It's exists but it's not super huge and it's quite cliquey. Google "techtoria".

Hey fellow Vic person, any advice for newcomers re: breaking into the tech scene here?

I would advise to try your best to work remotely for an American company rather than work directly for Canadians, you will earn much more.

Supposedly the tech industry here is pretty significant, but there aren't a lot of "HN-y" companies...I think Workday has an office here but that's about it. There's a few bespoke software shops and mobile game makers, probably a fair number of companies that do government or naval contract work, and some "eco" tech - companies that make sensors for underwater monitoring and stuff. I don't know much about all this, myself - as you said, I work remotely for a US company.

The usual Canadian caveat definitely applies: tech salaries are way lower than in the US. And the discrepancy between those salaries and cost of living here is pretty extreme even by Canadian standards.

We're also suffering from the typical West Coast city problems of homelessness/drug abuse/mental illness/property crime.

But, on the flip side: you get the best weather in the country, your backyard is some of the most beautiful nature on the planet, we have a vibrant and unique and walkable downtown, we have tons of great biking infrastructure, and there's reasonably convenient access to both Vancouver and Seattle when you need them. I love it here; it's a city with a lot of problems but a lot of potential.