{"id":84726,"date":"2026-05-12T09:54:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T16:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/?post_type=engagement&#038;p=84726"},"modified":"2026-06-25T09:47:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:47:38","slug":"bc-patent-box","status":"publish","type":"engagement","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/bc-patent-box\/","title":{"rendered":"B.C. Patent Box for the Life Sciences Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group engage-banner has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fbda80\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top\">Engagement was open until June 24, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#a0a6a9\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1350\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-85041\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-scaled.jpeg\" style=\"object-position:46% 35%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"46% 35%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-300x158.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-1024x540.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-768x405.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-1536x810.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-2048x1080.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-technician-Copy-1200x633.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\"><div class=\"engagement-content-wrapper\"><h1 class=\"engagement-title-banner \" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/themes\/bcgov-engagement\/dist\/images\/blue-curve-bg.svg)\">B.C. Patent Box for the Life Sciences Sector<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\">Home<\/a>\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/\">Engagement Opportunities<\/a> \n                  <span>\n        B.C. Patent Box for the Life Sciences Sector\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On this page:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#summary\" title=\"\">Engagement summary<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contribution\" title=\"\">How your contribution makes a difference<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-engagement-header\"><div class=\"text-column\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dates:<\/strong> May 12 to June 24<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who: <\/strong>The Ministry of Finance<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What: <\/strong>A patent box for the life sciences sector<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong> Province-wide<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why:<\/strong> To explore the suitability of adopting a patent box for the life sciences sector in B.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How: <\/strong>Written submissions, online survey<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-engagement_category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\"><strong>Category: <\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/economy-and-jobs\/\" rel=\"tag\">Economy and Jobs<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"image-column\"><span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"engagement-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/2025-Lab-techs-2-scaled.jpeg);background-position:53% 31%\"><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summary\">Engagement summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Patent boxes are a way governments can encourage innovation by providing a tax incentive for income earned from intellectual property. For example, a business that researches and develops scientific advancements in medicine might want their facility to be in B.C. if there is a tax incentive (patent box) for their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Province engaged with interested and affected parties to explore whether\u00a0adopting a patent box could support the growth of B.C.\u2019s life sciences sector, and whether the tax system can help encourage the commercialization of intellectual property in the province.\u00a0<a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLife sciences\u201d refers to fields that involve the scientific study of living organisms. British Columbia\u2019s life sciences sector includes contract research firms, testing and medical labs, and companies that develop, produce or sell medical devices, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and other medicinal substances or compounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Province sought feedback about designing and administering a patent box that is competitive and effective for the life sciences sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contribution\">How your contribution makes a difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your contributions will help inform us about the suitability of a B.C. patent box for the life sciences sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related engagements<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"related-engagements\">\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: App-based Gig Workers. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Multi-language. Status: Open.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-open\">\n                                            Open                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/gig-workers\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        App-based Gig Workers                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Multi-language<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/gig-workers\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/01\/15985045692_d3ec475e8c_o-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Mt Seymour Resorts Ski Resort Development Plan. Categories: BC Parks, Economy and Jobs, Recreation and Tourism. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/mt-seymour-resorts-development-plan\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Mt Seymour Resorts Ski Resort Development Plan                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">BC Parks<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Recreation and Tourism<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/mt-seymour-resorts-development-plan\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/05\/Mt-Seymour-lift-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Infrastructure Projects Act. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Housing and Infrastructure, Natural Resources. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/infrastructure\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Infrastructure Projects Act                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Housing and Infrastructure<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resources<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/infrastructure\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/06\/AdobeStock_201965916-scaled.jpeg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Angling, Hunting, and Trapping. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Environmental Protection, Natural Resource Sector, Recreation and Tourism, Wildlife and Habitat Protection. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/angling-hunting-and-trapping\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Angling, Hunting, and Trapping                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Environmental Protection<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resource Sector<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Recreation and Tourism<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Wildlife and Habitat Protection<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/angling-hunting-and-trapping\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2022\/12\/52020102588_38f5f124ed_o.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Legal Professions Regulatory Reform. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/legal-professions-reform\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Legal Professions Regulatory Reform                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/legal-professions-reform\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/02\/LegalProfessions2.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: AI Adoption in B.C.. Categories: Economy and Jobs. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/ai-adoption-in-bc\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        AI Adoption in B.C.                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/ai-adoption-in-bc\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/AI-Adoption-banner.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":85041,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","engagement_category":[252],"engagement_region":[192],"engagement_status":[52],"engagement_pin_group":[],"class_list":["post-84726","engagement","type-engagement","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","engagement_category-economy-and-jobs","engagement_region-province-wide","engagement_status-closed"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"pinned_engagement_toggle":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/84726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/engagement"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/84726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88091,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/84726\/revisions\/88091"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"engagement_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_category?post=84726"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_region?post=84726"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_status?post=84726"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_pin_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_pin_group?post=84726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}