SAVE THE DATE!  Registration opens October 8, 2025.  

“The Lower Mainland is experiencing a shortage of industrial land. High land prices, low vacancy rates and rising rental costs are making it harder for businesses to find space. In other parts of B.C., industrial land is more available and affordable. However, these areas are often underutilized due to limited infrastructure, utilities, workforce and investor awareness”. 
- Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth

In this engaging session, our panel of experts present and discuss the vital role of a strong industrial land base and their positive contribution to employment, economic and business growth that support the resiliency of our communities. Along with profiling specific industrial projects and areas, the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth (Industrial Land Office) will provide an overview of provincial policies and initiatives, including the development of a comprehensive inventory of industrial land in the Province.

Participants will learn about three industrial planning and development initiatives, each with its own unique opportunities and challenges:

North 256 Street, Maple Ridge -- The City of Maple Ridge is actively advancing industrial development opportunities, including unlocking the potential of a huge block of underutilized land through a new industrial-focused area plan. Coordinating land use planning, economic development objectives, and infrastructure servicing, this area plan aims to strategically attract and grow industrial investment, businesses, jobs, and municipal property tax base — delivering broad benefits to the community.  The area plan facilitates new industrial (re)development, while recognizing long-standing institutional users, supplementing supportive uses and amenities, and respecting the environmental features and recreational activities in the area.

Marine Drive / Fraser River, Vancouver – This long-standing industrial area in south Vancouver is uniquely positioned, with road access via Marine Drive on the north side and the Fraser River on the south. The area contains the largest share of industrial land in the City, with a mix of city-serving industrial uses that require both large and small format spaces. The lands have some historic forestry and aggregate processing uses along the water, a variety of older structures and some examples of modern light industrial buildings in the central area, and some newer big box retail fronting Marine Drive. As the area experiences redevelopment and densification, explore what new industrial and employment uses are possible, and how development can optimize the industrial use and density of the lands, while utilizing waterfront access and transportation infrastructure.

The Richmond Industrial Centre spans 170 acres and master-planned to host 12 state-of-the-art buildings. Once a peat bog, later transformed into a waste management and recycling facility, the site has undergone extensive remediation and infrastructure upgrades. Now emerging as one of Metro Vancouver’s largest industrial complexes, the project showcases remarkable engineering—including strategic slope construction that has elevated the land to become Richmond’s highest point. Ideally located adjacent to key port facilities and surrounded by a hub of import-export distribution centres, the Richmond Industrial Centre anchors the growing logistics area with modern, high-performance industrial accommodations.

Don’t miss this informative webinar on the vital role of industrial lands and their contribution to the economic and employment success of communities across British Columbia.

Our Speakers:

• Eric Aderneck RPP, MCIP - Industrial Lands Program Manager, City of Maple Ridge
• Kenneth Low - President & CEO, Montrose Industries
• Lilian Arishenkoff RPP, MCIP - Senior Vice President, Development, Wesbild
• Mark Sime - Director - Industrial Land Strategies, Industrial Land Office, Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth