British Columbia is aiming to attract more investment into its tech sector while augmenting industries that already contribute immensely to the local economy. Boosting a provincial tax credit will make this possible.
At Electronic Arts headquarters in Burnaby this week, Premier David Eby announced that video game developers, virtual reality system makers and interactive digital media companies will benefit from a 25 per cent credit starting in September. It will increase by 7.5 per cent from 17.5 per cent and be changed from temporary to permanent.
“We’re doing so to ensure that our gaming sector and interactive digital media sector is the most competitive in the world,” Eby told reporters and visitors at EA alongside BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey. The sector contributes about C$1 billion per annum to the provincial economy.
This change will have a positive impact on 161 video game developers and 230 other companies in the province and make setting up shop in British Columbia become more appealing for others throughout Canada and abroad. They will be able to claim the tax credit on salaries and wages paid during their respective development phases.
“Amplifying the tax credit to 25 per cent permanently isn’t just a boost for the companies that already call BC home, but also for the next generation of studios, creators and creative technologists,” said DigiBC Board Chair and co-founder of Critical Path Games, Jeanne-Marie Owens.
“The opportunities are enormous!”
When it comes to virtual and augmented reality tech, British Columbia’s industry is second only to Silicon Valley. The province is home to leading VR/AR companies like Archiact, Lumen VR and Immersive Robotics.
On the video game front, BC hosts multiple prominent creative studios. Nintendo Co Ltd (OTCMKTS: NTDOF) (FRA: NTO) has headquarters in Burnaby like EA. Additionally, award-winning Relic Entertainment and Klei Entertainment are based in Vancouver, to name a few.
Visited @EAVancouver with @Dave_Eby, @rajchouhan, @BrendaBaileyBC, @Rohini_BC & @JanetRoutledge to mark BC’s new 25% Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit. Launching Sept 1, it supports game, VR, and educational media industries—fueling jobs, talent, and innovation in BC. 🎮🚀 pic.twitter.com/lacKW2ABpj
— Paul Choi (@PaulChoiBC) July 8, 2025
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