Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada
Last updated on September 21, 2026A targeted strategy to deliver major projects, expand skills training and grow key sectors to strengthen the economy.
A strategy built for people to succeed
Look West is a targeted plan designed to deliver major projects, create good jobs and strengthen B.C. and Canada’s economic security in the face of economic threats. We’re seizing opportunities and leveraging our strengths to deliver for B.C. and for Canada.
We have the resources Canada and the world need, the infrastructure and coastal ports to deliver them to market, and the skilled people and regulatory framework to complete major projects, on time and within budget.
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Actions at a glance
Our approach is built on three key pillars.
Strengthening our workforce
- Focusing on skilled trades training to build the talent we need
- Leveraging talent and expertise from across Canada and around the globe
- Advancing skills training for highly qualified professions to drive Canada’s key economic sectors
- Connecting industry to quality training opportunities
Delivering major projects faster
- Accelerating major job-creating projects
- Speeding up and streamlining permitting, reducing barriers and delays, and removing duplication across regulatory frameworks
- Leveraging B.C.’s natural resources to deliver major projects
Diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors
- Building pathways to international trade, diversifying markets, and reducing internal trade barriers
- Strengthening our export infrastructure, getting more goods to the global market
Explore targeted sectors
Driving economic growth through construction innovation, creating a hub for advanced building technologies
Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada
Related information
Progress updates
Progress on the Look West Strategy is already underway. As key actions move forward, we’ll share updates and how it’s making a difference for British Columbians.
We’re also tracking the progress we’ve made towards reaching our short, medium and long-term goals.
- Advancing Tilbury Phase 2 LNG expansion. Through the issuing of an environmental assessment certificate to FortisBC, the expansion of the existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on Tilbury Island can proceed to the next phase.
- Building a new Cariboo gold mine. Canadian developer Osisko Gold beginning active construction of an $841 million gold mine in central B.C., which includes an underground mine and processing complex. The final investment decision is a defining milestone for Osisko Gold, with gold production targeted to begin in early 2029.
- Helping B.C. companies showcase new technologies. Through Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace’s Early-Stage Demonstration Call, B.C. is investing $2 million to help companies bridge the gap between technology development and commercial adoption. Funding will enable innovators to pilot new technologies targeted to sectors such as air and marine transport, health, forestry, emergency management, maritime, mining and critical minerals.
- Strengthening value-added wood manufacturing on Vancouver Island. Through up to $2 million from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, Ron Anderson & Sons’ has broken ground on a facility expansion and upgraded equipment in Chemainus.
- Investing in projects to meet Greater Vancouver’s electricity needs. BC Hydro is investing in new infrastructure to maintain reliable electricity service and support future growth in downtown Vancouver. New substations in the West End and East Vancouver will provide power to approximately 100,000 people.
- Expanding B.C.’s clean electricity grid to power projects and create jobs. Construction has begun on the North Coast Transmission Line, one of the priority projects identified through Look West. The project will expand transmission capacity to ensure communities and major industry projects have the energy they need, and generate billions of dollars in economic activity.
- Adding skilled-trades training seats in Vancouver. Vancouver Community College will receive 224 new skilled-trades training seats to reduce wait lists for in-demand programs, creating good opportunities for young people and ensuring B.C. has the capacity to drive growth in various sectors. The investment is part of the Look West strategy to deliver 5,000 new trades training seats throughout the province in 2026-27.
- New grants support economic development for northern business and First Nations. In partnership with Canada through the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Development Agreement, $2.7 million has been allocated to fund two new programs that will help build capacity and adapt to changing economic conditions.
- Investing in northern B.C. tourism. Through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, the Province is providing nearly $238,000 to the Northern BC Tourism Association to support the Beyond the Horizon Experience Development Program. The program will help attract more visitors to the region, creating more opportunities for local businesses and supporting jobs for people in their communities.
- Boosting workforce training for life sciences and biomanufacturing. The federal government, through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, is investing up to $8.7 million to the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL). With a leading facility located in Vancouver, CASTL’s Supporting Workforce Capacity in Canada’s Biomanufacturing Sector project will help address persistent skills shortages and connect up to 1,800 qualified workers with good jobs and open pathways to careers in the sector.
- Investing over $99 million in B.C.’s life sciences sector. Through the Strategic Response Fund, the federal government announced investments of almost $100 million, creating hundreds of jobs and strengthening B.C.’s leadership in life sciences. Up to $31.25 million was allocated to Burnaby-based Kardium to create a world-class manufacturing facility for advanced medical devices, and up to $68 million was allocated to Evonik to expand its presence in B.C., which includes building and operating a Nucleic Acid Competence Centre.
- Protecting fish and water ecosystem health. B.C. is providing $2 million to the First Nations Fisheries Council of B.C. to help protect and restore fish populations. The funding will increase capacity and collaboration between First Nations and the Province to help support provincial planning and management of fisheries, aquatic resources and watersheds, as well as enable the partners to work with the federal government on areas of shared interest.
- Powering growth to B.C.’s electricity supply. BC Hydro is investing in projects to meet Greater Vancouver’s growing demand for electricity:
- Establishing the British Columbia Fisheries Fund. The Governments of Canada and B.C. are creating a new fund through a joint investment of $106.5 million over five years. The B.C. Fisheries Fund will support the fish and seafood sector by helping the industry innovate and reach new markets.
- Supporting carpentry training in the Kootenay region. B.C. is providing more than $365,000 for a tuition-free training project to help as many as 16 people in the Kootenays prepare for in-demand careers in carpentry. The funding comes from the Government of Canada under the employment insurance-funded Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.
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- Expanding Blackwater gold mine and adding jobs. Owners of the Blackwater gold mine near Prince George are investing $1.56 billion in phased expansions, potentially making Blackwater one of Canada’s three largest gold-producing mines. The mine is already a major economic contributor in the region, and the expansions is expected to employ an additional 1,500 workers during construction and grow the permanent workforce by 300 workers.
- Vancouver leading in tech talent. Moving up one spot from last year, Vancouver ranked second in CBRE’s 2026 ranking of top tech talent markets in Canada, and ninth in North America. The city continues to attract a growing number of younger tech workers and boasts the highest average annual tech wage in Canadian markets.
- Reopening of an updated Cypress Bike Park. A redesigned Cypress Bike Park is returning to Cypress Mountain Resort approximately two decades after it closed, attracting enthusiasts at every level. Cypress aims to open the bike park for summer 2027, in preparation to host the Canadian debut of the Red Bull Hardline downhill race in October.
- Strengthening Vancouver Island’s access to reliable energy. BC Hydro is buying the Island Generation facility in Campbell River, ensuring capacity to address B.C.’s increasing energy demand for continued economic growth, while maintaining affordable and reliable service.
- Expanding workforce training opportunities in key areas. Investments from B.C. and Canada are helping people prepare for in-demand jobs, and building the workforce that communities, and B.C., need. Expanded workforce training in transportation is rolling out in Quesnel, while Kamloops is supporting career development opportunities in child care.
- Investing in B.C. businesses to build a stronger and more resilient Canadian economy. Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, the federal government is investing over $30.5 million for 24 businesses and organizations throughout B.C. to help them adapt to an increasingly uncertain global environment, reach new and diverse markets, and support communities throughout the province.
- Building Communities Strong in British Columbia with 54 new infrastructure projects. Through the Government of Canada's Strategic Priorities Fund, over $152 million is being invested into 54 new infrastructure projects across B.C. Funded projects include a first-in-Canada wastewater innovation project in the Capital Regional District on Vancouver Island, a new turf multi-sport field in Prince George, and over a dozen water and wastewater projects.
- Protecting the North Coast economy and environment. Through the Canada-B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, heavy oil tankers will be kept off B.C.’s North Coast with new commitments to watershed protection. This is helping protect and ensure a sustainable marine economy that generates over $3 billion each year.
- Expanding skilled trades training. The Province is moving forward to meet its Look West commitment of adding 5,000 trades-training seats throughout B.C. in 2026-27, with more opportunities now available at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Vancouver Island University:
- Getting hands-on carpentry training in Williams Lake. Through federal funding provided under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, the Province is allocating over $280,000 to a Carpentry Foundation Program delivered by XatÅÅ«ll First Nation. Combining skills training, employment supports and Indigenous-centred programming, the program will help people gain practical skills and connect to job opportunities in growing sectors, including construction and major projects.
- Advancing a major project in LNG marine fuelling. Through regulatory amendments enacted by the Province, FortisBC is moving forward with its Phase 1B expansion of the Tilbury Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facility in Delta. This Look West priority project will help meet rising demand for LNG fuelling services and is expected to create approximately 1,100 construction jobs annually over four years.
- Beginning construction on the Enbridge Sunrise Expansion Program. Construction has begun on the Sunrise Expansion Program, which will add capacity to B.C.’s natural gas transmission system and increase B.C. natural gas exports to Asian markets. The Project is expected to create 2,500 jobs, including for those in local Indigenous communities, and generate $700 million in tax revenue to fund roads, hospitals and schools.
- Advancing B.C.’s first major battery storage project on Vancouver Island. The Province is partnering with BC Hydro to build B.C.’s first utility-scale battery energy storage project on Vancouver Island to prepare for growing electricity demand in the region.
- Advancing silica sand mine project. B.C. has issued an environmental assessment certificate to Vitreo Minerals Ltd. for its Angus silica sand mine north of Prince George. The project will now proceed to permitting and is expected to generate approximately 150 jobs and $300 million in investment, supporting local and First Nations employment and training opportunities.
- Expanding maritime innovation and skills development. BCIT and Kongsberg Maritime announced an investment to establish the Marine Innovation Simulation Centre of Excellence (MISE) at BCIT. The new centre will strengthen maritime innovation, skills training, research and development, while building on key objectives outlined in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.
- Investing in critical minerals production. The Government of Canada announced its first investment agreement under the Canada Critical Minerals Accelerator. The expansion is part of an up-to $850-million potential total investment by Teck to sustain and enhance critical minerals processing capacity at the Teck Resources smelter in Trail, B.C.
- Advancing innovation through Integrated Marketplace testbeds. B.C. launched three more province-wide testbeds to support tech companies to test, deploy and scale their innovative technologies:
- Securing historic deal with Ottawa. B.C. secured a multi-billion-dollar agreement with the federal government that will accelerate the construction of major energy and trade corridors throughout the province and strengthen workforce training, while protecting the north coast tanker ban and securing compensation for any future pipeline.
- Strengthening B.C.’s clinical trials ecosystem. Health Research BC launched a new competitiveness strategy to support a coordinated and efficient approach to attracting and conducting clinical trials in B.C.
- Securing first European energy deal. Ksi Lisims LNG entered into an agreement with Germany’s Securing Energy For Europe (SEFE). SEFE will purchase one million tonnes of B.C.’s lower carbon liquified natural gas each year as long as 20 years, with deliveries starting in the early 2030s.
- Advancing LNG Canada Phase 2. The Government of Canada, the Government of B.C. and LNG Canada reached an agreement to help finalize efforts to support a Final Investment Decision by the end year. The proposed LNG expansion project is a key national and provincial priority.
- Supporting outdoor recreation, communities and local economies. The Province released Look West: B.C.’s Outdoor Recreation Strategy to build a more resilient and thriving recreation sector. Participation in outdoor recreation contributes $4.8 billion to B.C.’s economy each year and supports more than 1,400 businesses and communities provincewide.
- Building sovereign AI infrastructure. The Government of Canada and TELUS are advancing work to build a proposed large-scale AI data centre in B.C. to keep Canadian data, intellectual property and economic advantage on Canadian soil.
- Attracting top talent. The BC Provincial Nominee Program has been updated to support the Look West strategy, with a renewed focus on attracting top talent and addressing critical labour market needs.
- Look West update. In the first six months since it was launched, Look West has delivered real results. It’s bringing investment certainty, accelerating construction, and creating good-paying jobs, while strengthening Canada’s long-term economic security.
- Advancing life sciences sector in B.C. Canada is investing $127 million in two major life sciences projects from Aspect Biosystems and Providence Health Care (PHC) in Vancouver. They’re expected to create a total of 1,051 new good jobs and 865 student co-op positions in the Vancouver area. The Province has also provided Aspect Biosystems with $23.8 million and the Providence Health Care with $331 million to advance their projects.
- Launching the Tourism Sector Action Plan. Tourism is B.C.'s third largest sector. This targeted plan sets the path to double tourism revenues by 2036 and create lasting economic benefits.
- Powering AI growth with clean energy. Province and BC Hydro are launching a competitive process to manage rising electricity demand and support balanced development of artificial intelligence and data-centre projects, encouraging economic growth and creating good jobs.
- Building B.C., India partnerships to boost tech sectors. As part of the trade mission to India, B.C. is advancing partnership with India’s Karnataka state to increase collaboration and attract investments in life sciences, technology and innovation, creating good jobs and opportunities.
- Supporting good jobs, Premier leads trade mission to India. The Premier and Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth met with government and business leaders in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Bengaluru (Bangalore), advancing key partnerships, attracting investments, fostering collaboration, and bringing good jobs to B.C.
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