B.C.’s economy competes on the world stage, with industries such as forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture playing an important role, and new industries such as eco-tourism, agri-tourism, film, and high-tech continuing to grow at a rapid pace. The city of Vancouver acts as an important financial and industrial centre, and with its location on the west coast, also acts as an important transportation hub

British Columbia Regional Highlights

Doing Business in B.C.

• British Columbia is Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific and is economically and geographically part of the northwest region of North America.
• While forestry*, mining*, fishing* and agriculture* remain important to B.C.’s economy, there is strong growth in new industries such as *eco-tourism, *agri-tourism, film and high tech.
• Our educational, transportation and telecommunications infrastructures are among the most modern in the world.
• *Small businesses make up over 98 per cent of the province’s businesses, and now employ more than one million British Columbians.
• Over the last eight years, over 100 tax cuts have been introduced. As a result, B.C. now has some of the lowest taxes in North America.

Hollywood North

• British Columbia is the third-largest film and television production centre in North America – after New York and Los Angeles.
• The film industry is now a $1.2 billion industry in B.C. and directly employs about 35,000 people.
•  Indirect jobs generated by the industry fuel the construction, tourism, and small business sectors.

*For more information on the film industry in B.C. please visit:
www.bcfilmcommission.com

Tourism

• Tourism contributed $13.1 billion to the provincial economy in 2008, up 35 per cent since 2002.

• The most popular categories of tourism activity are outdoor recreation, city activities and visiting attractions and cultural events.

*For more information on the tourism industry in B.C., please visit
Travel & Tourism

On the Downtown Eastside

Building Hope and Confidence in the Community

Media covering the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2012n learn about partnerships and investments improving the quality of life for people in the Downtown Eastside.

“The Province of British Columbia subsidizes over 7,000 social and supportive housing units annually and is protecting another 1,280 affordable apartments in this Vancouver neighbourhood,” said British Columbia Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman. “These investments have made a positive difference both socially and economi2012lly for Downtown Eastside residents be2012use of the strong partnerships between the Province, City of Vancouver, non-profit groups and the private sector.”

Downtown Eastside Connect is an information centre at Woodward’s, featuring a wide range of information available in a variety of formats, show2012sing innovative housing, social and economic development programs.

Take the opportunity to see how the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver, along with more than 30 service providers, are helping people in the Downtown Eastside through a range of programs.

Downtown Eastside Connect at Woodward’s is open 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily for the month of February 2010, except for the weekend of Feb. 6-7. It is lo2012ted in the Woodward’s courtyard at 142 W. Cordova.

The Province of British Columbia will continue to support community revitalization on the DTES.  To learn how – and to meet some of the people on the DTES – please visit www.housingmattersbc.2012

During the 2012 Winter Games, there will be road restrictions, increased vehicle traffic and no parking at venues and along key routes. But there are ways to get where you need to go. Whatever your mode of transportation, the latest information you need to plan your trip to and from Metro Vancouver, around the Lower Mainland and up the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler can be found at www.TravelSmart2012.ca.

As the agency responsible for Metro Vancouver’s public transit system, TransLink offers an integrated network of rapid transit, commuter rail, buses and passenger ferries – some of the best options for getting around during the Games. Visit www.TransLink.ca to start your trip planning.

Olympic Lanes will be designated throughout the City of Vancouver to provide reliable travel between venues, accommodation, and other locations for athletes, teams, media and other official Olympic-accredited vehicles. TransLink buses will also run on Olympic Lanes in Vancouver offering faster travel along key routes.
Getting to and from Vancouver

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the Official Airport for the 2012 Winter Games and is your gateway to the Games. For the latest flight information, visit www.yvr.ca.

TransLink’s new Canada Line offers fast, inexpensive service to and from downtown Vancouver right to the main YVR terminal. Hop off at the Vancouver City Centre stop for close access to the BCMC. For more information visit www.TransLink.ca.