British Columbia Maps & Facts

Includes resources and supports for education and skills training. Learn about government and our initiatives, and how we’re building relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Find information for major life events, including ordering certificates and legal name changes. Give feedback on government plans, policies and projects Academic achievement in British Columbia is relatively good, although it has been slipping in recent years by some measures.

Use of BC and AD dating system

  • British Columbia's economy experienced strong growth in recent years with a total growth rate of 9.6% from 2017 to 2021, a growth rate that was second in the country.
  • Since both are in regular use with supporting arguments for each, no one system is recommended over the other.
  • Following the election, the Greens entered into negotiations with both the Liberals and NDP, eventually announcing they would support an NDP minority government.
  • The province is currently governed by the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP) under Premier David Eby.
  • The completion of the Port of Vancouver spurred rapid growth, and in less than fifty years the city surpassed Winnipeg, Manitoba, as the largest in Western Canada.
  • With this increased stability, objections to the colony's absentee governor and the lack of responsible government began to be vocalized, led by the influential editor of the New Westminster British Columbian and future premier, John Robson.

One of the last regions of the North American continent to be explored and settled, British Columbia emerged in the second half of the 20th century as one of the leading provinces of Canada in population, economic wealth, and overall growth. It stretches some 730 miles (1,180 km) from north to south and 640 miles (1,030 km) from east to west at its widest point. British Columbia, westernmost of Canada’s 10 provinces. Public institutions receive approximately half of their funding from grants from the provincial government, with the remaining revenue stemming from tuition charges and philanthropic donations. In 2020, 86 percent of students in British Columbia graduated from high school within six years of entering grade 8.

Ferry service over inland lakes and rivers is provided by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Ferry service to Washington is offered by the Washington State Ferries (between Sidney and Anacortes) and Black Ball Transport (between Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington). It now operates 25 routes among the islands of British Columbia, as well as between the islands and the mainland. BC Ferries was established as a provincial crown corporation in 1960 to provide passenger and vehicle ferry service between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland as a cheaper and more reliable alternative to the service operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway and other private operators. Several heritage railways operate within the province, including the White Pass and Yukon Route that runs between Alaska and the Yukon via British Columbia.

Western styles and forms were introduced to the region through the establishment of British North American settlements in the late 18th century. Local services are limited to two regions, with TransLink providing rapid transit and commuter services in the Lower Mainland and by the Seton Lake Indian Band South of Lillooet with the Kaoham Shuttle. In the capital city of Victoria, BC Transit and the provincial government's infrastructure ministry are working together to create a bus rapid transit from the Westshore communities to downtown Victoria. Prior to 1979, surface public transit in the Vancouver and Victoria metropolitan areas was administered by BC Hydro, the provincially owned electricity utility. Much of the rest of the province, where traffic volumes are generally low, is accessible by well-maintained generally high-mobility two-lane arterial highways with additional passing lanes in mountainous areas and usually only a few stop-controlled intersections outside the main urban areas.

What Does BCE Stand For ?

Includes the Medical Services Plan (MSP), BC PharmaCare, mental health and substance use supports. Learn about agriculture, seafood, natural resources and land use. Includes child care, income assistance and disability assistance. Resources for children, youth, families, seniors and people living with disabilities.

BC, AD, CE and BCE in full form

British Columbia's coast, stretching over 15,900 miles, features numerous inlets and fjords, providing a natural haven for marine life. As bc game a result, within the last few centuries the dates are rarely marked with CE (or AD). Outside historical contexts, BCE / CE (or BC / AD) distinction is unnecessary & it is understood that when unspecified, the year in question is CE (or AD).