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BC’s tech sector by the numbers

According to the BC Tech Association, BC’s technology sector employs 271,000 people, or 9.2% of the workforce, and accounts for 9.6% of provincial GDP. Over the past five years it has grown at three times the rate of the rest of BC’s economy.

Jobs and wages

  • 271,000 tech sector workers, 9.2% of the workforce.
  • Wages 70% above the provincial average.
  • About $30 billion a year in wages and salaries.

Companies and ecosystem

  • More than 12,000 tech companies based in BC, according to BC Stats.
  • Vancouver’s startup ecosystem ranked second in Canada, according to Startup Genome in 2024.
  • Vancouver ranked first in Canada for tech talent concentration, according to CBRE in 2024.
  • Clusters in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.

Why the counts differ

Numbers vary with how “tech” is defined. The BC Tech Association, an industry group, reports 271,000 workers using Statistics Canada and BC Stats data. Trade and Invest BC cites more than 180,000 tech professionals. When you compare figures, check which definition each one uses.

How much AI is really in use

Across Canada, 12.2% of businesses reported using AI to produce goods or deliver services in the second quarter of 2025, up from 6.1% a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada. The federal AI for All strategy aims for 60% by 2034.

What it would take to lead

Second in Canada is a strong start, but it isn’t the capital of a continent. BC Tech calls for 10,000 more tech-relevant post-secondary places, 5,000 reskilling places, a BC patent box and Value-for-BC procurement. Our draft platform adopts those ideas and adds more.

Last checked . Drafted with AI and published by the AI Party of BC, a party with its own views. This is not legal advice, so confirm details with Elections BC or the Province.

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