The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced a new investment in British Columbia’s Integrated Marketplace of over USD 1.8 million to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) innovation into two projects at local testbeds.
This is the first investment announced through PacifiCan’s Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative.
In line with the latest investment, Minister Robertson stated:
“British Columbia’s tech sector is a powerhouse, driving prosperity not only across the province, but across Canada. Together, we are creating one Canadian economy and positioning Canada at the forefront of tech nations.”
At Vancouver International Airport, the investment will support the next phase of a project testing self-driving robotic pods designed to help travelers with mobility challenges move around the airport more easily.
While at the Provincial Health Services Authority, the funding will advance a project that uses AI to analyze digital images of tissue, facilitating the detection and identification of diseases through the digitization of pathology and other cancer diagnosis processes.
Fueling British Columbia’s Tech Ecosystem
British Columbia is driving Canada’s innovation economy as one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech powerhouses, with over 12,000 companies employing more than 182,000 highly skilled workers.
PacifiCan is fueling B.C.’s dynamic tech ecosystem by championing homegrown innovation and advancing solutions that tackle real-world challenges. In 2023, PacifiCan announced a USD 9.9 million investment through Innovate BC to launch the Integrated Marketplace, which helps local companies test technologies in real-world environments. Over the past two years, this investment, alongside support provided by the Province of B.C., has powered over 30 projects that drive innovation, AI adoption, and economic growth across British Columbia.
Peter Cowan, President and CEO of Innovate BC, added:
“The Integrated Marketplace is a powerful example of how we can accelerate innovation, like AI technologies, and economic growth at the same time, and with this additional funding from PacifiCan we are enhancing two high-impact projects working to improve critical services for British Columbians and customers worldwide.”
Notably, in May 2025, the Prime Minister of Canada‘s mandate letter for Ministry members highlighted AI as a key driver for economic growth, job creation, and government innovation to keep Canada competitive in a changing world.
