcoming projects include expansions at Royal Inland Hospital and Thompson Rivers University.

In Merritt, real estate prices jumped 16 per cent in 2017, matched by an increase in housing starts and building permits. The city has a “strong work-age demographic” with jobs in the forestry, tourism and retail industries, says Will George, the city’s economic development and tourism manager.

Merritt development projects in the works include expansions at the hospital as well as the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, and the pending opening of the Merritt Green Energy Project. É

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

WEST KELOWNA Strong Growth Continues in West Kelowna

B

y nearly every measurement, 2017 was even better than we had planned for,� said West Kelowna Economic Development Officer John Perrott.

Numerous multi-family residential and commercial projects broke ground, establishing an even stronger foundation for greater West Kelowna’s burgeoning economy. “We generally plan for about 1.5% in annualized population increases.

However, in 2017, growth doubled our expectations.� Perrott stated. “This level of growth, and the development activity that it is producing, is unprecedented. And we see no signs of it slowing down in 2018.�

What’s most exciting is the strong growth in West Kelowna’s urban core – Westbank Centre. New cornerstone developments included the Otter Co-Op and Gas Bar and adjacent retail spaces, the City’s first Craft Brewery, 400 condos and apartments, and new medical offices.

Building on that momentum, the City also began discussions with property owners on a number of other Westbank Centre projects for 2018 including a 140 unit residential project and mixed use property redevelopments. “We are very encouraged by the success that projects are having within Westbank Centre. We are excited to be working with so many investors to redevelop the neighbourhood into the vision that Council adopted in the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan in 2011.�

And growth is by no means limited to Westbank Centre. 2018 will see a number of new projects come to fruition elsewhere in the community including the expansion of an existing winery and development of sev-

We’re growing more than grapes.

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM

West Kelowna continues to be the ideal location for entrepreneurs and investors alike with a combination of business opportunities, quality of life, and business friendly local government. Talk to us about the ideas growing in you - let’s cultivate opportunities together.

DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION

westkelownacity.ca 00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 55

eral new wineries, more multi-family rental units and construction on a number of commercial projects.

The City of West Kelowna is responding in kind to this growth and residents’ demands for modern, urban services. The municipality will invest more than $80 million throughout the community on a number of key infrastructure projects, starting in 2018, including: r 3PTF 7BMMFZ 8BUFS 5SFBUNFOU 1MBOU QSPWJEJOH SFMJBCMF ESJOLJOH UP UIF community r #PVDIFSJF 3PBE 8JOF 5SBJM 6QHSBEF OFX VUJMJUJFT BOE UIF BEEJUJPO PG sidewalks and bike lanes r .VMUJ 6TF %PNF EFWFMPQNFOU PG B NVMUJ ĂąFME SFDSFBUJPOBM GBDJMJUZ GPS year round use r /VNFSPVT QBSLT QSPKFDUT BOE BNFOJUZ VQHSBEFT “When we look at the growth of West Kelowna, we can’t forget to highlight all of the development and investment happening next door in Westbank First Nation and Peachland,â€? Perrott mentioned. “When combining the population figures from all Westside communities, you quickly realize our businesses have a potential customer base of 50,000 people – the third largest community in the valley and a powerful economic engine for the Okanagan region.â€?

We are continually working to build on our community’s success and momentum, and we invite investors, developers and entrepreneurs to contact us with their ideas.

For more information on what’s happening or to discuss your project, please contact John Perrott, Economic Development Officer for the City of West Kelowna at 778-797-2215 or email john.perrott@westkelownacity.ca.

CITY OF

MANUFACTURING & INNOVATION

Contact John Perrott, Economic Development OfďŹ cer john.perrott@westkelownacity.ca ~ 778.797.2215

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

VERNON Population: 42,199

W

elcome to Vernon and the sunny North Okanagan, where our casual lifestyle matched with spectacular outdoor recreation opportunities has led Vernon to become one of the most diversified communities in BC. Serving a regional population of over 100,000, the community is surrounded by three lakes and is well known for its hot summers and mild winters, which has attracted businesses and residents from across the globe. Vernon has a well-deserved reputation for its recreational opportunities, including ready access to Okanagan, Kalamalka and Swan Lakes. The area is also home to three of BC’s best known resort developments; Predator Ridge, Silver Star and Sparkling Hill.

Growing Market Vernon is booming. As one of the fastest growing communities in BC, the community is experiencing strong growth. Highlights include a new Regional Operation Centre for BC Hydro, several new medical and professional office buildings and plans for a Four Points Sheraton and Convention Centre, a Best Western Premier and several large multifamily developments.

Built on Success A winner of the Open for Business Awards, Vernon has a diverse economic base, with employment being generated from a growing professional services sector, the traditional resource sectors of forestry and agriculture, as well as the tourism, technology, manufacturing and service sectors. Vernon is home to a number of made-in-Vernon success stories including Kal Tire and Tolko Industries.

Public Investment Ongoing public investments ensure Vernon is a desirable place to locate.

Recent public investments include a major hospital expansion, library, secondary school and a new ice arena set to open in September 2018.

The City of Vernon has been investing in improved civic spaces, transit expansion, and trail connections to enhance the livability of the community.

Education Companies seeking to locate in Vernon have access to a highly skilled workforce. The University of BC Okanagan and Okanagan College campuses ensure employers have access to the best and brightest to help them grow their business.

Transportation Vernon is readily accessible by air, rail and road, providing businesses with excellent transportation linkages. The Kelowna International Airport is located 25 minutes from downtown Vernon and moves over 1.9 million passengers a year. The airport offers flights to Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria.

With a strong sense of community and beautiful Okanagan location, Vernon offers a great business climate and unmatched livability. We invite you to Activate Life in Vernon.

Contact: Kevin Poole, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism City of Vernon 250-550-3249, ecdev@vernon.ca, www.investvernon.ca

A C TIVATE YOUR B USIN ES S V E RNON, BRITIS H COL UMBIA

KALAMALKA LAKE PRVINCIAL PARK/Robb Thompson

There’s a reason why Vernon is consistently voted as one of the Best Places to Work in BC. We’ve built a thriving business community with unmatched quality of life. Our story is one of bike trails, champagne powder, colour defying lakes and active lifestyles. Contact us today to find out how your company can join in the success.

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250.550.3249 | ecdev@vernon.ca | investvernon.ca

2018-04-25 9:29 AM

MERRITT Population: 7,139

W

elcome to Merritt, British Columbia and the beautiful Nicola Valley. The City of Merritt’s Economic Development Department is here to provide quality information, increase the growth and competitiveness of our value-added sectors, facilitate economic development, work to attract investment and promote the City of Merritt.

Location Located at the intersection of key major transportation routes, the City of Merritt offers transportation and distribution to all points throughout British Columbia and beyond. Relocating, building or establishing your business in Merritt is a smart business decision and a wise lifestyle choice.

Education Merritt offers a variety of educational schools to meet the demand of the growing population. There are currently five elementary schools, one high school, one Community Learning Centre, and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) situated in Merritt.

Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Progressive taxation policies to encourage business growth, expansion, and attraction are the cornerstone of our business friendly environment.

The City of Merritt has a revitalization tax exemption bylaw that offer up to 100% tax exemption for up to five years, depending on project, location, and bylaw criteria.

A Lifestyle Choice Merritt has an urban lifestyle in a country setting. The community supports the longest established franchise in the B.C. Junior Hockey League. There is a modern aquatic centre, a skateboard park and children’s water park as well as sport fields, tennis courts, hockey and curling rink, and a nine-hole golf course. The Nicola and Coldwater Rivers run through the heart of the City of Merritt. There are also mountain bike, ATV and hiking trail networks surrounding Merritt.

Event Destination Merritt hosts a variety of unique events throughout the year. There is always something going on from the Bass Coast Festival and Rockin’ River Music festivals to rodeos and stock car races. The City of Merritt caps off the year with the Merritt Country Christmas Parade (one of North America’s largest night Christmas parade). To learn more about events happening during your next visit to Merritt visit www. tourismmerritt.com/events.

The City of Merritt is strategically located to support your business and lifestyle opportunities. Contact the Economic Development Manager at the City of Merritt for further information.

Contact: Will George, Economic Development and Tourism Manager, City of Merritt Phone: (250) 378-8619 Email: wgeorge@merritt.ca Website: www.merritt.ca

ALL ROADS LEAD TO Merritt, British Columbia

Downtown Merritt/Darren Robinson Photography

With easy access to the Thompson, Okanagan and Lower Mainland markets, Merritt offers affordable living, a high quality of life and easy access to large customer bases. Contact us today to learn more.

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2018-04-25 9:29 AM

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Kootenay

ALLURE OF THE MOUNTAINS B.C.’s Kootenays are a magnet for an increasing number of millennials and the spectacular landscape may be the second most important attraction

6.2%

Share of B.C. land area

■Castlegar ■Cranbrook ■Creston ■Fernie ■Grand Forks ■Invermere ■Kaslo ■Kimberley ■Nakusp ■Nelson ■New Denver ■Radium Hot Springs ■Rossland ■Slocan ■Sparwood ■Trail KATYA HOLLOWAY The lakefront town of Castlegar, where you can buy a house for less than $300,000, is seen as the next hot destination for Lower Mainland families and young entrepreneurs. “The first wave went to Kelowna and now that that has exploded, the next wave is us. We still have lots of available land to build on,” says Mark Laver, the city’s economic development officer | ANDREW ZIBIN

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 58

P

icture an outdoorsy B.C. lifestyle with no traffic, a growing tech industry, affordable living – and all located on the doorstep to world-class ski hills.

This is the allure of the Kootenays.

This region has been attracting waves of millennials and gen-Xers for years, particularly among young families from the Lower Mainland. These innovators and entrepreneurs are fuelling local industries ranging from technology to health, metallurgy, engineering, development and other professional services.

Among the local tech success stories is Rossland-based Thoughtexchange. Darin Recchi, in charge of community development and talent initiatives, relocated from North Vancouver to Rossland in 2016 and hasn’t looked back.

“It wasn’t a money-motivated decision for us. It was a time-motivated decision,” he says. “We were working 7 to 7 every day, and if you think of the logistics of having four kids and getting them from A to B throughout the day, we just hit a point.”

Having many years’ international experience as a software sales executive, he was grateful to discover that a move to the Kootenays wouldn’t be the end of his professional career.

“I was pleasantly surprised at the opportunity to contribute my experience to a tech company. For me, for the family, it has been fantastic. In fact, my career has been better off for it.”

In May 2017, the Trail and area regional economic development office, Lower Columbia Initiatives Corp.

(LCIC), launched a new economic development marketing strategy – called Metal Tech Alley (metaltechalley.com) – to further encourage expansion and attraction of new business development in the fields of metallurgical science, industrial recycling and emerging technologies in big data and the Industrial Internet of Things. With Trail being home to Teck Metals Ltd. – one of the world’s largest integrated lead-zinc smelters – and Metallurgical Industrial Development Acceleration and Studies FabLab, the area is a hotbed of metallurgical expertise.

At the core of Metal Tech Alley is a new 40,000-squarefoot facility called the i4C Innovation Centre with bigdata labs, production and testing facilities supporting early-stage 4.0-related companies that want to run their research and development, light fabrication and commercialization from a highly strategic facility. Terry Van Horn, executive director of LCIC, says, “The strategy is already seeing dividends, with nine new companies moving into the region and an increased investment of

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Building permit values

Millions of dollars

$250

more than $1 million in the last six months.

“We are getting tons of traction on Metal Tech Alley, our business inquires have doubled – it’s a super exciting initiative. We have a brand new innovation hub that is just exploding,” Van Horn says.

Another appeal to the region is its growing tourism industry, with demand for hotel staff and related services. Snow Magazine named Revelstoke the world’s top ski resort in 2018.

Also, in a ranking of North America’s “best-kept-secret ski resorts for 2017,” FlightNetwork named Revelstoke Mountain No. 1, Fernie No. 6 and Kicking Horse in Golden No. 7.

In Castlegar, where the average house price is $295,000 and your commute time may be five minutes, the lifestyle appeal is obvious. Mark Laver, the city’s economic development officer, anticipates Castlegar will be a draw for the next wave of Vancouver emigrants in search of more affordable homes.

“The first wave went to Kelowna and now that that has exploded, the next wave is us. We still have lots of available land to build on,” he says.

Rob Gretchen left an IT job in Victoria to return to his hometown. Not only is the cost of living much lower, but he missed the mountain lifestyle. Today, he is co-owner of Cycology Bikes in Castlegar.

200 150 100 50 l ia ial ial nt nt erc str me e u n sid mm Ind ver o Re Co g l/ na it o itu st In

2016

2017

SOURCE: BC STATS

More than 100 biking trails spider the Kootenay mountains, drawing enthusiasts and supporting new businesses like Cycology Bikes in Castlegar | RYAN GIBB

IMAGINE KOOTENAY

Y

our Better Life is waiting for you in the Kootenays. Our vibrant familyfriendly communities, abundant investment opportunities, diverse job market and year-round recreational opportunities make this region an ideal place for Working, Investing and Living.

ture guiding operations. The number of baby boomers looking to turn their businesses over to new owners has created tremendous opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever dreamed of being your own boss, there’s never been a better time or a better place to buy a business. Invest in your future.

Imagine Working: Work in a variety of sectors including technology, metallurgy, resource extraction, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, tourism and education. Imagine skiing on your lunch break, or going paddling after work. If you want a healthy mix of work and lifestyle, take a virtual tour of the region and the diverse employers you can find in the Kootenays.

Imagine Living: People live in the Kootenay’s because of their love of surroundings; safe neighbourhoods with great schools, unrivalled natural beauty and limitless outdoor activities. This area attracts people from all walks of life, creating a diverse mix of communities and opportunities.

Imagine Investing: You will find numerous well-established businesses for sale in the Kootenays, from cafes to retail stores and hotels to adven-

Embrace your work-life balance in the Kootenays!

Learn more at imaginekootenay.com

Work where you play.

Love where you live.

Photo credit: Pat Bates; Kimberley, BC

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2018-04-25 9:29 AM

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Kootenay

ABOVE: A powder skier challenges

Red Mountain near Rossland:

Major private employers

Kootenay ski resorts are

By number of employees

ranked among the top 10 in the world | SUBMITTED

Wholesale & retail trade Forestry, mining, quarrying, oil & gas

RIGHT: A visitor tries a virtual

Construction

reality view at Metal TechAlley,

Manufacturing

a new 40,000-square-foot

Accommodation & food services

innovation centre in Trail

Transportation & warehousing

2,0 0 4, 0 00 6, 0 00 8, 0 0 10 00 ,0 12 00 ,0 00

supporting big-data research with labs, production and testing facilities | SUBMITTED

SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Start or relocate your business in Cranbrook and start living the way nature intended.

With tremendous opportunities for business, community, culture and recreation, life in Cranbrook offers the balance and richness of life you have been striving for.

“I would say the Kootenays is one of the world leaders in mountain biking. In the triangle between Rossland, Trail and Castlegar, there’s over a hundred sanctioned trails,” he says.

But the key reason for moving home, he says, was to give his two kids the same carefree lifestyle he enjoyed as a child.

“Growing up here, it was a bit of the Wild West, but what an amazing childhood. Personally, I wanted to get back to it and give them the same experience. A lot of young families are moving into this area for the same reason. It’s freedom of movement, which I think is the big attraction.” É

CRANBROOK

A

lso known as the Key City, Cranbrook is the largest urban centre in southeastern B.C., which means we’re kind of a big deal.

But you won’t hear it from us. In fact, over the years, we may have underestimated our success in creating one of the safest, happiest and healthiest communities in Canada.

Our economy is stable and home to a wide range of business in retail, health care, education and trades.

Few cities in B.C. can compete with our market accessibility.

Two U.S borders (Idaho and Montana) are less than an hour from Cranbrook. And with close proximity to many Kootenay communities, like Kimberley, Fernie and Invermere, our total immediate market reach is up to 100,000. Cranbrook is also less than two hours from southern Alberta, which expands our market to a further 4.5 million.

Strategic investments are in the queue that are intended to set up Cranbrook for long term success, accommodating growth in the local economy, better solutions to aging infrastructure, moving toward technology and innovation-based operation; while providing ways to better connect the City operation to citizens and business and investing in staff for quality service.

Building upon a solid foundation, Cranbrook has entered an exciting period of economic development. Elected leaders and members of the business community welcome this positive change and are eager to foster growth. Hitting important metrics of location, lifestyle, labour and connectivity, Cranbrook offers an enviable economic advantage to those looking for new and sustainable investment opportunities

WWW.CRANBROOK.CA

Visit us @ www.cranbrook.ca/business or email us @ info@cranbrook.ca.

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 60

2018-04-25 9:30 AM

CASTLEGAR

T

he West Kootenay has a distinct cultural flavour and warmth of humanity that will bring a quick smile to your face‌ and a lingering feeling of contentment. Lifestyle is not urban rush, but a relaxed mix of outdoor rugged and urban cool. There is a creative undertow to the human tide. Business is important, but the lifestyle dog still wags the business tail.

Castlegar is the West Kootenay’s commercial service centre, including the West Kootenay Regional Airport and Selkirk College’s main campus. Castlegar’s location squarely midway between Vancouver and Calgary has produced today’s investment opportunity. Castlegar’s competitive advantage lies in its central location in the West Kootenay region, low business costs/cost of living, and cultured outdoor lifestyle.

Sited midway between Vancouver and Calgary, the West Kootenay region is an increasingly attractive investment option to the Okanagan and the East Kootenay region. This business opportunity and an affordable cost of living support the notion that entrepreneurs can both balance the books and balance life.

Castlegar’s economic base is stable and diversified (forestry, mining, hydro, government services, retail, tourism). Business conditions are dynamic and affordable. The City is big enough to support full services and its commercial service centre vision is ambitious.

A Rare Investment Opportunity – West Kootenay Regional Centre Currently the West Kootenay regional market (69,000 population) is underserved by the major retail sector. This is a rare opportunity to provide a centralization of key commercial services to the entire market. By

locating centrally, the proposed West Kootenay Regional Centre is accessible to 70 per cent of the region’s population within 40 minutes.

The West Kootenay Regional Centre commercial lands are the largest and most accessible tract of raw, flat commercial land in the West Kootenay. This city owned 34 acre site is central to the regional marketplace with access to Highway 3, Highway 3A and Highway 22 that intersect at the project site. Direct site access to Highway 3 has Provincial approval in principle for a full primary access intersection which is scheduled to be constructed in 2018. The site is serviced with water and sewer and it is pre-zoned in terms of regulatory approval. The City has a preliminary grading plan for the site’s development and the land is available for purchase or long term (99 year) lease. In a region that continues to show consistent positive growth, there are very few, if any, other flat serviced commercial 20 – 30 acre plus sites in the region.

The site is adjacent to the West Kootenay Regional Airport, which is serviced by Air Canada and enjoys 70,000 passenger movements per year. A new Regional Gaming Centre was recently opened on the adjacent airport lands and the new Fortis Regional Operations Centre is located on an adjacent site on the other side of the airport.

For more information about the West Kootenay Regional Centre commercial lands contact the City of Castlegar at economicdevelopment@castlegar.ca or phone the City of Castlegar, Chief Administrative Officer at 250.365.7227.

Life’s an adventure. Start a new one in Castlegar, B.C. www.castlegar.ca

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2018-04-25 9:30 AM

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Cariboo

PRIMED FOR NEW GROWTH 14.2%

Cariboo rises phoenix-like from a challenging wildfire season Share of B.C. land area

■100 Mile House ■Barkerville ■Mackenzie ■McBride ■Prince George ■Quesnel ■Valemount ■Wells ■Williams Lake

TOP: Prince George: the North’s

KATYA HOLLOWAY

biggest city has seen an increase in population and a decline in unemployment due to an economy “well diversified across all sectors, the expansion of existing businesses, and strong private-sector investment over the last two years” | SUBMITTED RIGHT: Wells is gaining popularity

for its annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art, among the many bright attractions that draw tourists to the Cariboo | MARY MATHESON

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 62

T

he Cariboo is rising from the ashes following one of the worst wildfire seasons in B.C. history.

Among the new growth comes fresh energy and entrepreneurial spirit, charging ahead with initiatives to attract visitors and new business.

“As much as the 2017 wildfire season was one of the most challenging times our region has faced so far, our communities seem to be stronger than before,” says Margo Wagner, Cariboo Regional District chair. “We are seeing new festivals and events planned for this year.

Community groups and businesses are coming together to celebrate and show our resilience.”

More than 200 wildfires ripped through the region in summer 2017, forcing the evacuation of 65,000 people.

The Elephant Hill fire took a significant economic toll, forcing the prolonged closure of Highway 97 during prime tourism months. The fire burned for 76 days, destroyed 120 homes and chewed up valuable timber supply.

Months later, the mood among local businesses in 100 Mile House is looking up, says Joanne Doddridge, the district’s director of economic development.

“100 Mile businesses are optimistic and looking forward to a strong summer tourism season,” she says, adding that a majority of businesses have rebounded and are back to normal operations.

“Labour at every scale is in demand, from entry level to professional and skilled trades,” says Doddridge.

“There are businesses opportunities in forestry and an anticipated brisk construction season ahead brings opportunities for skilled trades. Housing development is receiving strong interest, and recreation services and opportunities are also emerging.”

Meanwhile, Williams Lake is facing a “dramatic shortage” of skilled tradespeople, equipment operators, professional services and other contractors, says Kirk Dressler, economic development officer for the Williams Lake Indian Band.

“We are finding that there are in fact significant economic opportunities to be realized post-wildfire,” says

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Prince George Airport attracted a record number of passengers in 2017 totalling 499,125 arrivals/departures | PRINCE GEORGE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

The new $4.5 million Wood Innovation Research Lab is a state-of-the-art facility at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George.

It provides students, faculty members and researchers with the ability to build and test large-scale integrated wood structures | SUBMITTED

Building permit values

continued on page 66 Ä

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200 150 100

Re s Ins Co iden tit mm tia ut ion e l al/ Ind rcia go ust l ve ria rn l me n To t ta l

50

2016

2017 SOURCE: BC STATS

Major private employers By number of employees Wholesale & retail trade Manufacturing Construction Transportation & warehousing Forestry, mining, quarrying, oil & gas Accommodation & food services

2,0 0 4, 0 00 6, 0 00 8, 0 0 10 00 ,0 12 00 ,0 14 00 ,0 00

Dressler. “In our case, these opportunities are primarily in the area of forestry and professional services, although we observe a relative abundance of other contracting and employment opportunities in the region as well.”

In Quesnel, new housing starts are on the rise with two apartment buildings under construction in the downtown area this year, reports Amy Reid, economic development officer for the city. Council has created a multi-family housing incentive to encourage new builds and shift the balance of the housing stock from single-family dwellings on large lots to higher-density housing closer to amenities to appeal to more young people and seniors, Reid explains.

“While the wildfires slowed down tourism in 2017, Quesnel has a number of initiatives underway that aim to attract visitors to the region, including a major trail project in collaboration with the regional district,” she says.

Daniela Dyck, community development co-ordinator for the Village of Clinton, says the service industry in particular is optimistic that tourism will return to normal this summer.

“From a community perspective, we are resilient. Many events have been organized to celebrate ‘moving out of the ashes’ and working together to ensure a sustainable community,” she says.

It’s unclear what effect the wildfires will have on the forestry sector as a result of lost timber supplies. The village has created a website (smartinvestclintonbc.ca) in a bid to attract investors ranging from retail and tourism operators to a microbrewery or housing development.

Millions of dollars

$250

SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

2018-04-25 3:37 PM

Cariboo Regional District Population: 61,988 The Cariboo Chilcotin covers an area of 80,262 square kilometres in the Interior of BC. Top 10 reasons to invest in the Cariboo Chilcotin 1. Incredible lifestyle with outdoor activities, recreation facilities, city centres, cultural diversity & great climate – one of the sunniest places in BC 2. Great location in BC’s Southern Interior with good access and infrastructure (HWY 97, rail, airports) 3. Affordability - low tax rates and reasonable housing cost & real estate prices – great time to invest 4. Strong sense of community 5. Competitive wage rates reflecting a balanced and growing labour pool 6. Untapped potential with Indigenous economies and culture 7. Growing labour supply with many young people who are very connected to the region 8. Welcoming communities that keenly encourage new investments in clean energy technology sector 9. Financial support for capital investments in northern BC 10. Innovative Businesses (home of the Timber Kings) with many entrepreneurial opportunities in a market that is not yet saturated Proximity to Markets – Infrastructure Highway 97 and access to CN Rail make the Cariboo a perfect location for same day delivery to major international shipping points like Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton or Prince Rupert. Airports: Quesnel Regional Airport, Williams Lake Regional Airport, South Cariboo Regional Airport, Anahim Lake Airport, Likely Airstrip Lifestyle and Outdoor Activities With average daily commuting times between 5-20 minutes, the Cariboo Region is known for its excellent quality of life.

Our region has a unique wheelchair accessible trails network as well as world class networks of mountain bike trails that are also used for hiking and snowshoeing in the winter. Throughout our region you can share and experience First Nation culture through heritage centres, guided interpretive tours and workshops as well as cultural festivals and pow wows. We are known for our ranching culture with our many working cattle ranches, guest ranches and rodeos. The annual ArtsWells Festival was voted one of the ‘Top 10 Music Festivals in Canada’ and is one of the many unique events in our region. Canoe the legendary Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, explore one of over 100 lakes along the Fishing Highway 24, see ancient hoodoos and volcanic mountains or explore the Gold Rush Trail which leads to Barkerville Historic Town.

First Nations communities Our region is home to 15 First Nations communities who are actively involved in the area’s forestry, mining, transportation, construction, agriculture and tourism sectors. We are happy to connect you with local First Nations business as well as the Economic Development Officers within the First Nations communities and Tribal Councils.

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District of Wells Wells is a premiere tourist destination with world-class entertainment.

The District of Wells is a restored 1930's mining town, full of unique architecture and fascinating galleries. Just down the road is Barkerville Historic Town, western North America's premiere heritage attraction. Wells is also the access point to the Bowron Lakes Provincial Park, which is one of the top ten canoe circuits in the world. Investment opportunities in the tourism sector abound. Located adjacent to major tourist attractions and world-class outdoor adventures, Wells has a ready market for tourism ventures. Wells is ripe for the development of attractions, services, and accommodations targeted at the area's many visitors.

City of Quesnel Quesnel is a vibrant city half way between Williams Lake and Prince George. A thriving downtown, excellent recreational facilities, beautiful parks, and trails for every user type make Quesnel a very livable city, where it’s very affordable to own a home. With a brand new arena, playground upgrades, main street revitalization and new commercial and residential construction happening in 2018, there’s a buzz in Quesnel that you’ll want to be part of. To learn more about living and doing business in Quesnel, visit www.quesnel.ca City of Williams Lake Optimism is what you will find in Williams Lake these days as the community recovers from the devastating wildfire season of 2017, and the successful and orderly evacuation of the entire city for 13 days. Despite the set-backs, Williams Lake opened a newly renovated world-class aquatics centre, is enjoying a very hot real-estate market, and is working on developing airport lands for future growth. Williams Lake is seeking residential developers to take advantage of our historically low realestate inventory. Housing demands are strong for our young professionals, families, and students who are moving to the area for our good paying jobs in healthcare, social services, education and industry.

District of 100 Mile House As a busy service centre for the South Cariboo, 100 Mile House has a strong commercial and service-based economy. Our small, friendly community of 2,000 residents supports a large rural area population of about 15,000. 100 Mile House offers an ideal location along Highway 97, where approximately 1.5 million vehicles travel each year. The business opportunities associated with this number of travelers is significant. We are known for outstanding outdoor recreation and a comfortable rural lifestyle with larger city amenities. A perfect combination, our attractive cost of living, hospitality and lifestyle come together to create an exceptional quality of life.

Contact Miriam Schilling Regional Economic & Community Development Officer mschilling@cariboord.ca 250-392-3351 | 1-800-665-1635

2018-04-25 9:30 AM

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00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 65

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Cariboo

Ä continued from page 63

Tourism is vital to the economy. The region is becoming known for its growing network of mountain biking and hiking trails, including a new accessible trail in the South Cariboo, which brings the region to a total of 19 wilderness trails.

The historic gold rush town of Barkerville is a yearround tourist attraction, and nearby Wells is gaining popularity for its annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art. Cariboo ski hills include Powder King Mountain Resort and Troll Ski Resort.

Prince George Airport attracted a record number of passengers in 2017, totalling 499,125 arrivals/departures.

The city also experienced a 5.2 per cent increase in residential property prices in 2017 to an average of $302,000.

A decline in the city’s unemployment rate as well as an increase in population in 2017 are further indicators of a strong economy, says Christina Doll, Prince George’s workforce development officer.

“This strength is due to the Prince George economy being well diversified across all sectors, the expansion of existing businesses, and strong private-sector investment over the last two years, all of which have created jobs,” Doll says. É

The historic gold rush town of Barkerville, once the main hub of the Cariboo Gold Rush (1860-63) is now a non-stop, all-season tourist destination.

The still-booming town is located 80 kilometres east of Quesnel | THOMAS DRASDAUSKIS

QUESNEL

Binge watch the views.

Less time commuting means you get the most out of your nature subscription. quesnel.ca

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 66

L

ocated in the central interior of British Columbia, in Quesnel, we live life to the fullest. 10,000 people call Quesnel home and another 13,000 live in the surrounding area.

Quesnel is accessible by air, rail and highway networks and is located along the major route to ports in both Prince Rupert and Vancouver.

Quesnel’s economy is diverse and adaptable. Historically a forestry town, the forest industry continues to innovate and thrive as we see growth in the mining industry and sustained momentum in the agricultural sector. Tourism is also a growing industry in our region as we continue to leverage our exceptional locale and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor leisure.

As business thrives and our reputation as a tourism destination grows, we’re seeing rapid and positive change throughout our community. We recently completed our new 1300-seat arena, the West Fraser Centre, and this summer our main commercial street will be undergo a major revitalization along with infrastructure replacement. Trail networks are being expanded, parks and playgrounds are being replaced (including our skateboard park at Baker Creek), and a re-visioning of riverfront contiguous with our downtown is underway.

What’s more, the City of Quesnel has a series of programs to help businesses start and grow here. Our Façade Improvement Grant is available to businesses who wish to perform improvements on commercial buildings and storefronts, while tax exemptions are available for larger projects in industrial zones or construction on airport land. Additional incentives are available for multi-family housing construction.

We’re currently running a pilot program to assist businesses by providing a community resource, tours, and home search assistance for prospective and new employees. This same personal touch has been successful in recruiting 16 doctors to Quesnel in recent years and we think we can duplicate that with other professional and skilled trades positions.

Whatever your needs, we are here to help – so come to Quesnel and join the momentum. To learn more, www.quesnel.ca

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North Coast

DIRECT TO ASIA 12%

Share of B.C. land area

The North Coast hosts North America’s closest port to Asia, with the Port of Prince Rupert smashing records and tracking to become Canada’s No. 2 port

■Hazelton ■Kitimat ■Masset ■New Hazelton ■Port Clements ■Port Edward ■Port Simpson ■Prince Rupert ■Queen Charlotte City ■Sandspit ■Skidegate ■Telegraph Creek ■Terrace

Shames Mountain near Terrace has been internationally ranked

by Snow Magazine’s 2018 roundup as the No. 10 ski resort in the world | AARON WHITFIELD

KATYA HOLLOWAY

C

argo moving out of Prince Rupert in 2017 smashed all previous records, with the port on target to become Canada’s second-largest within the next 10 years.

Total tonnage jumped 28 per cent from 2016 to a total of 24.1 million tonnes, exceeding the previous record high of 23 million tonnes set in 2013.

“The Port of Prince Rupert remains well positioned to accommodate growth of Canadian trade in the Asia-Pacific region, and we will continue to advance expansion that will see us become Canada’s second-largest port by volume in the next decade,” says Bud Smith, chairman of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

The deepwater terminal is North America’s closest port to Asia. An estimated $35 billion worth of trade is shipped annually, generating more than $1 billion in economic activity within northern B.C. More than 3,100 full-time regional jobs are directly involved.

The North Coast received a blow in 2017 with the announcement that Malaysia-based oil and gas giant Petronas was calling off its plans for a $36-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project near Prince Rupert.

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

North Coast

Building permit values $60 Millions of dollars

50 40 30 20 10 l l l t l tia cia ria en ta en er ust nm To d si mm Ind ver o Re Co l/g na it o itu st In 2016 2017 SOURCE: BC STATS

Major ports total tonnage 2017 140

Billions of metric tonnes

120 100 80 60 40 20

er

l t ea er tr up n R o M nce i Pr

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o nc

t or

of

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SOURCES: PORT OF VANCOUVER; PORT OF MONTREAL; PORT OF PRINCE RUPERT

While B.C.’s plans to develop natural gas liquefaction plants remain on hold, Premier John Horgan hasn’t given up the fight. A recent trade mission to Asia involved discussions about the proposed $40 billion LNG Canada project in Kitimat led by Royal Dutch Shell.

In February, LNG Canada shortlisted two international consortiums for the design, procurement and construction of its proposed LNG plant in Kitimat. But before it can make a final investment decision – expected in the second half of this year – it needs Ottawa to exempt the project from trade duties on prefabricated steel from China and Spain. If built, the project would be able to produce up to 13 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually.

Further developments near Prince Rupert include a Ridley Island terminal that will export 1.2 million tonnes of propane each year. The Royal Vopak and AltaGas project is expected to cost more than $450 million and will generate up to 250 jobs during development and 50 The deepwater Port of Prince Rupert terminal handles $35

Major private employers

billion worth of trade annually,

By number of employees

generating more than $1 billion in economic activity within

Wholesale & retail trade

northern B.C. | SUBMITTED

Construction Transportation & warehousing Forestry, mining, quarrying, oil & gas Accommodation & food services 00 00 00 00 00 00 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 68

jobs upon completion in 2019.

Ridley Terminals faced a 90 per cent volume increase in coal shipments in 2017, and Westview Wood Pellet Terminal exported close to half of Canada’s pellet production, according to the Port Authority.

The 2017 State of the North report, released in January by the Northern Development Initiative Trust, finds that employment in construction has grown as a result of the expansion of the aluminum smelter in Kitimat, and site preparation and other construction related to the potential development of LNG facilities.

Top industries along the North Coast include construction, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, retail, professional services and oil and gas. Aquaculture is also key; the region is home to Marine Harvest Canada Inc., B.C.’s largest Atlantic salmon farming company.

The depreciation of the Canadian dollar has been good news for forestry exports and tourism. The Port of Prince Rupert’s tourism industry doubled in 2017 with Northland Cruise Terminal welcoming more than 16,000 visitors on 25 cruise ship visits.

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LNG Canada announced in February that it has shortlisted two major engineering and construction bids for the design, procurement and constructiond of an LNG plant in Kitimat | SUBMITTTED

nisg- a’a nation

’ / We Welcome You Aam wil bakwsim

come visit us and explore!

Sunset over Ferry Island on the Skeena River in Terrace | DESTINATION BC/DAVE SILVER

In Terrace, Shames Mountain has been receiving international accolades. Snow Magazine’s 2018 roundup of the world’s top ski resorts ranked Shames No. 10.

“Not only is it Canada’s first-ever locally run co-operative ski resort, but it is owned, managed and staffed by the kind of warm skier community you’d love to be a part of,” the article states. “As for the riding … there are powder filled pistes and tree runs for all, but what’s truly magical is the access to acres of steep and deep back country touring.”

The City of Terrace saw an increase in commercial real estate permits in 2017 worth more than $8 million from 2016.

Other upcoming projects include expansion of Mills Memorial Hospital and Northwest Community College. É

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 69

+ Drive the brand new Nisga’a self-guided Auto Tour. + Nisga’a Museum — one of the finest collections of Northwest Coast aboriginal art in existence. + Guided tours of the lava fields, lava cone: Nass Valley Tours 1 855 568 8687 + Visitor Centre exhibit. + Hlgu Isgwit, our hotsprings — water heated by nature. + Vetter Falls Lodge — pristine wilderness experience. + Tour K-’alii-Aksim Lisims (the Nass River) and see our famous Fish Wheels: 250 633 2617

nisgaatourism.ca ’ / We Welcome You Aam wil bakwsim

2018-04-25 9:30 AM

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Northeast

RESOURCE EXTRACTION 22.1%

Share of B.C. land area

Northeastern B.C.’s economy thrives on resources and local companies and doesn’t like being misrepresented

■Chetwynd ■Dawson Creek ■Fort Nelson ■Fort St. John ■Hudson’s Hope ■Pouce Coupe ■Taylor ■Tumbler Ridge

Fort St. John is looking towards a strong economic future now that the Site C dam has final approval from the provincial government | SUBMITTED

PATRICK BLENNERHASSETT

T

he recent debate and ultimate approval of BC Hydro’s Site C dam, located a short drive south of Fort St. John, polarized people across the province.

Northeastern British Columbians were cast with a broad stroke, painted as a population that thinks only of major energy projects pocketing revenue from multinational oil and gas companies. Contrary to popular belief, Fort St. John as a city is filled with small businesses, locally run stores and mom-and-pop shops.

Across northern B.C., approximately 87 per cent of all businesses have fewer than 20 employees and 75 per cent have fewer than 10.

Moira Green, the City of Fort St. John’s economic development officer, says the idea that all Northeast

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 70

British Columbians work for some major internationally based energy corporation is not entirely true.

“When people are protesting major energy projects like the Site C dam or the shipping of natural resources, they think they’re protesting ‘the man.’ But that’s not the case. The people who are working on the ground here are predominantly small-business owners,” Green says.

Northeast B.C.’s diverse economy includes – aside from oil and gas – agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing and tourism. The unemployment rate in Northeast B.C. remains higher than the provincial average.

According to the State of the North report for 2017, unemployment rates within most regions in northern B.C. have been rising since 2014, while overall employment has been stable. The report states that these trends are consistent with job losses due to mine closures and a

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Russell Eggleston, owner of Sound in Town, in Fort St. John, is among the city’s young entrepreneurs: “here there are lots of opportunities and possibilities” | SUBMITTED

Building permit values $180 160

Millions of dollars

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 l l l l tia cia ria ta en er ust To d si mm Ind Re Co

2016

reduction in oil and gas activity. However, it is partially offset by increases in forestry production and construction related to infrastructure projects.

The regional population has declined since 2014 to approximately 332,000 people due to the downturn in resource sectors, which has impacted both residential and commercial/industrial property tax revenues for communities.

Green also notes a 2014 exports analysis report for the Northeast and Peace River regions, which stated that when measured against the provincial labour force, the average Northeast resident earned $198,474 in export revenue, almost six times the average earned throughout the rest of B.C. ($33,709).

The Site C dam has proved a boom locally regarding job creation. Construction began in July 2015 and is expected to complete by the end of 2024. As of June 2017,

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 71

2017

Site C dam construction: SOURCE: BC STATS

photo from November 2017 shows batch plant area on the south bank of the Peace River | BC HYDRO

Major private employers By number of employees Wholesale & retail trade Construction Forestry, mining, quarrying, oil & gas Transportation & warehousing Accommodation & food services 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0 SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Northeast

over 2,600 people were employed for the construction of the dam, with a forecasted increase to 3,500 by 2019.

Green says the Site C debate highlighted a bit of an ongoing feud between rural and urban British Columbians.

“I would not say it’s just a bit frustrating, I would say it consumes our lives,” she says about the notion that all Northeast British Columbians favour industry over the environment.

Russell Eggleston, who runs an audiovisual company called Sound in Town in Fort St. John, echoes Green’s statement. Eggleston, who started his company in 2007, is a small-business owner with three employees who has more than 1,000 entertainment bookings a year.

He says he moved back to Fort St. John because of its entrepreneurial options, adding major metropolises have much more of a corporatized mentality than smaller resource-based towns like Fort St. John.

“Here there are lots of opportunities and possibilities,” he says.

Blasting at West Pine Quarry for the Site C dam project; photo taken in December 2017 | BC HYDRO

DAWSON CREEK Invest in the future

D

awson Creek is committed to growing its infrastructure alongside industry expansion to make sure we have the capacity to support ongoing commercial and industrial development in our area.

Reclaimed Water Facility In partnership with Shell, a reclaimed water facility was recently constructed to help ensure sustainable commercial and industrial water use in Dawson Creek and surrounding area.

New Power Infrastructure A new substation on the Hart Highway helps supply the industrial projects in the area with their increased electricity needs. A new 240kW line will increase supply to our city and region.

Residential & Commercial Value Property assessments in Dawson Creek have grown with industry demands.

In 2000, the assessed value of all residential properties was $280 million. In 2018, the assessed value was $1.2 billion.

Commercial assessments have also grown. In 2000, the assessed value for commercial properties was $70 million. In 2018, it was $455 million.

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In November 2016, Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman wrote a letter to “British Columbian citizens” as an advertisement in the Vancouver Sun. In the letter, Ackerman implored those who live in the province to take a more fulsome approach to oil and gas and to take a fact-based approach to safety concerns around tankers and pipelines.

“Between 2002 and 2015, 99.9995 per cent of liquid was transported through our pipelines safely,” she wrote. “You probably spill more when you fill up at the gas station.”

Ackerman added she wants B.C. to be a leader in both resource extraction and reliable and renewable energy extraction, and that if we curtail the movement of oil and gas in-house we are only hurting ourselves economically.

“Let’s support Canadian industry and stop buying foreign oil,” she wrote. “Let’s grow our economy by meeting our domestic needs and exporting our abundant resources.” É Wheat field near Fort St. John | DESTINATION BC/ANDREW STRAIN

FORT ST JOHN Stand together and say YES. Be heard. Don’t let the forces of NO be the only voice. Your future depends on it!

85

% of BC citizens believe natural resources are good for BC’s future (2017 Ipsos Reid). The economic prosperity of BC is directly linked to the health of our resource industries. It is not selfish to want sustainable communities for our children and grandchildren. It’s not selfish to want a strong economy, jobs, health care, and education while protecting the environment. We know that our resource industry has been providing these for decades.

Rather than complaining about high gas prices British Columbians can support additional infrastructure that will combat those prices.

A strong resource industry supports programs that benefit all British Columbians.

Pipelines are a safe, cost-efficient means of oil and gas transportation while emitting fewer greenhouse gases than alternative methods.

Did you know, in January 2018, Canada shipped over 4.4 million barrels of oil by rail? BC would need over 4,000 rail cars daily to transport what is currently carried by pipelines. This year, Canada will lose up to $15.6 billion from the economy due to pipeline capacity shortages. We must support projects that allow our resources to reach other markets more efficiently.

We know that opponents are more likely to speak out than supporters. Supporters of responsible resource development must be more vocal.

Our communities and our economy depend on it.

Stand together. Say YES. Be heard.

Canada’s West Coast safely TRANSPORTS over 863,000 barrels of oil everyday

BY OCEAN TANKER

86% of oil

tanker traffic orginates from the USA, heading to other West Coast ports

Canada-wide, there

are 119,000 km of transmission pipelines

Hey BC! If you are in favour of a strong economy, jobs, and clean energy - SPEAK UP! Two hundred years of natural resource experience

fortstjohn.ca

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 73

2018-04-25 9:30 AM

Hudson’s Hope

The place to...live...play...invest Live…

Hudson’s Hope, the Playground of the Peace, is a unique northern community with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. It has an especially rich past, from dinosaur to fur trading and early pioneering.

Located in a tranquil valley with the Rocky Mountains providing a backdrop, the community benefits from a microclimate that offers mild temperatures. The beauty of the town’s location along the banks of the mighty Peace River draws people from around the world to come… and to stay.

Play…

Surrounded by lakes and rivers, Hudson’s Hope offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities including excellent fishing, boating, ATV’ing, water skiing, canoeing, hunting, camping, hiking, swimming, sailing, and wildlife viewing. Bald eagles, in particular, are in abundance and can be viewed and photographed throughout the year. Hudson’s Hope is a unique place in today’s busy world. It is blessed with incredible natural beauty-prairie farmland, wooded Crown lands and the Peace River with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.

Historically the staging area for guide and outfitting for the region, Hudson’s Hope is home to elk, moose, deer, black bear, grizzly, cougar, lynx, fox and coyote.

Hudson’s Hope has many attractions to explore: tour the underground powerhouse at the WAC Bennett Dam, one of the world’s largest dams; hike to the Steam Vents on the banks of Dinosaur Lake; or check out the Hudson’s Hope Museum where there is a fossil of a dinosaur named after our town, the Hudsonselpidea!

Along with the many adventures you can have in Hudson’s Hope, we invite you to join us for one of our many events that happen throughout the year; such as the Hudson’s Hope Fall Fair held in August or the Winter Carnival held in January.

Farmers’ Market – May to September. The Hudson’s Hope Farmers’ Market is a collective of home-based businesses and local vendors who make, grow, and bake a variety of wonderful products.

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPSenable devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

A series of hidden geocaches in the Hudson’s Hope region. Find all the caches, complete this passport and receive a prize!

Invest…

We are located within the booming North Peace Region which produces 90 percent of the province’s grain and 38% of its hydroelectric power, with two BC Hydro facilities located within Hudson’s Hope boundaries. Some of the largest gas fields in North America are located in the region with over 10,000 wells drilled. The area also employs

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many forestry workers and plays host to hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, many of whom choose to visit Hudson’s Hope – the Playground of the Peace. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the building of the Alaska Highway and the region is anticipating an increase of visits to the area!

In 2016, Hudson’s Hope partnered with Telus to bring the latest in Internet technology, as high as 150 Mbps, to residents and businesses, which expands the scope of business possibilities for this small, northern B.C. town. Small town life with the speed, reliability, and quality of internet necessary for any business opportunity imaginable.

Lucas subdivision, after Reg Lucas and family, a farmer who joined the 1934 Bedaux expedition. Within Lucas, Stege St and Rose Avenue honour Henry Stege, who established a three-story general store, post office, and hotel in 1934, and Rose Barkley, the first Red Cross nurse to be stationed here in 1947.

The District of Hudson’s Hope has embraced solar energy like few other communities in Canada. Under the leadership of a progressive Mayor, Council and staff, more than 500 kilowatts of grid-tied solar PV will soon be powering nine municipal facilities, supplying from 50% to 100% of their electrical needs and saving the District millions of dollars over the coming decades. This makes Hudson’s Hope one of the most solarized communities per capita in the country, and demonstrates real leadership in electrical self-generation, sustainability and fiscal responsibility. Peace Energy Cooperative was proud to be chosen by the District of Hudson’s Hope to design, supply and install the largest municipal solar power system in British Columbia “When completed, this will be the largest municipal solar array in BC. We are proud to be a leader in electricity self-generation, and appreciate the BC Hydro net metering initiative that helps us achieve it. We anticipate reduction in the District electricity costs to be in the neighborhood of $70,000 per year. Over 30 years, that amounts to savings of more than $2 million. That’s calculated using present rates and future rate increases will enhance that savings considerably.” – “Gwen Johansson, Mayor District of Hudson’s Hope” Current industries in Hudson’s Hope include energy, forestry, oil & gas, agriculture, guide outfitting, and eco-tourism. Forestry companies are harvesting both aspen and coniferous stands, which are processed in nearby mills. Oil and gas exploration is ongoing with existing pipelines available to transport natural gas to the lower mainland and the recently approved Liquefied Natural Gas Plants on BC’s west coast. Agricultural endeavours include cattle and buffalo ranching; grain farming; and honey production.

Contact For further information, please contact: CAO, District of Hudson’s Hope cao@hudsonshope.ca or phone: 250-783-9901 www.hudsonshope.ca

2018-04-25 9:30 AM

With the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Hudson’s Hope’s array of landscape and wildlife is a unique region in today’s busy world...

Take the scenic hudson’s hope loop:

SIMPLE. BEAUTIFUL. UNFORGETTABLE. 00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 75

For more information, contact: District of Hudson’s Hope T: 250 783 9901 | E: VISITORINFO@hudsonshope.ca

www.hudsonshope.ca

2018-04-25 9:30 AM

NORTHERN ROCKIES REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY

A

community full of heart! In difficult economic times the best of a community is bound to surface. For the communities of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality the recent economic stress test has meant that our strengths have come to the fore as individuals, businesses, and organizations have stepped up to make the best of an unfavourable situation.

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality is situated in the northeast corner of British Columbia and has as its largest community Fort Nelson, located at Historic Mile 300 on the Alaska Highway. It sits 454 kilometers north of Dawson Creek. Throughout its history Fort Nelson has depended heavily on natural resource-based industries to fuel its economy. Within the last decade however, prompted by shifts in the global economy, the community has experienced a sharp downturn in activity in two key sectors; oil and gas, and forestry. It has also seen a reduction in the number of direct and indirect jobs that these industries supported.

In 2008, when the major forest manufacturer shuttered its operations the impact was buffered by an upswing in exploration and construction in expectation of developments in LNG. Many within the eager, skilled workforce, wanting to stay in Fort Nelson and the Northern Rockies, made the transition to the natural gas industry. The timing for the community couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been better. The years leading up to 2013 saw levels of activity in the gas patch that maintained the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality at a population of approximately 5,190. Exploration identified three major Natural Gas basins with enormous gas reserves, within the Regional Municipality: more than ample to supply a long term overseas LNG market demand. The economics of LNG changed quickly

Stop & Stay Awhile

in the Northern Rockies!

Fo ortt Nelso elso el son n Tets Te tsa ts a Ri Rive ve er Su ummit Lak ke T ad To ad Riv iverr M nc Mu n ho Lak ake e Liiarrd Ri River Ho ot Springs p g Coal Riv Co iver F resiide Fi de Cont ntac nt actt Creek

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 76

however, as competing sources came onto the scene, and Natural Gas prices fell, and industry activity was curtailed in response.

The realities of being a natural resource-based community, brought home during the current economic cycle, are not new to those who live in the Northern Rockies. Neither is what is required to overcome it.

Our residents are passionate and proud about the place they live. When faced with adversity, our communities have a history of drawing on their resourcefulness, tenacity and self-sufficiency to move on to better times, and to make those better times happen. The Northern Rockies remains a vibrant place where working together to support one another and to reach individual and collective goals is the order of the day. Not-forprofits, businesses, and individuals alike are doing everything they can to maintain the sense of place that makes the Northern Rockies home.

Cultural events, recreation opportunities and first-class facilities, and community events involving world class presenters and participants are well subscribed and more than plenty to keep us engaged. And the natural resources, skilled workers and essential infrastructure are still here, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working hard to put them to work building a successful feature for those already here, and those with the vision to come and join us.

All this, in a community full of amazing people in the midst of a pristine natural setting. We invite you to come visit, raise a family, or retireâ&#x20AC;Śthe welcome mat is always out.

Contact: ecdev@northernrockies.ca to learn more, or for more detailed information on the Northern Rockies.

Welcome to the Northern Rockies, the bountiful northeast corner of British Columbia. Here the mountain air is crisp, the land untouched, and the opportunities for outdoor exploration truly endless. With vibrant communities full of welcoming folks ready to greet you, the Northern Rockies are a great place to stop and stay awhile.

Photo: Destination BC/ Andre nd w Strain ndr in

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Nechako

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY Nechako is rich in resources but also in delivering wide-open spaces and opportunities for incoming businesses and families

22.2%

Share of B.C. land area

■Atlin ■Burns Lake ■Cassiar ■Dease Lake ■Fort St. James ■Fraser Lake ■Granisle ■Houston ■Smithers ■Telkwa ■Vanderhoof

Cattle ranches and hay farms thrive in the fertile and expansive landscape of Nechako, which is roughly the size of Scotland but has less than one per cent of its population | SUBMITTED

KATYA HOLLOWAY

F

or Steven Little, and others like him, the Nechako is a land of opportunity.

Within a short amount of time of moving from Victoria to the northern B.C. region, the newly qualified teacher was able to buy a home and start a family.

“Coming out of the University of Victoria, I wanted to get full-time work right away in my teaching area,” he says. “I was able to buy a house right away, start a family right away.… These are the things I have been able to do because you can afford to do it here.”

Today, Little is among a group of teacher advocates relaying their stories in a series of YouTube videos for School District 91 in the hopes of attracting more teachers. The videos herald an outdoorsy lifestyle with untouched wilderness and an affordable cost of living.

Eugene Marks, the district’s superintendent of schools, says the Nechako way of life is appealing to young professionals and families.

“We are free of daily traffic jams and our towns and

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villages are great places to raise a family where kids can explore the local community areas and great outdoors instead of the inside of a shopping mall,” says Marks. “The cost of living and housing is low, so our families have more disposable income to spend on themselves and not a large mortgage.”

Employment in the region is largely dependent on forestry, mining and tourism. A commodity price decline between 2013 and 2015 saw the suspension of the Endako and Huckleberry mines. Despite this, the northern B.C. economy has stabilized, according to the 2017 State of the North report, released in January by the Northern Development Initiative Trust.

Despite the uncertainty due to mine closures, employment levels remain stable, the report finds. Also, a sense of momentum is building in B.C. involving mineral exploration. The provincial Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources reports that junior mining companies spent $245.6 million in exploration activity in 2017 figures, compared with $205 million in 2016.

The northwest region boasts more businesses that have

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

Nechako

RIGHT: Sarah Leishman (left) and

Brittany Phelan (right) cycle Cronin Pass, B.C. | DESTINATION BC/ROBIN Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;NEILL

BELOW RIGHT: Small-town

lifestyle and big -city amenities make Smithers among the most popular destinations in the North Coast-Nechako region | CHRIS DUNCAN

Building permit values

Millions of dollars

$80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

more than 20 employees than the rest of the province, according to the State of the North report. Most of these businesses are in mining, forestry and manufacturing.

Within the North Coast-Nechako region, more than 5,000 people are employed in the forest sector, the report finds. While demand for B.C. forest products has increased, it has not resulted in significant employment gains due to reductions in processing capacity and loss of timber supply as a result of the mountain pine beetle outbreak.

Optimism in the local economy is, however, evident in the rise of local construction projects. Building permit

l

l al al cia stri ot T er m ndu om I tia

en

sid

Re

C

2016

2017 SOURCE: BC STATS

Major private employers By number of employees Wholesale & retail trade Construction Transportation & warehousing Forestry, mining, quarrying, oil & gas Accommodation & food services 00 00 00 00 00 00 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 SOURCE: CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 78

2018-04-25 9:30 AM

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LEFT Loaded and ready to

roll at Burns Lake: logging is an economic mainstay with more than 5,000 people employed in the forest sector of the North Coast-Nechako region | SUBMITTED RIGHT: Outdoor recreation,

including fantastic fishing, attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually to the Bulkley-Nechako regional district | SUBMITTED

values within the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako jumped from $27,960 in 2016 to $70,939 last year.

The region has also been investing in tourism in a bid to attract visitors for hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking and mountain biking. According to the 2017 Value of Tourism Report from the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the district attracts more than 250,000 visitors a year, representing $58.68 million in expenditures.

In Smithers, which offers “stay and play” options at local ski resort Hudson Bay Mountain, tourism is a growing part of the economy. The town recently created

its own destination marketing organization, Tourism Smithers Society, and hotel owners last year agreed to raise the accommodation tax to three per cent from two per cent in a bid to increase the tourism marketing budget to an estimated $180,000 per year. In addition, an $8.48 million upgrade of Smithers Regional Airport is underway.

Median house prices in Smithers jumped from $237,000 in Q1 2016 to $270,000 in Q1 2017, a 13.7 per cent change that demonstrates confidence in the local economy.

While some resource prospects are on hold, Nechako residents remain hopeful and open to opportunity. É

Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Come for the Work, Stay for the Lifestlye Total Cost of Living $76,751 QUALITY 1

OF LIFE From steep mountain climbs to relaxing at your favourite café fé, life is rich in the RDBN.

Average Living & Personal Costs

Average Housing & Transportation Costs

Basic Tax

$33,296

$25,940

$17,515

Average Home Price 3 (for average family)

Commute Time 4 to Work

Cup of Coffee

2

RDBN

$2.00

$258,767

10.4 minutes

Kelowna Vancouver

$3.00 $3.50

$530,328 $1,414,191

15.6 minutes 25.6 minutes

1 Income: Median total income of households in 2015 ($) Note: Home Size: Average House (2,000 sq.ft.), Transportation type: Car, Rent or Own: Own, Number of Vehicles: 1, Down Payment: 20%, Travel km/day: 14.5 km daily (5,292.5 km each year), number of adults: 2, number of children/dependents: 2, second annual income: $0, monthly savings and finance: $0 2

Gathered from anecdotal data from community members. 3 Statistics Canada Census 2016 4 Statistics Canada Census 2011

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Copyright 2017 Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako

Printed in Canada

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

BC Economic Development Association MEMBERS ASSOCIATIONS/TRUSTS Garry Angus, EDP Provincial Coordinator Community Futures British Columbia C230 - 7871 Stave Lake Street, Mission, British Columbia V2V 0C5 p: (604) 289-4222 e: gangus@communityfutures.ca Derek Baker, Director of Economic Development Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: derek@northerndevelopment.bc.ca Paulina Cameron, Director, BC & Yukon Futurpreneur Canada 425 Carrall Street, Suite 580, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 6E3 p: (604) 598-2923 e: pcameron@futurpreneur.ca Rachel Connell, Vice President, Membership & Events North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO) 4347 W. Northwest Hwy, Suite 130-250, Dallas, Texas 75220 p: (214) 744-1006 e: rachel@nasconetwork.com Michael Cowden, Community Outreach Manager International Council of Shopping Centers 555 12th Street NW, Suite 660, Washington, DC 20004 p: (202) 626-1408 e: mcowden@icsc.org Laurel Douglas, CEO Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Enterprise Centre 201-1726 Dolphin Ave, Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 9R9 p: (250) 868-3454 e: danielle@womensenterprise.ca Tess Elo, Senior Financial Analyst Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: tess@northerndevelopment.bc.ca Jeff Finkle, President & CEO International Economic Development Council 734 15th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005 p: (202) 223-7800 e: jfinkle@iedconline.org Penny Gardiner, Executive Director Economic Developers Association of Canada 1100 South Service Rd., Suite 205, Stoney Creek, Ontario L8E 0C5 p: (289) 649-1771 e: gardiner@edac.ca Brenda Gendron, Chief Financial Officer Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: brenda@northerndevelopment.bc.ca Mina Haghighi, Business Development Manager Futurpreneur Canada 425 Carrall Street, Suite 580, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 6E3 p: (604) 598-2923 e: mhaghighi@futurpreneur.ca Humaira Hamid, Business Development Manager Futurpreneur Canada 425 Carrall Street, Suite 580, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 6E3 p: (604) 598-2923 e: hhamid@futurpreneur.ca Kim Hayhurst, Director, Marketing & Communications Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: kim@northerndevelopment.bc.ca

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Sara Hipson, Manager, Community Industry Liason Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: sara@northerndevelopment.bc.ca George Hunter, CEO Small Business BC 82 - 601 W. Cordova Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1G1 p: (604) 775-5525 e: hunter.george@smallbusinessbc.ca Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director Community Futures British Columbia C230 - 7871 Stave Lake Street, Mission, British Columbia V2V 0C5 p: (604) 289-4222 e: cjohnson@communityfutures.ca Lisa Kilpatrick, Senior Manager, Economic Columbia Basin Trust Suite 300 - 445 13th Avenue, Castlegar, British Columbia V1N 1G1 p: (250) 304-1636 e: lkilpatrick@cbt.org Renata King, Director, Business Development Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: renata@northerndevelopment.bc.ca Jean-Marc Lacasse, Chief Executive Officer Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust 201 - 384 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 6M5 p: (236) 420-3680 e: hpatterson@sidit-bc.ca Heather Lalonde, Chief Executive Officer Economic Developers Council of Ontario Inc. 6506 Marlene Ave, Cornwall, Ontario K6H 7H9 p: (613) 931-9827 e: edco@edco.on.ca John Leech, Chief Executive Officer Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC 10767 - 148th Street, Surrey, British Columbia V3R 0S4 p: (604) 585-2788 e: jleech@asttbc.org Joel McKay, CEO Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: joel@northerndevelopment.bc.ca Lori Moseley, Corporate Services Coordinator Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: lori@northerndevelopment.bc.ca Joanne Norris, Project Manager Futurpreneur Canada 425 Carrall Street, Suite 580, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 6E3 p: (604) 598-2923 e: jnorris@futurpreneur.ca Helen Patterson, Chief Financial Officer Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust 201 - 384 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 6M5 p: (236) 420-3680 e: jmlacasse@sidit-bc.ca Denice Regnier, Project & Corporate Administrator Island Coastal Economic Trust 108 - 501 4th Street, Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 1H3 p: (250) 871-7797 e: denice.regnier@islandcoastaltrust.ca Line Robert, Chief Executive Officer Island Coastal Economic Trust 108 - 501 4th Street, Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 1H3 p: (250) 871-7797 e: line.robert@islandcoastaltrust.ca

Catherine Simmons, Committee and Board Liaison Community Futures British Columbia C230 - 7871 Stave Lake Street, Mission, British Columbia V2V 0C5 p: (604) 289-4222 e: csimmons@communityfutures.ca Cynthia Stewart, Vice President, Community Development International Council of Shopping Centers 555 12th Street NW, Suite 660, Washington, DC 20004 p: (864) 968-9324 e: cstewart@icsc.org Emily-Ann Therrien, Finance Coordinator Northern Development Initiative Trust 301 - 1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3L2 p: (250) 561-2525 e: emily-ann@northerndevelopment.bc.ca Verona Thibault, Executive Director Saskatchewan Economic Development Association Box 113, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3K1 p: (306) 384-5817 e: seda@seda.sk.ca Hal Timar, Executive Director Nunavut Economic Developers Association PO Box 1990, Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0 p: (867) 979-4620 e: exdir@nunavuteda.com Vanessa Tveitane, Communications/Office Admin Community Futures British Columbia C230 - 7871 Stave Lake Street, Mission, British Columbia V2V 0C5 p: (604) 289-4222 e: vtveitane@communityfutures.ca Ashleigh Volcz, Director of Member Initiatives BC Economic Development Association 5428 Highroad Cresent, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2R 3Y1 p: (604) 795-7119 e: ashleigh@bceda.ca Dale Wheeldon, President & Chief Executive Officer BC Economic Development Association 5428 Highroad Cresent, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2R 3Y1 p: (604) 795-7119 e: dwheeldon@bceda.ca

BULKLEY-NECHAKO Valerie Anderson, Economic Development Manager Village of Burns Lake Box 570, Burns Lake, British Columbia V0J 1E0 p: (250) 692-7587 e: vanderson@burnslake.ca Dave Christie, Economic Development Officer Village of Fraser Lake PO Box 430, 210 Carrier Cresent, Fraser Lake, British Columbia V0J 1S0 p: (250) 699-6257 e: dchristie@fraserlake.ca Maureen Czirfusz, Executive Director/ Economic Development Officer Houston & District Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 396, Houston, British Columbia V0J 1Z0 p: (250) 845-7640 e: manager@houstonchamber.ca Heather Gallagher, Manager Smithers District Chamber of Commerce PO Box 2379, Smithers, British Columbia V0J 2N0 p: (250) 847-5072 e: heather@smitherschamber.com Juanita Hagman, Director Community Futures Nadina PO Box 236, Houston, British Columbia V0J 1Z0 p: (250) 845-2522 e: jhagman@telus.net Rodney Holland, Chief Administrative Officer Village of Fraser Lake P.O. Box 430, Fraser Lake, British Columbia V0J 1S0 p: (250) 699-6257 e: rjholland@fraserlake.ca

Debbie Joujan, CAO Village of Telkwa 1415 Hankin Avenue, Telkwa, British Columbia V0J 2X0 p: (250) 846-5212 e: debbiejoujan@telkwa.ca Lindsey Larsen, Regional Economic Development Coordinator Regional District of Bulkley Nechako 37 3rd Ave; PO Box 820, Burns Lake, British Columbia V0J 1E0 p: (250) 692-3195 e: lindsey.larsen@rdbn.bc.ca Dwayne Lindstrom, Mayor Village of Fraser Lake P.O. Box 430, Fraser Lake, British Columbia V0J 1S0 p: (250) 699-6257 e: dwaynelindstrom@fraserlake.ca Jean Marr, Chair Community Futures Nadina PO Box 236, Houston, British Columbia V0J 1Z0 p: (250) 845-2522 e: jean.marr@investorsgroup.com Kim Martinsen, General Manager Community Futures Nadina PO Box 236, Houston, British Columbia V0J 1Z0 p: (250) 845-2522 e: kmartinsen@cfnadina.ca Corrine Swenson, Manager of Regional Economic Development Regional District of Bulkley Nechako 37 3rd Ave; PO Box 820, Burns Lake, British Columbia V0J 1E0 p: (250) 692-3195 e: corrine.swenson@rdbn.bc.ca Kelley Williams, Economic Development Officer District of Fort St. James PO Box 640, Fort St. James, British Columbia V0J 1P0 p: (250) 996-8233 e: edo@fortstjames.ca

CARIBOO Melissa Barcellos, Manager, Economic Development City of Prince George 1100 Patricia Blvd, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3V9 p: (250) 561-7583 e: melissa.barcellos@princegeorge.ca Wylie Bystedt, Economic Development Officer District of Wells PO Box 219, Wells, British Columbia V0K 2R0 p: (250) 994-3330 e: marketing@wells.ca Darron Campbell, Manager of Community Services Cariboo Regional District 180 3rd Ave, Williams Lake, British Columbia V2G 2A4 p: (250) 392-3351 e: dcampbell@cariboord.ca Joanne Doddridge, Manager of Economic Development & Planning District of 100 Mile House PO Box 340, 385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House, British Columbia V0K 2E0 p: (250) 395-2434 e: jdoddridge@100milehouse.com Christina Doll, Workforce Development Officer City of Prince George 1100 Patricia Blvd, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3V9 p: (250) 561-7633 e: christina.doll@princegeorge.ca Karen Dube, Community Economic Development Coordinator Village of McBride Box 519, McBride, British Columbia V0J 2E0 p: (250) 569-2229 e: karen@mcbride.ca Daniela Dyck, Community Development Coordinator Village of Clinton 1423 Cariboo Highway, Clinton, British Columbia V0K 1K0 p: (250) 459-2261 e: cdc@village.clinton.bc.ca

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Karen Eden, General Manager Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin 266 Oliver Street, Williams Lake, British Columbia V2G 1M1 p: (250) 392-3626 e: karen@cfdccariboo.com Lyn Hall, Mayor City of Prince George 1100 Patricia Blvd, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3V9 p: (250) 561-7600 e: mayor@princegeorge.ca Greg Halseth, Co-Director UNBC - Community Development Institute 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9 p: (250) 960-5952 e: greg.halseth@unbc.ca Kaitlin Harrison, Administrative Assistant UNBC - Community Development Institute 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9 p: (250) 960-5952 e: kaitlin.harrison@unbc.ca Keenan Hopson, Economic Development Officer City of Prince George 1100 Patricia Blvd, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3V9 p: (250) 561-7582 e: keenan.hopson@princegeorge.ca Joanna Johnston, Business Development Officer City of Prince George 1100 Patricia Blvd, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3V9 p: (250) 561-7633 e: joanna.johnston@princegeorge.ca Emily Kaehn, Executive Assistant/Legislative Clerk District of Mackenzie Bag 340, Mackenzie, British Columbia V0J 2C0 p: (250) 997-3221 e: ekaehn@district.mackenzie.bc.ca Renee Laboucane, Senior Facilitator UNBC - Community Development Institute 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9 p: (250) 261-9917 e: renee.laboucane@unbc.ca Lucy Martin, Economic Development Manager McLeod Lake Indian Band General Delivery, McLeod Lake, British Columbia V0J 2G0 p: (250) 640-7428 e: lmartin@mlib.ca Marleen Morris, Co-Director UNBC - Community Development Institute 3333 University Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2N 4Z9 p: (250) 960-5952 e: marleen.morris@unbc.ca Amy Reid, Economic Development Officer City of Quesnel 410 Kinchant Street, Quesnel, British Columbia V2J 7J5 p: (250) 992-2111 e: areid@quesnel.ca Miriam Schilling, Regional Economic/Community Development Coordinator Cariboo Regional District 180 3rd Ave, Williams Lake, British Columbia V2G 2A4 p: (250) 392-3351 e: mschilling@cariboord.ca Diane Smith, Director of Corporate Services District of Mackenzie Bag 340, Mackenzie, British Columbia V0J 2C0 p: (250) 997-3221 e: diane@district.mackenzie.bc.ca Susan Stearns, General Manager Community Futures Fraser Ft. George 1566 7th Avenue, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 3P4 p: (250) 562-9622 e: susans@cfdc.bc.ca

CORPORATE Sue Belisle, President/Publisher Business in Vancouver Magazine 303 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 1J6 p: (604) 608-5156 e: sbelisle@biv.com David Bennett, Director, External Relations FortisBC 16705 Fraser Highway, Surrey, British Columbia V4N 0E8 p: (604) 592-7850 e: DavidA.Bennett@fortisbc.com

00_Invest in BC 2018_02 88 PAGES.indd 81

Kevin Boothroyd, Director, Sales & Marketing Pacific Coastal Airlines 209-4440 Cowley Cresent, Richmond, British Columbia V7B 1B8 p: (604) 214-2388 e: kevin.boothroyd@pacificcoastal.com Rick Braam British Columbia V0J 2N7 p: (250) 877-8024 e: adamscreekconsulting@gmail.com Keith Britz, Partner Meyers Norris Penny LLP 45780 Yale Road, Suite #1, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2P 2N4 p: (604) 792-1915 e: keith.britz@mnp.ca Tim Fry, President 468 Communications p: (206) 660-4321 e: tim@468communications.com Allison Gavin, Global Account Executive ConferenceDirect 9396 203 Street, Langley, British Columbia V1M 3Y8 p: (604) 614-5788 e: allison.gavin@conferencedirect.com Victor Godin, CEO StartingOver BC Inc. 6065-4000 No. 3 Road, Richmond, British Columbia V6X 0J8 p: (604) 264-4474 e: startbc@shaw.ca Marlyn Graziano, Executive Director, External Affairs Kwantlen Polytechnic University 12666 - 72nd Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia V3W 2M8 p: (604) 599-2913 e: marlyn.graziano@kpu.ca Stephen Ison, Principal Liquid Capital West Coast Financing Corp.

PO Box 39051 RPO James Bay, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 4X8 p: (778) 265-7990 e: sison@liquidcapitalcorp.com Strac Ivanov, President & CEO Vicinity Jobs Inc Port Coquitlam, British Columbia V3C 3B7 p: (800) 818-0213 Ext 21 e: strac.ivanov@vicinityjobs.com Ryley Iverson, Co-Founder Townfolio 229 - 116 Research Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3R3 p: (306) 400-9107 e: ryley@townfolio.co Audra Krueger, Executive Director Co-operatives First 213 - 310 Wall Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1N7 p: (306) 382-4410 e: info@cooperativesfirst.com Kim Lonsdale, CEO Lonsdale Business Development Ltd 1040 Koen Road, British Columbia V9K1V4 p: (250) 893-2276 e: kim.lonsdale@mail.com Lehna Malmkvist, Managing Director, Canada Future iQ 480 Beach Drive, Victoria, British Columbia V8S 2M5 p: (250) 217-9190 e: lehna@future-iq.com Patrick Marshall, Business and Economic Developer Capital EDC Economic Development Company 45 Gorge Road East, Victoria, British Columbia V9A 1L1 p: (250) 595-8676 e: patrick.marshall@capitaledc.com Aasa Marshall, Community Engagement Coordinator Co-operatives First 213 - 310 Wall Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1N7 p: (306) 382-4410 e: aasa@cooperativesfirst.com Michael McGee PO Box 459, Gold River, British Columbia V0P 1G0 p: (250) 283-2424 e: m4c5g6ee@mikemcgee.com Geoff Millar, Principal Millar & Associates British Columbia p: (250) 709-1677 e: geoffgmillar@gmail.com Matt Morrison, CEO PNWER #460-2200 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington 98121 p: (206) 443-7723 e: matt.morrison@pnwer.org

Brad Nakagawa, Director of Sales and Marketing Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel 7551 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, British Columbia V6X 1A3 p: (604) 233-3950 e: brad.nakagawa@sheratonvancouverairport.com Colin O’Leary, Principal O’Leary & Associates Ltd. 4415 Mt. Lolo Rd., Kamloops, British Columbia V2H 6C2 p: (250) 299-3631 e: colin@olearyandassociates.ca Dave Parsell, CEO Localintel #501 - 237 8 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 5C3 p: (206) 356-6504 e: dave@localintel.co Trudy Parsons, Executive Vice-President MDB Insight 909 17th Avenue SW, 4th Floor, Calgary, Alberta T2T 0A4 p: (855) 367-3535 ext. 237 e: tparsons@mdbinsight.com Trista Pewapisconias, Business Development Lead Co-operatives First 213 - 310 Wall Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1N7 p: (306) 382-4410 e: trista@cooperativesfirst.com Anita Rogers, Administration Legacy Pacific Land Corporation #428 - 44550 South Sumas Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2R 5M3 p: (604) 824-8733 e: anita@legacypacific.com Cindy Rublee, Director of Internal Operations ACHIEVE Training Centre 62 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2B3 p: (204) 452-0180 e: cindy@ctrinstitute.com Samantha Singbiel, Government Relations and Public Affairs Manager FortisBC 16705 Fraser Highway, Surrey, British Columbia V4N 0E8 p: (604) 592-8264 e: samantha.collins@fortisbc.com Alissa Sklar, Vice President of Marketing GIS Planning One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 760, San Francisco, California 94102 p: (514) 560-8559 e: asklar@gisplanning.com Cam Sorenson, Community Engagement Advisor CAPP 2100 - 350 7 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3N9 p: (403) 267-1100 e: cam.sorenson@capp.ca Chris Steele, Consultant Investment Consulting Associates 1005 Boylston Street # 243, Newton Highlands, Massachusetts 2461 p: (617) 314-6527 e: chris@ic-associates.com William Trousdale, President EcoPlan International 208-131 Water Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 4M3 p: (604) 228-1855 e: william@ecoplan.ca Anatalio Ubalde, CEO & Co-Founder GIS Planning One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 760, San Francisco, California 94102 p: (415) 294-4771 e: ubalde@GISplanning.com Jamie Vann Struth, Principal Vann Struth Consulting Group 2395 Lakewood Drive, Vancouver, British Columbia V5N 4T8 p: (604) 762-6901 e: jamie@vannstruth.com Laith Wardi, President ExecutivePulse 11 East Fourth Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 16507 p: (866) 397-8573 e: lwardi@e-pulse.net Shawn Warneboldt, Manager, Business Development Pacific Coastal Airlines 209-4440 Cowley Cresent, Richmond, British Columbia V7B 1B8 p: (604) 214-6838 e: shawn.warneboldt@pacificcoastal.com

Kevin Weaver, Principal Consultant Rural Pulse Consulting Co. Cranbrook, British Columbia p: (250) 417-9990 e: kevin@ruralpulseconsulting.com Kyle White, Education and Engagement Lead Co-operatives First 213 - 310 Wall Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1N7 p: (306) 382-4410 e: kyle@cooperativesfirst.com Savannah Zachary, Community Engagement Coordinator Co-operatives First 213 - 310 Wall Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1N7 p: (306) 382-4410 e: savannah@cooperativesfirst.com

GOVERNMENT/INDUSTRY Francis Acquarone, Director, China Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 398-3493 e: francis.acquarone@gov.bc.ca Jim Anholt, Senior Manager, Forestry, Transportation & Logistics Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2275 e: jim.anholt@gov.bc.ca Robert Arthurs, Senior Manager, Agrifoods Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-3358 e: robert.arthurs@gov.bc.ca Harbs Bains, Senior Manager, Clean Technology Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-2241 e: harbs.bains@gov.bc.ca David Baleshta, Portfolio Manager; Investment Capital Branch Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (250) 574-6851 e: david.baleshta@gov.bc.ca Chris Bechard, Senior Economic Advisor Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 953-4258 e: chris.bechard@gov.bc.ca Talia Beckett, Director, Communications & Research Advantage BC Suite 520, 1090 West Georgia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V7 p: (604) 683-6629 e: tbeckett@advantagebc.ca Gordon Black, Community Transition Analyst Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 952-0319 e: gordon.black@gov.bc.ca Gerri Brightwell, Regional Manager, Kootenay Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 342-4207 e: gerri.brightwell@gov.bc.ca Myles Bruns, Regional Manager, Thompson-Central Okanagan Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Suite 510, 175 Second Avenue, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 5W1 p: (250) 371-3931 e: myles.bruns@gov.bc.ca Tuan Bui, Senior Manager, Mining and NR Tech (Victoria) Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (250) 356-5589 e: tuan.bui@gov.bc.ca

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BC Economic Development Association

Nina Cagic, Director, Technology & Innovation Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5883 e: nina.cagic@gov.bc.ca Adriana Carrillo Valadez, Acting Manager, Agrifoods Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-2020 e: adriana.carrillo@gov.bc.ca Janet Cho, Manager, Hong Kong China Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5919 e: janet.cho@gov.bc.ca David Collier, Executive Director, Technology & Innovation Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-1714 e: david.collier@gov.bc.ca Emily Colombo, Regional Manager, Cariboo Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 992-4442 e: emily.colombo@gov.bc.ca Eamon Curran, Senior Manager, ICT & Wireless Americas Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 398-5112 e: Eamon.Curran@gov.bc.ca Tamara Danshin, Regional Manager, Northeast Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 787-3351 e: tamara.danshin@gov.bc.ca Greg Eidsness, Director, Americas and Europe Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660 2236 e: greg.eidsness@gov.bc.ca Ken Ewan, Manager, SE Asia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5910 e: ken.ewan@gov.bc.ca Sarah Fraser, Executive Director, Regional Economic Operations Branch Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 952-0644 e: sarah.fraser@gov.bc.ca Chris Gilmore, Cross Sector Initiatives Branch Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 952-0139 e: christopher.gilmore@gov.bc.ca Greg Goodwin, Executive Director, Design, Coordination & Outreach Branch Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 356-0778 e: greg.goodwin@gov.bc.ca Michele Haddon, Manager, Community Transition Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 356-0728 e: michele.haddon@gov.bc.ca Henry Han, Executive Director - International Markets Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5888 e: henry.han@gov.bc.ca

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Colin Hansen, President & CEO Advantage BC Suite 520, 1090 West Georgia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V7 p: (604) 683-6627 e: chansen@advantagebc.ca Javed Haque, Senior Manager, Advanced Manufacturing & Emerging Tech Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2187 e: javed.haque@gov.bc.ca Victoria Hayes, Director, India & SE Asia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-9727 e: Victoria.Hayes@gov.bc.ca Chris Heine, Manager, Korea Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2217 e: chris.heine@gov.bc.ca Lori Henderson, Director, South Coast Region Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 952-0607 e: lori.henderson@gov.bc.ca Jennifer Hooper, Manager, Aboriginal Business Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 398-3494 e: jennifer.hooper@gov.bc.ca Jennifer Horsman, Senior Manager, Japan Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 398-3498 e: jennifer.horsman@gov.bc.ca William Hoyle, Senior Manager, Europe Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 398-3492 e: william.hoyle@gov.bc.ca Marc Imus, Director, Southern Interior Region Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 371-3741 e: marc.imus@gov.bc.ca Paul Irwin, Executive Director - East Asia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5906 e: paul.irwin@gov.bc.ca Akiko Ito, Manager, Infrastructure and Financial Services Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5873 e: akiko.ito@gov.bc.ca Salima Jethani, Senior Manager, Life Sciences Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 363-3639 e: salima.jethani@gov.bc.ca John Johnstone, Stakeholder Engagement, Pacific Region Office of Small and Medium Enterprises 800 Burrard Street, Room 219, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 0B9 p: (866) 602-0403 e: john.johnstone@pwgsc.gc.ca Paul Kan, Senior Manager, Oil & Gas & Agri Tech Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2198 e: paul.kan@gov.bc.ca Jessica Kang, Senior Manager, SE Asia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 398-3505 e: jessica.kang@gov.bc.ca

Brian Krieger, Assistant Deputy Minister; International Business Development Division Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-0220 e: brian.krieger@gov.bc.ca Kathy Lachman, Regional Manager, North Vancouver Island/Coast Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development 370 Dogwood St S, Campbell River, British Columbia V9W 6Y7 p: (250) 286-9376 e: kathy.lachman@gov.bc.ca Jeanette Lam, Manager, Americas Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2039 e: jeanette.lam@gov.bc.ca Karen Lam, Senior Manager, Digital Media Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2188 e: karen.lam@gov.bc.ca Colleen McCormick, Director, Economic Initiatives and Innovation Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 356-0784 e: colleen.mccormick@gov.bc.ca John McDonald, Executive Director; International Business Development Division Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2202 e: john.mcdonald@gov.bc.ca Cheryl McLay, Regional Manager, Vancouver Island/ Coast Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 751-3217 e: cheryl.mclay@gov.bc.ca Brad McRobert, Regional Manager, Bulkley Nechako Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 847-0856 e: brad.mcrobert@gov.bc.ca Tess Menges, Supply Specialist Office of Small and Medium Enterprises 800 Burrard Street, Room 219, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 0B9 p: (866) 602-0403 e: tess.menges@pwgsc.gc.ca Pavan Nirwan, Manager, International Education Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 398-3725 e: pavan.nirwan@gov.bc.ca Rob O’Brien, Director, Transportation & Advanced Manufacturing Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2153 e: rob.obrien@gov.bc.ca Larry Olson, Regional Manager, South Okanagan Boundary Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 490-8261 e: larry.olson@gov.bc.ca Eric Ommundsen, Acting Director, Agrifoods, Mining & Gas (Victoria) Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (778) 698-8792 e: eric.ommundsen@gov.bc.ca Morningstar Pinto, Director, Outreach and Engagement Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 952-0643 e: morningstar.pinto@gov.bc.ca

Edwina Ramirez, Senior Manager, ICT & Wireless, Asia & Europe Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2192 e: edwina.ramirez@gov.bc.ca Dale Richardson, Director, Northern Region Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 624-7499 e: dale.richardson@gov.bc.ca Richard Sawchuk, Director, Japan, Korea & Hong Kong Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-0030 e: richard.sawchuck@gov.bc.ca Joy Shi, Manager, China - Shanghai & East China Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5918 e: joy.shi@gov.bc.ca Jianye (Jason) Si, Senior Manager, China - Beijing Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5911 e: jianye.si@gov.bc.ca Khris Singh, Director, Infrastructure, Forestry & Services Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-1045 e: khris.singh@gov.bc.ca Karan Suri, Manager, India Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-1569 e: karan.suri@gov.bc.ca Leslie Teramoto, Assistant Executive Director Natural Resources Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 775-2201 e: leslie.teramoto@gov.bc.ca Richard Toperczer, Regional Manager, North Okanagan/Shuswap-Slocan Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 550-2204 e: richard.toperczer@gov.bc.ca Marc von der Gonna, Regional Manager, North Coast Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development PO Box 9853 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N7 p: (250) 638-6523 e: marc.vondergonna@gov.bc.ca Gloria Yang-Mason, Senior Manager Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-6807 e: gloria.yang-mason@gov.bc.ca Maureen Yelovatz, Director, Missions and Events (Victoria) Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology PO Box 9846; Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9T2 p: (250) 952-6024 e: maureen.yelovatz@gov.bc.ca Aijuan Zhu, Senior Manager, Aerospace, Marine & Ocean Tech Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-1567 e: aijuan.zhu@gov.bc.ca Raymond Zhu, Senior Manager, China - Guangzhou Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology Suite 730-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3E1 p: (604) 660-5912 e: raymond.zhu@gov.bc.ca

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HONOURABLE Peter Monteith, Chief Administrative Officer City of Chilliwack 8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2P 8A4 p: (604) 793-2966 e: monteith@chilliwack.com

KOOTENAY Sandy Elzinga, Assistant Manager Community Futures Boundary 1647 Central Avenue, Grand Forks, British Columbia V0H 1H0 p: (250) 442-2722 e: sandy@boundarycf.com Nicole Fricot, Director of Community Economic Development City of Revelstoke P.O. Box 2398, Revelstoke, British Columbia V0E 2S0 p: (250) 837-5345 e: nfricot@revelstoke.ca Cavan Gates, Economic Development Officer City of Grand Forks PO Box 220, Grand Forks, British Columbia V0H 1H0 p: (250) 442-8266 e: cgates@grandforks.ca David Hull, Executive Director Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce PO Box 84, Cranbrook, British Columbia V1C 4H6 p: (250) 426-5914 e: davidhull@cranbrookchamber.com Mark Laver, Economic Development Manager Castlegar & District Economic Development 460 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, British Columbia V1N 1G7 p: (250) 304-8231 e: edm@castlegar.com Wendy McCulloch, General Manager Community Futures Boundary 1647 Central Avenue, Grand Forks, British Columbia V0H 1H0 p: (250) 442-2722 e: wendy@boundarycf.com Scott Sommerville, CAO City of Kimberley 340 Spokane Street, Kimberley, British Columbia V1A 2E8 p: (250) 427-9668 e: ssommerville@kimberley.ca Joan Thomas, Board Chair Community Futures Boundary 1647 Central Avenue, Grand Forks, British Columbia V0H 1H0 e: joanhthomas@hotmail.com Terry Van Horn, Economic Development Officer Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation # 1 - 1355 Pine Avenue, Trail, British Columbia V1R 4E7 p: (250) 364-6461 e: tvanhorn@lcic.ca Jennifer Wetmore, Manager of Community Economic Development Community Futures Boundary 1647 Central Avenue, Grand Forks, British Columbia V0H 1H0 p: (250) 442-2722 e: jennifer@boundarycf.com Donna Wilchynski, Community Coordinator Christina Gateway Community Development Association 1675 Highway 3, Christina Lake, British Columbia V0H 1E2 p: (250) 447-6165 e: donna@christinagateway.ca Andrea Wilkey, Executive Director Community Futures Central Kootenay 201-514 Vernon Street, Nelson, British Columbia V1L 4E7 p: (250) 352-1933 e: awilkey@futures.bc.ca

MAINLAND SOUTHWEST Bob Andrews, Economic Development Coordinator Township of Langley 20338 65th Avenue, Langley, British Columbia V2Y 3J1 p: (604) 532-7548 e: bandrews@tol.ca Nicole Archer, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320

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Carolyn Armanini, Planning Analyst City of New Westminster 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia V3L 1H9 p: (604) 527-4536 e: carmanini@newwestcity.ca Mark Bakken, Chief Administrative Officer Township of Langley 20338 65th Avenue, Langley, British Columbia V2Y 3J1 p: (604) 534-3211 e: mbakken@tol.ca Pietra Basilij, Sustainable Community Development Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: pbasilij@vancouvereconomic.com Corisa Bell, Councillor City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: cbell@mapleridge.ca Gina Bennett, Board Member Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: bennett.gina@gmail.com Jason Blackman-Wulff, Councillor District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: jblackman-wulff@squamish.ca Christine Blair, Director, Corporate Administration Township of Langley 20338 65th Avenue, Langley, British Columbia V2Y 3J1 p: (604) 534-3211 e: cblair@tol.ca Sandy Blue, Councillor City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 2W7 p: (604) 851-4168 e: sblue@abbotsford.ca Cheryl Britton, Manager - Administration CEPCO #201 - 46093 Yale Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2P 2L8 p: (604) 792-7839 e: britton@chilliwackpartners.com Erin Brocklehurst, Corporate Media Liaison Township of Langley 20338 65th Avenue, Langley, British Columbia V2Y 3J1 p: (604) 534-3211 e: ebrocklehurst@tol.ca Bryan Buggey, Director, Strategic Initiatives & Sector Development Vancouver Economic Commission 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: bbuggey@vancouvereconomic.com Gary Buxton, General Manager of Development Services and Public Works District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: gbuxton@squamish.ca Claire Campbell, Marketing/Branding Coordinator Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: ccampbell@vancouvereconomic.com Susan Chapelle, Councillor District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: schapelle@squamish.ca Jessica Chen, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 e: jessica8936@hotmail.com Lily Chen, Senior Coordinator, Asia Pacific Centre Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: lchen@vancouvereconomic.com

Brian Coombes, President CEPCO #201 - 46093 Yale Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2P 2L8 p: (604) 792-7839 e: coombes@chilliwackpartners.com Stacey Crawford, Economic Development Officer District of Mission Unit B - 7337 Welton Street, Mission, British Columbia V2V 3X1 p: (604) 820-3789 e: scrawford@mission.ca Courtney Crichton, Research & Engagement Strategist Vancouver Economic Commission 1500 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: ccrichton@vancouvereconomic.com Carly Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ambrosie, Office Administrator Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: cdambrosie@vancouvereconomic.com Jeff Dawson, General Manager Community Futures of Howe Sound Suite 102 - 1909 Maple Drive, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0T1 p: (604) 892-5467 e: jeff.dawson@cfhowesound.com Nichola Derksen, Social Media Contractor City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 2W7 e: nichola.derksen@gmail.com Karoline deVries, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 e: devriesk@douglascollege.ca Kiersten Duncan, Councillor City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: kduncan@mapleridge.ca Wendy Dupley, Director, Economic Development City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 1W7 p: (604) 851-4167 e: wdupley@abbotsford.ca Patrick Earl, Executive Director Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: executivedirector@advantagehope.ca Joan Elangovan, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Centre Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: jelangovan@vancouvereconomic.com Sean Elbe, Sector Development Manager, Technology Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: selbe@vancouvereconomic.com Karen Elliott, Councillor District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: kelliott@squamish.ca Cheryl Ennis, Executive Assistant City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: cennis@mapleridge.ca Katie Ferland, Business Development Liaison City of Richmond 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, British Columbia V6Y 2C1 p: (604) 247-4923 e: katie.ferland@richmond.ca Jessie Fletcher, Planner District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: jfletcher@squamish.ca

Monica Florence, Board Member Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: mymony12@gmail.com John Fortoloczky, Chief Administrative Officer Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 869-5607 e: cao@hope.ca Blair Fryer, Communications and Economic Development Manager City of New Westminster 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia V3L 1H9 p: (604) 527-4688 e: bfryer@newwestcity.ca Valerie Gafka, Senior Manager, Corporate Adminstration Township of Langley 20338 - 65th Avenue, Langley, British Columbia V2Y 3J1 p: (604) 532-7305 e: vgafka@tol.ca Bryan Gagne, Board Member Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: gagne.bh@gmail.com Paul Gill, General Manager: Corporate & Financial Services City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: pgill@mapleridge.ca Anna Gladue, Board Member Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: anna.gladue@gmail.com Amanda Gleave, Film Liaison City of Coquitlam 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3B 7N2 p: (604) 927-3000 e: agleave@coquitlam.ca Linda Glenday, Chief Administrative Officer District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: lglenday@squamish.ca Michelle Graham, Administrative Assistant CEPCO #201 - 46093 Yale Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2P 2L8 p: (604) 792-7839 e: graham@chilliwackpartners.com Chrislana Gregory, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 Matt Gunn, Planner District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: mgunn@squamish.ca Kerry Hamilton, Planner District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: khamilton@squamish.ca Bill Harper, Councillor City of New Westminster 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia V3L 1H9 p: (604) 521-3711 e: bharper@newwestcity.ca Cathy Harry, Secretary/Treasurer Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: bbservice@shaw.ca

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Patricia Heintzman, Mayor District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: pheintzman@squamish.ca Stephanie Hooker, Asset Development Contractor Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: stephanie@hopebc.ca Colleen Hurzin, Economic Development Assistant City of Coquitlam 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3B 7N2 p: (604) 927-3905 e: churzin@coquitlam.ca Bradley Jack, Administrator, Bridge River Indian Band Box 190, 1A Joseph Road, Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0 p: (250) 256-7423 ext. 228 e: administrator@xwisten.ca Donna Jones, GM, Investment & Intergovernmental Relations City of Surrey 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia V3T 1V8 p: (604) 591-4289 e: dljones@surrey.ca Eric Kalnins, Tourism Manager City of Coquitlam 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3B 7N2 p: (604) 927-3000 e: ekalnins@coquitlam.ca Helen Kennedy, Operation Manager/Curator Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: helen@hopebc.ca Peter Kent, Councillor District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: pkent@squamish.ca Andrea Khan, Economic Development Coordinator City of New Westminster 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia V3L 1H9 p: (604) 527-4536 e: akhan@newwestcity.ca Josef Lara, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 e: josef@bigbangservices.com Bruce Livingstone, Business Expansion Retention Officer City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 e: blivingstone@mapleridge.ca Robert Masse, Councillor City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: rmasse@mapleridge.ca Sean McGill, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Planning Corporation of Delta 4500 Clarence Taylor Cresent, Delta, British Columbia V4K 3E2 p: (604) 946-3218 e: smcgill@delta.ca Sarah McJannet, Planner District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: smcjannet@squamish.ca Ian McKay, CEO Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: imckay@vancouvereconomic.com

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Kent McKinnon, Board Chair Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: kent.a.mckinnon@gmail.com Kristi Anne McMiken 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: kmcmiken@squamish.ca John McPherson, Sector Development Manager, Cleantech Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: jmcpherson@vancouvereconomic.com Tom Meier, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 Gerald Minchuk, Director, Development Services & Economic Development City of Langley 20399 Douglas Crescent, Langley, British Columbia V3A 4B3 p: (604) 514-2815 e: gminchuk@city.langley.bc.ca Elizabeth Model, CEO Downtown Surrey BIA Suite 330 - 10362 King George Blvd., Surrey, British Columbia V3T 2W5 p: (604) 580-2321 e: elizabeth@downtownsurreybia.com Nancy Mott Basi, Executive Director, Vancouver Film and Media Centre Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: nmott@vancouvereconomic.com Kate Mulligan, Economic Development Officer District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: kmulligan@squamish.ca David Munro, Manager, Economic Development City of Coquitlam 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, British Columbia V3B 7N2 p: (604) 927-3442 e: dmunro@coquitlam.ca Elaine Naisby, Planner District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: enaisby@squamish.ca Parul Neufeld, Economic Development Officer City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 2W7 p: (604) 853-2281 e: pneufeld@abbotsford.ca Larry Orr, Manager, Business Services City of North Vancouver 141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7M 1H9 p: (604) 990-4221 e: lorr@cnv.org Kim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan, Economic Development Coordinator City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 2W7 p: (604) 864-5670 e: kosullivan@abbotsford.ca Tania Parisella, Director, Marketing & Research Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: tparisella@vancouvereconomic.com Steven Patterson, Vice Chair Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: sjpatter@gmail.com Oliver Perez, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320

Aja Philp, Planner District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: aphilp@squamish.ca Karen Pighin, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 e: karen@mract.org Ted Prior, Councillor District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: tprior@squamish.ca Katrina Purcell, Manager, Marketing & Events Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: kpurcell@vancouvereconomic.com Frank Quinn, General Manager, Public Works & Development Services City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: fquinn@mapleridge.ca Doug Race, Councillor District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: drace@squamish.ca James Raymond, Manager, Research & Analysis Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: jraymond@vancouvereconomic.com Nicole Read, Mayor City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: nread@mapleridge.ca Barb Roberts, Community & Special Events Permit Coordinator City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 2W7 p: (604) 557-1473 e: broberts@abbotsford.ca Jake Rudolph, Deputy City Manager City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 2W7 p: (604) 853-2281 e: jrudolph@abbotsford.ca Ramin Seifi, General Manager, Engineering & Community Development Township of Langley 20338 - 65th Avenue, Langley, British Columbia V2Y 3J1 p: (604) 534-3211 e: rseifi@tol.ca Tyler Shymkiw, Councillor City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: tshymkiw@mapleridge.ca Lino Siracusa, Manager of Economic Development City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7319 e: lsiracusa@mapleridge.ca Craig Speirs, Councillor City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: cspiers@mapleridge.ca Lisa Spitale, Chief Administrative Officer City of New Westminster 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia V3L 1H9 p: (604) 521-3711 e: lspitale@newwestcity.ca

Patrick Stafford-Smith, Chief Development Officer North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce 102-124 West First Street, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7M 3N3 p: (604) 987-4488 e: patrick@nvchamber.ca Kelly Swift, General Manager: Parks, Recreation & Culture City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 463-5221 e: kswift@mapleridge.ca Netty Tam, Manager of Business Development CEPCO #201 - 46093 Yale Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2P 2L8 p: (604) 792-7839 e: tam@chilliwackpartners.com Alice To, Business Relations Coordinator District of North Vancouver 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7N 4N5 p: (604) 990-2241 e: aliceto@dnv.org Katherine Treloar, General Manager, Innovation, Strategy & Intergovernmental City of Abbotsford 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2T 2W7 p: (604) 853-2281 e: ktreloar@abbotsford.ca Eric Unmacht, Manager, Communications & Strategy Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: eunmacht@vancouvereconomic.com Jonas Velaniskis, Director of Development Services District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: jvelaniskis@squamish.ca Juvarya Veltkamp, Manager, Green Economy Initiatives Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: jveltkamp@vancouvereconomic.com Claire Wang, Manager of Finance Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: cwang@vancouvereconomic.com Mike Watson, General Manager Sto:lo Community Futures Building 10 - 3rd Floor, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2R 4G5 p: (604) 824-5270 e: mwatson@stolocf.ca Alexander Wells, Economic Advisory Commissioner City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 6A9 p: (604) 467-7320 Don Wiens, Board Member Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: dwiens@telus.net Erin Wilkins, Board Member Advantage Hope Box 370, 919 Water Ave, Hope, British Columbia V0X 1L0 p: (604) 860-0930 e: erin.wilkins@sd78.bc.ca Cathy Williams, Executive Assistant to CEO, Manager of Operations Vancouver Economic Commission Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5A1 p: (604) 632-9668 e: cwilliams@vancouvereconomic.com Alicia Woodside, Economic Development Specialist District of Squamish 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia V8B 0A3 p: (604) 892-5217 e: awoodside@squamish.ca

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Rocio Zielinski, Operations and Loans Manager Sto:lo Community Futures Building 10 - 3rd Floor, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, British Columbia V2R 4G5 p: (604) 824-5272 e: rzielinski@stolocf.ca

NORTH COAST Deklan Corstanje, Economic Development Officer Kitimat-Stikine Regional District 300-4545 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace, British Columbia V8G 4E1 p: (250) 615-6100 e: deklanc@rdks.bc.ca Michael Dewar, Director of Economic Development District of Kitimat 270 City Centre, Kitimat, British Columbia V8C 2H7 p: (250) 632-8921 e: mdewar@kitimat.ca John Farrell, General Manager Community Futures of PaciďŹ c Northwest Suite 100-515 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert, British Columbia V8J 1L9 p: (250) 622-2332 e: john@cfdc-pnw.com Bridget Horel, Community Economic Development Officer Central Coast Regional District PO Box 186, Bella Coola, British Columbia V0T 1C0 p: (250) 799-5291 e: cedo@ccrd-bc.ca Danielle Myles, Economic Development Manager City of Terrace 3215 Eby Street, Terrace, British Columbia V8G 2X8 p: (250) 615-4030 e: dmyles@terrace.ca Paul Vendittelli, Manager of Transportation and Economic Development City of Prince Rupert 424 3rd Avenue West, Prince Rupert, British Columbia V8J 1L7 p: (250) 627-5138 e: paul.vendittelli@princerupert.ca

NORTHEAST Lori Ackerman, Mayor City of Fort St. John 10631 100 Street, Fort St. John, British Columbia V1J 3Z5 p: (250) 787-8160 e: lackerman@fortstjohn.ca Dale Bumstead, Mayor City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: mayorbumstead@dawsoncreek.ca Paul Gevatkoff, Councillor City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: pgevatkoff@dawsoncreek.ca Moira Green, Economic Development Officer City of Fort St. John 10631 100 Street, Fort St. John, British Columbia V1J 3Z5 p: (250) 787-5787 e: mgreen@fortstjohn.ca Dianne Hunter, City Manager City of Fort St. John 10631 100 Street, Fort St. John, British Columbia V1J 3Z5 p: (250) 787-8161 e: citymanager@fortstjohn.ca Sue Kenny, General Manager Community Futures Peace Liard 904 102 Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 2B7 p: (250) 782-8748 e: skenny@communityfutures.biz Jaylene MacIver, Economic Development & Tourism Officer Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Bag Service 399, 5319 50th Avenue South, Fort Nelson, British Columbia V0C 1R0 p: (250) 774-2541 e: jmaciver@northernrockies.ca Ellen McAvany, Economic Development Officer District of Chetwynd PO Box 357, Chetwynd, British Columbia V0C 1J0 p: (250) 401-4113 e: emcavany@gochetwynd.com Terry McFadyen, Councillor City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: tmcfadyen@dawsoncreek.ca

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Jessie Olsen, Economic Development Administration Assistant District of Tumbler Ridge 305 Founders St; PO Box 100, Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia V0C 2W0 p: (250) 242-4242 e: jcrisby@dtr.ca Charlie Parslow, Councillor City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: cparslow@dawsoncreek.ca John Powell, Director of Economic Development & Tourism District of Tumbler Ridge 305 Founders St; PO Box 100, Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia V0C 2W0 p: (250) 242-4242 e: jpowell@dtr.ca Laura Prosko, Director, Community Services, Economic Development and Tourism District of Taylor 10007 - 100 A Street, Taylor, British Columbia V0C 2K0 p: (250) 793-7321 e: lprosko@districtoftaylor.com Duncan Redfearn, Chief Administrative Officer City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: dredfearn@dawsoncreek.ca Ken Rogers, Director of Development City of Fort St. John 10631 100 Street, Fort St. John, British Columbia V1J 3Z5 p: (250) 787-8150 e: krogers@fortstjohn.ca Mark Rogers, Councillor City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: mrogers@dawsoncreek.ca Cheryl Shuman, Councillor City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: cshuman@dawsoncreek.ca Elaine Webb, Economic Development Assistant District of Chetwynd PO Box 357, Chetwynd, British Columbia V0C 1J0 p: (250) 401-4125 e: edavis@gochetwynd.com Shaely Wilbur, Councillor City of Dawson Creek Box 150, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4G4 p: (250) 784-3600 e: swilbur@dawsoncreek.ca

THOMPSON OKANAGAN Jim Anderson, Executive Director Venture Kamloops 297 1st Avenue, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 3J3 p: (250) 828-6818 e: jim@venturekamloops.com Rebecca Anderson, CAO Village of Lytton 380 Main Street, Lytton, British Columbia V0K 1Z0 p: (250) 455-2355 e: cao@lytton.ca Frank Armitage, Mayor Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: farmitage@princeton.ca Debbie Arnott, General Manager Community Futures of Sun Country PO Box 1480, 203 Railway Avenue, Ashcroft, British Columbia V0K 1A0 p: (250) 453-9165 e: darnott@cfsun.ca Myers Bennett, Treasurer Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 Rick Berrigan, Mayor Village of Chase PO Box 440, Chase, British Columbia V0E 1M0 p: (250) 679-3238 e: berrigan@telus.net Shawn Boven, Chief Administrative Officer City of Merritt Box 189, 2185 Voght St., Merritt, British Columbia V1K 1B8 p: (250) 378-8613 e: sboven@merritt.ca

Craig Broderick, Economic Development Planner City of Vernon 3400 30 Street, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 5E6 p: (250) 550-3634 e: cbroderick@vernon.ca Don Brogan, Vice Chair Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 e: dbrogan@walnutbeachresort.com Nicole Bruce, Economic Development Manager Venture Kamloops 297 1st Avenue, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 3J3 p: (250) 828-6818 e: nicole@venturekamloops.com Mike Campol, Councillor Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-6515 e: mcampol@osoyoos.ca Simone Carlysle-Smith, Industry and Community Development Specialist Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6 p: (250) 860-5999 e: community@totabc.com Tawyna Collins, Director, Lytton Chamber of Commerce Village of Lytton 380 Main Street, Lytton, British Columbia V0K 1Z0 p: (250) 455-2355 e: tcollins@nntc.ca Sara Crockett, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 Robyn Cyr, Economic Development Officer Columbia Shuswap Regional District 555 Harbourfront Drive NE, Box 978, Salmon Arm, British Columbia V1E 4P1 p: (250) 833-5928 e: rcyr@csrd.bc.ca Rosemary Doughty, Councillor Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: rdoughty@princeton.ca Cindy Dueck, Office Manager Venture Kamloops 297 1st Avenue, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 3J3 p: (250) 828-6818 e: cindy@venturekamloops.com Nancy Egely, Councillor Village of Chase PO Box 440, Chase, British Columbia V0E 1M0 p: (250) 679-3238 e: nancy24@telus.net Kerry Feeney, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 Lana Fitt, Economic Development Manager Salmon Arm Economic Development Society 220 Shuswap St NE., P.O. Box 130, Salmon Arm, British Columbia V1E 4N2 p: (250) 833-0608 e: edo@saeds.ca Lesley Gabriel, Economic & Business Development Officer Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation 200 Westhills Drive, Penticton, British Columbia V2A 6J7 p: (250) 492-3154 e: lgabriel@pib.ca Will George, Manager of Economic Development & Tourism City of Merritt Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, British Columbia V1K 1B8 p: (250) 378-8619 e: wgeorge@merritt.ca Kelly Glazer, Executive Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 e: kglazer@destinationosoyoos.com Blair Gray, General Manager Community Futures Thompson Country 330 Seymour Street, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 2G2 p: (250) 828-8772 e: bgray@communityfutures.net

Corie Griffiths, Director Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1W 3Z4 p: (250) 469-6234 e: info@investkelowna.com Leslie Groulx, Chief Administrative Officer District of Clearwater Box 157, Clearwater, British Columbia V0E1N0 p: (250) 674-2257 e: lgroulx@docbc.ca Anthony Haddad, Director, Development Services City of Penticton 171 Main Street, Penticton, British Columbia V2A 5A9 p: (250) 490-2520 e: anthony.haddad@penticton.ca Joni Heinrich, CAO Village of Chase PO Box 440, Chase, British Columbia V0E 1M0 p: (250) 679-3238 e: cao@chasebc.ca Leigha Horsfield, Executive Director Community Futures North Okanagan 3105 33rd Street, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 9P7 p: (250) 545-2215 e: leighah@futuresbc.com Ingrid Jarrett, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 Carrie Kassa, Executive Assistant Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: ckassa@princeton.ca Jim King, Councillor Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-6515 e: jking@osoyoos.ca David Lepsoe, Councillor Village of Chase PO Box 440, Chase, British Columbia V0E 1M0 p: (250) 679-3238 e: david.lepsoe@chasebc.ca Sherri-Lynne Madden, Services Coordinator Thompson Nicola Regional District 300 - 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 2A9 p: (250) 674-3530 e: smadden@tnrd.ca Ali Maki, Councillor Village of Chase PO Box 440, Chase, British Columbia V0E 1M0 p: (250) 679-3238 e: alimaki.villageofchase@gmail.com Krista Mallory, Business Development Officer Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1W 3Z4 p: (250) 469-6234 e: kmallory@investkelowna.com Glenn Mandziuk, President & CEO Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6 p: (250) 860-5999 e: ceo@totabc.com Rob Marshall, Executive Director Community Futures Shuswap PO Box 1930, Salmon Arm, British Columbia V1E 4P9 p: (250) 803-0156 e: rmarshall@futureshuswap.com Cheryl Martens, CAO Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: cao@princeton.ca Kim Maynard, Councillor Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: kmaynard@princeton.ca Michael Mazurek, Director of Infrastructure and Parks Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: mmazurek@princeton.ca Jamie McEwan, Community Development Manager District of Lake Country 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road, Lake Country, British Columbia V4V 2M1 p: (250) 766-5650 e: jmcewan@lakecountry.bc.ca

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INVEST IN BC 2018 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

BC Economic Development Association

Sheila McGuire, Vice President, Lytton Chamber of Commerce Village of Lytton 380 Main Street, Lytton, British Columbia V0K 1Z0 p: (250) 455-2355 e: maguire.roest@gmail.com Sue McKortoff, Mayor Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-6515 e: smckortoff@osoyoos.ca Len McLean, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 e: len@mcleanconstruction.ca Joanne Muirhead, Chair Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 e: ken.jo@telus.net Roy Nuriel, Planning Assistant City of Vernon 3400 30 Street, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 5E6 p: (250) 550-3634 e: rnuriel@vernon.ca Doug Pateman, Councillor Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: dpateman@princeton.ca John Perrott, Economic Development Officer City of West Kelowna 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna, British Columbia V1Z 2T6 p: (778) 797-2215 e: john.perrott@westkelownacity.ca Christine Petkau, Executive Director Summerland Chamber of Commerce 15600 Hwy 97, PO Box 130, Summerland, British Columbia V0H 1Z0 p: (250) 494-2686 e: cpetkau@summerlandchamber.com Martin Pilar, Economic Development and Corporate Officer Village of Lytton 380 Main Street, Lytton, British Columbia V0K 1Z0 p: (250) 455-2355 e: edco@lytton.ca Kevin Poole, Manager of Economic Development & Tourism City of Vernon 3400 30 Street, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 5E6 p: (250) 550-3249 e: kpoole@vernon.ca Rob Rausch, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 e: rob@wakepilot.com C J Rhodes, Councillor Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-6515 e: cjrhodes@osoyoos.ca Barry Romanko, CAO Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-6515 e: bromanko@osoyoos.ca Clee Roy, Manager Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen 102-3115 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton, British Columbia V2A 6G5 p: (250) 493-2566 e: info@cfokanagan.com Lee Sapach, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 e: gm@golfosoyoos.com Gary Schatz, Director of Economic Development Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: businessdevelopment@princeton.ca Steve Scott, Councillor Village of Chase PO Box 440, Chase, British Columbia V0E 1M0 p: (250) 679-3238 e: stevescott23@yahoo.ca

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Greg Sol, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 Margaret Stewart, CFO Village of Lytton 380 Main Street, Lytton, British Columbia V0K 1Z0 p: (250) 455-2355 e: margaret@tns-hosting.net Charlotte Stringam, Director Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-5070 Lyle Thomas, Director of Leisure Services Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: lthomas@princeton.ca Jerome Tjerkstra, Councillor Town of Princeton PO Box 670, Princeton, British Columbia V0X 1W0 p: (250) 295-3135 e: jtjerkstra@princeton.ca Valentina Trevino, Business Development Officer Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1W 3Z4 p: (250) 469-6280 e: vtrevino@investkelowna.com Ross Urquhart, Director, Lytton Chamber of Commerce Village of Lytton 380 Main Street, Lytton, British Columbia V0K 1Z0 p: (250) 455-2355 e: ofbandg@gmail.com Jennifer Vincent, Economic Development Specialist City of Penticton 171 Main Street, Penticton, British Columbia V2A 5A9 p: (250) 490-2591 e: jennifer.vincent@penticton.ca Sam Walters, Director, Lytton Chamber of Commerce Village of Lytton 380 Main Street, Lytton, British Columbia V0K 1Z0 p: (250) 455-2355 e: sam.walters@scotiabank.com Carol Youngberg, Councillor Destination Osoyoos 9912 BC-3, Osoyoos, British Columbia V0H 1V0 p: (250) 495-6515 e: cyoungberg@osoyoos.ca

VANCOUVER ISLAND/COAST Felicity Adams, Director of Development Services Town of Ladysmith PO Box 220, Ladysmith, British Columbia V9G 1A2 p: (250) 245-6405 e: fadams@ladysmith.ca Matthew Baldwin, Director of Planning City of Langford 2nd Flr - 877 Goldstream Ave, Langford, British Columbia V9B 2X8 p: (250) 391-3404 e: mbaldwin@cityoflangford.ca Sara Baxandall, Economic Development Analyst City of Campbell River 301 Street Ann’s Road, Campbell River, British Columbia V9W 4C7 p: (250) 286-5738 e: sara.baxandall@campbellriver.ca Ian Benoit, Policy Analyst Huuayaht First Nation 4644 Adelaide Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 6N4 p: (250) 723-0100 e: ian.b@huuayaht.org Russell Brewer, Councillor City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: rbrewer@cdpr.bc.ca Kim Burden, Executive Director Parksville & Dist. Chamber of Commerce PO Box 99, Station Main 1275 E. Island Hwy, Parksville, British Columbia V9P 2G3 p: (250) 248-3613 e: kim@parksvillechamber.com Lori Camire, Executive Director Community Futures Alberni Clayoquot 4757 Tebo Ave, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 8A9 p: (250) 724-1241 e: lcamire@cfac.ca

Dennis Carlsen, Planner City of Colwood 3300 Wishart Road, Colwood, British Columbia V9C 1R1 p: (250) 478-5999 e: dcarlsen@colwood.ca Giacomo Casanova, Research Coordinator Comox Valley Economic Development Society 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 2M7 p: (250) 334-2427 e: giacomo@investcomoxvalley.com Trevor Cootes, Executive Councillor Huuayaht First Nation 4644 Adelaide Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 6N4 p: (250) 723-0100 e: trevor.c@huuayaht.org James Costello, President Tofino Business Association PO Box 1238, Tofino, British Columbia V0R 2Z0 p: (250) 266-0075 e: tba@cablelan.net Geoff Crawford, Business Development Manager Comox Valley Economic Development Society 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 2M7 p: (250) 334-2427 e: geoff@investcomoxvalley.com Patrick Deakin, Economic Development Manager City of Port Alberni 4850 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 1V8 p: (250) 720-2527 e: patrick_deakin@portalberni.ca Cheryl Eardly, Economic Development Assistant Huuayaht First Nation 4644 Adelaide Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 6N4 p: (250) 723-0100 e: cheryl.e@huuayaht.org Pat English, Manager of Economic Development Regional District of Mount Waddington 2044 McNeill Road, Port McNeill, British Columbia V0N 2R0 p: (250) 956-3301 e: penglish@rdmw.bc.ca Dave Formosa, Mayor City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: davic83@gmail.com Lara Greasley, Marketing & Communications Manager Comox Valley Economic Development Society 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 2M7 p: (250) 334-2427 e: lgreasley@investcomoxvalley.com Maggie Hathaway, Councillor City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: mhathaway@cdpr.bc.ca Randy Humble, CAO Town of Sidney 2440 Sidney Avenue, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 1Y7 p: (250) 656-1139 e: pkully@sidney.ca Rose Klukas, Economic Development Officer City of Campbell River 301 Street Ann’s Road, Campbell River, British Columbia V9W 4C7 p: (250) 286-5738 e: rose.klukas@campbellriver.ca CaroleAnn Leishman, Councillor City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: cleishman@cdpr.bc.ca Kimmie MacDonald, Economic Committee Tech Huuayaht First Nation 4644 Adelaide Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 6N4 p: (250) 723-0100 e: kim.m@huuayaht.org John MacDonald, Mayor Village of Sayward PO Box 29, Sayward, British Columbia V0P 1R0 p: (250) 282-5512 e: westie@saywardvalley.net

Amrit Manhas, Economic Development Officer City of Nanaimo 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 0E4 p: (250) 755-4465 e: amrit.manhas@nanaimo.ca Diane Mason, Councillor Village of Sayward PO Box 29, Sayward, British Columbia V0P 1R0 p: (250) 282-5512 e: diamsn@saywardvalley.net David McCormick, Director, Public Relations & Business Development Port Alberni Port Authority 2750 Harbour Road, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 7X2 p: (250) 723-5312 e: dmccormick@alberniport.ca Amy Melmock, Economic Development Officer Economic Development Cowichan 135 Third Street, Duncan, British Columbia V9L 1R9 p: (250) 746-7880 e: amelmock@cvrd.bc.ca Judy Mills, Administrative Assistant Economic Development Cowichan 135 Third Street, Duncan, British Columbia V9L 1R9 p: (250) 746-7880 e: jmills@cvrd.bc.ca Jim Palm, Councillor City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: jpalm@cdpr.bc.ca Derek Peters, Economic Committee Member Huuayaht First Nation 4644 Adelaide Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 6N4 p: (250) 723-0100 e: derek.p@huuayaht.org Scott Randolph, Manager of Economic Development City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-8653 e: srandolph@cdpr.bc.ca Cynthia Rayner, Economic Development Officer Huuayaht First Nation 4644 Adelaide Street, Port Alberni, British Columbia V9Y 6N4 p: (250) 723-0100 e: cynthia.r@huuayaht.org Karen Skadsheim, Councillor City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: kskadsheim@cdpr.bc.ca Rob Southcott, Councillor City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: rsouthcott@cdpr.bc.ca Teresa Sullivan, Chief Administrative Officer District of Sooke 2205 Otter Point Road, Sooke, British Columbia V9Z 1J2 p: (604) 642-1634 e: tsullivan@sooke.ca John Watson, Executive Director Comox Valley Economic Development Society 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 2M7 p: (250) 334-2427 e: john@investcomoxvalley.com Jay Yule, Economic Development Committee City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, British Columbia V8A 1V4 p: (604) 485-6291 e: jay.yule@sd47.bc.ca

STUDENT Isaac Baidoo e: iybaidoo1@gmail.com Stephanie Slaman e: steph.slaman@gmail.com

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