March 09, 2026
Executive Summary
The following Executive Summary is from Genome BC’s 2026-2029 Strategic plan.
A copy of the complete plan is available here on our website.
Genomics is no longer a promise on the horizon. It is a transformative force that is reshaping human health, food systems and the natural world and strengthening the resilience of our economy. For the past 25 years Genome British Columbia has helped build one of the strongest life-science and innovation ecosystems in Canada and positioned British Columbia as a global leader in genomics. This ecosystem connects discovery with action and brings together researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, Indigenous partners and industry leaders who share a commitment to improving life in British Columbia.
The 2026 to 2029 Strategic Plan sets the course for the next stage of this work. It builds on a long record of scientific excellence and partnership while responding to a world where genomic technologies are advancing quickly and expectations for equity, sustainability and trust are rising. The plan is anchored in a bold vision that genomics positively impacts life, every day.
Genome BC continues to attract significant external investment, leveraging partner contributions at roughly a 1:3 ratio. This approach ensures each provincial dollar delivers greater value and broader benefit for people across British Columbia.
Over the next three years Genome BC will invest at least $266M to support research and innovation across the province. This includes $66M in provincial funding that will be used to attract $200M from federal, industry and philanthropic partners. This blended model strengthens BC’s ability to identify, grow and retain scientific and entrepreneurial talent and continues a long pattern of securing national investment at scale.
Genome BC’s work is organized around four mutually reinforcing mandates: Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization and Societal Engagement. These mandates are supported by commitments to equity, Indigenous partnership, data stewardship and organizational culture. They also reflect Genome BC’s role in helping emerging companies develop genomics tools, scale their ideas and contribute to BC’s bio-based economy.
Across all programs Genome BC will pursue three ambitions: embed genomics into health care; strengthen BC’s bio-based economy; catalyze innovation through partnerships.
Genomics is moving into routine clinical care. Data volumes are expanding quickly and require secure and ethical governance. Indigenous data sovereignty and inclusive research practices are essential for trust and scientific accuracy. Advances in synthetic biology and gene editing are opening new possibilities in medicine, agriculture and biomanufacturing. Genomics is also becoming a driver of economic growth across health, forestry, agriculture, energy and environmental sectors.
Genome BC works across these diverse ecosystems to identify leaders and nurture cutting-edge discovery and implementation opportunities that improve human, animal, agricultural and environmental health and resiliency. As genomics adoption expands, so does the opportunity to generate Canadian intellectual property that fuels globally competitive industries and creates high-quality jobs for British Columbians.
BC is well positioned to lead as genomics becomes part of everyday systems. The next decade will see routine genome and environmental sequencing, integrated multi-omics for predictive health and ecosystem management and expanded population cohorts that reflect the diversity of people and environments in the province. These developments will support new biomanufacturing capacity, sustainable resource use and circular bioeconomy solutions.
Genome BC will continue to generate evidence that supports adoption in health care and other sectors. It will expand equitable access to genomic medicine and uphold Indigenous leadership and data sovereignty. It will help integrate genomics into clinical and preventive care through linked data, pharmacogenomics and digital health strategies. It will strengthen food security and climate resilience by supporting genomics-enabled agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and ecosystem monitoring. It will advance low-carbon and circular bioeconomy solutions including biomining, bioremediation and engineered biology. It will also support commercialization and entrepreneurship and build public trust through education and engagement.
Through programs like Geneskool®, Genome BC contributes to science literacy and builds awareness of how genomics will shape the future. This growing suite of education programs helps cultivate the next generation of leaders who will carry BC’s genomics and life sciences ecosystem forward.
This plan is an invitation to work together. Genomics is shaping the present and with the right partnerships it can shape a more equitable, resilient and innovative future for British Columbia.
Genome BC’s complete 2026-2029 Strategic Plan is available on our website.
