British Columbia is a province.
British Columbia ( BC ) is the westernmost province of Canada , with a population of more than four million people located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains . In 1871 , British Columbia became the sixth province of Canada . The province is currently governed by the BC Liberal Party , led by Premier Christy Clark , who became leader as a result of a leadership convention vote on February 26 , 2011 , and who led her party to an election victory on May 14 , 2013 . Vancouver , the province 's largest city and metropolitan area , also serves as the headquarters of many western-based natural resource companies . By the arrangements of the Canadian federation , Canada 's monarchy operates in British Columbia as the core of the province 's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy .