economic growth

Wahmeesh Ken Watts, left, elected Chief Councillor with Tseshaht First Nation, and Evan Cook, Huu-ay-aht First Nations councillor, on May 11, 2023 announce a partnership between the nations to build a new hotel in the Alberni Valley. (MELISSA BIGMORE PHOTO)

First Nations agree to build first new hotel in Port Alberni since 1980

Huu-ay-aht, Tseshaht Nations partnering with MasterBUILT Hotels to build Microtel hotel

 

Terry Liu, dressed as the God of Wealth, prepares for the Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown, in Vancouver, on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Chinatown will be the site of Canada’s first museum dedicated to the history of Chinese Canadians, scheduled to open on July 1, the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Chinese Canadian Museum to open on the 100th anniversary of Chinese Exclusion Act

Located in Vancouver’s Chinatown, facility aims to recognize importance of Chinese-Canadians to B.C.

 

Island Coastal Economic Trust has over the years funded various economic revitalization projects in communities across Vancouver Island including Qualicum Beach. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island officials push province to renew $55 million community development fund

Future of the Island Coastal Economic Trust first launched by BC Liberals uncertain

 

The clouds move among the old-growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Vancouver Island First Nation, logging company strike forest deal

Pacheedaht First Nation and Teal Jones sign memorandum of understanding

The clouds move among the old-growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Direct University of Victoria activities, those of its students and alumni, added an estimated $3.3 billion to B.C.’s economy for the 2019-20 fiscal year, according to a new independent study. (Black Press Media file photo)

University of Victoria an economic driver with impact in the billions, new study finds

UVic adds $3.3 billion to provincial economy, benefits extend through society

Direct University of Victoria activities, those of its students and alumni, added an estimated $3.3 billion to B.C.’s economy for the 2019-20 fiscal year, according to a new independent study. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich has hired a new economic development manager. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich moves to boost economic development with hiring of manager

Mitchell Edgar comes to the district with plenty of related experience

Saanich has hired a new economic development manager. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
A younger population will shift Nanaimo’s economy over the next 10 years, forcing housing, services and amenities to keep pace, predicts the city’s latest state of the Nanaimo economy report. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo’s population starting to trend younger, says state of economy report

Pandemic and housing market lead to swings in construction and labour

A younger population will shift Nanaimo’s economy over the next 10 years, forcing housing, services and amenities to keep pace, predicts the city’s latest state of the Nanaimo economy report. (News Bulletin file photo)
A new report finds Sidney’s downtown a strength, but also cautions about the effect of changes to the retail environment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney’s downtown identified as an economic strength, but challenges also found

Report to council the first of two informing Sidney’s economic development strategy

A new report finds Sidney’s downtown a strength, but also cautions about the effect of changes to the retail environment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith is encouraging residents to help fill out a survey as the municipality develops an economic strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney opens economic development strategy for input

Online survey part of a larger engagement process

Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith is encouraging residents to help fill out a survey as the municipality develops an economic strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)
There were 233,326 more pedestrians on Government Street from February to October 2021 over the same period in the previous pandemic-affected year. (Black Press Media file photo)

Downtown Victoria activity cause for optimism in economic recovery: City report

Pandemic may not be over, but growth being seen on many fronts downtown

There were 233,326 more pedestrians on Government Street from February to October 2021 over the same period in the previous pandemic-affected year. (Black Press Media file photo)
Vancouver-based company Lions Gate Consulting has received the contract to develop Sidney’s economic development strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Consulting firm to help Sidney build bridge to future prosperity

Council approves Vancouver-based Lions Gate Consulting to create economic development strategy

Vancouver-based company Lions Gate Consulting has received the contract to develop Sidney’s economic development strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in a news conference at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Bank of Canada ends quantitative easing, leaves interest rates untouched

The central bank signalled that interest rates could increase in 2022

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem takes part in a news conference at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Redlen Technologies, based in this complex near the Keating Industrial district in Central Saanich, has been wholly purchased by minority shareholder Canon for $341 million. (Google Streetview)

Canon purchases Central Saanich company for $341 million

Redlen gaining a reputation for manufacturing advanced medical imaging equipment

Redlen Technologies, based in this complex near the Keating Industrial district in Central Saanich, has been wholly purchased by minority shareholder Canon for $341 million. (Google Streetview)
Results from Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey show B.C. continues to lead in provincial job recovery and employment levels. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. maintains pre-pandemic job levels for 2nd month

Province experiences best job recovery rates of country: Stats Can

Results from Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey show B.C. continues to lead in provincial job recovery and employment levels. (Black Press Media file photo)
Making civic and other institutional purchases with an eye to social impact is among the goals the Coastal Communities Social Procurement Initiative, of which the City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt and Capital Regional District are members. (Photo courtesy City of Victoria)

Greater Victoria civic agencies help drive B.C. social procurement initiative

$200 million spent by members on socially valuable goods and services in first two years

Making civic and other institutional purchases with an eye to social impact is among the goals the Coastal Communities Social Procurement Initiative, of which the City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt and Capital Regional District are members. (Photo courtesy City of Victoria)
B.C. Investment Management Corporation CEO Gordon Fyfe has led the corporation to achieve positive returns for the province’s civil service pension plan. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria-based company nets record return for B.C. pension investment in pandemic year

B.C. Investment Management Corporation gained 16.5 per cent in 2020 for civil service pension plan

B.C. Investment Management Corporation CEO Gordon Fyfe has led the corporation to achieve positive returns for the province’s civil service pension plan. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Research into the city of Victoria’s economic recovery through the pandemic shows things to be moving in the right direction. (Photo courtesy City of Victoria)

Data shows Victoria experiencing gradual economic recovery

Statistics for early 2021 show promising returns as Victoria 3.0 begins to take hold

Research into the city of Victoria’s economic recovery through the pandemic shows things to be moving in the right direction. (Photo courtesy City of Victoria)
Compared to November 2018, British Columbians have been earning more over the past 12 months, but still earn less than the corresponding figure (Black Press Media File).

Weekly earnings on the rise in B.C., but remain behind the rest of Canada

Non-farm payroll employees in British Columbia earned an average of $1,011 per week in November 2019

Compared to November 2018, British Columbians have been earning more over the past 12 months, but still earn less than the corresponding figure (Black Press Media File).