Technology is a key economic driver for British Columbia. For example, according to BC STATS, the technology industry in British Columbia generated $14 billion in revenues and employed 65,000 people in 2004. Many people do not recognize that, in terms of GDP, the technology industry is already one of our largest economic sectors – larger, for example, than the construction, forestry, wood products, mining, agri-food, transportation and warehousing, education, health care, retail, and wholesale sectors.

There is a tendency, amongst some, to believe that technology activity in this province is concentrated in the Lower Mainland. However, we know from our experience that there are many companies throughout other regions of BC that are active in the development, commercialization and/or application of technologies across a wide range of economic sectors. To demonstrate this, the BC Regional Science & Technology Network (BCRSTN) is undertaking an extensive project to develop an inventory of the companies that are involved, to varying degrees, in the technology industry. These results will demonstrate the significant size and impact of the regional technology sector to the Provincial and Federal Governments and other key stakeholders. Perhaps, more importantly, the information we collect will provide the foundation for preparing strategies to support the further growth and development of these companies. To find out more, please visit the project website at http://www.bctech.ca.

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