The 2025 Qualicum Beach Quality of Life study was recently presented to Council for a look at how citizens felt about living in the community, part of their review of their Official Community Plan. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

safe and happy

Generational divide evident in 2025 Qualicum Beach Quality of Life Survey

May 25, 2025 | 8:35 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — Qualicum residents report a higher quality of life than the majority of Canadians, but not every demographic in the community shares those sentiments.

During their Wednesday, May 21 Committee of the Whole Meeting, results from the 2025 Quality of Life Survey were presented, with 92 per cent of respondents indicating a positive quality of life, and 98 per cent saying they felt safe in their community.

However, for those aged 18-34, only 15 per cent expressed having an “excellent” quality of life, compared to 51 per cent of residents 65+.

The difference in opinions between some of the youngest and oldest community members continued throughout the report.

The quality of life chart highlights the different perspectives between local age groups and how they compare nationally. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

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The survey, completed by Deloitte LLP, was conducted from Jan. 16 to March 20, 2025, with 1,315 responses through online and telephone surveys.

Of those surveyed, 61 per cent were 65 years of age or older, with 85 per cent of the total respondents living in town.

When asked about the town’s future needs and suitability principles, 73 per cent of those who agreed with the direction the Town is going in were 65+, while the 18-34 age group was only at 38 per cent.

Not a single person in the youngest age group said they ‘strongly agree’ with the Town’s future direction, compared to 17 per cent of those 65+.

In total, 69 per cent of those surveyed said the Town is taking the correct action to address future needs.

While housing was ranked as the number one priority for the future, residents want controlled growth and development, with affordable housing which preserves the small-town charm, and avoiding development in forested areas, along the waterfront, and the Eaglecrest Golf Course.

Recreation
Touching on local recreational opportunities, 93 per cent of those 65+ were satisfied, compared to only 51 per cent of those between 18-34, with an overall satisfaction rate of 87 per cent.

Oceanside Place Arena, trails within parks, and public beaches were all about 90 per cent, while pickleball facilities (50 per cent), track and field activities (58 per cent), and skateboarding (63 per cent) were rated the lowest.

However, when comparing current results with ratings from the 2017 report, overall satisfaction levels are down by a few points across the board, save for soccer facilities (+5), the waterfront walkway (+9), and playgrounds (+5).

The difference in opinion based on age group was clear throughout the report. (Town of Qualicum Beach)

While each of the survey questions was approved by Council, Mayor Teunis Westbroek said he wished they could include the costs for certain projects deemed favourable by residents, stating, “people can have what they like, if they’re willing to pay for it.”

“I think we need to be upfront with some of these questions…every time that I’ve been part of an OPC (Official Community Plan) review…hydro undergrounding was a big item, until we realize just to hook up Berwick Rd. to the system, was something like $800,000, and that’s one short street.”

Municipal Services
For municipal services levels, 90 per cent said they were either “somewhat” or “very satisfied”, with only two per cent saying they were “very dissatisfied.”

Water service levels, park and park facility maintenance, fire emergency response and trails all ranked 94 per cent or above for satisfaction.

Parking (67 per cent) and community planning (74 per cent) ranked the lowest this year for satisfaction rates for municipal service levels, with those two topics numbers one and two, respectively, for residential priorities.

Compared to 2017, the airport (-11 per cent) and parking (-9 per cent) were two areas where resident satisfaction dropped.

For special events and other services, satisfaction levels were overall high, with 96 per cent of residents saying they’re happy with the farmer’s market, while transit ranked the lowest at 70 per cent, an increase of 18 per cent since 2017.

Town staff will provide a summary of the report, including feedback through community consultation, to ensure the information is accurate before preparing a report on issues they feel council needs to address based on the answers provided.

It’s part of their review of the Official Community Plan, expected to be formally adopted this fall.

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