British Columbia
British Columbia (BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, known for its mountains, hot springs, coastline, skiing, and diverse food scene. Although I wasn't born or raised here, I've spent more time in BC in the 21st century than any other province — in fact, it's the only province of Canada I've lived in this century. I'm proud to call myself a British Columbian.
First Visit: Expo 86
My first time in British Columbia was during Expo 86 in Vancouver. One of the most memorable experiences had nothing to do with the exhibits — they had just released payphones that could accept credit and debit cards, and we made long-distance phone calls all over the world. The bill never came. It seemed like the technology was a kind of smoke and mirrors: the calls went through, but the billing system wasn't actually hooked up yet. We were nervous about it for a while, waiting for a phone bill that never arrived.
High School
I returned to BC to complete my last two years of high school at Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver, graduating in 1990. After graduation, I had a brief stint in Barkerville before eventually settling back in the Vancouver area.
Living in BC
I've now lived in British Columbia for over 15 years. There are so many beautiful spots I've had the privilege of seeing, and many others I haven't yet — particularly the natural hot springs scattered around the province, which remain on my list.
Food
The food in BC, particularly Metro Vancouver, is a meaningful part of what makes this place special:
- Chinese food — especially gai lan (Chinese broccoli)
- Baklava and coffee
- Smoked salmon — lox bagels with capers
The diversity of the food scene here is hard to match elsewhere in Canada.
The Seawall
Cycling around the seawall in Vancouver during summer is one of the great pleasures of living here.
Cultural Observations
Culturally, I've always identified more with Eastern Canadians. When I first moved to BC, I didn't think people here were particularly friendly — at least not in the overt, immediate way that Easterners tend to be. But over the last eight years, I've come to discover the charm of British Columbians. What I initially read as coldness or aloofness is really more of a cultural shyness than arrogance. It took time to appreciate, but I genuinely value it now.
Concerns
While I love living here, I do have concerns about the province:
- Truth and reconciliation — I'm not sure the current approaches to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples are the most constructive path possible. The intentions appear good, but the execution sometimes feels like it prioritizes symbolism over substance. (See also: STƏYWƏTE:N̓ pronunciation)
- Environmental policy — I worry that the environmental movement in BC tends to rally around charismatic causes rather than taking a truly sustainable, balanced approach to managing natural resource extraction alongside ecological stewardship.
Outlook
Despite these concerns, I love living in British Columbia and I think there are tremendous opportunities to build and grow here. It's home.