Metro Vancouver Launches New Regional Economic Prosperity Service

A new regional economic prosperity service is on its way. This new Metro Vancouver service will complement and amplify the existing economic development efforts of member jurisdictions and stakeholders. With a focus on promoting strategic investment in the region, and on regional collaboration to advance shared economic, livability and sustainability goals in Canada’s Pacific gateway, it will work closely with public and private sector stakeholders to identify investment priorities and to collect and analyze relevant data, while leveraging the regional district’s considerable resources and positive reputation. The business plan was developed under the guidance of a steering committee and advisory group comprised of representatives from public and private sectors, including the Port of Vancouver, the Surrey Board of Trade, the Motion Picture Industry Association of BC, Telus, the University of British Columbia, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Simon Fraser University, Seaspan, the BC Chamber of Commerce, Mustel Group and others.

As a next step, Metro Vancouver will appoint a Management Board to provide oversight in the development of the marketing strategy and will begin recruitment for an executive director and resources for the new function.

Metro Vancouver is a federation of 21 municipalities, one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation that collaboratively plans for and delivers regional-scale services.

Its core services are drinking water, wastewater treatment and solid waste management. Metro Vancouver also regulates air quality, plans for urban growth, manages a regional parks system and provides affordable housing. The regional district is governed by a Board of Directors of elected officials from each local authority.