With a mission to inform, empower, celebrate and advocate for British Columbia's current and aspiring business leaders, BCBusiness go behind the headlines and bring readers face to face with the key issues and people driving business in B.C.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1254353
VANCOUVER ISLAND/COAST ▷ Campbell River ▷ Comox ▷ Courtenay ▷ Cowichan ▷ Duncan ▷ Esquimalt ▷ Ladysmith ▷ Lake Cowichan ▷ Langford ▷ Nanaimo ▷ North Cowichan ▷ Parksville ▷ Port Alberni ▷ Port Alice ▷ Port Hardy ▷ Port McNeill ▷ Powell River ▷ Qualicum Beach ▷ Saanich ▷ Sidney ▷ Sooke ▷ Tofino ▷ Ucluelet ▷ Victoria SHARE OF B.C. POPULATION 17% A s the base of the provincial government and a desirable destination for retirees from colder parts of Canada, Vancouver Island has long enjoyed a remarkably stable economy, with service industries dominating. In recent years, however, it has seen some of the province's fastest population and economic growth. To a large degree, this reflects a spillover from the more populous Lower Mainland, which, hemmed in by the Coast Mountains and the U.S. border, faces constraints on the availability of land. In response, growing numbers of people and companies have been trading the congestion of the mainland for the breathing room, shorter commutes and lower costs available on the Island—and a mostly milder, sunnier climate to boot. That trend is expected to continue. "The region's lower housing price point compared to the Mainland/Southwest Development Region and other higher-priced markets will continue to attract retirees as well as younger buyers seeking better affordability and lifestyle," the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C. predicted in their Regional Check-Up 2019. The Affordable Coast Seeking space and more moderate costs, people and companies are moving to the Island, bringing opportunity with them QUALITY OF LIFE: Powell River's Resident Attraction Campaign has been almost too successful 26 INVEST in BC 2 0 2 0 Official Publication of the BC Economic Development Association. In special partnership with BCBusiness.