In a revamped version of its annual “best cities for work” list, BC Business magazine ranked three Okanagan-Shuswap region cities in the top 10 for most resilient in the province with Langford sitting in the number one spot.
Salmon Arm ranked at number six in the province, while Kelowna placed tenth and for the first-time West Kelowna made the BC Business magazine list in the eighth spot.
With six cities in the top 10, Vancouver Island has proven to be the most resilient region in the 2021 ranking.
Instead of its usual focus on cities and work, the magazine broadened its ranking approach to include smaller communities and overall economic health. Many factors in 2021’s decision making came from the impact of COVID-19 on population, job security and income.
Share of population aged 65 and older, share of workforce in accommodation and food service, and share of workforce in information, culture and recreation where each pegged as groups hit the hardest by the pandemic.
Because immigration has been down in the last year, cities that relied on it for population growth were also negatively impacted. In contrast, share of workforce in public administration and share of workforce in wholesale trade were included as groups least affected by the pandemic.
In total, the magazine examined 12 indicators – each weighted depending on its importance – to find B.C.’s top 50 most resilient cities of 2021.
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RELATED: Langford ranks as fastest growing community in B.C.
Here’s the full list:
- Langford
- Parksville
- Sidney
- Langley Township
- Sooke
- Salmon Arm
- Courtenay
- West Kelowna
- Central Saanich
- Kelowna
- Comox
- Chilliwack
- Whistler
- Sechelt
- Summerland
- Abbotsford
- Nelson
- Vernon
- Pitt Meadows
- Langley City
- Nanaimo
- Penticton
- Kamloops
- Duncan
- Saanich
- Mission
- Maple Ridge
- Fort St. John
- Prince George
- Campbell River
- Victoria
- Delta
- Burnaby
- Powell River
- Squamish
- North Vancouver City
- New Westminster
- Surrey
- District of North Vancouver
- Williams Lake
- Cranbrook
- Port Coquitlam
- Coquitlam
- Terrave
- Vancouver
- Richmond
- Port Alberni
- Dawson Creek
- Prince Rupert
- Quesnel
RELATED: B.C. suburbs could see increased demand for rental units as people work from home
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