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VEC - Vancouver Economic Commission
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Building a prosperous, inclusive and resilient economy

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  • PDF
  • Signature Report
  • Signature Report Star
    Vancouver Economy Report Spring 2023

    research / Green Economy, Resilience, High Impact Investment

    This edition explores select markers that speak to the health of the economy, including employment, storefront businesses, and international trade.
  • Star
    Participants of the VEC Copenhagen Learning Tour on a green building site visit wearing safe vests and hard hats.
    Vancouver to Copenhagen Learning Tour

    programs / Green Economy, High Impact Investment

    17 local leaders, policymakers and businesses went to Copenhagen, Denmark to learn about the Danish approach to building decarbonization, energy effic ...
  • Signature Report Star
    The Winter 2022/23 Vancouver Economy Report features the Film and TV sector. Pictured: a film camera in an outdoor set with the film crew in the background
    Vancouver Economy Report Winter 2022/23

    research / Film & TV, Green Economy, Resilience

    Meet some local changemakers and explore how even traditional, successful industries can transform to provide communities with greater benefits.
  • Signature Report Star
    Beyond GDP

    research / Resilience

    VEC's proposed Beyond GDP framework promotes a more holistic view of measuring Vancouver's economic success.
  • Events Star
    Three women participate in a virtual Greater Vancouver Circular Economy Network Series sessionin a
    Greater Vancouver Circular Economy Network Series

    programs / Green Economy, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    The series offers a platform for circular innovators to connect, share, learn from, and engage with like-minded entrepreneurs and business operators f ...
  • Signature Report Star
    Vancouver Economy Report Summer 2022

    research / Resilience, Green Economy

    In this economy report issue, we look at our city and region as a connected, vibrant system. Download the report today!
  • Star
    A wide angle show of Vancouver taken from false creek
    Vancouver’s Zero Emissions Economic Transition Action Plan

    programs / Green Economy, Resilience

    ZEETAP aims to help businesses and individuals address challenges related to the just and equitable transition to a zero-carbon economy.
  • Signature Report Star
    Vancouver Economy Report Spring 2022
    Vancouver Economy Report Spring 2022

    research / Resilience, Tech

    The Spring 2022 edition features new metrics, the artificial intelligence sector and a look into Vancouver's thriving apparel industry.
  • PDF Star
    What are carbon markets? An example of an electric bus being charged at a charging station
    Carbon Markets in BC

    research / Green Economy, Resilience

    This report is a guide to leveraging carbon markets and carbon offsetting to decarbonize British Columbia in the post post-Paris Agreement world.
  • Signature Report Star
    Vancouver Economy Report October 2021 theme is Climate Emergency and the Just Transition
    Vancouver Economy Report Fall 2021

    research / Resilience, Green Economy, Digital Entertainment

    The Fall 2021 edition of features cleantech, VFX and animation, carbon markets and the Just Transition.
  • PDF Star
    A woman in a circular economy of food farmers market serves a young couple some organic vegetables
    A “Right to Food” Framework for a Just Circular Economy of Food

    research / Green Economy, Impact

    A “Right to Food” Framework for Tackling Food Waste and Achieving a Just Circular Economy of Food in Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Events Star
    Angels for Climate Solutions

    programs / Capital, Green Economy

    Angel investors will navigate the ins and outs of early-stage investing while startups prepare for the capital-raising process.
  • Star
    Project Greenlight Accelerating smart and sustainable transformation.
    Project Greenlight

    programs / Entrepreneurship & Industry Support, Green Economy, Tech

    A membership-driven demonstration platform that forges strategic partnerships between public and private enterprises and technology companies.
  • Star
    Economic Transformation Lab

    programs / Resilience, From Our Peers

    The Economic Transformation Lab (ETL) is a research program developed by the Vancouver Economic Commission (VEC) to prepare Vancouver’s economy for ...
  • Signature Report
    BC Heat Pump Technology Attraction Strategy

    programs / Green Economy

    This strategy helps identify the availability, needs and gaps of heat pump technologies in BC
  • Events
    Join us at Get in the Loop 2.0 – a circular reverse pitch session where large Canadian companies share their circular challenges with an audience of local and international solution providers.
    Get in the Loop: Circular Reverse Pitch 2.0

    programs

    Join us for a circular reverse pitch session where large Canadian companies share their circular challenges with an audience of local and internationa ...
  • Events
    Get in the Loop: Circular Reverse Pitch March 30, 2022 | Part of Globe
    Get in the Loop: Circular Reverse Pitch

    programs / Green Economy

    Get in the Loop is a circular reverse pitch event that provides larger Canadian companies a platform for sharing their circular challenges with an aud ...
  • PDF
    A construction worker in an industry with some of the largest emissions in vancouver, a candidate for the just transition in vancouver
    Best Practices for a Just Transition in Vancouver

    research / Resilience, Green Economy

    This report features a high-level definition of what a just transition could mean for Vancouver.
  • PDF
    A construction worker walks with a tool box in a retrofit construction project
    Sustainable Mortgage-backed Securities and Retrofit Financing

    research / Green Economy

    The research provides a background on the framework, along with examples of the uses and challenges of MBS in a sustainability context.
  • Signature Report
    The City of Vancouver skyline showing false creek, downtown and the mountains
    Vancouver Economy Report

    research / Resilience

    A data-driven look into Vancouver’s economic performance, delivered to your inbox three times a year
  • Signature Report
    A Vancouver man going about his day-t-day life stands in front of a skytrain that is moving quickly.
    Vancouver Economy Report June 2021

    research / Resilience, Green Economy, Tech

    An open invitation to embed economic development into our everyday thinking -- and a primer on economic reconciliation
  • PDF
    Construction workers working with foundation rebar on a PACE project
    PACE Financing and Resilience in BC

    research / Green Economy, Resilience

    Understanding best practices from the United States and opportunities for legislation and program design
  • PDF
    Remote Work, COVID-19, and Downtown Vancouver Edit The Long-Term Impacts of Remote Working on the City of Vancouver
    Remote Work, COVID-19, and Downtown Vancouver

    research / Talent

    A comprehensive research report that describes the tangible impacts of remote work to economic activity in Vancouver’s Central Business District.
  • Signature Report
    Vancouver Economy Report February 2012 | Signs of recovery, but who is left behind?
    Vancouver Economy Report February 2021

    research / Resilience

    Signs of Recovery, but who is left behind? This is the underlying theme of the latest issue of the Vancouver Economy Report.
  • Signature Report
    Esports in Vancouver and BC

    research / Digital Entertainment, Tech, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    This report includes an overview of the global and local esports industry, including a summary analysis of leading hubs acting on esports initiatives ...
  • PDF
    Vancouver Economy Report October 2020

    research / Resilience

    This quarterly report covers unique data and analyses specific to Vancouver’s economy.
  • Signature Report
    Vancouver Cross-border Investment Guide - Essential legal, tax and market information for cross-border investment
    Vancouver Cross-Border Investment Guide

    research / Capital, High Impact Investment

    Essential legal, tax and market information for cross-border investment into Vancouver, Canada
  • Signature Report
    Metro Vancouver Affordability Guide

    research / Resilience, Talent

    This guide collates data from reputable sources into an easy-to-navigate and realistic snapshot of the affordability landscape in Metro Vancouver.
  • Signature Report
    Reality Check: Vancouver and BC’s VR/AR Ecosystem
    Reality Check: Vancouver and BC’s VR/AR Ecosystem

    research / Digital Entertainment, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    Industry research, mapping and recommendations for the virtual and augmented reality sector.
  • PDF
    The $426 Million Sector You’ve Never Heard of – Meet Vancouver’s Contech Ecosystem | Photo: GeoSimsCities
    The Contech Ecosystem in Metro Vancouver

    research / Green Economy, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    A snapshot of the emerging construction tech industry in Metro Vancouver, including active companies, their revenues and employees
  • PDF
    VEC Economy Report July 2020

    research / Resilience

    A monthly roundup of the COVID-19-related impacts, mitigations, and recovery planning for the Vancouver economy.
  • PDF
    From Waste to Wealth – Vancouver’s Deconstruction Economy Potential | Vancouver Economic Commission, Unbuilders and BCIT
    The Business Case for Deconstruction

    research / Green Economy, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    Economic and environmental impacts of a demolition-deconstruction shift in Metro Vancouver.
  • PDF
    VEC Economy Report June 2020

    research / Resilience

    A monthly roundup of the COVID-19-related impacts, mitigations, and recovery planning for the Vancouver economy.
  • Green Buildings & Construction in Vancouver
    Shift

    projects / Green Economy, High Impact Investment, Capital

    Based on our recent research, Shift helps demonstrate how the BC Step Code will influence demand for building components. Built by OPEN Technologies.
  • Events
    PG Connects 2020

    programs / Digital Entertainment, High Impact Investment, Capital

    Level Up: Vancouver, British Columbia Pavilion at PG Connects London brings local companies to Europes biggest mobile games event.
  • Events
    Discovery Foundation’s Capital Mentorship Program

    programs / Capital, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    The Capital Mentorship Program tests investor readiness through a combination of workshops, seminars, mentor-driven education, and peer support.
  • Events
    Impact 6 Pack 2020 | Delivered by Decade Impact Strategy & Activation, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada, and hosted by the Vancouver Economic Commission
    Impact 6 Pack

    programs / Entrepreneurship & Industry Support, Impact

    Impact 6 Pack is a comprehensive 6-part course designed to help business create their own Impact Strategies.
  • Events
    Vancouver Career Fair 2019

    programs / Digital Entertainment, Talent

    May 6, 2019 -- North America’s largest professional recruiting event for the digital entertainment industry with over 35 hiring studios.
  • Signature Report
    VEC’s Green Building Market Forecast (2019–2032) | Vancouver Economic Commission | Green Buildings
    Green Buildings Market Research

    research / Green Economy, High Impact Investment, Capital

    Our Green Buildings Market Forecast explains how local green building policies have impacted demand for six key following product categories.
  • Signature Report
    Today, one in 15 Vancouverites works in the green economy. In VEC’s State of Vancouver's Green Economy 2018 report, you can read about over 200 leading green businesses making great strides in innovation and the development of low-carbon solutions to traditional and contemporary problems in buildings, energy, mobility and resource management.
    State of Vancouver’s Green Economy 2018

    research / Green Economy, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    This report highlights over 200 leading green businesses – and the policies, innovation and culture – that have catalyzed our $31.5 billion brand.
  • Events
    2018 Canada–China Business Forum

    programs / Asia Pacific

    With a focus on the Green Economy and Service Innovation, the forum featured several keynote presentations, pitch sessions, B2B networking.
  • Events
    PG Connects 2019

    programs / Digital Entertainment, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    Level Up: Vancouver, British Columbia Pavilion at PG Connects London brings local companies to Europes biggest mobile games event.
  • Events
    Cascadia Innovation Conference 2018

    programs / Green Economy, Capital

    October 9, 2018 -- This reverse-pitch enables companies in Cascadia Innovation Corridor to pitch their technology needs to local solution providers.
  • Signature Report
    INDUSTRIAL INSIGHTS Research Understanding Industrial Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in Vancouver | Vancouver Economic Commission
    Industrial Insights Research

    research / Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    Based on a citywide survey of industrial businesses, this reports uncovers the opportunities and risks faced by local industrial businesses.
  • Events
    Sustainable Brands Vancouver - Supported by the Vancouver Economic Commission
    Sustainable Brands 2018

    programs / Green Economy, Impact

    A global platform for brand innovation for organizations that are embedding social, environmental and cultural values into their operations.
  • Signature Report
    Preview: Vancouver’s Green Economy

    research / Green Economy

    This preview of upcoming research highlights green economy data for two of the fastest growing green sectors – green buildings and cleantech.
  • Events
    Vancouver Career Fair 2018

    programs / Digital Entertainment, Film & TV, Talent

    April 14, 2018 -- North America’s largest professional recruiting event for VFX, animation, video games, film & TV and VR/AR.
  • Signature Report
    Resilient Future Economy

    research / Entrepreneurship & Industry Support, Resilience

    Together with the City of Vancouver’s Resilience Team we convened a group of private sector stakeholders to develop ideas around a collective vision ...
  • Events
    Cascadia Connect 2018

    programs / Green Economy, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    March 15, 2018 -- This reverse-pitch enables companies in Cascadia Innovation Corridor to pitch their technology needs to local solution providers.
  • Events
    Cleantech Capital Mentorship 2017

    programs / Green Economy, Capital

    This Cleantech focused installment of the Capital Mentorship Program offers a four-week program for up to 16 cleantech entrepreneurs
  • Events
    PG Connects 2018

    programs / Digital Entertainment, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    Level Up: Vancouver, British Columbia Pavilion at PG Connects London brings local companies to Europes biggest mobile games event.
  • Events
    Globe Forum 2018

    programs / Green Economy, Capital

    From March 14—16, 2018, join us for B2B activity at the world’s largest leadership summit for sustainable business.
  • Events
    Mission to China 2017

    programs / Asia Pacific

    VEC led a delegation of academics, government officials and businesses to Beijing and Shanghai to attracting investment and to assist local companies ...
  • Events
    Encourage Industrial Colocation
    Flats Climate Action Program

    programs / Green Economy, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    Climate Smart program helps businesses improve their energy, water and waste footprints while reducing associated costs.
  • Signature Report
    Download the Technology Talent Strategy for BC | Written and Developed by the Vancouver Economic Commission in partnership key industry stakeholders. (c) Vancouver Economic Commission 2017.
    Technology Talent Strategy for BC

    projects / Tech, Talent

    Part of the Labour Market Partnership Program, this strategy outlines recommendations aimed at helping BC's technology talent pool meet rising demand.
  • Events
    PG Connects 2017

    programs / Digital Entertainment, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    Level Up: Vancouver, British Columbia Pavilion at PG Connects London brings local companies to Europes biggest mobile games event.
  • Events
    Vancouver Startup City - Capital. October 2 - Oct 6. In partnership with NACO
    Startup City Capital 2016

    programs / Capital, Tech

    A capital-focused, four-day program that allows local investors and Angels participating in NACO to discover Vancouver’s high-potential startups.
  • PDF
    Renewable Energy Challenge Outcomes Report

    research / Green Economy, Entrepreneurship & Industry Support

    This workshop summary report underscores the drive in local businesses for collective action to address climate change.
  • PDF
    City of Vancouver Business Energy and Emissions Profile 2016

    research / Green Economy

    Prepared for the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Economic Commission, this report by Climate Smart provides a high-level view of business sector e ...
  • PDF
    TEXTILES CHALLENGE & SUSTAINABLE BRANDS | Vancouver-based entrepreneurs are grappling with the accumulation of used textiles in the region, developing new products, markets, and processes that take advantage of a resource that is treated as waste around the world. Join this interactive workshop to lend your knowledge in the emerging practices of reuse, repurposing, and recycling. | Vancouver Economic Commission
    Towards the Circular Economy

    research / From Our Peers

    This paper outlines the role Vancouver’s local and regional governments can play to help catalyze a circular economy in the fashion and textile sect ...
  • PDF
    The False Creek Flats Economic Development Strategy and the Vancouver Economic Commission
    False Creek Flats: Business Emissions and Energy Profile

    research / Green Economy

    This report provides a unique view of the greenhouse gas emissions generated in the False Creek Flats.
  • Events
    Startup City 2015

    programs / Entrepreneurship & Industry Support, Tech

    Alongside Startup Week 2015, VEC partnered with world-class organizations to put on first-rate programming for the startup community.
  • PDF
    The Vancouver Lifestyle - Gastown
    A Summary of the Liveability Ranking and Overview 2015

    research / From Our Peers

    The Economist Intelligence Unit's liveability rating across five broad categories of Stability, Healthcare, Culture and environment, Education and Inf ...
  • PDF
    KPMG Tech ReportCard 2014
    KPMG British Columbia Technology Report Card 2014

    research / Tech, From Our Peers

    The KPMG Tech Report Card paints a detailed statistical portrait of the BC technology sector, comparing it to other industries in BC and to technology ...
  • PDF
    - Vancouver Economic Commission
    The Smart Economy Reshaping Canada’s Workforce 2015

    research / Tech, From Our Peers

    ICTC’s labour market research captures critical economic and labour market indicators of the Canadian ICT workforce and aims to provide evidence and ...
  • PDF
    Green and Local Food Jobs in the City of Vancouver 2015 - Saltworks team in front of Saltmaker
    Green and Local Food Jobs in the City of Vancouver 2015

    research / Green Economy

    This report includes data on local green job growth from 2010 to 2013, one of the ways we evaluate the size of Vancouver's green economy.
  • PDF
    Economic and Biophysical Impacts of Oil Tanker Spills Relevant to Vancouver, Canada - Download the Literature Review - Photo: Unsplash
    Economic and Biophysical Impacts of Oil Tanker Spills Relevant to Vancouver, Canada 2015

    research / Green Economy

    A literature review of likely economic and biophysical impacts of oil spills, to provide an objective and scientifically sound platform to inform futu ...
  • PDF
    Currency Internationalization and the Canadian Renminbi Hub - Chinese
    Currency Internationalisation and the Canadian Renminbi Hub 2015

    research / Asia Pacific

    This paper describes Canada's role in the the internationalization of the renminbi (RMB) currency with a focus on Vancouver. English version.
  • PDF
    Currency Internationalization and the Canadian Renminbi Hub - Chinese
    Currency Internationalization and Canadian Renminbi Hub – Chinese 2015

    research / Asia Pacific

    This paper describes Canada's role in the the internationalization of the renminbi (RMB) currency with a focus on Vancouver. Chinese version.
  • PDF
    The UBC-Broadway Corridor – Unlocking the Economic Potential
    The UBC-Broadway Corridor – Unlocking the Economic Potential

    research / From Our Peers

    This study defines the opportunities and priority actions required to unlock the economic development potential of the UBC-Broadway Corridor.
  • PDF
    Local Food Jobs in Vancouver - Vancouver Economic Commission
    Vancouver’s Green Economy Working Paper #5: Local Food Jobs 2012

    research / Green Economy

    Vancouver has been a pioneer of the local food movement. This study aims to define and quantify the number of local food jobs in the city of Vancouver ...
  • PDF
    Vancouver’s Green Economy Working Paper #4: Green Economy Jobs 2011

    research / Green Economy

    This white paper aims to quantify the number of green jobs in Vancouver and provides projections for the growth in green jobs to 2020.
  • PDF
    Kits Farmers Market - Local Food from Vancouver's Green Economy
    The Economy of Local Food in Vancouver 2009

    research / Green Economy

    This report is a summary of the major issues in the current local food system system, along with recommendations to strengthen the sector.
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General Contact

  • Phone: +1 604-632-9668
  • Toll Free: +1-866-632-9668
  • Email us
  • 500-555 W 8th Avenue
    Vancouver, British Columbia
    V5Z 1C6
Events
  • Angels for Climate Solutions Pitch Night Finale
  • Angels for Climate Solutions Top 15 Pitch Night (2023)
  • Future-proofing Vancouver: Food Security beyond Food Surplus

View all events

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VEC respectfully acknowledges that it is located on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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