About the GVSS Region

Communities | Watersheds | Economy | Regional District | Sustainability Snapshot Indicators

Communities

The Greater Vancouver–Sea to Sky (GVSS) Region is a busy, vibrant hub. Over 2.3 million people live here — 79% of the Basin's total population. All of this is within 12,000 km², and mostly concentrated within the 2,800 km² of Metro Vancouver. There is great ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity across the region.

For the purpose of FBC programs, the GVSS Region includes all of Metro Vancouver, as well as the western part of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District ― the communities of Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.

There are 22 municipalities, one electoral area and one treaty First Nation in Metro Vancouver: Abbotsford,* Anmore, Belcarra, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley City, Langley Township, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver City, North Vancouver District, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Tsawwassen First Nation, Vancouver, West Vancouver and White Rock.

*Metro Vancouver park services only.

The GVSS region also includes the traditional territories and home of these First Nations: Douglas, Kwantlen, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Lil’wat, Matsqui, Musqueam, Qayqayt, Samahquam, Semiahmoo, Skatin, Squamish, Tseil-Waututh, Tsawwassen, Union Bar, Xaxli'p and Yale.

Watersheds

The GVSS Region is partly within the Fraser Basin and partly within the Georgia Basin. Watersheds in the region include the Alouette, Brunette, Capilano, Cheakamus, Coquitlam, Fraser River and Estuary, Kanaka, Lynn, Nicomekl, Pitt, Salmon, Serpentine, Seymour and Squamish. 

Economy

The GVSS economy is highly diverse, and includes finance and investment, retail, manufacturing, high technology, construction, trade services, public service, tourism, recreation, agriculture and transportation. The region’s economic performance is also influenced by natural resource development from across BC.

Visit Metro Vancouver online for a summary of Metro’s regional economic development and transportation statistics.

Regional Districts

Regional governments face many sustainability issues. Metro Vancouver, for example, has responsibility for such services as drinking water, sewage and drainage, solid waste management and regional parks. The regional district also has planning and regulatory responsibility for utilities, air quality and regional growth.

In 2011 Metro Vancouver adopted a new regional growth strategy — Metro Vancouver 2040 - Shaping our Future. This document links to complementary strategies, such for the regional transportation system. For more on this work, visit the Metro Vancouver site.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District adopted its regional growth strategy in 2010, focusing on growth management (in the south) and economic recovery issues (in the north) over a 20-year period. Read more on the SLRD website.

Sustainability Snapshot Indicators

One way the Fraser Basin Council supports regional districts and municipalities as they plan for a sustainable future is by preparing indicators data and trends. These are on issues ranging from air quality, to land use, to health. Read our 2009 and 2010 Sustainability Snapshot reports for more on indicators and trends. Also visit regional district and municipal sites to find out about current sustainability strategies.