Introduction

Geography & Maps
History
Climate Location & Distances

Letter from the Mayor

On behalf of the District of Mission Council and staff, I want to welcome you to our community.  I hope the Community Profile page will help you with information about the enormous business potential in Mission.  If you are a current business owner in Mission, we are proud to be of continuing service to you.  If you are a new business owner or thinking about a start-up or relocation to Mission – you will find a commitment to you – our customer – with service aimed at meeting your business needs.

The District of Mission Council and residents are very proud of Mission.  It’s a growing community that is incredibly enthusiastic about supporting economic development, but which also still manages to retain that small town feel that residents so love.  It’s a balance we work to maintain.

Mission’s natural beauty cannot be surpassed.  The surrounding hills, lakes, rivers and streams offer an array of opportunities including hiking, swimming, hang gliding, boating and horseback riding.  Outdoor enthusiasts, fishermen, golfers and skiers are all pleasantly surprised by the many choices Mission has to offer.

Mission’s culture is as rich and bountiful as its natural beauty.  More than 100 artists, including internationally recognized writers, painters and musicians make their home here.  Residents and tourists enjoy the many unique community traditions which include the Children’s Festival, Illuminaria Lantern Festival, Soap Box Derby, ongoing events at Mission Raceway Park, the Mission Arts Centre, the 12-screen Silver City Theatre, touring performers at the Clarke Theatre, retreats at Westminster Abbey, a weekly open-air Farmers Market,  Centre,   and the Power House at Stave Falls.  On summer evenings, twilight concerts at Fraser River Heritage Park provide a place for Mission residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of the park while listening to a diverse selection of musical offerings.   Each December, thousands turn out for the evening Christmas Candlelight Parade.

Mission’s community spirit is evident everywhere.  Residents and businesses here support a wide variety of projects that benefit our community.  Taxpayers support the use of revenue from the District’s municipal forest which has funded a new library and archives, the Silverdale fire hall and supporting equipment.  A partnership between the District of Mission, School District #75, the University of the Fraser Valley and private supporters enabled a modern community facility to be built.  The complex features a high school, the Braich Athletic Centre, a college campus, a daycare and the regionally acclaimed 705 seat Clarke Foundation Theatre.  Our Leisure Centre and Sports Park provide our residents, young or old, with state of the art facilities, which are a great source of pride.   The Heritage Park Centre is another example of a remarkable community-based project in which citizens have been the real drivers and they remain actively involved in the oversight of the park’s future.

In the past 20 years, Mission’s population has grown by 55% to over 38,000 residents, 70% of whom are under the age of 45 with anticipated growth to more than 50,000 residents by 2020….so business possibilities here are virtually unlimited.  Long-term commercial development plans include taking advantage of one of Mission’s natural features – the Fraser River.  Mission is one of the few communities in the Lower Mainland with accessible undeveloped waterfront and its potential is incredible.

We are constantly striving to provide better services to our businesses.  We encourage you to let us know how we are doing and to pass along any comments you may have regarding our service.  By working together, we are all part of making Mission the place to do business.

Ted Adlem
MAYOR

*Need more information?  604-820-3700 or 1-800-944-5706.

Geography & Maps

The District of Mission is located within the Province of British Columbia, Canada.  Mission is in the Pacific Time Zone.  The community lies in the heart of the Fraser Valley, 70 kilometres East of Vancouver, B.C.

History

Mission’s history goes back to the first inhabitants of the region, the Sto:lo, or the People of the River.  People travelling the Fraser River in huge cargo canoes met in the centre of the great river valley where the Sto:lo traded wind-dried salmon, fruits and other goods with clans from the coast and the interior of British Columbia.  The Xa:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre, a recently designated national historic site located east of the urban area of Mission, pays tribute to the early Sto:lo who raised their families 10,000 years ago on the riverbank.

In 1861 a young French Oblate Priest selected Mission for the site of St. Mary’s Indian Residential School, which included a church, workshops and a grist mill.  Local farms then established and included dairy, poultry, hog farming, grain, fruit, berry and vegetable production.

In the mid 1880’s, establishment of railway facilities further focused attention on Mission and facilitated a period of rapid urban growth, which included the “Great Land Sale” of 1891.  Mission considerable lake and forest resources also enabled establishment of hydro electric operations and the creation of a prosperous logging industry.

The area from the Stave River to Hatzic Lake was first incorporated in 1892 as the Municipality of Mission.  In 1922 the “Village of Mission” was incorporated, which became the “Town of Mission” in 1957.  On November 3, 1969 the Town of Mission and the Municipality of Mission amalgamated to become the current “District of Mission”.

Mission has retained its keen sense of history, which is evident in the heritage buildings of its historic downtown core and hinterland.  More recent additions to the historic mosaic include Westminster Abbey, Hatzic Rock and the Fraser River Heritage Park.  Planned rejuvenation of the Fraser River Waterfront will ensure that history will continue to be an important part of Mission’s future.

Today, Mission is a growing community of over 38,000 residents nestled in the Coast Mountains beside the Fraser River, 70 km from downtown Vancouver.  Residents enjoy Mission’s rich history and strong sense of community, while also retaining the benefit of ready access to the greater Vancouver area.

Climate

Mission is situated in the central Fraser Valley and enjoys one of Canada’s mildest climates, characterized by its warm summers, mild winters and long frost –free growing season.

Location & Distances

Mission is conveniently located in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada.  It is less than a 1-hour drive from Vancouver and only 15 minutes to the United States via the Huntingdon/Sumas Border Crossing.