[1] The diocese encompasses about 78,000 square kilometres of the Lower Mainland in the civil province of British Columbia, comprising the Regional Districts of Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast, Powell River and part of the Regional District of Squamish-Lillooet (including Squamish and Whistler).

The diocese was established in New Westminster in 1879 and incorporated April 18, 1893 (An Act to incorporate the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster {Statutes of British Columbia 1893, Chapter 45 with amendments to 1961 {1900, 1915, 1961} 18th April 1893) , but with the considerable growth of the City of Vancouver, the see city was moved there in 1929.

In 2002, the diocese became the centre of an international controversy within the Anglican Communion due to its decision to bless same-sex unions.

ask the Bishop to appoint members from the Diocese of New Westminster to a joint-diocesan working group to oversee the Companion Relationship and to undertake the Annual Evaluations.

Then-Bishop Brent Alawas of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (as of 2022, Bishop Alawas is currently the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines) travelled from Bontoc to Vancouver on May 12, 2016 and was present as a guest speaker at the diocesan mission conference on May 14, 2016 The diocesan offices, gathering space, meeting rooms and archives are located at 1410 Nanton Avenue in the Shaughnessy section of the City of Vancouver.

In practice, the crest is generally used more when the bishop is involved directly, and the badge when specifically referencing only the diocese.

The badge (a blue circle, gold cross and birds over white wave) was created for the diocesan communications committee with the help of Robert Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, and officially adopted at the 2007 diocesan synod.

Living Stones: A History of Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, BC (2 ed.).