Opinion: The U.K. and B.C. are at an inflection point

Tom Codrington, British Consul General in Vancouver, with Premier David Eby in May 2025.

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As my time as British Consul General in Vancouver draws to a close after four years, I find myself reflecting on how much B.C.’s relationship with the U.K. has evolved — and what could come next.

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Former premier John Horgan once joked to me that the connection was obvious: “It’s in the name, after all.” He was right.

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It is also substantial. After the U.S., the U.K. is the largest overseas source of investment into the Lower Mainland, with British companies employing tens of thousands of people across the region. B.C. also holds many advantages. It is innovative, resource-rich, and increasingly important to the strategic questions that will shape the next decade.

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In that context, the province’s relationship with Britain cannot simply be nostalgia. It must be growth, security, innovation and trust, delivered through practical work between governments, businesses, universities, investors, communities and people. Because inherited friendship is not enough for the world we now face.

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Four areas have stood out to me.

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First, technology.

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Artificial intelligence, quantum and other emerging technologies are becoming the infrastructure on which nations will depend. The complementarity between the U.K. and B.C. is striking. The U.K. brings one of the world’s leading technology and AI ecosystems, while B.C. brings talent, research excellence and a fast-growing frontier-tech base. We share values about how tech should be governed. Together, we can help companies grow globally without losing their local roots or compromising their values.

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That matters because B.C.’s innovation challenge is not a lack of ideas but a lack of global ambition. Too often, local conversations default to “Made in B.C.” solutions for B.C. problems. Local pride is great. But it should extend to solving global problems, not just local ones. The bigger opportunity is to export “Made in B.C.” solutions to others — while being open to bringing the best globally available solutions into B.C. Serious innovation ecosystems do both.

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Second, open markets.

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The same principle applies to trade and investment. Both the U.K. and Canada understand that open economies are stronger than closed ones. Canada is rightly looking to diversify its trading relationships. T

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he U.K. is ready to be part of that answer. That means doing the boring work of removing barriers, building confidence, and making it easier for firms on both sides to invest, export and scale. While the high-level momentum is good, in too many areas there is still too much inertia, whether recognizing each other’s professional qualifications, adding interprovincial trade barriers, or applying Buy Canadian measures to the detriment of buyers and sellers alike.

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There will always be domestic pressures in turbulent times. But protectionist reflexes carry unintended costs, including for investment from trusted partners. Canada’s long-delayed ratification of the U.K.’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, entering into force on Sept. 1, is therefore a chance to turn the page and transform shared economic ambition into practical advantage for businesses in B.C., across Canada and the U.K.