The British Columbia Strategic Investments Regulation establishes the types of business activities that qualify for strategic investment support under section 9.9 of the Special Accounts Appropriation and Control Act. The regulation is designed to direct government funding toward industries considered essential to the province’s long-term economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness. By clearly defining who may receive funding and identifying eligible sectors, the regulation creates a framework for supporting projects that strengthen British Columbia’s industrial base, supply chains, natural resources, and emerging technology industries.

A key requirement under the regulation is that any person or organization seeking support must be registered to carry on business in British Columbia. This eligibility condition ensures that public funds are directed to businesses with an established legal presence in the province and that the resulting economic benefits, including employment, investment, and tax revenues, remain within British Columbia. The requirement also reinforces accountability by limiting access to organizations operating under the province’s business registration framework.

The regulation identifies a broad range of strategic investments spanning both traditional resource industries and advanced manufacturing sectors. Marine industries are among the designated areas, with eligible activities including the construction, manufacturing, conversion, maintenance, repair, overhaul, and recycling of marine vessels intended for commercial or industrial use rather than personal recreation. This recognizes the continued importance of British Columbia’s shipbuilding, marine transportation, and coastal industrial sectors.

Mining and mineral processing are also identified as strategic priorities. Eligible activities extend across the entire mineral value chain, including mining, extraction, beneficiation, milling, recycling, and other forms of mineral processing. By encompassing both resource extraction and downstream processing, the regulation supports efforts to increase domestic value-added production while strengthening supply chains for critical minerals and other natural resources.

The regulation places particular emphasis on advanced technologies by recognizing investments related to artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Eligible activities include designing and constructing electrical or digital infrastructure, manufacturing computer systems and components, developing data processing systems, producing semiconductors and electronic components, and creating, modifying, testing, or supporting software and information architecture. Including research and development within these activities demonstrates the province’s intention to attract investment in high-value technology sectors that are expected to drive future economic growth.

British Columbia (148/2026) July 29, 2026
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.