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Issues we face

What concerns do we have about our communities? How do we experience these differently? What are the priorities to improve?

Our greatest concerns across BC are housing, safety and employment. But we experience these concerns differently depending on where we live in our province.

Portrait of a friend by Julien Belli is license under CC BY 2.0

Top 5 concerns in our communities

We asked people to choose from a list of 14 issues or concerns they have about living in their communities.

Housing 0
Safety of Community (including crime) 0
Employment and Economic Environment 0
Transportation or Getting Around 0
Environment and Sustainability 0
Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

We feel housing pressures strongest in Metro Vancouver

We experience housing pressures most in our large urban areas, particularly Metro Vancouver. Housing concerns are experienced regardless of income. Concerns are strongest if we are 34 or younger, newer residents in the community, non-homeowners, or of Asian descent.

We chose housing as our greatest concern in Vancouver (37%), Richmond (30%), New Westminster / Burnaby (29%), North Shore / Sea to Sky (24%), and Southern Vancouver Island (21%).

26

Metro Vancouver

19

British Columbia

12

Outside Metro Vancouver

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

Our top priorities for improving housing options

Improving the affordability of home ownership 0
Improving the affordability of rental housing 0
Increasing rental vacancy availability 0

We identify home ownership as an even greater priority if we live in Fraser North (71%), while rental housing affordability is of greatest concern in Thompson/Cariboo/Shuswap (89%).

Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving housing options in your community? (Select up to three). Total respondents = 1,263

Strathcona @ Vancouver 3 by Guilhem Vellut is license under CC BY 2.0

We’re concerned about safety across BC

Safety is our second greatest concern across BC overall, and our top concern if we live in the Fraser regions. We feel safety is an issue regardless of our age and gender, however non-homeowners and those from Asian countries express higher levels of concern. Our top three priorities for improving community safety are consistent across the province.

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Safety concerns highest in the Fraser regions

South Fraser 0
Fraser East 0
Fraser North 0
British Columbia 0
Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern? Total respondents = 7,137

Our top priorities for improving community safety

37

#1 Reducing levels of property crime

33

#2 Reducing use of illegal drugs

32

#3 Increasing the visible presence of police

Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving safety in your community? (Select up to three.) Total respondents = 1,269

We experience significant employment and economic concerns

Employment and the economic environment is our third greatest concern in BC overall, but of greatest concern outside Metro Vancouver, particularly if we are 55 or younger. It is the number one reason we move to a new community.

We experience the greatest concerns about employment opportunities and the economy if we live in Kootenay East (41%) and Kootenay Boundary (36%). Finding employment (19%) is the top reason we move to a new area.

Downtown Vancouver is by Randal Schwartz is license under CC BY 2.0

Employment concerns are greater outside Metro Vancouver

Outside Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0
Metro Vancouver 0
Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern? Total respondents = 7,137

Our top priorities for improving our economy and employment

53

#1 Providing more opportunities for full time employment

26

#2 Providing more support for small business development

25

#3 Decrease need to travel to a different community/region for work

We share providing more opportunities for full-time employment across the province as our top priority, regardless of age or where we live.

Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving the economy and employment opportunities in your community. (Select up to three.) Total respondents = 892.

More about the issues we face in our communities

Find out which regions rated certain concerns regarding community life the highest.

Housing

Vancouver 0
Richmond 0
Burnaby / New Westminster 0
North Shore / Sea to Sky 0
British Columbia 0

Housing issues are of highest concern if we are 34 or younger, new residents, non-homeowners, or of Asian origin.

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern? Total respondents = 7,137

Safety of community (including crime)

Fraser South 0
Fraser East 0
Fraser North 0
British Columbia 0

Safety is considered an issue regardless of our age or gender, but is of greater concern if we are non-homeowners or of Asian origin.

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern? Total respondents = 7,137

Employment opportunities and the general economic environment

Kootenay East 0
Kootenay Boundary 0
British Columbia 0

Of greatest concern if we are 54 or younger.

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern? Total respondents = 7,137

Environment and sustainability

Coast Garibaldi 0
Outside Metro Vancouver 0
Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0
Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

Top priorities for improving environment and sustainability

Protecting wildlife & natural habitat 0
Alternative energy options 0
Increasing sense of shared environmental responsibility 0
Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving environment and sustainability in your community. (Select up to three.)
Total respondents = 594

Transportation or getting around

North Shore / Sea to Sky 0
Metro Vancouver 0
Outside Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0

Of greatest concern if we are male, senior, or a student.

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

Top priorities for improving transportation

Expanding the public transit system 0
Increasing use of public transit 0
Improving quality of roads and bridges 0
Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving transportation and getting around in your community. (Select up to three.) Total respondents = 563

Overall health and wellness of citizens

Central / North Vancouver Island 0
Northeast 0
Outside Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0
Metro Vancouver 0

Of greatest concern if we are 55+, particularly 65+.

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern? Total respondents = 7,137

Top priorities for improving overall health and wellness of citizens

Shortening waiting times for surgical and medical procedures 0
Ensuring everyone has a family physician 0
Improving access to mental health services 0
Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving overall health and wellness in your community. (Select up to three.) Total respondents = 438

Economic equality (gap between rich and poor)

Southern Vancouver Island 0
Vancouver 0
Metro Vancouver 0
Outside Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0

Of greatest concern if we are under 55 or from a lower income household.

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

Top priorities for improving economic equality (gap between rich and poor)

Implementing a living wage 0
Making it more affordable to be a homeowner 0
Increasing the minimum wage 0
Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving economic equality (gap between rich and poor). (Select up to three.)Total respondents = 332

Seniors well-being

Outside Metro Vancouver 0
Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0

Of greatest concern if we are 55+, particularly if we are 75+, or from a lower income household.

 
Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

Top priorities for improving seniors well-being

Providing more affordable independent care housing options 0
Providing more diverse seniors housing options 0
Improving the economic security of seniors 0
Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving seniors well-being. (Select up to three.)
Total respondents = 469

Children and youth well-being

Outside Metro Vancouver 0
Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0

Of most concern if we are 35-54 years of age and have children, regardless of income.

Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

Top priorities for improving children and youth well-being

Providing more affordable opportunities for sports and recreation 0
Reducing bullying in school 0
Providing more affordable childcare 0
Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving children and youth well-being. (Select up to three.)
Total respondents = 228

Connectedness of community (sense of belonging)

Metro Vancouver 0
Outside Metro Vancouver 0
British Columbia 0
Q3b. And of these, what would be the most important issue or concern?
Total respondents = 7,137

Top priorities for improving connectedness of community (sense of belonging)

Increasing community participation 0
Providing more opportunities to interact with neighbours 0
Opportunities to provide input / influence local community decisions 0
Q3c. Which of the following do you believe is the most important priority for improving connectedness of community (sense of belonging) in your community? (Select up to three.) Total respondents = 228