This year, BCBusiness magazine’s top three most economically resilient communities in the province are all in Greater Victoria.
Central Saanich took the top spot, Sidney came in second and Langford was ranked third.
“It might not be a Grammy, but we are thrilled and a little surprised to be the top town on another ranking of B.C.’s best communities,” the District of Central Saanich said in a social media post. “We’re committed to supporting a resilient local economy and thriving agricultural sector. Central Saanich is a great place to live, work, play and run a business.”
The list was based on criteria such as the unemployment rate, housing growth and economic diversity, while also considering aspects of social and environmental resiliency.
Saanich was ranked No. 9, and Victoria took the No. 16 spot on the list.
Vancouver Island took the crown for the most resilient region in the province for the fourth consecutive year.
“(Vancouver Island) owes its continued strength to strong household finances, low residential greenhouse gas emissions, minimal unemployment and sturdy residential sales and housing starts,” the annual ranking reads. “This year, its economic centre of gravity has solidly shifted to the Capital Regional District.”
The magazine put the rankings together with the help of research partner Environics Analytics.
This is the 10th year the list has been compiled at BCBusiness.ca.
Central Saanich has stuck in the top 10 for five straight years. Sidney has been in the top 10 for three of the last four years.
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