Regional Pilot - Community Profiles
This page was last updated on
March 24, 2021.
The federal government has implemented travel restrictions for air and land travel. Given the travel restrictions, you are unable to travel to B.C. to conduct the exploratory visit. For more information, please see our COVID-19 Updates page. Communities may also be delayed replying to inquiries due to other priorities.
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot (EI – Regional Pilot) has been extended until March 2024. More information will be posted on our News page in Summer 2021.
The following communities are participating in the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot. Please be advised that each community has implemented its own unique process for arranging exploratory visits or issuing referrals to foreign entrepreneurs. This may include the implementation of administrative fees for services related to the community’s administration of the EI Regional Pilot.
We ask interested parties to respect and follow a community’s specific process. Communities reserve the right to meet only with those potential applicants for the EI Regional Pilot that have been qualified through the community’s official intake process.
After reviewing the detailed community profiles and their priority sectors, you should contact the community using only the contact details listed in each community’s profile.
Before considering the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot, you should familiarize yourself with the program criteria and check your eligibility. Please refer to the
Regional Pilot webpage and the
Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot Program Guide for more information, including details on ineligible businesses.
Enrolled communities by Development Regions:
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
Nechako
North Coast
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Community Profiles (alphabetically listed):
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Akisqnuk First Nation
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Information:
Population: 140
Google Map |
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Priority Sectors:
541 – Professional, scientific and technical services
721 – Accommodation services
621 – Ambulatory health care services |
Regional Description:
The Columbia Valley stretches from the Headwaters of the Columbia River to Spillimacheen, including Area F & G, the villages of Canal Flats & Radium Hot Springs, the District of Invermere, and includes the shared territory of the Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band. |
Community Description:
A thriving, modern, First Nation Community of approximately 300 members, the Akisqnuk First Nation covers over 8,000 acres of some of the most picturesque land in the Columbia Valley. In fact, almost the entire distance between Windermere and Fairmont Hot Springs crosses the Akisqnuk First Nation.
Community website: http://www.akisqnuk.org
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/first-nations/akisq-nuk-first-nation/ |
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Barriere*
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Information:
Population: 1,763
Google Map |
Contact:
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*The District of Barriere will be pausing intake for the EI-Regional Pilot effective June 1, 2020 until March 31, 2021. Applications that are currently in process will not be impacted.
Entrepreneurs interested in immigrating to B.C. to establish a business in Barriere may wish to consider the EI-Base category. More information about the BC PNP’s Entrepreneur Immigration categories can be found here. |
Community Description:
A beautiful place to raise a family, start a business or retire in an affordable, safe community. Abundant recreation is at your doorstep in a relaxing home-town atmosphere. Just 45 minutes scenic commute to the city of Kamloops.
Community website: http://www.barriere.ca
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/thompson-okanagan/thompson-nicola/barriere/ |
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Invermere
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Information:
Population: 3,391
Google Map |
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Priority Sectors:
541 – Professional, scientific and technical services
721 – Accommodation services
621 – Ambulatory health care services |
Regional Description:
The Columbia Valley stretches from the Headwaters of the Columbia River to Spillimacheen, including Area F & G, the villages of Canal Flats & Radium Hot Springs, the District of Invermere, and includes the shared territory of the Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band. |
Community Description:
Invermere-on-the-Lake is on the northern shore of Lake Windermere, offering a vibrant downtown and seasonal farmers market, a hospital, high school, community college, many professional services offices, the new Columbia Valley Centre and two public beach areas.
Community website: http://www.invermere.net/
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/east-kootenay/invermere/ |
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Midway*
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Information:
Population: 679
Google Map |
Contact:
PNP.VillageofMidway@shaw.ca |
*The Village of Midway will be pausing intake for the EI-Regional Pilot effective June 1, 2020. Applications that are currently in process will not be impacted.
Entrepreneurs interested in immigrating to B.C. to establish a business in Midway may wish to consider the EI-Base category. More information about the BC PNP’s Entrepreneur Immigration categories can be found here. |
Community Description:
The Village of Midway, population 679 people, is in a tranquil valley surrounded by protective mountains. Located in the Kettle Valley on the scenic Highway #3, where the Kettle River meanders through the Canada-U.S. Border.
Community website: https://www.midwaybc.ca
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/kootenay-boundary/midway/ |
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Nelson
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Information:
Population: 10,572
Google Map |
Contact:
info@discovernelson.com
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Priority Sectors:
321 – Wood product manufacturing
339 – Miscellaneous manufacturing
541 – Professional, scientific and technical services |
Community Description:
Nelson and area is one of B.C.’s richest resource regions. Nelson’s climate, location, & quality workforce have helped create a robust diverse economy including tourism, retail, food & beverage, education, health services, manufacturing, and technology.
Community website: http://www.nelson.ca | http://www.discovernelson.com
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/central-kootenay/nelson/ |
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Radium Hot Springs
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Information:
Population: 776
Google Map |
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Priority Sectors:
541 – Professional, scientific and technical services
721 – Accommodation services
321 – Wood product manufacturing |
Regional Description:
The Columbia Valley stretches from the Headwaters of the Columbia River to Spillimacheen, including Area F & G, the villages of Canal Flats & Radium Hot Springs, the District of Invermere, and includes the shared territory of the Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band. |
Community Description:
Radium’s vision is to be an authentic, environmentally-focused mountain resort community with a dynamic mix of full-time population, daytime enterprise, and recreational property owners, expanding atmospheric tourism services, and a long list of community and valley recreational pursuit that drives motivation to visit or move to the area.
Community website: http://radiumhotsprings.ca
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/east-kootenay/radium-hot-springs/ |
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Regional District of Central Kootenay (Area J)
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Information:
Population: 3,500
Regional District Map |
Contact:
edm@castlegar.com |
Priority Sectors:
113 – Forestry and logging
236 – Construction of buildings
623 – Nursing and residential care facilities |
Regional Description:
The Regional District of Central Kootenay – Area J includes the communities of Ootischenia, Robson, Renata, Deer Park, Brooklyn, Shields, Raspberry, Syringa and Fairview. |
Community Description:
Located across the river from Castlegar, Area J is projected to be among the Kootenay's fastest growing communities in the next 20 years. The region's main economic drivers are Forestry, Education and Transport.
Community website: https://www.rdck.ca | https://www.caded.ca
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/central-kootenay/ |
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Regional District of East Kootenay (Area F)
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Information:
Population: 2,726
Google Map |
Contact:
cvced@rdek.bc.ca |
Priority Sectors:
541 – Professional, scientific and technical services
721 – Accommodation services
311 – Food manufacturing |
Regional Description:
The Columbia Valley stretches from the Headwaters of the Columbia River to Spillimacheen, including Area F & G, the villages of Canal Flats & Radium Hot Springs, the District of Invermere, and includes the shared territory of the Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band. |
Community Description:
The small community of Windermere sits on the eastern shore of Lake Windermere, where the population swells in the summer. The world¹s largest outdoor mineral hot pool drew the first visitors to Fairmont Hot Springs more than 100 years ago, with 3 golf courses, downhill skiing and accommodation surrounding it. Panorama is a world-class four-season resort with skiing, snowboarding, cross-country, biking and hiking trails. Columbia Lake is wrapped by a mix of large ranches, small communities and a Ktunaxa Cultural Landscape.
Community website: http://livecolumbiavalley.ca/
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/east-kootenay/ |
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Regional District of East Kootenay (Area G)
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Information:
Population: 1,462
Google Map |
Contact:
cvced@rdek.bc.ca |
Priority Sectors:
541 – Professional, scientific and technical services
721 – Accommodation services
311 – Food manufacturing |
Regional Description:
The Columbia Valley stretches from the Headwaters of the Columbia River to Spillimacheen, including Area F & G, the villages of Canal Flats & Radium Hot Springs, the District of Invermere, and includes the shared territory of the Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band. |
Community Description:
The hamlets of Edgewater, Brisco & Spillimacheen lie north of Radium Hot Springs. The villages offers collectively offer general stores, gas stations, post offices, community halls and a Royal Canadian Legion. The Columbia River, Purcell Mountains and surrounding forests inspire a thriving wood product manufacturing, agriculture and arts community.
Community website: http://livecolumbiavalley.ca/
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/east-kootenay/ |
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Regional District of Kootenay Boundary - Electoral Area E (West Boundary)*
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Information:
Population: 2,155
Area Profile |
Contact:
pnp@riversidecentre.coop |
Priority Sectors*:
713 – Amusement, gambling and recreation industries (excluding 7132 – Gambling industries)
*721 – Accommodation services (Intake closed)
722 – Food services and drinking places
* The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary - Electoral Area E (West Boundary) will no longer be accepting applications for sector 721 – Accommodation services, effective June 1, 2020. Applications that are currently in process will not be impacted. |
Community Description:
The West Boundary is cowboy country. We value our accessible wilderness with beautiful mountains, rangelands, rivers & forests close to large markets. Friendly people in eight communities (Rock Creek, Beaverdell, Bridesville, Mount Baldy, Idabel Lake, Big White, Westbridge/Christian Valley and Jewel Lake) welcome visitors’ enjoyment of nature on ski hills and trails.
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/kootenay/kootenay-boundary/ |
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Sunshine Coast Regional District – Egmont and Pender Harbour (Area A)
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Information:
Population: 2,624
Regional District Map |
Contact:
pnp@scredo.ca |
Priority Sectors:
321 – Wood product manufacturing
611 – Educational services
541 – Professional, scientific and tech services |
Regional Description:
Located at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast Peninsula, the Pender Harbour area is a complex maze of inlets, islands, coves, and lakes. The scattered community of settlements includes Madeira Park, Beaver Island, Garden Bay and Irvines Landing. To the north are Kleindale, Sakinaw Lake, Ruby Lake, Earl's Cove, Egmont, Skookumchuck Narrows and the waterways up Jervis Inlet. |
Community Description:
The Egmont/Pender Harbour area is home to several marinas and numerous tourist accommodations, artists’ studios, local shops, restaurants, a health centre and the School of Music.
Community website: http://www.scrd.ca/Area-A---Pender-Harbour--Egmont
http://investsunshinecoast.ca/pnp/ |
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Sunshine Coast Regional District – Halfmoon Bay (Area B)
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Information:
Population: 2,726
Regional District Map |
Contact:
pnp@scredo.ca |
Priority Sectors:
321 – Wood product manufacturing
611 – Educational services
541 – Professional, scientific and tech services |
Regional Description:
The Halfmoon Bay (Area B) includes Porpoise Bay from Tuwanek to the Skookumchuk, Salmon and Narrows Inlet, Redrooffs, Welcome Woods, Halfmoon Bay, Secret Cove and Wood Bay. It also includes the Trail Islands, Merry Island, Franklin Island, North Thormanby Island, South Thormanby Island, Bertha Island, Capri Isle, France Islet, Grant Island, Jack Tolmie Island and Turnagain Island. |
Community Description:
The Halfmoon Bay Area has gentle bays and coves that provide several protected harbours for marine traffic; the area includes several parks as well as diving spots, hiking and mountain biking trails.
Community website: http://www.scrd.ca/Area-B---Halfmoon-Bay
http://investsunshinecoast.ca/pnp/ |
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Sunshine Coast Regional District – West Howe Sound (Area F)
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Information:
Population: 2,043
Regional District Map |
Contact:
pnp@scredo.ca |
Priority Sectors:
321 – Wood product manufacturing
611 – Educational services
541 – Professional, scientific and tech services |
Regional Description:
The communities of West Howe Sound stretch along the lower roadway (Marine Drive) from Gibsons, to the ferry terminal, past the ferry terminal towards Port Mellon, and up the ferry bypass route into Upper Gibsons and Area E – Elphinstone. |
Community Description:
The West Howe Sound area includes Langdale, Port Mellon, Williamson’s Landing, Granthams Landing, Soames, Hopkins Landing, and Gambier and Keats Islands. Although this is the most lightly populated area in the SCRD, it has the highest growth rate in the Regional District.
Community website: http://www.scrd.ca/Area-F---West-Howe-Sound
http://investsunshinecoast.ca/pnp/ |
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Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area I – Spences Bridge*
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Information:
Population: 2,969
Google Map |
Contact:
pnpgccs@telus.net |
| *The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area I is pausing intake for the EI-Regional Pilot effective January 1, 2021 until March 31, 2021. Applications that are currently in process will not be impacted. |
Regional Description:
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area I includes the communities of Spences Bridge, Walhachin and Hat Creek. |
Community Description:
Thompson Nicola Regional District Area I is located in Southern British Columbia along the Thompson River. Amenities include a hospital, motels/hotels, grocery stores, laundromats, museums, heritage sites, restaurants, post offices and restaurants.
Community website: https://www.exploregoldcountry.com/
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/thompson-okanagan/thompson-nicola/ |
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Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area M – Nicola Valley North*
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Information:
Population: 1,181
Google Map |
Contact:
pnpgccs@telus.net |
| *The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area M is pausing intake for the EI-Regional Pilot effective January 1, 2021 until March 31, 2021. Applications that are currently in process will not be impacted. |
Regional Description:
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area M includes the communities of Douglas Plateau Nicola, and Quilchena. |
Community Description:
Thompson Nicola Regional District Area M is located in Southern B.C. in the beautiful Nicola Valley and Douglas Lake Plateau area. Amenities include restaurants, stores, post office, and service stations. There are many recreation activities.
Community website: https://www.exploregoldcountry.com/
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/thompson-okanagan/thompson-nicola/ |
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Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area N – Nicola Valley South*
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Information:
Population: 1,064
Google Map |
Contact:
pnpgccs@telus.net |
| *The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area N is pausing intake for the EI-Regional Pilot effective January 1, 2021 until March 31, 2021. Applications that are currently in process will not be impacted. |
Regional Description:
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District Area N includes the communities of Aspen Grove, Brookmere and Lower Nicola. |
Community Description:
Thompson Nicola Regional District Area N is situated in Southern B.C. in the beautiful Nicola Valley. Amenities include an arena, community park, driving range, grocery store, service stations, restaurants, trail riding, hiking, fishing, and camping.
Community website: https://www.exploregoldcountry.com/
Trade and Invest website: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/thompson-okanagan/thompson-nicola/ |