During World War II, the West Coast of British Columbia was an important military area for the defense of Canada and the United States. The Canadian government set up defense measures, such as fortifications, radar stations, and airfields, to protect against potential Japanese attacks. Despite these measures, the West Coast of British Columbia was never directly attacked by the Japanese during the war.

During World War II, the Canadian government established several military defenses on the West Coast of British Columbia to protect against potential Japanese attacks. These included:

• Fortifications: Coastal artillery batteries and anti-aircraft guns were set up to protect key ports and harbors, such as Esquimalt and Victoria.
• Radar stations: These were set up to detect incoming enemy aircraft and ships.
• Airfields: Airfields were built or expanded to provide air defense and to support the Royal Canadian Air Force.
• The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) also established a strong presence on the West Coast, with ships and submarines patrolling the coast and escorting convoys. The RCN also set up naval bases, such as HMCS Naden in Esquimalt, to support the war effort.

These defense measures were part of Canada's wider contribution to the war effort and helped protect the West Coast of British Columbia from enemy attacks.

The Japanese did not launch any direct attacks on the West Coast of British Columbia during World War II. However, Japan did launch several attacks on locations nearby, such as the Aleutian Islands and the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1942, Japan launched an operation to occupy the Aleutian Islands, which are located in the northern Pacific Ocean and are part of Alaska. The Japanese occupied two of the islands, Attu and Kiska, for over a year before being driven out by American and Canadian forces in 1943.

There were also a few submarine attacks off the West Coast of British Columbia. The Japanese submarines operated in the Pacific Ocean, occasionally they surfaced to shell the coastal towns or sink ships. Although these attacks were not common, they caused fear and panic among the population and contributed to the reinforcement of the military defenses in the area.

In addition, Japan also launched a number of balloon bombs over the Pacific Ocean as part of a campaign to launch incendiary and high-altitude explosive balloons across the Pacific with the aim to cause forest fires and panic in the American West Coast.

In general, the threat of a Japanese attack on the West Coast of British Columbia was considered to be real during the war, and the Canadian government took significant steps to prepare for and defend against such an attack, but it never happened.

During World War II, a significant number of people from British Columbia served in the Canadian military and worked in war industries.

Approximately 30,000 men and women from British Columbia enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces during the war. This included soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served in various branches of the military, both at home and overseas. Many of these individuals saw action in some of the major theaters of the war, such as Europe, Africa, and Asia.

In addition to military service, many people in British Columbia also worked in war industries. The government and private industry stepped up production of goods and materials needed for the war effort, such as ships, aircraft, weapons, and other supplies. This led to a significant increase in industrial production and employment in the province, particularly in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria.

It is difficult to estimate the exact number of people who worked in war industries in British Columbia during World War II, but it is likely that it was in the tens of thousands. The war effort had a major impact on the economy and society of British Columbia, and many people played a vital role in supporting the war effort through their work in industry.

It's important to note that many of the people who served in the military and worked in war industries were women, as they took on jobs traditionally held by men while they were at war, which was a major shift in the traditional roles of women in the workforce.