Quality of Life Indicators

Various aspects of quality of life can be measured using carefully chosen indicators. These numbers are one source of information about the interconnections, challenges, resources and achievements in BC's Capital Region. In 1999 the Community Council published Quality of Life in BC's Capital Region (pdf), a base line set of indicators. In 2005, using the next available census data, the second report was published.

Both reports are concerned primarily with social issues. However, it is widely recognized that social issues cannot be addressed in isolation from others that affect and describe our quality of life. Community sustainability integrates concerns about the social, economic and environmental realities. Many community issues such as housing, health and transportation are tightly intertwined with economic, social and environmental factors.

A number of agencies within BC's Capital Region monitor indicators of regional trends and issues.

• The Capital Regional District Roundtable on the Environment: environmental indicators
• Happiness Index Partnership (HIP) Happiness indicators research
• CR-FAIR: A baseline assessment of food security in British Columbia's Capital Region (pdf)
• VIHA: social determinants of health
• Understanding the Early Years and PLAY - Partners in Learning and Advocacy for Young Children: early development indicators (coming soon).
• Victoria Foundation: Vital Signs
• Capital Regional District Regional Planning Services: a wide range of indicators linked with monitoring progress toward the Regional Growth Strategy
• Dietitians of Canada: The Cost of Eating in BC
• Public Health Association of BC: BC Map of Public Health Services