Economic report for Vancouver Island seen as increasingly important tool
NANAIMO — The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance Summit has transitioned from a networking conference to a valuable tool for the B.C. government and business community, according to VIEA President George Hansen.
Hansen says a second annual State of the Island Economic Report released on Oct. 27 in Nanaimo is putting an important spotlight on the strengths and weaknesses of the island’s economy.
“Puts us in a position to be able to speak with government and speak with business and say ‘these are the facts, these are not anecdotal stories,’” said Hansen.
He says several economic indicators in this year’s report were referenced by Premier Christy Clark during her speech to VIEA delegates on Thursday, which shows the value that the report presents. The report was compiled by an accounting firm which gathered data from a number of sources, including Statistics Canada and various provincial government ministries. On the positive side, Hansen notes a breakthrough economic indicator is an increase in working-aged people moving to Vancouver Island for jobs, which he says hasn’t happened in likely over 20 years.