FEBRUARY 2016
   
Business Counts - February 2016
Regional Statistics & Research Update
Comox Valley Economic Development's services include the collection and provision of economic data and statistics about the region. To view additional resources click here.
 

44 single-family homes sold in the Comox Valley in January 2016, 13 more than December 2014. 12 months-to-date single-family unit sales are were 827, a 10% increase over the same period last year. The average single-family unit selling price for January 2016 was $368,923 a 17% increase over January 2015. 
Source: VIREB December Graph Stats Comox Valley  

Comox Valley building permit values in December 2015 totaled $5.5 million, a 84.7% decrease over December 2014, however, 2015 total permit values were $147 million, a 20% increase over 2014. The Comox Valley had the second highest growth in 2015 building permit values on Vancouver Island, behind Powell River RD. The City of Courtenay has $90.5 million in building permits in 2015, a 28.7% increase over the same period in 2014. The Town of Comox had $17 million, a 9.6% increase, Comox Valley Regional District had $35.6 million, a 17.1% increase, and the Village of Cumberland had $4 million, a 37% decrease. 
Source: BC Stats BC Building Permit Report  

   
     
 
employment Labour Force
 
The BC unemployment rate decreased from 6.7% in December 2015 to 6.6% in January 2016. The labour force did not grow or contract and the participation rate also stayed static. The number of employed increased 0.1% and the number of unemployed fell 0.9% December to January. The Vancouver Island/Coast Development region's 3-month moving average unemployment rate saw a 0.7% increase from 6.4% to 7.1% in January from December, with an decrease of 4,700 employed.
Source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, Highlights prepared by BC Stats 
* Data is Seasonally Adjusted 
 
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Consumer Price Index 
 
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in BC rose 2.3% in January 2016 over January 2015. The inflation rate falls from 2.3% to 1.6% when food is excluded. The CPI in metropolitan areas of BC, Victoria and Vancouver, rose 1.9% and 2.5% respectively. Canada's CPI increased by 2.0% in November, with New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador having the highest increase (2.4%) and Quebec having the lowest (1.6%).
Source: Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index, Highlights prepared by BC Stats  
 
news
News & Events    

 
Ministry of International Trade Regional Outreach Seminar 
 
March 10, 2016; 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Copper Room - Crow Isle Resort & Golf Community

A morning and lunch program covering a range of topics relating to international trade which will benefit both small and large exporters. To learn more, 
please click here or contact Geoff Crawford: geoff@investcomoxvalley.com - 250-334-2427 x 224
 

Ladies Learning Code - Build Your Own Multi Page Website

March 10, 2016; 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM  
North Island College Courtenay Campus - Tyee Building - Room 201  
 
Have you been wanting to dip your toes into the world of programming?
HTML & CSS is a great place to start! In this one day workshop, you will
build your own multi page website from scratch, with hands on help from a
great team of teachers & mentors! No programming or math skills required.  

 
 
City of Courtenay Seeking Input on Food Trucks
The City of Courtenay is seeking feedback on potentially increasing opportunities for food trucks in the community. People can fill out an online survey here , a hard copy at Courtenay City Hall, or by request at courtenay@courtenay.ca .
 
Feedback will be accepted until Friday, March 11, 2016.

For more information, visit www.courtenay.ca/foodtrucks 
or call Legislative Services at 250-334-4441.

 
Canada Farmed Seafood Saw Increased Demand in Asia
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance reported healthy farmed seafood export numbers for 2015, and new demand in Asia. Trade data released this week show that the volume of exports for all aquaculture products was over 100,000 tonnes. The value of the industry's exports in 2015 was just under $770 million.

"2015 was a year of sustainable and responsible growth for farmed seafood in Canada," said Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance Executive Director, Ruth Salmon. "Last year we saw strong demand for Canadian farmed seafood in the U.S. and new demand in Asia. We now in fact, have greater demand than we have supply."