ACCORDING to new data from Invest Vancouver, the average foreign company has more than tripled their workforce in the Metro Vancouver region since arriving. More than half of these firms entered the market with 30 or fewer employees and grew by an impressive 233 per cent.
“The story is in the numbers: global companies may start small in Metro Vancouver, but they quickly discover a business climate that gives them the confidence to scale up,” said Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Boards of Directors, on Monday “Our business ecosystem offers stability, value, and long‑term potential that builds investor confidence.”
Invest Vancouver is the region’s economic development service, positioned as the first point of contact for foreign firms considering the Metro Vancouver region. To understand patterns of foreign direct investment and identify what factors influence their expansion decisions, Invest Vancouver surveyed senior executives at 47 foreign multinational companies operating in the region. Two-thirds of respondents rated the region as a “very good” or “excellent” place for foreign companies, citing quality of life, infrastructure and logistics, and market access. Most respondents pointed to increased demand as the primary growth driver, followed by skilled labour and strategic partnerships.
“Invest Vancouver’s focus on high-value sectors is creating real momentum, with foreign firms continuing to land here, grow their operations, and boost local employment,” said Linda Buchanan, Chair of the Invest Vancouver Management Board. “The evidence is clear — we are pursuing the right opportunities to attract foreign direct investment.”
Invest Vancouver engaged PwC and Leger to conduct the survey. Participants completed the survey in Q4 2025 and represented 47 companies with headquarters across the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America. Top industries represented included manufacturing; logistics and supply chain; professional, scientific and technical services; and information and communications services.
Learn more about the survey findings here: What Drives Corporate Growth and Expansion in Metro Vancouver?
