Status of Regional Growth Strategies in B.C.

Three areas in British Columbia have been identified as having more significant rates of growth than the rest of BC: the Lower Mainland; the Okanagan Valley; and, Southern Vancouver Island. Collectively these areas are known as the "High Growth Region".
 

There is greater urbanization, particularly within the Lower Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island regions. It is anticipated that the need to manage growth, guide urbanization and adjust for an aging population will continue for the foreseeable future.
 

Nine (Capital, Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver, Central Okanagan, Nanaimo, Okanagan-Similkameen, Regional District of North Okanagan, and Squamish-Lillooet, Thompson-Nicola) of the twenty-eight regional districts in British Columbia are developing, or have adopted, a regional growth strategy (RGS).
 

Adopted

• Metro Vancouver adopted in February 1996
• Regional District of Nanaimo updated June 2003
• Thompson-Nicola Regional District adopted in May 2000
• Regional District of Central Okanagan adopted in June 2000
• Capital Regional District adopted in August 2003
• Fraser Valley Regional District adopted in October 2004

Drafted or in process

• Squamish Lillooet Regional District initiated its RGS in 2003
• Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District initiated its RGS in Spring 2004
• Regional District of North Okanagan initiated its RGS process in Spring 2007.