III.

Economy

Vancouver is predominantly a service center. Since the 1960s the city has experienced high levels of growth in population, labor force, investment, and trade. Recent growth has concentrated heavily in the service sector. Since 1961, employment in finance, insurance, and real-estate-related activities has expanded rapidly, along with that related to accommodation and food services, health and welfare services, and business services. Manufacturing has declined in importance in Vancouver in recent decades.

Vancouver is Canada’s leading port and one of the busiest in North America. Major exports include forest products, agricultural commodities, coal, potash, sulfur, and other raw materials from western Canada. Major imports include consumer products, textiles and clothing, building materials, and industrial machinery and parts. Vancouver’s leading trading partners are China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the United States, and Taiwan. Tourism is also very important to the city’s economy, and many cruise ships moor at the city’s waterfront.

The city is a regional, national, and international hub. The Light Rapid Transit SkyTrain, opened in 1986, shuttles commuters and other passengers between the city core and as far away as Surrey. In addition, a ferry (the SeaBus) links the city core with the north shore of Burrard Inlet, and bus services run through all parts of the metropolitan area. Vancouver is the terminus of two trans-Canada railroads and of the British Columbia Railroad that runs north through the Coast Mountains to the Prince George and Peace River districts. The Trans-Canada Highway connects Vancouver to other Canadian cities to the north and east. Ferries carry passengers between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Vancouver International Airport, serving provincial, national, and foreign destinations, is Canada’s second busiest (after Pearson International in Toronto).