Regional Context Statement

The Regional Context Statement demonstrates how the City’s existing plans and policies support the goals, strategies, and actions identified in the Metro Vancouver's regional growth strategy, titled “Metro Vancouver 2040 – Shaping our Future" (Metro 2040). In 2019, Metro Vancouver began updating Metro 2040.

An updated regional growth strategy, Metro 2050, is anticipated to be complete in mid to late 2022. Until then, Metro 2040 is still the region’s official regional growth strategy. 

Once the updated regional growth strategy is completed and adopted, the City of Vancouver will update our Regional Context Statement to align with the new goals and strategies set out in the updated regional growth strategy.


Updating the Regional Growth Strategy and the Regional Context Statement

  • April 2019

    Metro Vancouver began updating Metro 2040: Shaping our Future, the regional growth strategy

  • We are here
  • Mid-late 2022

    Metro Vancouver will seek approval of the updated regional growth strategy, Metro 2050

  • Late 2022

    The City will begin updating the Regional Context Statement (anticipated completion in 2024)

Recent developments with the statement

Drafting Metro 2050

June 2022 – City Council has accepted the proposed Metro 2050 Regional Growth Strategy (Metro Vancouver Regional District Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1339, 2022). (60 MB)

April 29, 2022 – The Metro Vancouver Board referred the RGS Bylaw to affected local governments for acceptance by resolution. 

November 2021 – City Council has endorsed City Comments on the Draft Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Metro 2050 (119 KB), and conveyed appreciation to Metro Vancouver for the work to develop a new updated Regional Growth Strategy.

June 2021 – Metro Vancouver has released a draft of the updated regional growth strategy, Metro 2050. The update is being undertaken to consider significant drivers of change, integrate with Transport 2050 , and implement policy improvements. 

Council adopts Regional Context Statement

September 24, 2013 – Council adopted the Regional Context Statement as an Official Development Plan.

Regional Context Statement accepted by Metro Vancouver Board

July 26, 2013 – The Metro Vancouver Board has accepted the City of Vancouver Regional Context Statement (referred to Metro Vancouver on June 11, 2013). The final step is for Vancouver City Council to enact a bylaw that will adopt the Regional Context Statement as an Official Development Plan. This will occur in fall 2013.

Regional Context Statement referred to Metro Vancouver Board

June 12, 2013 – The Regional Context Statement was presented to Vancouver City Council on June 11. All policies included in the statement were approved and it has been referred to the Metro Vancouver Board for acceptance.

Open questionnaire closed

May 24, 2013 – Thank you for taking our online questionnaire and attending our open house. If your comments meet our written submission guidelines for public hearings, we will submit them to the City Clerk's Department as part of the official record for public hearings.

If you were not able to attend the event or fill in the questionnaire, you can still view the materials in the Documents tab and send comments directly to City Clerk's as part of the official record for public hearings. Simply follow the guidelines for public hearings.

  • View the written submission guidelines for public hearings

Review the open house display information  

May 17, 2013 –  If you didn't have the chance to attend the May 16 open house or would like to review the information, the display boards from the open house are now online. You can also submit your thoughts on the Regional Context through the online form on this page until May 23, 2013.

The questionnaire is now closed. Thank you for your interest.

Come to the open house and learn more

April 26, 2013 – Drop by an open house to learn more about the Regional Context Statement and how it's important for Vancouver's future. It’s your chance to discuss the statement with City staff, ask questions and give your input before it goes to City Council for consideration at the public hearing on June 11.

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Town Hall, 1st Floor, Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue

What do you think of the Regional Context Statement?

April 23, 2013 – A draft Regional Context Statement (RCS) has been referred to public hearing for June 11, 2013 by Council.

Prior to the public hearing, the RCS will be forwarded to Metro Board and Vancouver School Board for comments. City staff will also be gathering comments from the public through an online comment form until May 23, 2013.

Public members may also submit comments directly to City Clerks as part of the formal public hearing process. All comments received by staff in the online form which meet written submission guidelines for public hearings will also be submitted to Clerks as part of the official record for public hearings.

If you want to comment directly to City Clerks or comment after May 23, 2013, or if you want to speak at the public hearing, simply follow the guidelines for public hearings.

  • View the public hearing guidelines

Related policies

View the list of policies, sorted alphabetically.

Details of the Regional Growth Strategy

Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) is organized along five key inter-connected goals that provide a sustainability framework to accommodate the additional 1.2-million people and 600,000 jobs that are expected in the region by 2041.

The RGS goals are:

  • Create a compact urban area
  • Support a sustainable economy
  • Protect the environment and respond to climate change impacts
  • Develop complete communities
  • Support sustainable transportation choices

Anticipated timeline for adoption of the Regional Context Statement

  • July 29, 2011 – RGS adopted by the Metro Board
  • April 23, 2013 – Council refers to Public Hearing and forwards to Metro Board and Vancouver School Board for comments
  • June 11, 2013 – Public Hearing
  • After Public Hearing – Council refers to Metro Board for acceptance
  • Fall 2013 – Council Adopts the Regional Context Statement Official Development Plan

Work leading up to the Regional Context Statement

The Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy (RGS), titled “Metro Vancouver 2040 – Shaping our Future,” was adopted by the Metro Board on in July 29, 2011. It was unanimously accepted by all local governments in the region.

All municipalities in Metro Vancouver are required to submit a Regional Context Statement (RCS) within two years of the adoption of the RGS. The RCS demonstrates how the City's existing plans and policies support the goals, strategies and actions identified in the RGS.

The RCS also includes population, dwelling and employment projections that show Vancouver's share of regional growth projections.

If applicable, the RCS must also show how the City’s plans and policies will be made consistent with the RGS over time.

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies