The U.S. is B.C.'s largest trading partner; with B.C. exporting nearly $21 billion to the U.S ($6 billion to Washington) in 2016. Meanwhile, imports from Washington to Canada in 2016 were $10 billion ($ 6.5 billion of which was destined to B.C.).

Considering that over 20 million trips are made each year between greater Seattle and Vancouver (which together have a population of 6.2 million, improving transportation links between B.C. and Washington would inevitably boost levels of cross-border trade, investment, innovation partnerships, as well as tourism.

Vancouver's business base represents less than $200 billion in enterprise value, but could expand significantly through cross-pollination with Seattle and its near $1 trillion ecosystem. As a Top 20 Startup Ecosystem in the World (Startup Compass 2017), Vancouver wants to continue bringing American ICT companies to strengthen its entrepreneurship and innovation clusters and remain globally competitive. Western Economic Development, the B.C. Government and the Business Council of B.C. have established HQ Vancouver to attract Asian and North American companies.

Seattle is a major hub for innovation, with tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon contributing to a vibrant local economy not just in Seattle, but also in Vancouver where both companies have invested heavily. Furthermore, Seattle is often a first export market for B.C.-based companies and a growing source of seed and venture capital for Vancouver start-ups. Supporting the Cascadia Innovation Corridor initiative is consistent with the the Prime Minister's innovation-related priorities embedded in Canada's 2017 Budget.