Welcome to Our British Columbia Chapter

Founded: 2020 (We began hosting networking events in 2017)

Territory: Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Kelowna/Okanagan, B.C. Interior

Executive Director: Jason Tse (jason@maplecouncil.org)

Partners: BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development & Competitiveness; Consulate General of United States; Consulate General of Canada in Seattle; Global Affairs Canada; U.S. Commercial Service; World Trade Center Vancouver.

Background: After several years of hosting spring and fall receptions to celebrate B.C. and U.S. economic ties and bringing two delegations from Southern California to Vancouver, we are delighted to announce the formalization of our work in British Columbia in the form of our newest MAPLE Business Council Chapter. Led by economic development executive, Jason Tse CFA, former Executive Director of HQ Vancouver and current marketing executive at YVR, our British Columbia Chapter shines a spotlight on the opportunities for bilateral investment, trade and entrepreneurship between B.C. and the United States with a focus on Southern California and New York regions where MAPLE has active communities.

Growing Our Economic Ties

The economic relationship between British Columbia and California is significant.

  • California is the second largest destination for B.C. exports and third for Canadian exports.

  • Total merchandise trade between B.C. and California was $6.2 billion CAD in 2019.

  • California operates a trade surplus by value with B.C.

  • B.C. exports to California were up over 60% between 2010 and 2019 while California exports to B.C. were up 10%.

  • Excess electrical power is the leading commodity exported by B.C. to California followed by farmed salmon and various raw materials.

  • Electric motor vehicles and a variety of food products are the largest exports from California to B.C.

  • Vancouver is the 3rd largest film and tv production center in North America with Los Angeles #1.

  • In the 2017-2018 season, less than 50 percent of the top television projects took place in California while over 20 percent took place in either British Columbia or Ontario, almost doubling the 11 percent of the 130 television shows filmed in these provinces in the 2010 to 2011 season.

  • British Columbia represents the third highest source of inbound investment to Southern California.

  • There are over 100 B.C. establishments in Southern California employing nearly 6000 people with annual wages of $454 million USD.

  • Among the top ten Canadian companies in Southern California by employment, two are from B.C. : Telus/Xavient Digital and Lionsgate Productions.

  • In 1858, gold was discovered in British Columbia starting what is known as The Fraser River Gold Rush. A migration of over 30,000 men from California, 80% of all miners, came to B.C. The gold rush was the catalyst for the building of early road infrastructure and was instrumental in B.C. becoming part of Canada in 1871.