Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada

A 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. 

Actions at a glance

Our approach is built on three key pillars. 

Explore targeted sectors  

Progress updates

We’re also tracking the progress we’ve made towards reaching our short, medium and long-term goals.

• 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 Xatśūll 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.
• Showcasing B.C. during FIFA World Cup. B.C. is already seeing immediate and long-term economic benefits from hosting 7 world cup matches in Vancouver. The BC Business House created a hub for investors and governments from around the world to explore economic opportunities, while local businesses are reporting significant increases in sales.
• 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.
• Discovering new cancer treatments. Vancouver biotech company, AbCellera, has signed a major new partnership with global drug company Jazz Pharmaceuticals to help discover new cancer treatments that use the body’s own immune system. This investment helps strengthen B.C.’s position as a hub for cutting-edge cancer research.
• 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.
• Supporting new lithium refining facility in Delta. The Government of Canada is investing in North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility, leveraging B.C.’s mineral wealth to build a made-in-Canada battery supply chain.
• 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.
• Boosting air cargo volume. Vancouver International Airport commits to double air cargo volume over the next 5 years to deliver more B.C. and Canadian products to global markets, which will help grow our economy and create more jobs.
• 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.
• Launching Major Projects in B.C. website. Learn more about the clean energy, critical mineral, mining and natural gas projects B.C. is working to deliver faster. They support tens of thousands construction and long-term jobs and represent an $88 billion in investments towards our $200 billion goal by 2035.
• Investing in skilled trades training. B.C. is doubling funding to $214 million per year by 2028-29. This is the first major increase in nearly 20 years. Up to 5,000 more apprenticeship seats are expected to open in the first year.
• 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.
• Strengthening military infrastructure and housing at CFB Esquimalt. Canada is investing $1.1 billion to replace two aging jetties to support Navy operations on the Pacific Coast, creating 1,280 jobs during construction. They’re also expanding military housing with 7,500 new units built at 25 locations across the country, including Esquimalt and Comox.
• 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.
• Backing bid for global defense bank headquarters. B.C. is backing a private-sector bid for the international headquarters of the new Defence, Security and Resiliency Bank (DSRB) to be located in Vancouver. The bank focuses on financing projects for NATO members and allies. If successful, it would create 3,500 high-paying jobs and position B.C. as a leader in the global security sector. Read the news release | Read Vancouver’s Bid to Host the DSRB (PDF, 11MB)
• 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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