Vancouver Island / Coast

photograph of the British Columbia Houses of Parliament in Victoria

Overview

Situated on the West Coast of Canada, the Vancouver Island/Coast region sits as a gateway to Asia and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This region is known for its temperate climate, unspoiled wilderness, and beautiful coastlines.

The Vancouver Island/Coast region is the second most populated region in BC, home to a total population of 881,700 residents. Victoria, the capital city of the province, is the largest city in this region and also the oldest city in all of Western Canada. Other key cities include Nanaimo and Courtenay.

Map of B.C. with the Vancouver Island /Coast region highlighted

Job Outlook

The Vancouver Island/Coast accounts for the second largest percentage of provincial employment. Over the next decade (2023-2033), it is projected that there will be 174,690 job openings, with an average annual employment growth rate of 1.2%. The following careers are expected to see the highest proportion of job openings.

table listing top ten occupation counts in Vancouver Island/Coast region

Source: WorkBC

Key Industries

The service sector plays a major role in the Vancouver Island/Coast regional economy. Many people have jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries.

A large proportion of BC’s public administration employment occurs in Vancouver Island/Coast, reflecting the presence of the provincial capital in the region. In the more rural areas, there are significant resource-based activities such as logging and fishing.

With three international airports, four deep seaports, plenty of competitively priced land and properties, this region is also a strategic hub for trade, shipping, and logistics.