TUESDAY MAY 13, 2014
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POPULATION TRENDS
RDN grows, city declines Regional district chair believes it’s all about dollars and cents CANDACE WU
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Parksville and Qualicum Beach have suffered a net outflow of people since 2011, while the surrounding rural areas have bolstered in population growing at nearly the same rate as the province. According to B.C. Stats’ 2013 population estimates, the population in Parksville (11,852) and Qualicum Beach (8,481) dipped 1.1 and 1.9 per cent, respectively, while the unincorporated surrounding areas grew by 1.7 per cent from 2011 to 2013. The population of B.C. increased as a whole by 1.9 per cent in the last two years. Natural attrition could be one explanation according to Wern Grundlingh, a population analyst with People are not moving into B.C. Stats. this area, or being born, at “That’s a subtle way of saying a rate that replenishes the death, ” said Grundlingh. “People are loss of people dying not moving into this area, or being born, at a rate that replenishes the WERN GRUNLINGH loss of people dying.” Statistics Canada shows Parksville’s median age is 58.2, while Qualicum Beach’s median age is 63.9, making the latter notorious for being the oldest community in Canada. Comparatively, electoral areas including Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Errington, French Creek, Deep Bay and Bowser have an average median age of 53.9. Of the outlying regions, Area F — which includes Coombs and Errington — saw the highest population change from 2006 to 2011 according to Stats Canada. Area F also has the lowest median age of 46, approximately ten years lower than its neighboring outskirts. B.C. Stats estimates the average life expectancy on Vancouver Island is 81.8 years. Parksville Mayor Chris Burger echoed Grundlingh’s explanation, saying death rates outnumber birth rates — he also said that attracting more young people to the area is a constant topic of conversation at city hall and the chamber of commerce. See TAXES LOWER IN RURAL AREAS, page A7
CANDACE WU PHOTO
HOME SHOW DEMONSTRATION: Farid Heydanian of Titanium Exclusive Cookware demonstrates no-stick cookware — which doesn’t require oil or water — at last weekend’s Home Expo, which attracted thousands of people to Oceanside Place. See story page A7 and for more photos, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PQBNews.
Passion for Fashion Event • May 13-31 Buy 2 get 1 Free (equal or lesser value)
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Locally Owned for over 30 Years, Proudly Canadian!
720 MEMORIAL AVENUE
QUALICUM BEACH 250-752-3011
Includes clothing, purses and accessories. Great selection of sundresses, sandals and sun hats