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Vancouver
Burnaby
YVR

Richmond

We are cascadia
We are metro vancouver

To
Cc

Subject: Amazon HQ2

Surrey
Trans Canada
Peace Arch
Border Crossing

We are home

Hello Amazon,
it’s nice to meet you (again).
We understand you are facing some growing pains in Seattle and are
seeking a new home to support your quickly expanding family.

Bellingham

Victoria

s

Amtrack Cascade
Interstate 5

So let us (re)introduce ourselves: we are Vancouver, Amazon’s home away
from home.
In this document we reference “Vancouver” many times.  Let us clarify what that
represents. We are a metropolitan region of 22 municipalities and 11 First Nations with
a total population of 2.5 million.  We are situated in one of the world’s most beautiful
locations, rich in diversity, highly resourceful and a leader in sustainability.  We offer an
unsurpassed quality of life across an efficiently-connected collection of communities,
and neighborhoods that are as unique as they are compelling. 
 
The jurisdictions that comprise the region, and submit this proposal, have worked
together to drive growth and economic prosperity. Going forward, this collaboration will
lead to continued success and our region warmly welcomes Amazon to participate in this
shared growth opportunity. 
There hasn't been a lot of talk about us in the past few weeks and some have attempted
to undermine us:

From Downtown Vancouver to Seattle
Multiple options. Same-day access. Take your pick.

“Vancouver’s too close, too young and they don’t give out blank checks.”

180 minutes by car

But that's exactly what makes us attractive…

45 minutes by plane
45 minutes by nerdbird
40 minutes by drone
20 minutes by hyperloop

Amazon

Seattle

Send

 See Appendix for a mapping of your proposal requirements
back to the content included in this document

Here’s why Vancouver is HQ2:

1

Cultural Community Fit   Quality of Life

2

Labor Force

3

4

We are home

We are the best positioned to support
your growth

We are move-in ready

We are the best value option

You’re here. You know us. You trust us. And you
are already playing a pivotal role in shaping the
region. With over 1,000 employees (and plans to
double in size), you already have a vested interest
in Vancouver and understand the unparalleled
benefits it provides.

We are not only Vancouver; we are Canada. We
attract, welcome and retain top talent from around
the world and provide that talent with a strong,
stable and supportive environment to thrive.
Leading players such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts
and Sony Pictures Imageworks have all set up in
Vancouver for this very reason.

In typical Vancouver fashion, we’ve come together
as a community to source what we think are the
prime sites for Amazon’s HQ2. With sites ranging
in size, location, unique features and nearby
amenities, our options each offer a distinct
advantage that could serve your business well in
both the near and long-term.

We also understand you are growing; so are we.
We want to collaborate with you to cultivate a
vision for the future of the region. While we may be
home, Vancouver can provide Amazon with fresh
air in the form of new ideas, unparalleled talent,
and a community of leaders that have internalized
a Day 1 mindset.

Whether it’s being in the heart of the urban jungle,
in the vicinity of creative companies or having
room to breathe with an expansive campus
development, we’ve been sure to keep your
ambitions of today, tomorrow and the future top of
mind as we propose sites.

Our talent competes with the best, yet we have
the lowest wages of all North American tech hubs.
Combine that with some of the lowest office space
costs and the benefits of Amazon diversifying its
foreign exchange profile, and you have a compelling
proposition that positions Vancouver as the most
sustainable, low-cost operating environment for
HQ2. Establishing Amazon’s second home in
Vancouver could result in a cumulative savings of
up to USD $34 billion for office space, labor, and
health costs over a 10-year horizon.2

Whether it be our proximity to your Seattle
headquarters, our key role in the booming
technology cluster of the Cascadia Corridor or
our unmatchable status as the best place to live
and work in the world, Vancouver is already the
perfect home away from home for Amazon. So
why not continue to expand in the best city in
North America1?

Sites   Time to Operations   Logistics

Capital & Operating Costs   Incentives

Not only that, but proximity to your Seattle
headquarters would bring added benefits in cost
and time savings, as well as minimizing Amazon’s
carbon footprint. Billions of dollars in savings
means billions of dollars more to be poured into
ideation, innovation and disruption that continue
to shape and evolve how we live, work and play.

Establishing Amazon’s second home in Vancouver could
result in a cumulative savings of up to USD $34 billion for
office space, labor and health costs over a 10-year horizon,
relative to East Coast US competitors

So join us, and together
we can accelerate Vancouver’s economic transformation
and help you advance your global mission to be the world's
most customer-obsessed organization

1

2

Economist Intelligence Unit 2017

1

CBRE Scoring Tech Talent 2017 Scaled for HQ2; savings estimate is relative to East Coast US competitors; foreign exchange may further amplify projected savings

2

  

We are Vancouver
We are young, bold and maturing quickly –
Your presence would help shape our growth and vice versa

Canada’s fastest growing and
most diverse metropolitan economy

A young, smart and highly diverse region

Vancouver’s economic strategy has been simple: Take the
steps needed to build a resilient economy, one that can
withstand the boom-and-bust cycles that are amplified
when economies hang their success on a small handful of
industries.

With a population of 2.5 million, Vancouver is projected to grow by 40% by 2040, bringing our total population to 3.5 million.
The region’s population growth is largely driven by immigration. In fact, Vancouver has the fourth highest percentage of
foreign-born residents in the world. With 35,000 global citizens coming to the region every year, immigrants now make up
more than 40% of British Columbia's (BC) total population.
And, we are as much young as we are diverse. More and more millennials are choosing call Vancouver home, making them
the largest age group in the region today. This provides Vancouver-based companies with a young, talented, diverse labor
pool, with strong connections to the global marketplace. Cool eh?

Components of Vancouver’s Population Growth
2011 - 2016
Immigrants

Births

540,000
520,000
510,000

2014/2015

500,000
490,000

2013/2014

480,000
470,000

2012/2013

460,000

2011/2012
(10,000)

450,000
0

10,000

20,000

30,000

440,000

40,000

Gen-X

Millennials

2011
Source: Statistics Canada 2017

Conference Board
of Canada 2017

That has meant diversifying and focusing on knowledgebased sectors, such as technology, digital entertainment and
interactive and the green economy. These efforts have paid
off, as our economy is now the fastest growing and most
diverse in Canada.1

#1

Head Office Growth
in Canada

With nearly a million more people expected to call Vancouver
home in the next two decades, the region has developed a
growth strategy focused on maintaining a compact urban
area. This reflects the recognition that sprawling urban
development necessitates costly and inefficient urban
infrastructure, consumes the natural landscape and adds to
the global problems of greenhouse gases, limited resources
and climate change.

530,000
2015/2016

Forecasted Future
Economic Growth in
Canada

Significant opportunities
for further growth and development

Vancouver Age Group Comparison
2011 and 2016

Net Interprovincial Migrants

#1

Baby Boomers

2016

Financial Post
FP500 2004 - 2014

#2

Amazon’s role in not only defining the urban center but
collaborating with Vancouver to develop a blueprint for the
future across areas such as modern infrastructure, sustainable
transportation, technology education and affordable housing
will be pivotal.

Most Tax Competitive
City in the World

Source: Census 2016

Millennials now account for 21.5% of the
total population, making them the largest age
group in Metro Vancouver

Approximately 35,000 global citizens immigrate
to the region every year; today, immigrants make
up more than 40% of BC’s total population

5

KPMG 2016
1 Conference Board of Canada 2017

6

 We are ambitious, creative and technology-savvy – We are a lot like you and have
great skills to share
A long history of pioneering technological innovation
Companies in the region have introduced the world’s first cellular radio,
developed the technology that powered the first broadband internet network,
and commercialized the world’s first quantum computer and the fastest growing
business app of all time. We understand the balance of taking calculated risks
while being bold to create, disrupt and reshape the world in which we live, work
and play.

World-class creative and digital entertainment sector
VFX for the world’s top-grossing films (such as Star Wars) are created in
Vancouver, and the world’s #1-selling video games (including FIFA soccer) are
developed and produced in Vancouver. We are a hub for diverse, innovative and
vibrant talent that makes us the world’s #1 VFX & Animation center and the third
largest film and television production center in North America.

The fastest-growing technology sector in Canada
BC leads Canada in technology-sector GDP growth and job creation and boasts
Canada’s #1 startup ecosystem, three of five Canadian billion-dollar startups, and
two of Canada’s top three universities in software development.

Some consider us (quite) attractive – and it’s not just our physical beauty
The most desired destination to live in North America
Majestic mountains, sparkling ocean, unlimited outdoor activities and infrastructure enabling residents to both live and work
in an urban center are just a few reasons Vancouver is consistently ranked as the most livable city in North America.1

The BC tech community is building
a digital technology supercluster
that will leverage cutting-edge data
collection, analytics and visualization
platform technologies to transform
traditional industries into new
business models in the emerging
economy.
These
technologies
include AI, machine learning, cloud
and IoT.
By leveraging our assets and
expanding the digital technology
supercluster, BC will continue to
be a leader by driving the global
transition to a digital future.

Global companies are increasingly attracted to Vancouver
Unparalleled technology talent, geographic advantages and among the lowest operating costs and taxes of major North
American cities. These reasons among many others have driven a strong roster of the world’s leading tech companies —
including Microsoft, Boeing (analytics lab), Cisco, Electronic Arts, GE, Intel, and SAP — as well as homegrown successes like
Slack, Hootsuite, Avigilon, Bardel, D-Wave, Lululemon Athletica and Vision Critical to call Vancouver home.

30.0

%

5.5
CAGR

25.0

$ Billions

A digital technology
supercluster is growing
in BC… join us!

Growth in BC Technology Sector Revenues
2009 - 2015

“Vancouver has a thriving ecosystem of startups as well as larger companies with smaller presence.
More tech companies committed to this thriving region is good for the entire ecosystem, as there
is an abundance of talent, infrastructure and resources in the Vancouver area.”

20.0
15.0
10.0

Jesse Calderon, Senior Director of Engineering

5.0
0.0

‘09

‘10

Source: BC Stats 2016

7

‘11

‘12

‘13

‘14

‘15

1

Economist Intelligence Unit 2017

8

 You might think of us
as a home away from home
You need smart space, strong talent and support to
grow sustainably and we've got just that
Proximity to your Seattle headquarters provides
strategic advantages
Seattle and Vancouver are in the same time zone and located only 140 flight miles
apart; that’s 2,300 flight miles closer than New York. Not only does proximity
provide strategic advantages in terms of collaboration and information flow, but
there are also financial and environmental benefits that come with operating 45
minutes apart – a clear benefit for any organization aiming for a triple bottom-line.

90,000

Hours Less Travel
Compared with
Flying to New York

5,400

Tons Reduction in
CO2e Compared with
Flying to New York

PST

Time Zone Allows for
Business as Usual with
Amazon's Seattle HQ

A strong and stable business climate that is open for
business, investment and trade
Canada benefits from a sound, efficient financial system supported by low taxes
and business costs and a government investing in the innovative, clean, inclusive
economy of tomorrow.
⊲⊲ #1 in the G7 and G20 for doing business over the 2017-2021 period,
Economic Intelligence Unit
⊲⊲ 13 Free Trade Agreements covering 44 countries and counting
(including India and exploratory discussions with China)
⊲⊲ With the addition of Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic Trade
Agreement, guaranteed preferential access to 1.2 billion consumers and
USD $41 trillion combined GDP

#1

#1

#1

Business
Environment of the
G7 Countries

Legatum
Prosperity Index

Large North
American City of
the Future

Economic Intelligence
Unit 2017

Legatum Institute 2016

FDI Intelligence 2017

9

Intrigued?

Let’s share some details on your next home.

 We don’t just offer jobs, we offer a life
Vancouver’s DNA is comprised of similar cultures and values as Seattle, providing
the perfect foundation for your future growth and expansion

A global hub
of Indigenous activity

Culturally connected

A catalyst of innovation

Diverse and socially progressive

Seattle and Vancouver are like fraternal twins separated at
birth. Both are bustling Pacific Northwest coastal cities with
ethnically-diverse, eco-conscious populations that have
accepted the bargain of wet winters in exchange for nearby
ski slopes, kayaking and glorious summers. With the largest
population of US citizens living outside of the US, Vancouver
is also the most American of the Canadian cities.

Beyond their West Coast commonalities, Vancouver and
Seattle are both dynamic and culturally vibrant cities that
are hubs of innovation. In recent years, they have become
a magnet to some of the best and brightest in leading
economic sectors.

Vancouver (like Seattle) is known for its forward-thinking
public policies and socially progressive views. The region’s
biggest strength is a healthy willingness to acknowledge and
try to solve problems – economic, environmental, political –
rather than wish them away.

World-class companies including the likes of Slack,
Microsoft, Boeing, Tableau and Electronic Arts power
regional innovation that has ignited growth in sectors such as
software development, cloud computing, space exploration,
VFX and video games.

Climate change isn’t a myth here; it’s a dilemma to be
addressed head on. 20th century jobs aren’t coming back; so
energy turns to training tomorrow’s workforce. Border walls
and people bans hold little cachet in the region. Instead, the
focus is on finding ways for ideas and people to move freely,
and build relationships that foster a stronger future. It’s with
these views that Vancouver approaches its development
and seeks partners and leaders that do the same.

Metro Vancouver is situated in the
territory of 11 First Nations: Hwlitsum,
Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem, Matsqui,
Musqueam, Qayqayt, Semiahoo, Squamish,
Tsawwassen and Tsleil-Waututh. The City
of Vancouver has declared itself a “City of
Reconciliation” – demonstrating a deep
understanding that our vision for the future
is grounded in appreciation of our past. The
region connects closely with these Nations
and to newcomers to Canada, leveraging
traditional and contemporary knowledge
to overcome challenges and build shared
prosperity.

“Through the advancement of digital and

connected infrastructure in Nations, an
increasing number of Indigenous people
will be accessing the technology sector
and building local digital economies
throughout the province. In an era of
reconciliation, the First Nations Technology
Council is increasingly pleased with the
positive relationships we have built with
government and industry in BC and look
forward to the expansion of tech and
innovation on these traditional territories.”

Vancouver has the largest population of US citizens living outside of America,
making it the most American non-US city in the world
US Federal Voting Assistance Program 2016

Denise Williams,
BC First Nations Tech Council
11

12

 The #1 destination
to live and work in North America

Ski, surf and savasana all in one day –
We are the most livable city in North America
attracting the world's top talent

Economic and political stability, universal healthcare, diversity
in culture and environment, as well as world-class education
and infrastructure are just a few of the reasons Vancouver has
consistently been ranked as #1 for livability and quality of life
across all North American cities.

A spectacular and safe city setting
Majestic mountains, sparkling ocean, rainforests and beautiful
foliage throughout all four seasons make Vancouver one of the
most beautiful cities in the world. Canadians are known for our
friendly nature, and Vancouver’s citizens take great pride in our
welcoming, clean, safe streets – day or night, all year round.
Safety of our residents and tourists is a top priority. Vancouver
has taken active measures to ensure safety on our streets.
As a result, our crime rates are lower than most US cities. For
example, homicide and violent crime rates are less than 10%
most US cities.1

From sea to sky
Outdoor enthusiasts love having nature’s playground at their
doorstep. Three local mountains, Cypress, Grouse and Seymour,
offer access to trails for hiking and biking in summer and first-rate
skiing and snowboarding in winter. Whistler – North America's
#1 ski resort – is also located 90 minutes from the downtown
core. Within the city, residents and tourists flock to Stanley Park
which offers a 13 mile seawall for walking, cycling, running and
rollerblading. And if you’re seeking sun and sand, Kitsilano Beach
is a popular local destination, boasting the longest swimming
pool in North America.

#1

#1

#1

Economist Intelligence Unit 2017

Time Magazine 2014

Nestpick 2017

Most Liveable
City in North America

Healthiest
City in North America

City for Millennials
in North America

“For us, cultural diversity, urban and outdoor life, safety and high quality
education are key – and Vancouver offers it all”
Vincent Wauters, General Manager of Arc’teryx
1

FBI Uniform Crime Report 2015

14

 The best talent
is now attracted
to the greenest cities

49%

increase in
Green Jobs since 2010

A top-rated food destination
Vancouver has a globally-renowned food and drink scene,
with established and on-the-rise chefs, restaurants, food
trucks and bars for all tastes. Foodies flock to Vancouver’s
many local farmers’ markets and Granville Island Public
Market for its fresh ingredients — local and exotic. Our 75
microbreweries and distilleries, as well as the real ethnic
flavor of Vancouver’s diverse neighborhoods, ensure we can
cater to every unique taste in our vibrant community.

A vibrant scene of arts and culture
Vancouver's festivals and events showcase the region’s
cultural diversity, arts, community and outdoor activities.
Discover Vancouver's diverse neighborhoods at events
such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Diwali Fest, TED and
TEDx Conferences, and Vancouver Pride Parade. You can
also attend the International Jazz Fest to hear world-class
musicians. The Celebration of Light fireworks festival draws
hundreds of thousands of spectators to Vancouver's beaches
and shores, while the Playland and Science World each have
lots to keep the whole family busy.

25%

World-renowned for
green thinking and living

of Canada’s cleantech
companies are in the
Vancouver region

It’s no coincidence that globally prominent
environmental groups, including the David
Suzuki Foundation and Greenpeace, were
founded in Vancouver, or that the region
introduced North America’s first revenueneutral carbon tax.

KPMG

Not only is green thinking top of mind for
Vancouver’s businesses and residents,
but green industries (and green jobs) are
rapidly expanding. And we don’t stop there.
Vancouver is aspiring to be the world’s
greenest city by 2020 and, like Amazon Web
Services, going 100% renewable by 2050.

#3

In 2013, the TED Foundation relocated its head office to Vancouver from LA
and today the annual TED Talks Conference is held in downtown Vancouver
“One of the world’s great cities. Spectacular architecture, vibrant cultural mix,
and a glorious natural backdrop of water, parks and mountains”

Greenest City In the World
The Economist
15

16

 Vancouver currently has three times the number of homes for sale under
USD $500,000, compared to Seattle

Measures are in place to
tackle housing affordability concerns

Annual Growth of Housing Starts
2012 - 2016

Proactively leading the charge to tackle housing affordability

100%

Vancouver (Metro Area)

0%
-50%

2012

2013

Source: Conference Board of Canada 2017; US Census Bureau 2017

Provincial Government

⊲⊲ Implementing uniform rules for all
insured mortgages

⊲⊲ Introduced a 15% Foreign Buyers
Tax in 2016

⊲⊲ Closing a tax loophole for nonresidents

⊲⊲ Introduced an exemption to the
Foreign Buyers Tax for specific
foreign workers

⊲⊲ Consulting with mortgage market
participants on sharing housing
market risks
⊲⊲ Imposing new restrictions on lowratio mortgage insurance
⊲⊲ Issuing new reporting rules for
primary residence capital gains
exemptions

⊲⊲ Included $500 million for
affordable housing in latest
budget
⊲⊲ Increased property transfer tax
⊲⊲ Increased homeowner grant
thresholds for first-time
homebuyers

Boston (Boston-Cambridge-Quincy)

50%

While the region has many affordable neighborhoods, downtown Vancouver is a highly attractive area and as such, faces
high prices and affordability issues. We feel the impacts of global attention and a growing tech sector. But we know we’re
not alone. The region is committed to learning from others (e.g., Seattle and San Francisco), and is proactively working to
ensure housing availability and affordability. Combining this with targeted action from all levels of government has resulted in
significant progress in cooling an overheated downtown housing market.

Federal Government

Toronto (Metro Area)

Seattle (Seattle-Tacoma-Belleview)

2014

2015

2016

Note: Due to limitations in the availability of data, Washington DC, New York NY and Atlanta GA were not included

Local Government
⊲⊲ Developed a housing strategy
which applies global learnings
to help the region develop as a
world-class, livable city
⊲⊲ Approved the ‘affordable housing
choices interim rezoning policy’
⊲⊲ Implemented an empty homes
tax on properties not occupied by
residents
⊲⊲ Hired a new Director of Planning
with experience from the San
Francisco Bay Area

Vancouver’s housing supply is increasing
Tackling housing affordability in large part is being addressed through the abundance of new housing starts in the market.
The City’s annual housing starts have risen by an average of 9% each year between 2012 and 2016, with 2016 seeing a record
growth of 34%.

Bringing more affordable homes within reach
The combination of major rapid transit investments (valued at $7.5 billion), federal, provincial and municipal policies, as well
as the influx of supply in the market, has resulted in a greater diversity of affordable housing options across the region. In fact,
Vancouver currently has three times the number of homes for sale under USD $500,000, compared to Seattle.1

Despite the high prices in the downtown core,
we are fortunate to have a wide variety of affordable housing
options all within a 25-minute radius of our top sites for Amazon HQ2
17

1

Zillow.com and Realtor.ca

18

  

#1

Canada has the
Most Educated
Workforce in the
OECD

Our access to talent is unparalleled
We are a hub for leading global talent in technology and business
Home to world-renowned education institutions
Fundamental to the success of any great business and community is its talent. BC’s world-renowned post-secondary
institutions are developing high-quality, industry-ready talent that’s helping our key sectors rapidly expand. The Province’s
leading university, the University of British Columbia, is the second highest ranked university in the country and 30th in the
world. BC universities have played a pivotal role in launching the academic careers of nine Nobel Prize winners, 69 Rhodes
scholars and 65 Olympic medalists. Three Canadian prime ministers have also been educated at UBC, including current
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Getting Amazon-ready
Relevant BC Post-Secondary Institutions
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
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⊲⊲
⊲⊲
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⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲
⊲⊲

1

University of British Columbia (UBC)
Simon Fraser University (SFU)
University of Victoria (UVic)
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Brainstation
Camosun College
Capilano University
Centre for Digital Media
College of New Caledonia
College of the Rockies
Douglas College
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Justice Institute of British Columbia
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langara College
Lighthouse Labs
Lost Boys Studios
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
North Island College
Northern Lights College
Northwest Community College
Okanagan College
Red Academy
Royal Roads University
Selkirk College
Thompson Rivers University
University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
University of the Fraser Valley
Vancouver Community College (VCC)
Vancouver Film School
Vancouver Island University

Credentials Awarded in STEM
2014-2016
Field of Study
Science

Credentials
11,865

Technology, except engineering technology

1,340

Engineering and engineering technology

10,635

Mathematics and computer sciences
Total

6,155
29,995

Source: BC HEADset; BCIT; UBC 2017

Credentials Awarded in Business, Management,
Marketing and Related Support Services
2014-2016
BC Public Post-Secondary Institutions

Credentials

University of British Columbia

3,672

Simon Fraser University

3,291

Royal Roads University

2,509

Thompson Rivers University

2,271

University of Victoria

917

British Columbia Institute of Technology

533

University of Northern British Columbia

476

Total

13,669

Source: Ministry of Advanced Education 20171

BC post-secondary institutions are rapidly expanding
programs that make graduates “Amazon ready”. Between
2014 and 2016, 30,000 students graduated from STEM
programs and 13,000 students graduated from Business,
Management, Marketing and Related Support Services

Due to unavailability of data for credentials awarded in Business for all 25 BC public post-secondary institutions, graduation figures were only reported
for the identified public post-secondary institutions 

22

 BC institutions are a
hub for world-leading research

Our institutions demonstrate
unprecedented collaboration

Nine Nobel Prize winners are current or former BC university
faculty and alumni and more than 25% of all US patents
derived from post-secondary research in Canada have come
from BC. This research excellence enables BC universities
to attract more federal research funding increases than any
other province.

⊲⊲ The Centre for Digital Media, a joint venture of UBC,
SFU, BCIT, and Emily Carr University of Art + Design,
trains graduate students to build agile and effective
digital production pipelines and execute projects with
industry partners, including Microsoft and EA.
⊲⊲ The Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics (VIVA),
a joint initiative of BCIT, SFU, and UBC, provides
expertise and solutions for visualization applications
and connects students with industry partners, such as
Boeing, SAP, and Tableau Software. TRIUMF, Canada's
national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics,
was founded by UVic, SFU and UBC, in collaboration
with CERN, and is one of the world’s leading subatomic
physics laboratories.

Home to two of Canada’s top three
universities (UBC and SFU) in software
development
UBC, SFU, UVic, and UNBC all rank in the top three of their
respective categories. To continue to be national leaders, BC
universities have evolved their program mix to meet the needs
of the technology sector. Between 2006 and 2015, there
was a 57% increase in engineering and computer science
program spaces. Across the province, co-op placements
have increased 40% over four years to 14,000 in 2015/16. In
fact, UVic has the largest graduate co-op placement program
in Canada.

⊲⊲ UBC and the University of Washington have created
the Cascadia Urban Analytics Cooperative, drawing
on a $1 million gift from Microsoft, to use data to
help diverse groups within cities solve pressing
environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Mitacs – a federal wage matching program for post-graduates – helped support 2,800 technology-oriented research
internships, trained 7,000 student and post-doc career skills participants, and supported 470 international research
collaborations in BC

BC universities
catalyze new ventures

3 of 5

⊲⊲ 200 companies have been started
through commercialization of research
from UBC

Canadian unicorn founders graduated
from BC post-secondary institutions

⊲⊲ 75 companies have been spun out of
SFU to date
⊲⊲ The world’s first commercially available
quantum computer was developed by
D-Wave Systems, an offshoot of UBC

57%

⊲⊲ Two of Canada’s five unicorns, Hootsuite
and Slack, were started by UVic gradutes;
the other, Avigilon, came from VCC

increase in computer science spaces
between 2006 - 2015

25%

of US patents derived from
Canadian post-secondary research
come from BC
Photo: D-Wave Two, a 512 qubit quantum computer

23

24

 Strong ties to Asia support
Amazon’s strategic objectives
The largest source market of international
students in BC is China, followed by India. The
Chinese student population in BC increased by
17% annually between 2010 and 2015. The Asian
student population also views Vancouver as a
long-term home. 43% of Vancouver residents
have Asian heritage, making it the most Asian
city outside of Asia. Vancouver’s strong Asian
ties are critical as Amazon continues to deepen
its business throughout this region and works
to ensure its talent can support growth in these
key markets.

Top 5 Countries of Origin for International Students
In 2015/16, BC universities recruited the majority of its
international students from China and India
19,875
7,535
2,495
2,155
2,140
Source: Ministry of Advanced Education 2017

#1

#3

6/10

Variety Magazine

Vancouver Film & Media Centre

Based on Market Cap

VFX & Animation
Cluster in the World

Largest Film
Production Center in
North America

Largest Global Tech
Companies Operate
in BC

Vancouver’s student population brings diverse global perspectives and skills

A leader in attracting and growing high-caliber tech talent

With over 141,000 international students currently studying in the province, BC is a leader in the country with respect to
attracting students from all over the world. In 2014, BC had the highest share (14%) of international students as a proportion of
total college and university students when compared to Ontario (11%), Alberta (8%), and Quebec (8%). UBC was also ranked as
North America’s most international university with over 14,000 international students from 162 countries in 2016.

With more than 150,000 tech workers across all industry sectors, BC has the fastest growing tech workforce in Canada. BC’s
tech employment growth rate was more than one-and-a-half times the Canadian average. This rapid growth has resulted in
BC’s tech-sector employment representing a 30% higher share of the provincial economy compared to other provinces.

2016/17 Academic Year

53%

Master of Science
in Computer Science

47%

Doctor of Philosophy
in Computer Science

27%

Bachelor of Science
in Computer Science

Source: Office of the VP Research & Innovation, UBC

Education that’s shaping the leaders of tomorrow
Technology is shaping modern life more than ever before and Vancouver aims to be at the forefront of cities embracing this
change. To prepare ourselves for this reality, the Province is taking proactive measures to ensure our future movers and shakers
of economic activity are equipped with the necessary skills. For example, coding is included as part of the curriculum in BC for
all students in kindergarten through grade 12.

“Vancouver is a first class creative city… It’s an immigrant city, people who want to migrate, risktaking, open-minded, self-expressive. Large creative class, highly educated human capital”

Vancouver’s talent has attracted leading digital and creative companies
The technology sector in BC has grown over
90% in the past 15 years, and its over 9,500
companies support 240,000 jobs across
the region.1 BC has become a preferred
destination for major tech companies from
around the world.
Today, six of the top 10 global tech companies
by market cap (i.e., Microsoft, Amazon,
Facebook, IBM, Oracle Microsystems and SAP)
have a physical presence in BC. Vancouver
is also home to digital entertainment giants
Sony Picture Imageworks, Industrial Light and
Magic, Netflix Productions, Bandai Namco,
Nintendo, and Double Negative. BC is also
home to large multinational companies such
as GE, Cisco, McKesson, Intel, and Samsung.

Tech Sector Employment in British Columbia
2012 - 2016
240,000
Number of Tech Jobs

UBC International
Student Enrollment Percentage

220,000

200,000
2012

25

2014

2015

2016

Note: BC’s total employment consists of 150,000 tech workers across all industry sectors based on National Occupational
Classification 2016 definitions. BC’s tech sector, based on North American Industry Classification System 2017 definitions,
supports 240,000 workers.
Source: Statistics Canada 2017

Richard Florida, Author of ‘The Creative Class’ series of books
1 

2013

Tech Talent BC Report (NAICS) 2016

26

 We have a clear
path to 50,000 employees

A net attractor of talent from other provinces

Non-Tech Employment Growth
in BC 2017 - 2027

Local post-secondary institutions
are dramatically increasing graduates
BC is undertaking province-wide efforts to actively increase the number of postsecondary graduates across multiple, high-demand disciplines. Over 10,000
credentials were awarded in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
disciplines (STEM) at BC public post-secondary institutions in 2015/16 alone.
The Province is also focused on offering wider and earlier availability of learning
and development programs, including coding curriculum in elementary schools
and increasing the number of post-secondary grads by 1,000 every year, for
the next five years. In the shorter term, BC is working with federal immigration
officials to increase the number of foreign skilled workers by identifying highgrowth BC tech companies and providing support to help expedite the process.

BC has the highest number of net interprovincial migrants in Canada. BC’s number of interprovincial migrants between
2012 and 2017 totaled 70,722, outpacing Alberta (65,335), Ontario (-2,394), and Quebec (-62,762). Most notably among
BC’s interprovincial migrants, is the proportion of millennials; approximately 40% of this group is within the 18 to 44 age
range. Young talent brings new, in-demand skills and diverse perspectives which are critical to the development of Amazon’s
growing footprint.

Net Interprovincial Migration
2012 - 2016

250,000
194,510

200,000

70,722

BC
60,986

150,000

16,810
100,000

65,335

Alberta
(2,394)

Ontario

32,321
18,299

Quebec

(62,762)

50,000

BC is dramatically expanding beyond the
technology sector

66,094

(80,000)

(20,000)

0

Net Interprovincial Migration
New Entrant Supply (17 - 29 years) - Other
New Entrant Supply (17 - 29 years) - Public
Post-Secondary & All Trades
Note: Projected growth in Executive/Management, Legal,
Accounting and Administrative

Edoardo De Martin, Director of Microsoft Vancouver

Section 3-2

New Local Graduates

STEM Credentials Awarded in BC Public
Post-Secondary Institutions

Net Interprovincial Migrants

International Immigrants

Number of STEM Credentials

80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
2017 - 2020

2021 - 2025

2026 - 2030

2031 - 2035

10,400
10,200
10,000
9,800
9,600
9,400
9,200
9,000
8,800
8,600
8,400
2011/12

Note: Forecast includes an additional 1,000 post-secondary STEM graduates per year the Province of
BC is planning to support

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

Source: BC Student Transition Project 2016

Sources: Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Student Transitions Project, 2016 Fall
Submissions, Statistics Canada CANSIM table 052-0006, 051-0011, 051-0012, 281-0024, 2016 Tech
Talent BC Report

27

40,000

60,000

80,000

“The  talent that you’ll find in 3D development across video games, special effects
and animation in British Columbia is ideal for the growing  VR/MR  industry…there’s an
opportunity for Vancouver to establish itself as a global leader in this sector”

Source: Ministry of Advanced Education 2017

Amazon’s Tech Talent Pipeline
New Entrants to BC Tech Labor Force

20,000

Inter-Occupational Mobility
Net International Migration

Between 2014 and 2016, BC post-secondary institutions graduated
30,000 students from STEM programs and 13,000 students graduated
from Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services

(40,000)

Source: Statistics Canada 2017

0

Within ten years, 195,000 jobs will be available in Executive/Management, Legal,
Accounting and Administrative roles across the region.

(60,000)

28

 A magnet for global professionals
Vancouver’s bustling and vibrant tech ecosystem – home to thousands of homegrown startups and global technology
companies – has captured the attention of tech talent from all over the world. Couple that with Vancouver’s widespread
reputation and recognition as one of the world’s most livable and diverse cities, it’s no wonder that talent consistently views
Vancouver as an unparalleled place to transform their career.

Fast-track immigration policies make Vancouver a top choice for professionals and
international entrepreneurs
Each year, over 35,000 global citizens are drawn to the province of BC to apply their skills and help grow the economy.
Several government programs are in place to expedite this substantial inflow of immigrants:
⊲⊲ Global Skills Strategy: High-skilled workers coming
to Canada can benefit from two-week processing of
applications for work permits and, when necessary,
temporary resident visas. Open work permits for
spouses and study permits for dependents are also
processed in two weeks.
⊲⊲ BC Government’s Provincial Nominee Program: BC
can fast-track nominations for permanent residence
and also offer work permit support letters while awaiting
permanent residency application processing. BC can
also facilitate access to  the Canadian Government’s Visa
and Work Permits process when recruiting temporary or
permanent foreign workers.

⊲⊲ The Startup Visa Program: The Startup Visa program
provides fast-track Canadian residency for tech
investors and entrepreneurs, in as little as two-and-ahalf months.
⊲⊲ Permanent Residency: Qualified, high-skilled workers
from around the globe can apply for permanent residency
through the federal government’s Express Entry system,
as well as BC’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These
two programs alone admitted over 16,000 permanent
residents to the province in 2016.

Homegrown

Vision Critical

Our talent doesn’t view BC as a short-term experience, but rather a home where
they can grow their careers and build a future

Where BC Grads End Up Working
BC Grads Choose to Build a Future Here
British Columbia

Rest of Canada

United States of America

World

UBC Engineering Class (2011)

Sony Pictures Imageworks

Amazon

Hootsuite

BuildDirect

Bardel Ent.

SFU Computer Science Class (2011)
UBC Computer Science Class (2011)
UVic Computer Science Class (2011)

1,000
800

0%

600

20%

40%

Source: ICTC LinkedIn Query 2016

400
200
‘06

29

Canada’s tech sector has long drawn interest from US technology giants that need foreign talent. Amazon, Facebook, Boeing,
and Microsoft all have offices in Vancouver, enabling them to hire foreign workers who can collaborate with colleagues south
of the border. BC has made a concerted effort to make it easy for US tech companies to open offices in Canada, providing
financial incentives and working with the federal government to expedite visas for skilled foreign workers.

UVic Engineering Class (2011)

Microsoft

As home to six of the top 10 global tech companies by market
cap and numerous digital media giants, there is no shortage
of talent in BC. Coupled with Amazon’s competitive salaries
and global reputation, this results in an unparalleled value
proposition – one which the existing 150,000 tech employees
in BC would find hard to turn down.

Favorable immigration policies make BC the best place to call home

SFU Engineering Class (2011)

Tech Company Growth in Vancouver
Employee Numbers Over Time 2006 - 2016
Multinationals

Amazon would benefit from the talent in
Vancouver’s growing tech cluster

Our talent is here to stay

‘08

‘10

Source: Vancouver Economic Commission 2017

‘12

‘14

‘16

30

60%

80%

100%

 



..T 





 



. 



. k.







. 
.. Eli..- if 

 

We are equipped to grow with you
Vancouver has a host of unique spaces ready to call home
Our two major metropolitan cores (Sites 1 and 2) are open for business on day one, with ample move-in space for Amazon
for Phase 1 and expandable space for Phases 2 and 3. Additional land is also available for Phases 2 and 3 in Sites 3 and 4.

Site 1 "Downtown Digs"

Site 2 "Expansive Experience"

An urban center surrounded by mountains and water, this
location takes advantage of the very best Vancouver has
to offer in terms of sites, scenery, luxurious living, sports,
shopping and entertainment.

Situated in one of the fastest growing cities in the region,
this site offers a wide availability of innovative and functional
space, amenities mimicking a modern business district, and
affordable residential options in the nearby vicinity.

Phase 1   Phase 2   Phase 3

Phase 1   Phase 2   Phase 3

Site 3 "Cultural Core"

Site 4 "Riverside Rendezvous"

A hip and cultural location, with the form and function of an
accessible downtown development, yet opportunities to
shape it as you like. Strategically located close to downtown,
yet with the benefits of a local neighborhood feel.

A riverfront site with a city center feel and quick, easy, fiveminute access, to North America’s #1 airport. A community
booming with high performance sports and  recreational
facilities and a vibrant cultural scene.

Phase 2   Phase 3

Phase 2   Phase 3
See Appendix for additional site-specific information

HW

Y1

Hastings St

Site 1

Site 3
HW

1A

HWY 99

Y

HW

Y1

HW

HWY 1

Y1

A

HW

Y1

Site 4

34

King George Blvd

7

SW Marine Dr

Site 2

 SITE 01 Downtown Digs

Location: City of Vancouver Neighborhood: Downtown
Status: Existing, Under Construction and Proposed

SITE 02 Expansive Experience

Neighborhood: City Center
Location: City of Surrey
Status: Existing and Approved for Construction
⊳ Rapid Transit to Downtown⊲
Vancouver

5

7

King George Blvd

University Drive

4

104 Ave

3

8
9

Site Overview

St
re
e
ill
nv
ra
G

⊲
e
in
Ra
topid
Ai Tra
rp n
or sit
t L

gs

8

tin

6

14
11
9

7
10

12

13

⊳

1133 Melville
1166 W Pender
1090 W Pender
Central Hub

5
6
7
8

555 W Cordova
646 Richards
401 W Georgia
400 W Georgia

9
10
11
12

450 W Georgia 13 720 Beatty
349 W Georgia 14 655 Richards
753 Seymour
688 Cambie

Ease of Access

Core
Site Type

$40-44 psf

Gross Occupancy Costs
on average for A+ Space (USD)

Unique Selling Points / Sustainability Features

BIKE
83
SCORE 82
Site Overview
WALK
SCORE

TRANSIT
SCORE

82

1
100 Ave

Over $2.3 billion has been invested in this neighborhood
since 2000. Surrey is an integrated community with
continuously expanding rapid transit, a thriving University
District and home to a fast-growing number of young
professionals attracted by the large number of affordable
residential options in the nearby vicinity.

Site Info

Walk

Bike

Bus

Skytrain

Drive

Urban
Center

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

Airport
(YVR)

--

58 min

50 min

28 min

30 min

860,000

Phase 1 Square Footage

8,000,000
Phase 2+ Square Footage

Note: Highway #1 is accessible by car in 15 min

» Greenest building code in N. America, many LEED Platinum buildings and district energy connectivity
» Area is accessible by all modes of transit, including train, seaplane and helicopter
» Epicenter of business in Vancouver and home to numerous head offices and high tech companies
35

102 Ave

If you want fresh air, expansive space and tons of breathing
room without giving up the amenities of the city, choose this
location. This site is an award-winning, multi-phased
development that integrates several office towers, highdensity residential, retail and institutional properties.

5

as

1
2
3
4

tH

Phase 1 Site

98

4
es
W

ia

Phase 2+ Square Footage

rg

4,220,000

eo

Phase 1 Square Footage

TRANSIT
SCORE

3

tG

Site Info

2
es
W

Surrounded by mountains and water, this location takes
advantage of the very best Vancouver has to offer in terms
of sites, scenery, sports, shopping and entertainment.

92

BIKE
SCORE

1

Situated in the heart of the downtown core, choose this site
if you want the energy, excitement and experience of
Vancouver's main urban centre. Comprised of existing and
proposed office towers, this site is Phase 1 move-in ready
and located in the vicinity of the most thriving businesses
and tech companies in the region. Furthermore, the site
offers a wide array of luxurious living options and is
accessible by the many modes of transportation offered
through our city’s commitment to green living.

2,260,000

96

et

WALK
SCORE

4G LTE-A
Fiber
Connected

⊳ Future LRT Line⊲

6

⊳F

utu

LR
TL

ine

2
Phase 1

re

⊲

Phase 2

1 10153 King George
2 9775 137 St
3 10355 King George

4 13450 Gateway
5 13435 104 Ave
6 9808 Fraser Hwy

7 13398 104 Ave
8 10275 City Pky
9 10225 City Pky

Ease of Access

Campus
Site Type

$26-34 psf

Gross Occupancy Costs
on average for A+ Space (USD)

Unique Selling Points / Sustainability Features

Walk

Bike

Bus

Skytrain

Drive

Urban
Center

--

--

80 min

44 min

30 min

Airport
(YVR)

--

--

--

75 min

40 min

Note: Highway #1 is accessible by car in 10 min

» The area benefits from its central location in the Lower Mainland, ease of accessibility by car, bus and
Skytrain, as well as being well-positioned to benefit from future infrastructure investments in the area
» With sizable land available, Surrey City Centre has the potential to facilitate a campus-like development
36

4G LTE-A
Fiber
Connected

 SITE 03 Cultural Core

Location: City of Vancouver Neighborhood: Broadway Tech
Status: Assembly and Redevelopment Required

WALK
SCORE

BIKE
SCORE

Lougheed Highway

a

enw

re
⊳ G

and 335 Grandview Hwy

Ease of Access

n/a

Phase 1 Square Footage

7,900,000

Phase 2+ Square Footage

Campus
Site Type

$32-38 psf

Gross Occupancy Costs
on average for A+ Space (USD)

Unique Selling Points / Sustainability Features

Walk

Bike

Bus

Skytrain

Drive

Urban
Center

--

45 min

30 min

15 min

15 min

Airport
(YVR)

--

--

--

45 min

30 min

Note: Highway #1 is accessible by car in a little over 5 min

» Broadway Tech Centre is a Sustainability Award-winning Gold and Platinum LEED development
» The development is well served by mass transit, bus service, major roadways and the Greenway
biking route that follows the Skytrain path
37

4G LTE-A
Fiber
Connected

96

Bridgeport Station

1

2

Sea Island Highway

Phase 2/3

1 2700 Block Great Canadian Way
2 Van Horne Way

This site is located on the Canada Line corridor at
Bridgeport Station with Park and Ride facilities nearby and
close proximity to the River Rock Casino complex.

Site Info

TRANSIT
SCORE

99

3 2652 Rupert St.
4 2750 Rupert St. / 2876 Rupert St.

79

ay

1 3030 E Broadway
2 3150 E Broadway

Falaise Park

Choose this riverfront site if you want a city center feel, while
having quick, easy, five-minute access to North America’s #1
airport. This site is also served by a range of community
amenities, including an extensive public riverfront area
along the Fraser River, and the Richmond Olympic Oval – a
popular venue from the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and
now a high performance sports and community facility.
These elements have all culminated into a proposition for
Richmond City Center as a place to live, work and play.

BIKE
SCORE

hw

Grandview Hwy

Site Overview

58

Hig

Rupert Skytrain Station
(20 Mins to Downtown)

4

e⊲
sit Lin
id Tranntown
⊳ Ratp
w
o
oD
Phase 2/3

y⊲

WALK
SCORE

Canadian Way

Site Info

1

3

91

at

This location provides the form and function of a downtown
development, with opportunities for further growth and
expansion. With its ease of accessibility and desirable
location, companies opt for this area if seeking a
neighborhood feel rich with culture.

2

TRANSIT
SCORE

Neighborhood: Bridgeport

Location: City of Richmond
Status: In Planning

Gre

If you want a hip and new-wave-trendy neighborhood at
your doorstep, choose this site. “East Vancouver” is where
the young and ambitious come to live, work and play. This
site is located at the second-largest transit hub in the region
and within an amenity-dense neighborhood.

75
Rupert Street

Site Overview

72

SITE 04 Riverside Rendezvous

Ease of Access

n/a

Phase 1 Square Footage

7,500,000

Phase 2+ Square Footage

Campus
Site Type

$128-160 psf

Average Commericial Land
Values in North Richmond (USD)

Walk

Bike

Bus

Skytrain

Drive

Urban
Center

30 min

12 min

10 min

5 min

5 min

Airport
(YVR)

--

--

15 min

5 min

10 min

Note: Highway #1 is accessible by car in 25 min

Unique Selling Points / Sustainability Features

» Within an urban center undergoing major mixed-use redevelopment and densification
» Accessible to YVR (5 minutes) and Vancouver City Centre (15 minutes)

38

4G LTE-A
Fiber
Connected

 We will work collaboratively to shape a joint vision for the future
Supporting, enabling and accelerating your growth can be expressed in words, but our actions speak louder. We have a
strong history of collaborating with major developers and corporations to help shape the region in ways that benefit all
stakeholders – businesses, government and communities – today and in the future.

Centre for Digital Media
A joint venture between four BC universities, the Center for
Digital Media offers a world-renowned Masters of Digital Media
program, training students to build digital production pipelines
and execute projects with industry partners, launching 10 startups
in five years.

Hootsuite
To accelerate Hootsuite’s emergence as a digital giant, Vancouver
worked in collaboration with the company and other tech
organizations to create new bylaw definitions and policy regimes
for the Mount Pleasant tech area.

Point A to B and traffic free
Whether getting around by train, ferry, seaplane, helicopter, or 860 miles of bike lanes, Vancouver boasts a wide array of
unique, traffic-free transit options. All of the sites proposed for HQ2 are accessible by rapid transit.
Moreover, as the #1 bike city in North America and the highest number of cyclists daily—106,000 to be exact—Amazon’s HQ2
employees are as likely to get to work on two wheels as they are on four.1
Our investments in rapid transit have yielded benefits for drivers as well. Today, Vancouver is among the least-congested of
our peer cities in North America,2 and continuous improvements in infrastructure and transportation are still being made to
ensure traffic congestion is limited.

Communities are digitally connected
Metro Vancouver is on the cutting edge of digital infrastructure, from fiber-optic communications to 5G connectivity.
⊲⊲ The world’s next gigabit region. Most of the region is already able to access gigabit-per-second internet. A $1 billion
investment by Telus will see the downtown core connected by 2019, while an additional $400 million has been
invested to expand fiber-optic connectivity in the cities of Surrey and Burnaby.
⊲⊲ There is currently 22,000 miles of fiber-optic capacity in Vancouver, which also boasts strong links to the Cascadia
Innovation Corridor: 800 gigabits of capacity connects Vancouver with Seattle.
⊲⊲ At the forefront of 5G innovation. Vancouver recently witnessed a successful pilot 5G wireless connection distributed
over multiple points using the global 3GPP technology standards platform. This ground-breaking event took place in
Telus and Huawei’s 5G Living Lab in downtown Vancouver—a one-of-a-kind, real-time laboratory at the forefront of
digital innovation.
This pilot represents one of the most advanced connections ever made using technologies that will form the
standard for global 5G. It also demonstrates the potential for 5G technology to deliver Wireless-to-the-Premise (WTTx)
connectivity at unprecedented speeds—right here in Vancouver.
See Appendix for cellular phone coverage maps.
1
2

City of Vancouver 2016
Vancouver ranks as the 38th most congested city in North America (out of 310 cities), Inrix’s 2016 Traffic Scorecard Report

39

Telus Garden
Vancouver leaders worked with Canadian telecoms giant, Telus,
to create an innovative, one million square foot development that
comprises a 24-floor office tower, a 53-floor residential tower and
a research and development facility in the heart of downtown.
Telus Garden is one of the handful of buildings in downtown
Vancouver that Amazon already calls home.

Concord Pacific
Vancouver and the Government of BC signed a major deal with
Concord to redevelop a 204-acre parcel, including 12.2 million
square feet of residential and office space, and $2 billion in
capital spending, including schools, parks and other amenities.

Coast Capital Savings and VanCity
VanCity Credit Union partnered with local transit agency TransLink
on the creation of an innovative head-office that allowed the
regional SkyTrain to run an elevated track  within their office
tower. Coast Capital Savings developed their headquarters as
part of a new transit complex in Surrey, helping to transform the
city's dowtown.

Vancouver has and will continue to lead with a Day 1 mindset in the future development of the region. Amazon’s
presence, innovative thinking and bold ideas will amplify and accelerate how we continue to operate as a smart, savvy,
and sustainable region
40

 Pri
m

120 Minutes to Whistler
(From Downtown Vancouver)

rban Cente
yU
r
ar

HW

Y1

Located in the ‘tech timezone’

Port of Vancouver
North Vancouver Properties

Vancouver is ideally located in the heart of the new
digital economy – the North American West Coast.
The region is a key player in the Cascadia Corridor, a
45-minute flight from Amazon’s Seattle headquarters,
and close to the major hubs of San Francisco and Los
Angeles.

Port of Vancouver
Hastings St

Site 1
University of
British Columbia
(UBC)

Simon Fraser
University
(SFU)

Vancouver’s time zone allows same-day access to
London, New York and Hong Kong, and our airport
offers the shortest distances to Asia of any other North
American airport. It's also the closest west coast airport
to Europe. Proximity streamlines collaboration and
improves the flow of information and people between
organizations down the west coast and internationally.

Site 3
HW

1A

British Columbia
Institute of Technology
(BCIT)

HWY 99

Y

HW

Y1

HW

HWY 1

Y1

A

Asia

Transportation Legend
Bike Lane
Highway/Major Road
Rapid Bus
Skytrain
West Coast Express
SeaBus
Proposed Rapid Transit

King George Blvd

Port of Vancouver
Fraser Surrey
Docks

Pacific Tech
Timezone
(PTT)

er
nt

Urban C
ary
e
nd

Y

Site 4

HW

Vancouver
International
Airport
(YVR)

17

SW Marine Dr

Site

Sec
o

Highly-accessible digital districts

Investing in tomorrow’s infrastructure

The majority of Vancouver’s innovation and tech-based
businesses are clustered in key districts: the Downtown
Core, Gastown, Yaletown, False Creek Flats, Mount Pleasant
and Kitsilano/Broadway. The region’s compact size and
multitude of transportation options, broadly defined by a
25-minute radius, makes getting around easy – a major
reason entrepreneurs and career-makers are choosing to call
Vancouver home.

In an effort to enable more connected communities, as well
as address housing affordability, numerous transportation
projects are underway across the region. As the region
continues to expand its reach and pave the way for
tomorrow’s communities, a strong focus is put on developing
infrastructure that enables efficient and effective point-topoint connectivity.

41

Vancouver
Seattle
Portland

Simon Fraser
University (SFU)
2Surrey Campus

San Francisco
Flight Times
From YVR

Port of Vancouver
Richmond Properties

50 Minutes to Canada/US Border
(From Site 1)

Europe

45 min
140 min
170 min
180 min

50 Minutes to
Canada/US Border
(From Site 2)

Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
San Diego

Los Angeles
San Diego

Rapid Transit
A total of $7.5 billion has been committed to near term
rapid transit to increase capacity and support 17 miles
of service extension, adding 27 new stops; all providing
greater connectivity and accessibility across the region.

Airports
The Vancouver Airport Authority has a $6 billion upgrade
planned for Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which
includes a five arm extension of the main terminal.

Roads and Bridges
Government and major transportation corporations are
investing $1.6 billion in immediate investments for road, bridge,
and bikeway construction with the aim of increasing safety,
increasing capacity, reducing congestion, and increasing
accessibility and connectivity to fast-growing, suburban areas.

Ports
Port capacity expansion projects are underway with the
largest being a $2 billion investment focused on additional
container capacity of 2.4 million TEUs, draught of 18 meters,
land creation of 115 hectares, terminal length of 1,550 meters,
and berth length of 1,300 meters.

42

 Actively reducing our carbon footprint

Carbon Tax

BC was the first jurisdiction in North America to
implement a carbon tax

90%

of people & jobs in the
city are within walking
distance of transit
City of Vancouver

50%

of trips in the city are
made by walking,
cycling, and transit
City of Vancouver

Vancouver has grown its
economy by 26% while reducing its
GHGs by 15% since 2007

#1

Most Walkable City

#1

Lowest Per Capita
GHGs in N. America

GDP

Community GHG Emissions

$140 B
3.00 M

GDP (Billions)

$120 B

Our multitude of eco-friendly transportation options
reflect our commitment to the environment and building a
sustainable community. And we don’t stop there. Additional
transit investments, valued at $7.5 billion, have been put in
place to ensure we continue to reduce our impact on the
environment.

$100 B
2.00 M

$80 B
$60 B

1.00 M

$40 B
$20 B
$0 B

‘07

‘08 ‘09 ‘10

‘11

‘12

‘13

Source: City of Vancouver 2017; Conference Board of Canada 2017

Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority
43

Biking City

GDP vs Community GHGs
Vancouver is Growing GDP While Reducing Our GHGs

The region’s dedication to green living cannot be ignored;
Vancouver boasts 860 miles of bikeways, the largest
combined fleet of car and bike shares in North America and
first-class rapid transit.

“It’s no coincidence that YVR—North America’s best and fastest-growing airport—is
located in one of the world’s most livable cities. Vancouver’s incredible lifestyle and
diverse economy attracts millions of people to our region every year. This has created
a talented local workforce that has shaped Vancouver into one of North America’s
emerging tech hubs. We strongly support Metro Vancouver and believe that it would
make an outstanding home for Amazon HQ2.”

#1

44

‘14

‘15

‘16

0.00 M

Community GHG Emission

CO 2

 value option

Capital Operating Costs Incentives

.m .9, .

a ?r'IirHI ?film;

 

We will foster your growth and
ensure you stay true to your value proposition
Canada: A clear advantage
The true north strong and free
When choosing your next home, you are not only concerned about the existing environment but the long-term strength and
stability of where you will choose to grow. And you have a strategic choice to make for the location of HQ2.

Why Canada

Business Environment of the G7 Countries
Rank for Forecast Period 2017 - 2021

Canada has a history of strong GDP growth, employment
growth, and overall fiscal performance. A low-inflation
environment, high environmental prosperity, a longstanding,
stable government and strong social progress has placed
Canada at the top of all countries to do business with.

Canada

1st

United States of America
Germany

3rd

United Kingdom

⊲⊲ The effective corporate tax rate, which includes all
corporate and labor taxes, is 21% of commercial profit
in Canada, less than half the 44% rate in the US1

6th

Japan
Italy

4th
5th

France

⊲⊲ Canadian employers pay on average 25% of payroll
in health care costs and benefits, compared to 37% in
the US – meaning savings of up to USD $600 million
a year for 50,000 employees paid USD $100,000
each2

2nd

7th

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit 2017

⊲⊲ All Canadian cities over one million population have a
cost of living 13% to 15% below the US baseline, with
a higher quality of life than nearly all US cities3

2 Week

⊲⊲ Canada provides a dedicated service channel for
companies looking to make large, job-creating
investments in Canada, with a two-week processing
time for 80% of work permit applications, whereas
the US uses a random selection process, or lottery, to
select applications yielding a 36% success rate4

processing time for
80% of work permit
applications

53%
lower effective
corporate tax rate
compared to the US

1  PwC Paying Taxes 2017
2 KPMG Competitive Alternatives 2016
3 Mercer Quality of Life Survey 2017
4 USCIS; IRCC 2017

48

 << Inbox
A Letter from Prime Minister Trudeau

To

Jeff Bezos

The Right
Honourable Justin Trudeau
Amazon
Cc

October 13, 2017 (6 days ago)

to
Subject:
Amazon HQ2
Jeff Besos

Amazon

Dear Jeff:
There is no better place to do business than Canada. In an increasingly complex and uncertain world, Canadians
have embraced change while staying true to their values. Canadians are bold innovators and good neighbors,
bound together by a spirit of openness and hard work. Every day we demonstrate that these values are
sources of strength, and that better is always possible. I can imagine no better place for Amazon to call its
second home.

Throughout our history, it is in one another that Canada and the United States have found their closest
friend and ally. We enjoy the longest, most peaceful, and mutually beneficial relationship of any two
countries in the world. Canada is the largest foreign customer for goods and services made in the United
States. We are the number one customer of the majority of American states, and among the top three
customers of 48 states. Our economic integration and partnership are unparalleled.

As the first country in the world to adopt a policy of multiculturalism, we have shown time and time again that
a country can be stronger not in spite of its differences, but because of them. Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is
a choice. Canada has made its decision and our cities have become windows to the world.

As Amazon decides on the location for its second North American headquarters, I am certain that Canada
will stand out. With all our advantages and a government that is willing to invest in the future, the business
case is simple.

We believe in building a clean-growth economy that is as inclusive as it is innovative. We have embraced
technological change, while also helping our citizens adapt to the changing nature of work. That is why we
have boosted investment in skills and training and introduced an ambitious Innovation and Skills Plan to make
Canada a world-leading centre for innovation.

Amazon has already established roots in Canada, creating thousands of good jobs, and taking advantage
of leading technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence and drones. We are grateful for the
confidence Amazon has placed in our cities and people. We look forward to growing this partnership.

This plan includes actions that will benefit everyone, from students looking to get work experience to adult
workers hoping to improve their skills. It delivers simpler and more efficient support to entrepreneurs, while
making it easier for both domestic and global companies to invest in Canada and Canadians. We have
simplified our business support programs and designed strategic funds to spur innovation and support highquality business investments. Our government is a ready and willing partner, with the tools already in place, to
make bold and strategic investments to create high-quality jobs.

The Government of Canada is committed to working closely with Canadian cities in providing Amazon a
second home. The full support of our government stands behind them.
Please accept my warmest regards.
Sincerely,

Canada is also committed to reinforcing our strengths in education. Our world-class colleges and universities
have graduated the most highly educated workforce within the OECD. In the new economy, however, we
recognize that we must also have access to the best talent in the world, wherever it is. We have therefore
introduced dedicated immigration services, allowing companies to attract highly-skilled global talent through
an expedited review process to quickly recruit for the skills they need.
Canadian cities are progressive, confident, and natural homes for forward-thinking, global leaders. They are
consistently ranked as the best places to live, work, and play in the world. They are welcoming, walkable
communities with vibrant arts and culture scenes, connected by ever-improving public transportation networks.
Canadians enjoy a universal health care system and a robust public pension plan which help support our
excellent quality of life and also mean lower costs for employers. Our cities offer welcoming and predictable
business environments, with the lowest overall business costs in the G7, underpinned by the soundest banking
and legal systems in the world. They are great places to work, invest, and live — all with unmatched global
market access and within a short flight of major American cities.

Reply, Reply to All, or Forward

Archive
49

50

 The most sustainable,
low-cost advantage for HQ2

Quality talent at affordable rates
⊲⊲ Salaries: Tech salaries are 25% lower in Canada relative to the US, creating a labor cost advantage. Vancouver
specifically offers more affordable wages for tech sector workers compared to other major cities (see table below).
Industry executives indicate that lower-cost labor does not mean lower-quality labor, which reinforces the value of our
local talent. 

A long-term competitive cost advantage
We gathered the data, crunched the numbers, analyzed the results, and crunched the numbers again. There is no denying
that Vancouver provides Amazon with the most sustainable, low-cost advantage for HQ2 operating costs now and in the
future. Competitive office space, affordable wages for quality talent, and health care savings culminate into an estimated cost
savings of up to USD $34 billion over a 10-year horizon.

In Billions USD; imputed cumulative, undiscounted 10-year costs per 50,000 employees and 7.5 million square feet of office space

$4 B

$20 B

$20 B

$3 B

$15 B

$15 B

$2 B

$10 B

$10 B

$1 B

$5 B

$5 B

$-

$-

$-

,M

n,

on
N

ew

to

st

Bo

ng
hi
W
as

Se

N

N
Y
tle
,
At
W
la
nt A
To a, G
ro
A
Va nt
nc o, O
ou
N
ve
r,
BC

$25 B

at

$25 B

k,

$5 B

Vancouver ranks second of 51 global cities on total tax burden,
with a combined federal and provincial corporate income tax
rate of 27%. Corporations in Vancouver pay less than half
(49%) of the total tax—defined as corporate income taxes,
property taxes, capital taxes, sales taxes, miscellaneous local
business taxes and statutory labor costs—of US-based firms.
A stable, low tax environment means Amazon can focus its
investments in areas that will act as catalysts for its future
growth.
Top 3 (of 51 cities globally) for lowest tax burden in:
»» Digital Services
»» R&D Services
»» Corporate Services
Source: KPMG 2016

Source: CBRE Scoring Tech Talent 2017 Scaled for HQ2

Exchange Rates

Total Office Space, Labor, and Management Costs
In Billions USD; imputed cumulative,
undiscounted 10-year costs per 50,000 employees
and 7.5 million square feet of office space
City
New York
Washington
Boston
Seattle
Atlanta
Toronto
Vancouver

Total Cost
$52,232,486
$50,355,097
$48,988,387
$49,988,387
$41,384,891
$25,927,603
$24,321,348

Foreign exchange
works in Amazon’s favor.
$24.3 B
Vancouver

Compared to a city such
as New York, Vancouver
provides a cost savings
of USD $28 billion

$25.9 B
Toronto

$50.0 B
Seattle

Source: CBRE Scoring Tech Talent 2017 Scaled for HQ2

$41.4 B
In addition, health care costs savings over
Atlanta
10 years for 50,000 employees would exceed
USD $6 billion, bringing total savings to USD $34 billion

Having a significant share of Amazon’s operating
costs priced in another currency would provide a
natural hedge against a rising USD.

$49.0 B
Boston

Imagine the extent to which Amazon could have
benefited from a softening CAD/USD relationship in
recent years.

$52.2 B
New York

Holding all else equal, had Amazon’s ‘technology and
content’ and ‘general and administrative’ expenses
been priced in CAD in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the
organization would have realized higher pre-tax
earnings of USD $727 million, $1.9 billion and $659
million per year, as the Canadian dollar weakened
against the USD.

$50.4 B

Washington

Note: Health care cost savings based on 50,000 employees earning USD $100,000 per year
Source: KPMG Competitive Alternatives 2016

51

1

KPMG Competitive Alternatives 2016

Market
Vancouver, BC

Average Annual Tech Wage
Software Engineer (USD)
$60,107

Toronto, ON

$62,365

Atlanta, GA

$92,380

Boston, MA

$103,979

Washington, DC

$108,330

New York, NY

$108,878

Seattle, WA

$113,906

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016; Statistics Canada 2017;
CBRE Econometric Advisors, Axiometrics 2017

Se

$30 B

DC

$30 B

at
t
ew le, W
A
Y
W
as ork
,N
hi
ng
Y
to
Bo n, D
C
st
on
,
At
M
la
nt A
a
,
To
ro GA
Va nt
nc o, O
ou
N
ve
r,
BC

$6 B

A

Non-Tech & Management Labor Costs

Yo
r

Tech Labor Costs

N
ew
W
Y
as ork
hi
ng , NY
to
n
Bo , D
C
st
on
,
Se
M
A
at
tle
To
,W
ro
nt A
o
At , O
N
la
Va
n
nc ta, G
ou
A
ve
r,
BC

See Appendix for additional labor and wage information.

Enabling more impactful investment

Office Space, Labor and Management Costs
Office Space Costs

⊲⊲ Benefits: Canadian employers pay on average 25% of payroll in health care costs and benefits, compared to 37% in the
US – meaning savings of up to USD $600 million a year for 50,000 employees paid USD $100,000 each.1

52

 Enhancing Vancouver?s potential for H02

Government, corporate partners and the community have developed a package
of incentives to support the launch of H02 in Vancouver

Corporate and political leaders across all levels have come together to develop a package of incentives which presents a
significant opportunity for Amazon's H02. While a number of existing federal and provincial incentives are in place to support
the launch of Amazon?s new headquarters in Vancouver, the local community has further enhanced these benefits with H02-
specific offerings (see Appendix for details). New federal incentives to be discussed after Vancouver is shortlisted.

1-

1?

?5
.-


Incentive Description
s.17(1)
s.17(1)

A dedicated BC Provincial Nominee Program Solution for Amazons-17(1)

Of our electricity comes Amazon-Global Immigration Solution
from clean or renewable

A cross-border initiative aimed at bringing the Va ncouver and Seattle regions
closer together to increase economic growth and innovation; new initiatives

Cascadia Innovation Corridor include seaplane routes linking Seattle and Vancouver harbors s.17(1)

 

A IOU Eitl on Of an. Average Electricity Prices for Large-Power Customers 5'17?)
. . Average Prices Per s.17(1)
reliable, affordable energy
18
?6 17 1
Clean: We?re proud that 93% ofthe electricity we 14 17(1) 5. I 
generate in BC comes from clean or renewable energy. 12 
It?s a privilege we don?t take 10
Reliable: You can count on our standard electricity 8 5'17?)
supply to be extremely reliable, before you consider 6 5-17?)
back up power options. 4
2
Affordable: BC Hydro's standard commercial rate is . .
the fifth_ owest in North America, helping you keep Boston NewYork Toronto Seattle Vancouver To address affordability concerns, the Government of BC has committed
operating costs low.? Affordable Housing to building 114.000 affordable units over the next 10 years and forming a
0 es:

1 Average prices are for a consumption of 3,060,000 and a housmg working group reporting directly to Cabinet

power demand of 5,000 kW; rates In effect Aprll 1, 2016

2 Due to In the of data, DC, and 8'1 7(1 
Atlanta GA, were not Included
s. 1 7(1 
Source: Hydro Quebec 2016
s.17(1 

renewable energy 
commitment for 2050

The Government of BC will financially support the costs of promoting and
Sustainable Tall Wood Buildings leveraging the learnings and best practices from innovative projects to help
1 Amazon H02 embrace carbon friendly wood construction
Hydro Quebec 2016

City of Vancouver

53 54

     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90%

of Vancouverites are supportive
of HQ2 landing in Vancouver

The feeling is mutual
We want to support your growth and ensure you thrive

Vancouverites want Amazon
Vancouver is ready for its next anchor tenant, and young people need well-paying, competitive
career opportunities to thrive in this market. Upon Amazon’s announcement to open a second
North American headquarters, the community response was astounding, with 90% expressing
positive sentiment for HQ2 to be located in Vancouver.1

Government support is unparalleled
BC’s fast-growing tech sector is already home to many American companies and offers unlimited
possibilities for technology firms like Amazon. Federal, provincial and municipal governments
have all expressed their strong desire and support to bring Amazon to the region and will work as
one to ensure a strong, symbiotic relationship. Amazon’s presence will play a key role in shaping
the economy, the community and the region as a whole.

“We are in this [Amazon HQ2 race] to win it!”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

“I want to ensure that Amazon HQ2 comes to BC.”
BC Premier John Horgan

“Amazon’s HQ2 would be [a] fantastic addition to
Vancouver’s world-class innovation ecosystem.”
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

“We are all-in to bring Amazon HQ2 to the region!”
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner

1

Based on Daily Hive Vancouver online survey of 1,000+ participants

58

 << Inbox

We provide limitless opportunity

To

Amazon

Cc

Prime Minister Trudeau

Subject: RE: Amazon HQ2 Shortlist

It doesn’t end here
We view this as a relationship

Consider this a first draft

Vancouver has never provided one-off tax incentives for corporations – and that’s a good thing. Instead, our approach focuses
on building strong relationships and providing long-term incentives that benefit the whole community and our corporate
residents.

There are endless possibilities
Like Amazon, Vancouver is at an exciting point in its growth journey. While we have ideas for what the future may hold for the
region, Amazon’s HQ2 will undoubtedly inspire a vision that reinvigorates how we think, work, live and play.
⊲⊲ $7.5 billion in transportation capital spending by 2026. Amazon has the unique opportunity to leverage these
investments, and many others, into serving and amplifying its existing growth patterns.
⊲⊲ Projected growth of 1 million residents by 2040. With advantageous immigration programs, Amazon stands to gain
from the growing local talent pool and the positive global brand of Canada, which attracts the best and brightest.
⊲⊲ Dovetailing policy arrangements. Whether it be accelerating the path to 100% renewable energy, or integrating
cognitive intelligence and drone technology into our day-to-day lives to drive efficiencies, the region wants the bold
ideas of tomorrow, to determine the priorities of today. This is where Amazon is perfectly positioned to inspire and
influence.

What we have outlined is just the beginning. Businesses, the government and communities have all
expressed their unwavering desire to support the launch of Amazon’s HQ2 in Vancouver (see Appendix
for letters of support from major aviation, transportation and telecommunications players).
There is more that can and will be offered. However, we want to ensure you are involved in every step of
that journey. We have a team ready and able to do just that. The foundation of every great relationship
starts with communication – so reach out, be curious, keep the dialog going, and let’s make this relationship
a great one.

Your Vancouver champions,
Ian McKay   CEO at Vancouver Economic Commission
John Horgan   Premier of British Columbia
Gregor Robertson   Mayor of City of Vancouver
Linda Hepner   Mayor of City of Surrey

Catalyzing integration
Vancouver is a vibrant ecosystem in the most diverse economy in Canada. Amazon's ability to efficiently integrate and interact
with each aspect of this ecosystem will be a top priority for all policy-makers in the region, and players such as the Vancouver
Economic Commission are uniquely positioned to connect Amazon wherever and whenever needed.

Fazil Mihlar   Deputy Minister at BC Ministry of Jobs, Trade & Technology
Sadhu Johnston   City Manager at City of Vancouver
Vincent Lalonde   City Manager at City of Surrey

This proposal contains confidential and proprietary information which is submitted in confidence and in reliance on Amazon’s prior
agreement to treat HQ2 proposals as confidential and proprietary. It is acknowledged that Amazon will wish to share this proposal
with some of its external advisors and consent is granted provided they also acknowledge and agree to treat this proposal as
confidential and proprietary.

We’re proud of what we have to offer as a region

and excited about how Amazon could inspire, influence and grow with Vancouver today,
tomorrow and in the years to come
59

Send
60

  

 

       


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- -

Vancouver: We are home
Appendix   Table of Contents
Appendix A   Proposal Criteria Mapping    

1

Appendix B   Site Details   

5

     
   

7

Appendix D   Cellular Phone Coverage Maps    

9

Appendix E   Labor and Wage Information     

11

Appendix F   Incentive Details   

    

13

Appendix G   Letters of Support   

    

20

Appendix C   Permitting Process Outline  

This proposal contains confidential and proprietary information which is submitted in confidence and in reliance on
Amazon’s prior agreement to treat HQ2 proposals as confidential and proprietary. It is acknowledged that Amazon will
wish to share this proposal with some of its external advisors and consent is granted provided they also acknowledge and
agree to treat this proposal as confidential and proprietary.

 Appendix A   Proposal Criteria Mapping
Proposal Criteria Mapping
Criterion

Site/Building

Capital and Operating
Costs

Proposal Criteria Mapping

Proposal Requirements

Reference Page
and/or Appendix

»» Information regarding potential buildings/sites

34-39

»» Current ownership structure of the property

Appendix B

»» Current zoning of the site

Appendix B

»» Utility infrastructure present at the site

Appendix B

»» Demonstrate multiple cellular phone coverage maps to ensure
optimal service
»» A stable and business-friendly environment and tax structure
»» Incentives offered by the province and local communities to offset
initial capital outlay and ongoing operational costs

Incentives

Criterion

»» The Project must be sufficiently close to a significant population
center, such that it can fill the 50,000 estimated jobs that will be
required over multiple years

5, 41-42, 59

»» A highly educated labor pool is critical and a strong university
system is required

22-25

Appendix D

»» Labor and wage rate information in the general job categories
described

51-52
Appendix E

Business Environment:
14, 44, 49-50

»» Relevant labor pool information and Metro Vancouver’s ability to
attract talent regionally

26-27

»» Specific opportunities to hire software development engineers and
recurring sourcing opportunities for this type of employment

26-30, 54

»» All levels of talent available in the MSA, including executive talent
and the ability to recruit talent to the area

22, 27

»» Programs/partnerships currently available and potential creative
programs with higher education institutions in the region

23, 54

»» Please also include a list of universities and community colleges
with relevant degrees and the number of students graduating with
those degrees over the last three years

22

»» Additionally, include information on your local/regional K-12
education programs related to computer science

25

»» Travel time to a major highway corridor that provides direct access
to significant population centers with eligible employment pools
and arterial roadway capacity potential

35-38

»» Travel time to an international airport with daily direct flights to
Seattle, New York, San Francisco/Bay Area, and Washington, DC

35-38

»» Highway, airport, and related travel and logistics information for all
proposed sites

41-42

»» Transit and transportation options for commuting employees living
in the region

41-42

»» For each proposed site in Metro Vancouver, identify all transit
options, including bike lanes and pedestrian access to the site(s)

35-38

»» The ranking of traffic congestion for your community and/or region
during peak commuting times

39

»» An expeditious timetable for the commencement of construction,
including requisite access for utilities, infrastructure, and zoning

Appendix B

»» An outline of the permitting process and estimated timetable to
initiate Phase I of Amazon’s operations

Appendix C

Tax Structure:
48, 51-52, 54

Labor Force

54
Appendix F

54
»» A summary of total incentives offered by the state/province and
local community, including a brief description of the incentive item, Appendix F
the timing of incentive payment/realization, and a calculation of the
incentive amount. Please describe any specific or unique eligibility
requirements mandated by each incentive item. With respect
to tax credits, please indicate whether credits are refundable,
transferable, or may be carried forward for a specific period of time.
If the incentive includes free or reduced land costs, include the
mechanism and approvals that will be required. Please also include
all timelines associated with the approvals of each incentive. We
acknowledge a Project of this magnitude may require special
incentive legislation in order for the state/province to achieve a
competitive incentive proposal. As such, please indicate if any
incentives or programs will require legislation or other approval
methods. Ideally, your submittal includes a total value of incentives,
including the specified benefit time period.

»» If any of the programs or incentives described in the summary of
total incentives are uncertain or not guaranteed, please explain
the factors that contribute to such uncertainty and estimate the
approximate level of certainty. Please also describe any applicable
claw backs or recapture provisions required for each incentive
item.

Appendix F

»» A timetable for incentive approvals at the state/province and local
levels, including any legislative approvals that may be required

Appendix F

Logistics

Time to Operations

A1

Reference Page
and/or Appendix

Proposal Requirements

A2

 Proposal Criteria Mapping
Criterion

Community Cultural Fit

Community/
Quality of Life

Reference Page
and/or Appendix

Proposal Requirements

»» The Project requires a compatible cultural and community
environment for its long-term success. Please demonstrate
characteristics of this in your response.

11-16

»» The presence and support of a diverse population, excellent
institutions of higher education, local government structure and
elected officials eager and willing to work with the company

5-7, 11, 12, 14, 16, 22-25, 40

»» A stable and consistent business climate

48

»» Testimonials from other large companies

8, 14, 16, 28, 43
Appendix G

»» The Project requires a significant number of employees. We
want to invest in a community where our employees will enjoy
living, recreational opportunities, educational opportunities, and
an overall high quality of life. Tell us what is unique about your
community.

5-7, 11, 12, 14, 16, 22-25, 40

»» Please include information on your community with respect to
daily living, recreational opportunities, diversity of housing options,
availability of housing near potential sites for HQ2, and pricing,
among other information

17-18

»» Please also include relevant crime data and cost of living data

18, 48

»» Please use your response as an opportunity to present any
additional items and intangible considerations with respect to your
state/province and community that Amazon should include in its
analysis

49-50, 58-60

A3

 Appendix B   Site Details

Sustainability Features

»» All new development in the local markets are driven by market demand
for LEED Gold or Platinum standards. City Centre in Surrey includes a
District Energy system. The City of Surrey has a robust, sustainability
focused energy code, based on the provincial Energy Code, which
aims to ensure all buildings reach Passive House standards on variable
timelines.
»» Zoning: all zoning already in place
»» Development permit: 6-9 months
»» Building permit: 3-6 months (could be done concurrently with
Development permit)

Site 01: Downtown Digs
Timing

Phase 1 (2019)

Timing Details

»» No new build expected to be delivered to the market until 2021
»» Phase 1 requirements would be met through back fill of existing vacant
space and/or sublease opportunities
»» New space could be completed by Phase 2/3 timing

Ownership Structure

»» Ownership to all proposed site properties are on a private ownership
structure

Timetable for Phase 1 Permitting and Zoning

Current Zoning

»» All site properties in the catchment are either zoned DD Downtown
District or in the process of a rezoning application to permit an increased
density as permitted under the DD zoning by-law
»» Under the DD by-law, office uses are an outright approval use

Site 03: Cultural Core
Timing

Phase 2 (2020)

»» All site properties are located within built up urban areas with all normal
urban utilities available to or in close proximity to the properties
»» This includes infrastructure for hydro, central steam, communications,
sewer and water

Timing Details

»» Delivery of Phase 2+ within Broadway Tech Centre in 2020/21
»» Any assembly of surrounding lands could take an estimated 2 to 3 years
to complete purchases, rezone and obtain Development Permit.

Ownership Structure

»» Ownership to all properties are on a private ownership structure

Current Zoning

»» A rezoning application would be required for the assembled sites in
accordance with the OCP designations to permit any proposed office
related uses similar to that contemplated by Amazon.

Utility Infrastructure

»» All site properties are located within built up urban areas with all normal
urban utilities available to or in close proximity to the properties
»» This includes infrastructure for hydro, communications, sewer and water

Sustainability Features

»» All new development in the local markets are driven by market demand
for LEED Gold or Platinum standards. City Centre in Surrey includes a
District Energy system. All new comprehensive planned new community
oriented development encourages the inclusion of energy and waste
systems.

Timetable for Phase 1 Permitting and Zoning

»» Not applicable (proposed for Phase 2)

Utility Infrastructure

Sustainability Features

Timetable for Phase 1 Permitting and Zoning

»» All new development in the local markets are driven by market demand
for LEED Gold or Platinum standards, and the City of Vancouver requires
all rezoned non-residential buildings to meet LEED Gold standards. As
medium-term policy goal, the City of Vancouver is moving to ensure
buildings to have no operational GHGs by 2030.

»» Development permit and zoning (if required): 12 months
»» Building permit: 3-4 weeks (will be processed by a Certified Professional
in parallel with Development permit application)

Site 02: Expansive Experience
Timing

Phase 1, 2 and 3 (2019 - 2027)

Site 04: Riverside Rendezvous

Timing Details

»» Current projects by late 2019 plus existing buildings

Phase 3 (2027)

Ownership Structure

»» Ownership is based on private entities or a private/ public partnership
with the City of Surrey.

Timing
Timing Details

Current Zoning

»» The sites identified for the Phase 1 development are either zoned for the
intended use or within the Comprehensive Development Plan, capable
of being rezoned to a non residential use, consistent with the City of
Surrey OCP designation for the City Center District.

»» Dependent on Amazon’s demand
»» Requires assembly of surrounding lands which may take 2 to 3 years

Ownership Structure

»» Ownership to all proposed site properties are on a private ownership
structure

Current Zoning

»» Light Industrial (IL) and Auto-Oriented Commercial (CA)

Utility Infrastructure

»» All site properties are located within built up urban areas with all normal
urban utilities available to or in close proximity to the properties
»» This includes infrastructure for hydro, communications, sewer and water

Sustainability Features

»» All new development in the local markets are driven by market demand
for LEED Gold or Platinum standards. The City of Richmond has a robust,
sustainability focused energy code, based on the provincial Energy
Code, which aims to ensure all buildings reach Passive House standards
on variable timelines.

Timetable for Phase 1 Permitting and Zoning

»» Not applicable (proposed for Phase 3)

Utility Infrastructure

»» All site properties are located within built up urban areas with all normal
urban utilities available to or in close proximity to the properties
»» This includes infrastructure for hydro, communications, sewer and water,
and district heat

A5

A6

 Appendix C   Permitting Process Outline
Development Permit Process

1.  Pre-application
»» Check the zoning of the site and any relevant bylaws that may apply
»» Meet with City Staff to discuss application process
»» Pay the application fee
2.  Review
»» The zoning and proposed use of the site is taken into consideration or whether a rezoning application is
required.
»» The planning committee will also consider if the development requires any discretionary increases in
regulations or relaxations
»» Advisory panels and groups meet to discuss the impact of the development
»» A neighborhood notification process is commenced to solicit feedback from the community
3.  Decision
»» After all reviews have been completed and all notification responses have been summarized and evaluated, a
decision on the application is made.
»» The decision is usually made by a senior member of the City’s planning department with Council involvement
only on major applications.
»» Applications are generally approved, approved with conditions, or refused

Rezoning Process

1.  Planning
»» The planning department will identify and explain the policies, guidelines, and plans that affect the property's
use and development.
»» The developer will also be advised as to any issues that may need to be considered or addressed during the
application process.
2.  Written Enquiry
»» If the rezoning is deemed to have community or citywide benefit, the developer will be asked to apply for
rezoning advice before formal rezoning application occurs
»» The developer will receive a rezoning application form at this point
3.  Pre-application Meeting
»» Based on the response to the application for rezoning advice, the developer should then book a preapplication meeting with the rezoning planner to discuss the application requirements for the proposal or any
consultation with the community that may be required.
4.  Application
»» Once all the rezoning material has been compiled, a rezoning application may be filed.
5.  Review and Decision
»» The public will be informed about the rezoning application with a community meeting being a possibility if
required
»» After letting the public respond, the Planning department will then write a report, which provides a complete
analysis of the application, and a recommendation that it either be referred to a public hearing and approved,
or refused.

Building Permit Process

1.  Documentation Collection
»» This step requires the developer to ensure that they have all documentation which may include the building
permit application form or an authorization form
»» A building information sheet or development data sheet is likely to be requested at this step.
2.  Drawings Preparation
»» These drawings may include architectural, structure and civil drawings
3.  Application
»» Submit application and associated fees
4.  Review and Decision
»» The City will review the application to ensure that all legal documents are present
»» The City will also ensure that all building details will conform with BC Building Code requirements and City
zoning requirements
»» The City will ensure that Building conforms with all City and Provincial health and accessibility requirements
A7

 Appendix D   Cellular Phone Coverage Maps
The following maps demonstrate cellular phone coverage across the region
which includes LTE Advanced – Ultra Fast

A9

 Appendix E   Labor and Wage Information
All levels of talent available in the MSA, including executive talent
and the ability to recruit talent to the area

Labor and wage rate information in the general job categories described
Labor Force Characteristics by Occupational Group 2016
BC Labor
Force

Mainland/Southwest
Labor Force

Avg. Annual
BC Wage Rate
(CAD)

Avg. Annual
BC Wage Rate
(USD)

Administrative services managers

14,200

9,300

$78,220

$62,580

Managers in financial and business services

11,600

8,300

$81,760

$65,410

Managers in engineering, architecture, science and
information systems

11,600

8,800

$95,260

$76,210

Corporate sales managers

1,500

1,100

-

-

Managers in construction and facility operation and
maintenance

42,200

31,000

$74,280

$59,420

Occupation
Executive/Management

Labor Force Characteristics by Occupational Group 2016
Occupation

BC Labor Force

Mainland/Southwest
Labor Force

Executive/Management

81,100

58,500

Engineering with a preference for software development engineers (SDE)

73,300

57,300

Legal

69,800

45,900

Accounting

121,600

83,800

Administrative

226,300

152,100

Total

572,100

397,600

Source: Labour Force Survey custom tabulation data (2016) that is provided by the Labour Market Information Office, Government of BC

Engineering with a preference for software development engineers (SDE)
Computer and information systems professionals

54,600

43,000

$76,260

$61,010

Technical occupations in computer and information
systems

18,700

14,300

$66,060

$52,850

Judges, lawyers and Quebec notaries

15,100

11,300

$90,880

$72,700

Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social,
community and education services

54,700

34,600

$41,600

$33,280

Auditors, accountants and investment professionals

61,000

45,900

$64,760

$51,810

Finance, insurance and related business
administrative occupations

31,500

17,800

$45,260

$36,210

Financial, insurance and related administrative
support workers

29,100

20,100

$44,980

$35,980

Human resources and business service professionals

40,000

28,400

$68,100

$54,480

Administrative services supervisors

21,800

16,000

$53,040

$42,430

Administrative and regulatory occupations

54,600

34,400

$49,820

$39,860

Office administrative assistants - general, legal and
medical

38,900

27,300

$46,180

$36,940

General office workers

55,500

35,200

$40,300

$32,240

Office equipment operators

5,800

4,200

$36,740

$29,390

Library, correspondence and other clerks

9,700

6,600

$44,140

$35,310

Total

572,100

397,600

Legal

»» There are 572,100 people employed across BC and 397,600 employed in the Mainland/Southwest region across the
different job categories identified as key Amazon HQ2 occupations
»» The Mainland/Southwest economic region is comprised of the Fraser Valley, Greater Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast
and Squamish-Lillooet­­

Accounting

Administrative

Notes:
»» The Mainland/Southwest economic region consists of the Fraser Valley, Greater Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast
and Squamish-Lillooet
»» The average annual wage estimates are for a 40 hour-work week, 50 weeks per year, based on estimated hourly
wages
»» The CAD/USD exchange rate used was $0.80/USD

A11

A12

 Appendix Incentive Details

    
 
 

Investments in Post-
secondary Programming
and Infrastructure

The provincial budget announced in 201? budget already

provides:

a, 

a $35 million to fund hundreds of new spaces in technology-
related programs over the next 3 years

a $5 million in new funding for graduate and post-doctoral
internships

The $36 million over three years

  

 

Amazon-Global
Immigration Solution

The Province of BC will establish a dedicated Provincial Nominee
Program Solution to provide permanent pathways for Amazon
workers to live and work in BC

 

In addition, the province will work with Amazon to understand
their temporary work force needs and ensure Amazon has
access to the appropriate streamlined federal channels, such
as the newly launched Global Skills Strategy, which provides
expedited access {4 weeks total) to international talent

3 There are no legislative approvals
required for the offer made.

 

Cascadia Innovation
Corridor

 

 

The Cascadia Innovation Corridor is a cross-border initiative that
aims to bring the Vancouver and Seattle regions closer together
to increase economic growth and innovation. Recent successes
include:

3 Opening ofa new BC Trade and Investment Of?ce in Seattle
to help support BC tech exporters and Washington tech
companies considering a presence in BC

3 Collaboration between BC Institute ofTechnology. Lake
Washington Institute of Technology and Oregon Institute of
Technology tojointly leverage applied education offerings in
high-demand STEM ?elds

3 Establishment ofthe Cascadia Innovation Network, which
focuses on introducing start-ups to cross-border funding
and support opportunities. Members include University of
Washington, Oregon Health and Science University. Portland
State University Business Accelerator. BC's Innovation
Boulevard. Accelerate Okanagan. and others

New initiatives include:

a New seaplane route linking Seattle and Vancouver harbours
{?nal announcement expected by end of 2017)

 

Negotiations for the seaplane route
are currently ongoing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Tax Credits

 

a Digital Animation, Visual Effects and Post-Production Tax
Credit (DAVE) a 15% tax credit rate designed to provide an
incentive to production companies employing BC based talent
to create digital animation and visual effects in BC

3 Production Services Tax Credit - a 28% labor based tax
incentive that provides tax credits to Canadian or international
?lm and television production corporations that have incurred
eligible labor costs in BC

3 Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit - a 115% tax
credit rate designed for registered corporations that develop
interactive digital media products in BC

These tax credits are fully refundable {so long as they exceed
any taxes payable by the corporation]. non-transferable and
cannot be carried forward.

 

The existing tax credits are already
in place.

 

 

 

 

A14

New Provincial Incentives - Amazon HQ2
Incentive

New Provincial Incentives - Amazon HQ2

Description

Approval Timing

» BC Government is a recognized leader in growing its digital
economy and delivering digital services to its citizens
» BC is the only jurisdiction in North America with legislated

Identity Management

» s.17(1)

Incentive

s.17(1)

Description

Approval Timing

» s.17(1)

» s.17(1)

» The Government of BC is eager to advance new commercial
partnerships to further the use of wood in leading construction
projects, including creating links to technical expertise,
overcoming code and regulatory barriers, and helping

capabilities. The program is delivered through the chipenabled BC Services Card to 4 million residents and is the
foundation upon which BC is moving forward into future digital
identity capabilities.

» s.17(1)

Sustainable Tall Wood
Buildings

»

» No legislative approval is required.
The type of support referenced
would be considered part of a
normal program of activities

commercialize new building technologies and construction
practices.
» The BC Government will financially support the costs of
promoting and leveraging the learnings and best practices
from innovative wood construction projects
» Amazon's own Minneapolis operations are located in the T3
building– an innovative wood structure designed and built by
BC firms, using BC engineered wood products

Existing Provincial Incentives
»
government. BC has committed to:
»
» Formation of a housing working group reporting directly to
Cabinet
» Provincial Partnerships conference in December 2017 to
identify further concrete actions government can take to

s.17(1)

» The 114,000 units to be built
in partnership are a platform
commitment and something
that the Ministry of Municipal
working to fulfill over the next
ten years. BC Government has
funding and program decision on
implementation of the 114,000 but
no legislation will be required.
» s.17(1)

Incentive

Description

Production Services
Tax Credit (“PSTC”) Tax
Incentive

» A 28% labor based tax incentive that provides tax credits to Canadian or international film and
television production corporations that have incurred eligible labor costs in BC
» One of BC’s most significant investment towards specific industries, allowing taxpayers to think big and
take impactful risks in their film production projects; in 2016, the BC government extended $400 million
in funding towards these industries
» The incentive takes the form of a cash refundable credit; the total incentive that a claimant operating in
this industry may be entitled to can exceed 60% of each eligible production dollar spent in BC
» With Vancouver standing in for a number of global locations, and with the rest of the province providing
lush, coastal scenery, BC can accommodate even the most customer obsessed location selectors

Digital Animation and
Film Tax Incentive

Interactive Digital Media
Tax Credit (“IDMTC”)

s.17(1)

» A 16% tax credit rate designed to provide an incentive to production companies employing BC based
» BC’s focus on targeting DAVE specific investments, one where significant overlap with the Gaming
industry has emerged, has exemplified BC’s desire help its taxpayers insist on the highest standards
within this priority sector
» This incentive takes the form of a 17.5% cash refundable tax credit; in other words, for every eligible
salary dollar spent in the development of IDM products, claimants can receive a 17.5% tax credit, which
if in total exceeds its BC taxes payable, becomes fully refundable
» The program is an excellent tool allowing companies to hire and develop the best in R&D talent, as it
talent; in 2016, the BC government invested over $65 million through this program

Canada - BC Job Grant

15
A15

» A federally funded, provincially administered program intended to help companies hire and develop
the best talent available to them
» The form of funding is a reimbursement of training costs incurred, capped at the lesser of 2/3 of eligible
costs or $10,000 per employee per year

16
A16

 Existing Federal Incentives
Incentive

Description

Air Connectivity

»» The Blue Sky Policy provides Canada with air transport relationships with 120 countries
world-wide
»» 70% of Canada’s international passenger traffic is covered by open air transport agreements,
which support the launch of new air services between Canada and international markets

Business Development
Bank of Canada
(“BDC”) Venture
Capital and Financing

»» BDC can support companies establishing in Canada through loans for R&D, technology
acquisition, production expansion and real estate
»» BDC can also provide financing support for practically any project, including flexible
repayment terms, longer amortization period and capital payment holidays, depending on
needs

Financing Support
for Inbound Foreign
Investment

»» Export Development Canada (EDC) provides financing support to both greenfield and
brownfield investments; these include investments in new facilities and projects in Canada,
and investments in existing Canadian businesses with plans to expand or modernize
production
»» Subject to the particulars of the investment, EDC financing may be available in an amount up
to the purchase price or the investment amount

Scientific Research
& Experimental
Development (“SRED”)

»» Canada’s SRED program is one of the most generous incentive programs within the
developed world; it delivers results with benefits exceeding 35% of every eligible salary
dollar spent within BC
»» The program is intended to allow claimants to Learn and Be Curious, by shouldering
some of the financial risks associated with being innovative, entrepreneurial, and driving
technological change
»» The program is incredibly flexible in that it permits claimants to Think Big and allows them to
structure their global intellectual property (“IP”) affairs as needed, with no requirement for IP
to be maintained within country

Canada Infrastructure
Bank (“CIB”)

»» CIB will use federal support to attract private sector and institutional investment to new
revenue-generating infrastructure projects that are in the public interest

Dedicated Service
Channel (“DSC”) for
Global Skills Strategy

»» The DSC provides employers making significant investments in Canada with personalized
support in navigating the immigration system
»» Companies using the DSC are linked to a dedicated account manager at Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship Canada who can provide information about available immigration
program options and explanation of processes

Strategic Innovation
Fund (“SIF”)

»» The $1.26 billion SIF is a truly comprehensive, one-stop-shop for investment incentives within
the Canadian market
»» The program will allow stakeholders to take ownership of their projects and their success,
while driving strategic, creative, and meaningful investments to Canada
»» Funding is immensely flexible in form, dependent on the characteristics of each investment,
all with the goal of helping applicants maintain their frugality principles while driving results
with the investments they make

A17

A18

 Appendix Letters of Support

in
BRITISH
COLUMBIA



October 17, 2017

Mr. Jeff Beans

President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Amazon

12th Avenue South, Suite 1200

Seattle, WA 98144

USA

Dear Mr. Bezos.

It is my great pleasure to invite you to make British Columbia the home of Amazon?s second
headquarters. We are impressed with the rapid growth you?ve already undertaken recently in the
province. You?re certainly valued as a key member of our tech community and we hope you?ll
make the decision to continue growing with us.

We recognize that Amazon HQ2 is an opportunity to take British Columbia?s tech sector to the
next level, building on the 150.000 highly skilled tech workers in our province and contributing
the continued talent development and creative growth of this exceptional community.

In fact, highly skilled talent is the primary driver behind our booming, fast?growing tech sector.
We?re focused on attracting the best and brightest from around the world through our renowned
post-secondary institutions and welcoming stance on immigration. This has resulted in a
culturally diverse talent pool and business community that is entrepreneurial and heavily geared
toward technology.

Our govemment is committed to supporting a vibrant and stable business environment. We take
pride in strong ?scal management and a economy.

 

Couple these factors with our proximity to Amazon our well-developed ties to the Asia
Paci?c region, and our outstanding quality of life, and it?s hard not to see British Columbia as
the ideal second home for Amazon.

I?ll end with expressing that my government is very serious and committed to working with you
going forward. I encourage you to take the time to review the enclosed proposal and engage
with us to explore why British Columbia would be an excellent place to further grow Amazon?s

 

footprint in North America.

Sincerely,

John Horgan

Premier

Of?ce of the Web Site: Mailing Address: Location:

Premier mungovbcca PD Box 9041 Fun Prov Govt Parliament Buildings

Victoria BC 9E1 Victoria

A20

 

October 16, 2017
Jeff Bezos
Amazon
410 Terry Avenue
Seattle, Washington
98109
United States of America
Dear Jeff,
Vancouver is a city ripe with opportunity and there’s no better time for Amazon to
benefit from our city’s strengths. As Canada’s fastest growing economy, we are loaded
with the country’s top tech talent and continue to foster economic growth through our
booming digital media and tech sectors.
Our city is built for companies who value diversity and sustainable growth; our
multicultural work force and progress towards becoming the greenest city in the world
ensures that your second headquarters will be rooted in a city that is a global
champion for the environment as well as a diverse incubator for innovation.
Our world-class transit system, tech infrastructure and competitive business climate
make us an excellent choice for your new home away from home—a fact your own
company and many other prominent multinationals, including Microsoft, SAP, Intel and
Sony Pictures Imageworks, can attest to.
As the biggest Canadian home for Amazon outside of Seattle, we look forward to
showing why Vancouver is the clear choice for a second HQ for Amazon.

Sincerely,

Gregor Robertson
MAYOR

A21

A22

 TELUS Corporation
23rd Floor
510 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 0M3
Tony Geheran
Member of the TELUS team

October 6, 2017

Ian McKay
CEO
Vancouver Economic Commission
401 W Georgia St #1500
Vancouver, BC V6B 5A1

Re: Support for Metro Vancouver’s Amazon HQ2 bid

Dear Mr. McKay,
I am writing on behalf of TELUS to extend my enthusiastic support of Metro Vancouver’s proposal to be
the location of Amazon’s second corporate headquarters, HQ2. At TELUS, we are committed to
leveraging our technology and the collective skills of our team members to build stronger, healthier and
more connected communities. In October of 2015, we announced a $1 billion investment to connect the
majority of homes and business in the City of Vancouver directly to TELUS PureFibre, some of the
world’s most advanced broadband technology. Our shared vision to transform Vancouver into the world’s
next gigabit-enabled city has come to life, with most areas of the city already connected and the
downtown core expected to be connected by the end of 2019.
This investment provides one of Canada’s largest urban centres with ubiquitous access to the fastest and
most reliable Internet service available – adding more than 400,000 homes, businesses, hospitals,
community centres and municipal offices to our fibre-lit landscape. TELUS PureFibre will help to build a
greener, more inclusive and globally-competitive city and will undoubtedly improve citizens’ lives through
significant new social, educational and economic opportunities. This connectivity is further bolstered by
our $250 million investment to bring fibre to Surrey and $150 million investment in Burnaby – creating one
of the most connected metropolitan regions in North America.
In addition to our local deployment of fibre, TELUS recently achieved a significant breakthrough with the
successful completion of a 5G wireless connection using the global 3GPP technology standards platform.
This ground-breaking connection took place in TELUS and Huawei’s 5G Living Lab in downtown
Vancouver – a one-of-a-kind real-time laboratory made possible thanks to the backbone of the TELUS
PureFibre network. As operators and vendors race toward the global deployment of 5G, this successful
pilot represents one of the most advanced connections ever made using technologies that will form the
standard for global 5G. It demonstrates the potential for 5G technology to deliver Wireless-to-the-Premise
(WTTx) connectivity with the speeds and reliability necessary to power the smart homes and businesses
of tomorrow.

communities will help support a mobile workforce, reduce productivity-killing commutes and offer a
substantially higher quality of life -- perks that will be game-changers when it comes to attracting, and
keeping, top talent.
Amazon will also need a new home that is supported by an excellent tech-focused educational
ecosystem. Our wealth of educational institutions offer a pipeline of emerging talent, but they also offer
quality opportunities for children. Fibre is revolutionizing classrooms from kindergarten to grad school with
innovative tools like interactive whiteboards, videoconferencing, automatically-updated digital textbooks,
virtual field trips, and remote learning with the world’s leading universities and teachers. A nextgeneration school system will fuel Amazon’s success for years to come.
Vancouver should be at the top of the list when selecting a city that offers a high quality of life. TELUS
Health and TELUS PureFibre are working together to provide communities with advanced services that
lead to superior health outcomes. Our fibre networks are enabling telehealth services that reduce hospital
admissions and the associated burdens to the healthcare system. Inventive applications being developed
for gigabit-enabled communities include a 3-D video platform for physical therapy, in-home sensors for
detecting early signs of illness, and a distance-treatment platform for psychological counselling.
Importantly, fibre will further enable many of the breakthrough services we are developing, such as:
electronic prescribing, online benefit check, and pharmacogenomics.
TELUS Garden is our corporate headquarters and our team’s home in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
It’s also the first office tower in Canada to receive LEED Platinum certification for sustainable
development. In fact, Amazon occupies a handful of floors at TELUS Garden where they enjoy green
office space with gigabit-enabled fibre connectivity. Our Vancouver headquarters are also the home to
our state-of-the-art Innovation Centre – a hub for research and development where we test and trial
emerging technologies and services and help local entrepreneurs and businesses bring their ideas to life.
I think it goes without saying, but Vancouver is an extraordinary place to live. The beauty of our city is
truly breathtaking and while I’ve yet to ski in the morning and windsurf in the afternoon, I know it’s a
possibility. Vancouver is a diverse and vibrant city that embraces all lifestyles and offers countless
opportunities for entertainment, cultural and outdoor pursuits. At TELUS we believe that our people are
our greatest strength and we understand that Amazon is looking for the perfect place to call home. We
look forward to welcoming Amazon’s HQ2 to Vancouver, where they can enjoy our beautiful city, state-ofthe-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technology and Canadian hospitality.
Sincerely,

Tony Geheran
EVP & President, Broadband Networks
Member of the TELUS team
cc:

Hon. John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia
Hon. Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology
Hon. Jinny Sims, Minister of Citizens’ Services

Today’s smart, tech-savvy workforce – the demographic Amazon will be looking to attract to fill 50,000
new jobs – is very much awake to the possibilities of a fibre-connected city. Innovations such as
connected homes, driverless cars and smart-city services are going to be powered off a wireline
backbone of fibre. Millennials, in particular, already value high-speed internet more than any other home
feature. A network that connects Amazon employees to fibre at work, at home and throughout their

A23

A24

 October 11, 2017 
Mr. Ian McKay

 

 
 
October 11, 2017 
 
Mr. Ian McKay 
President and CEO 
Vancouver Economic Commission 
Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia St 
Vancouver, BC   V6B 5A1 
 
Dear Mr. McKay:  
 
I  am  very  pleased  to  support  British  Columbia  and  Metro  Vancouver’s  bid  to  host 
Amazon’s second headquarters in North America. 
 
As someone who has worked for the public transit systems in New York and Seattle, I 
can  say  Metro  Vancouver  is  home  to  a  world‐class,  integrated  and  sustainable 
transportation network that is setting the standard for urban transportation systems in 
North America and contributing to making the Metro Vancouver region one of the most 
livable regions in the world. 
 
Metro Vancouver represents a unique urban environment that is integrating sustainable 
transportation options at a scale unlike anywhere else in North America. More than 90 
per  cent  of  the  region’s  population  and  two‐thirds  of  workplaces  are  within  walking 
distance of transit. Our automated rapid transit line – one of the longest driverless mass 
transit  systems  in  the  world  –  connects  seven  of  the  region’s  major  cities  over  79 
kilometres of rapid transit and 53 stations. In fact, our Canada Line rapid transit moves 
people between downtown Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport in under 30 
minutes. 
 
We offer a fleet of more than 1,500 transit vehicles serving more than 210 routes and 
we operate three passenger ferries linking downtown Vancouver with the North Shore 
as well as a commuter rail service to the growing suburbs of Maple Ridge and Mission. 
 
The  numbers  tell  the  story:  every  day,  more  than  400,000  people  move  around  the 
region using public transit. More than 50% of the residents of the region reported using 
public transit over the last month and that number is growing. In the last year, ridership 
has grown by 7 per cent. In other transit agencies across North America, ridership is in 

 
 
decline.  The  Metro  Vancouver  region  –  24th  largest  in  North  America  by  population  – 
now has the 8th largest public transit ridership for a metropolitan region. 
 
It’s not just about transit. The Metro Vancouver region, with its temperate climate, has 
deliberately crafted a transportation vision that targets making it possible to make half 
of all trips in the region by walking, cycling, and transit.  
 
And  we’re  not  standing  still.  Vancouver’s  economy  and  population  is  growing,  and 
TransLink is making smart investments now: we are investing almost $8 billion over the 
next  10  years  in  expanding  and  improving  public  transportation  options.  We  are 
planning  a  major  expansion  of  the  SkyTrain  rapid  transit  line  along  the  Broadway 
corridor in Vancouver, a new street‐level light rail system in Surrey, and expansions in 
the capacity of our existing system throughout the region. 
 
We will continue to lead the way in providing convenient and sustainable public transit 
options  for  our  thriving  region  and  the  many  world‐class  industry  leaders,  innovators, 
and students who call Metro Vancouver their home.  
 
Sincerely,  

Kevin Desmond 
Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Page 1 of 2 

 

A25

Page 2 of 2 

A26

 Kevin Howlett
Senior Vice President, Regional Markets and
Government Relations
Premier vice-président – Marchés régionaux
et Relations gouvernementales

October 6, 2017
Mr. Ian McKay
President and CEO
Vancouver Economic Commission
Suite 1500, 401 West Georgia St
Vancouver, BC
V6B 5A1
via email: imckay@vancouvereconomic.com
Dear Mr. McKay,

I am writing to you regarding your city’s candidacy to attract Amazon’s second corporate headquarters
(HQ2). We have been made aware that different Canadian cities intend to apply and that as part of the
Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Amazon has signaled that daily direct flights to Seattle, New York,
San Francisco/Bay Area, New York and Washington, D.C. will be an important consideration in its final
decision.
As such, I wanted to provide you with Air Canada’s position that could support your city’s bid for
Amazon HQ2. Air Canada is particularly proud of its critical role in connecting the whole of Canada, but
particularly its major metropolitan areas to markets in the United States and the world. This is strongly
evidenced by these facts:
1-

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services
in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market and in the international market
to and from Canada. We fly to 64 airports in Canada, 57 in the United States and 91 in Europe,
Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South
America.

2-

We do so by flying to more than 200 destinations on six continents from Canada. A customer
of Air Canada from the major metropolitan centres can fly directly, or in many instances
through only one connection to most of our destinations. Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and its
Air Canada Express regional partners operate on average 1,580 scheduled flights each day.

Air Canada knows air connectivity is a prime consideration for any company choosing a headquarters
location. As Canada’s largest carrier and the airline with the most transborder services between Canada
and the U.S., we are uniquely positioned to connect Seattle or any other U.S. city with any successful
Canadian city on a commercially viable basis. As such, steps would be taken to further facilitate travel
to/from any successful Canadian city.
Sincerely,

Kevin Howlett
Senior Vice President, Regional Markets and Government Relations
Premier vice-président – Marchés régionaux et Relations gouvernementales

6001 Grant McConachie Way
YVR 3151
Vancouver, BC V7B 1K3

A27

 Ian McKay
CEO
Vancouver Economic Commission
401 W Georgia St #1500
Vancouver, BC V6B 5A1
October 3, 2017
Re: Support for Amazon Headquarters bid for Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
Dear Mr. McKay,
Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline, is fully supportive of Vancouver’s bid to host
Amazon’s next headquarters.
In fact, our company and Seattle’s Kenmore Air are planning to begin scheduled service from
downtown Vancouver to Seattle’s Lake Union in the spring of 2018. This route would make it possible
for executives to travel between the two cities’ downtown centers in just under one hour — in fact,
one could leave home in the morning and return in the same day.
We believe this scheduled airline service will add to the already robust transportation infrastructure
that Vancouver offers. Already, we have thousands of seats being requested for this route, which
proves the utility of this unique international service.
If Vancouver is successful in its bid for Amazon to relocate their new headquarters here, we believe
that the seaplane transportation link will be an efficient way for Amazon to move individuals back
and forth from these two corporate centers. To that end, we would be also pleased to provide
Amazon with volume discounting on our fares for your employees.
We have operated in the Pacific Northwest for thirty-five years. We know there is no place like it.
Vancouver offers a unique mix of urban sophistication, the laid-back atmosphere of a Canadian
coastal city but also the entrepreneurial drive that builds companies and drives innovation.
We are proud to call this place home, and we hope Amazon will, too.
Sincerely,

Randy Wright
President, Harbour Air Seaplanes

A29

 AMAZON H02 PROPOSAL

Talent.
Value.
Potential.

II.)



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