Visit our Community Profile dashboard to view information on key economic indicators for the region.
Check out our BizMap of the Downtown Area Profiles (Courtenay & Comox)
See the most current Comox Valley Census Profile (Statistics Canada)
Population Estimates Application from BC Stats
Population Projections Application from BC Stats
Population Projection
Source: Statistics Canada; 2011 Census Profile, 2016 Census Profile. BC Stats; PEOPLE 2020.
Age characteristics, percentage of overall population – detailed categories
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Median Age of Population, Comox Valley and British Columbia
Source: Statistics Canada; 2011 Census Profile, 2016 Census Profile
Median total household income in Comox Valley, 2010-2015
Source: Statistics Canada 2011 – 2016 National Household Survey Profile, 2016 Census Profile
Individual income distribution, percentage of overall population, 2016
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Proportion of population (ages 15 and over) with post-secondary or apprenticeship education (skilled labour)
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Highest level of education attainment (ages 15 and over), % of the population, 2016
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Labour Force Size, 2011 – 2016
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Labour force status, percentage of population, 2011-2016
Source: Statistics Canada; National Household Survey, 2011; Census Profile, 2016
Class of worker ratio
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Click here for Business Location Counts and Employment by Industry from BC Stats
Employed labour force by industry, percentage of labour force, 2016
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Employed labour force by occupational category, percentage of labour force, 2016
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Commuting destination for employed labour force
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Place of residence of the people commuting to Comox Valley
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Commuting destination of people commuting from Comox Valley
Source: Statistics Canada; 2016 Census Profile
Comox Valley Housing Sales
Click here for Unit Sales, Average and Median Sale Price information, and Buyers Profile from the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board
Comox Valley Housing Starts
Click here for Housing Starts Information from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Click here for Rental Market Information from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Comox Valley Building Permit & Development Information
Click here for Current Development Applications and to access the Development Application Tracker for the City of Courtenay
Click here for the Monthly Building Permit Summaries for the Town of Comox
Click here for Current Building Permits for the Comox Valley Regional District
Click here for Building Permits Issued for the Comox Valley Regional District
Major Project Inventory
Click here to access the Major Project Inventory and BC Economic Atlas tool (search major project by region) from the Province of BC
View Marketing Opportunities here
Vancouver Island Visitor Centre Visitor Statistics
Click here for Visitor Centre Statistics from the BC Visitor Services Statistics Program at Destination BC
Provincial Tourism Indicators Report
Click here for Tourism Indicators Report from Destination BC
Innovate 2030 represents a substantial step towards realizing Comox Valley’s long-term future economic potential. It is supported by the work done concurrently on a number of strategies, business cases and profiles, including: Agrifood/Seafood Innovation Strategy, Technology Attraction Strategy, Business Retention and Expansion Strategy, Workforce Development & Labour Force component, Comox Airport Land Business Case, sector specific economic & gap analysis, site selector profile, governance review recommendations, review of annual reporting, and background document review. This was followed by the use of an analytical framework, using a Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Risks, and Results (SOARR) assessment tool, which helped to form coherent ideas that informed the master plan.
The outcome of this project are strategic objectives that are the result of extensive community buy-in and research, producing a tactical plan that will ensure objectives are realized. This coherent, realistic, and sustainable Economic Development Master Plan identifies opportunities to be proactive in inspiring community and business leaders to break new ground by infusing innovation throughout Comox Valley’s economy. Innovate 2030 is ambitious but includes achievable results for directions that have been prioritized with the community’s voice at centre stage.
For more information and resources regarding the Innovate 2030 Economic Development Master Plan process, please click here.
Employment & Industrial Lands Based FDI Strategy
Work Plan
Annual Report
VIVC Annual Report
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) initiated the establishment of the Economic Recovery Task Force (ERTF) in May, 2020, to develop and direct implementation of an Economic Development Recovery Plan to mitigate the potential economic impact to local businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ERTF is a collaborative initiative representing the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, K’ómoks First Nation, and CFB 19 Wing Comox. Mayor Bob Wells, City of Courtenay is the chair of the Comox Valley ERTF.
Over 30 industry leaders, business organizations, and sector association members, are participating as Industry Advisors in a Technical Advisory Sub-Committee. Industry Advisors have been submitting Business Case Action Plans containing recommendations for consideration of the ERTF, after facilitating small working-group meetings within their sector/organization, for a total of over 900 engagements to date.
The ERTF efforts have focused on the review of those submissions, including evaluation of recommended actions that have the greatest consensus, will have the most meaningful impact, and are viewed to be realistically achievable from a local government perspective. The recommendations have also been provided to the Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) of local government for review and consideration.
After reviewing the StrongerBC Economic Recovery Plan, the following were identified as key priority projects for economic recovery:
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development & Competitiveness Presentation to the ERTF – November 26, 2020
Comox Valley Regional District
Town of Comox
City of Courtenay
Village of Cumberland
K’ómoks First Nation
Support Local BC
February 26, 2021: Town of Comox receives RER grant for new Marine Services Building
December 15, 2020: Mayors’ 2020 Year in Review Updated
December 1, 2020: New infrastructure funding to support COVID-19 response, recovery
November 30, 2020: Courtenay Mayor urges visitors to ‘mask up’ before heading into local businesses
November 12, 2020: Town of Comox – Mayor’s Year in Review
November 8, 2020: New online portal makes supporting Comox Valley Businesses even easier
November 5, 2020: Local governments working towards economic recovery in the Comox Valley
November 2, 2020: Comox Valley Economic Recovery Initiatives Take Hold
October 21, 2020: Cumberland prioritizes economic recovery plans
October 19, 2020: Comox looks at grants for two projects to spur community economic recovery
September 22, 2020: Comox Valley Economic Recovery Task Force Update
September 15, 2020: Economic Recovery Task Force Update September 15
August 3, 2020: Comox Valley Economic Development Service continuing to work with CVRD to support local businesses
July 13, 2020: Economic Recovery Task Force Supports Phase III and Return of BC Residents
June 29, 2020: CV Economic Recovery Task Force Planning and Engagement Underway
May 14, 2020: CVRD Board Directs Staff Develop COVID-19 Renewal Plan
Last edited: March 19, 2021
If you’re a business in the Comox Valley join our e-newsletter for news and updates, including COVID-19 information.
Have a question that can’t be found on this website? Email Comox Valley Economic Development & Tourism at [email protected]
For a compiled list of federal and provincial financial supports for businesses, organizations and industry, updated on an ongoing basis, click here.
April 13 – Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant
March 18 – Front-line workers prioritized as COVID-19 vaccine rollout accelerates
March 17 – Online grant program expands to support more businesses
March 10 – Buy BC funding application intake now open
February 24 – New infrastructure, jobs coming to communities hit hard by COVID-19
February 23 – Recovery grants support jobs in rural communities
View our workshops and events calendar here
Please find links below with resources for small businesses from a variety of government and industry sources around COVID-19 and emergency preparedness.
For a compiled list of federal and provincial financial supports for businesses, organizations and industry, updated on an ongoing basis, click here.
* New Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant, click here to learn more.
For a PDF version comprehensive list of supports for businesses and individuals, click here
BC Economic Development Association: COVID-19 Resources for BC Businesses here Go2HR: Health and safety resources here Google: for businesses affected by COVID-19 – Guidance on updating info and temporary closures here Innovation Canada: Based on your story, learn what help is available here Innovation Island: Digital Economy Response Program here Small Business BC: COVID-19 Small Business Resources here Work Safe BC: Information and resources for employers and employees here and latest announcements here
BC’s response to COVID-19 here
BC’s Restart Plan: main page and resources here BC Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance here Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Use these Tip Sheets by sector as guidance while operating during a pandemic here WorkSafeBC More helpful resources:
Below are links to financial assistance and support programs for businesses and individuals.
Government of Canada: Support to Businesses here and Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan here Province of BC: Financial supports in response to COVID-19 here Business Development Bank of Canada: Resources here Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19. With flexible and tailored solutions, BDC can help you through this situation with the right financing and advice for your business. BC Hydro: offers billing help during outbreak here Buy BC: New Buy BC Partnership Program E-commerce Funding Stream here Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Response to Coronavirus here Canadian Bankers Association: Canada’s Six Biggest Banks Take Decisive Action to Help Customers Impacted by COVID-19 here Coastal Communities Social Procurement Initiative: supporting local government and First Nations social procurement through education, training and coaching here Employment Insurance: Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine here Export Development Canada: Information for Canadian exporters impacted by COVID-19 here. Facebook: offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for eligible small businesses across the countries where they operate. Small Business Grants Program information here Farm Credit Canada: FCC’s response to COVID-19, including additional lending capacity here FortisBC: Supporting BC during the COVID-19 outbreak here. COVID-19 may have financial impacts to FortisBC customers. They encourage customers to reach out and let them know if you are having difficulty with your bill so they can help find a solution. Google: Granted Consulting: Use this COVID-19 Business Assessment Tool to help determine what resources and funding is available here Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada: ITAC Launches Stimulus Fund in Response to COVID-19 here Innovative Solutions Canada: dedicated funding to help combat current and future outbreaks of COVID-19 here Island Coastal Economic Trust: In collaboration with Tourism Vancouver Island and Innovation Island Technology Association have lunched 2 new programs to help foster business adaptation and recovery during and post COVID-19 here Microsoft Teams: Rogers and Microsoft are offering a 6 month free trial of Microsoft Teams here Work Safe BC: defers Q1 2020 payment here United Way: COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund here
Supply products and services to support BC’s COVID-19 response here Canadian manufacturers needed to help combat COVID-19 here Help Canada Combat COVID-19 here Foreign Trade Zone – Vancouver Island (FTZVI): If you are a Canadian manufacturer or business that can assist Canada in meeting the need for medical supplies, your help is needed. If you can say yes to the following, they want to hear from you by sending a short summary of your offer to [email protected]
COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information here Resources for Canadian businesses here Plan Templates & Guides Pandemic Preparedness for Business here Emergency Preparedness BC: Find the below plans and more here Pandemic Planning e-Course (Free): Understand a pandemic and what you need to do to prevent one. Offered by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety here Printable Posters Checklists and Recommendations PwC’s COVID-19 Navigator: Digital Assessment Tool to help you understand the potential impact to your business and gauge your readiness to respond here Videos or Recordings of Recent Webinars Canadian Business Resilience Network videos here The Conference Board of Canada recordings and videos here BDC’s Entrepreneur’s Learning Centre here Golden Shovel’s 2020 Exceptional Economic Development Webinars here
Guidance on Essential Services and Functions in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic here
For our new Agrifood Resources during COVID-19 list of resources click here. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Industry questions and answers, as well as related links here BC Agri-Business Planning Program here Intake for greenhouse carbon tax relief grants open here Small Scale Food Processor Association: Ag-Food Entrepreneur & Supervisor Training Program here Work Safe BC: Agriculture and COVID-19 Safety here BC Construction Safety Alliance here Building Supply Industry Association of BC (BSIA): COVID-19 response here Province of BC: Guidance to BC construction sites during COVID-19 here Vancouver Island Construction Association here Work Safe BC: Construction and COVID-19 Safety here BC Ministry of Health: COVID-19 Guidance to Retail Food and Grocery Stores (April 25) here BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association: resources here Restaurants Canada: Resources for foodservice operators here Small Business BC: resources for the food & beverage industry here BC Forest Safety: COVID-19 resources here Logging Tax: updates and info here Work Safe BC: Forestry field work and COVID-19 safety here BC Ministry of Health: Protecting Workers at Large Industrial Camps During the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 28) here Province of BC: Interim Communicable Disease Control Guidelines for Industrial Camps here Canadian manufacturers needed to help combat COVID-19 here Province of BC: Guidance to BC manufacturers during COVID-19 Work Safe BC: Industry information for manufacturing here Province of BC: Guidance to mining and smelting operations during COVID-19 here BC Centre for Disease Control: Guidance for non-food retail (malls, shops and stores) here Canada Post: COVID-19 latest updates & FAQs here Comox Valley Businesses Services during COVID-19 here London Drugs: Retail Council of Canada: Coronavirus resources for retailers here Retail Insider: Articles and releases here Work Safe BC: Retail and COVID-19 Safety here Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs): Info sheet here Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE): Resources here Canadian Heritage: Emergency Support Fund for Heritage Organizations here Destination BC: Emergency Preparedness for BC’s Tourism Industry here, Virtual Experiences Best Practices Guide here and specific info about the Coronavirus here Destination Canada: COVID-19 Updates here Discover Comox Valley: COVID-19 information and updates for residents and visitors here Hotel Association of Canada: Information for Hoteliers here Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada: Indigenous Businesses Receive $306.8 Million Federal Stimulus Funding Package in Response to COVID-19 here Tourism Industry Association of Canada: Updates and resources here Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program: information here Western Economic Diversification Canada: Support for tourism operators and SMEs hereAgriculture
Construction
Food Services
Forestry
Industrial Camps
Manufacturing
Mining and Smelting
Retail
Tourism Industry
Provincial news releases here. List of COVID-19 Essential Services here
Resources for Canadian Businesses
BC Ferries: Travel advisories here BC Transit: Coronavirus Information here Comox Valley Airport: COVID-19 Updates here Harbour Air Seaplanes: COVID-19 service updates here Pacific Coastal Airlines: President’s message here
The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the current outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and working with the World Health Organization and other international partners.
BC 211 A program that matches seniors who need support with non-medical essentials, to volunteers in their community who are willing to help. To register for services, or to offer help, register here. More information available here BC Centre for Disease Control Information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus here Lush Valley Food Action Society Emergency Food Share Program is aimed at providing food to those in need in the Comox Valley, including those in need of financial and/or food delivery assistance. Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Public health risk is being continually reassessed as new information becomes available. For up-to-date and reliable information about the coronavirus and Canada’s response to this issue, visit PHAC’s online resources here. Prevention and Planning You can find preventative information here on the PHAC’s website and call the Health Canada 2019 coronavirus information line at 1-833-784-4397 with further questions. Thrive Health BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool and new support app here. The app will let you receive the latest updates, trusted resources, and alerts. The Self-Assessment Tool is built in. World Health The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have issued a joint statement on international cooperation as key to the containment of COVID-19. Read it here.
Bank of Montreal (BMO): COVID-19 support page, including updates here Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC): Financial assistance form, services, and updates here Coastal Community Credit Union: Service updates, financial relief plan, FAQs here Coast Capital Savings: member financial relief program, branch closures, and updates here Royal Bank of Canada (RBC): Updates, financial relief program, and FAQs here Scotiabank: Latest updates including message from CEO, financial relief, and COVID-19 FAQs here TD Canada Trust: How they can help, mortgage payment deferral online application, and other information here
Coastal Restoration: Ocean Plastics, Recycling & Solutions for the Marine Environment | ||
Taking Indigenous Seafood Global | ||
BC’s Best Weed: Seaweed Commercialization Workshop | .
. Louis Druehl Briana Warner . |
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Free Trade Agreements | Agenda
Regan Khan Meagan Clarke Sussan McKay Liliana Zhylina Francis Dorsemaine |
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Innovations to Drive Economic Growth in Fisheries & Aquaculture | Dr. Kelly Hawboldt
Dr. John Kelly |
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Funding for Sustainable Development | Shirley Choi
Christie Whelan Asha Nooh Gloria Teo |
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Doing Business with Sobeys | ||
Buy BC Presentation |
Ocean Acidification | Dr. Wiley Evans, Hakai Institute
Amelia Hesketh, UBC Dr. Debby Ianson, Fisheries & Oceans Canada |
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Seafood Fraud & Traceability | Dr. Xiaonan Lu, University of British Columbia
Dr. Robert Hanner, University of Guelph |
PDF
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Cold Chain and Evolving Seafood Transport Logistics – Are they Impacting your bottom line? | Dr. Stephen Neel, Ph.D, Senior Technical Director, Global Cold Chain Alliance
Steve Williams, Engagement Manager, Gfresh Rob Flood, Air Canada |
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Aquaculture and Marketing Research Projects | Dr. Stephen Cross, North Island College
Dr. Shannon Balfry, BC Centre for Aquatic Health Science Dr. Sarah Dudas, Vancouver Island University Michele Patterson, Vancouver Island University |
PDF
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New Culture Species in British Columbia | Daniel Rabu, Aboriginal Aquaculture Association
Dr. Wendy Vandersteen, Miracle Springs Inc. Terry Brooks, Golden Eagle Sable Fish Justin Henry, Target Marine/Northern Divine |
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BC Wild Shellfish Dive Fisheries | Grant Dovey, Underwater Harvester Association
Geoff Krause, Pacific Urchin Harvesters Association Jesse Ronquillo, North Island College |
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Seafood Industry Human Resources and Training Roundtable | Pauline Stevenson, Excel Career College
Chris Roberts, Nanwakolas Council Shannan Brown, Cermaq Canada Dean Dobrinsky, Marine Harvest Canada |
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Shellfish Production and Protecting Public Health | Darlene Winterburn, British Columbia Shellfish Growers Association
Dr. Ahmed Siah, BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences Mark Winowich, Director Business Development, Vitsab International AB |
June 13-14, 2015
BC Coastal Community Mayors’ & Chairs’ Breakfast | Ruth Salmon, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance | |
Exploring the Business of Closed-Containment Aquaculture | Robert Walker, AgriMarine Technologies
Garry Ullstrom, Kuterra Steve Atkinson, Taste of BC Terry Brooks, Golden Eagle Aquaculture |
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Wild Fisheries Trends, Challenges and Opportunities | Dr. Brian Riddell, Pacific Salmon Foundation
Dr. Marc Trudel, Department Fisheries & Oceans Canada |
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7 Billion People are coming to Dinner; Feeding the World vs. Fisheries | Gunnar Knapp, University of Alaska | |
Creating & Leveraging Market Demand for Sustainable Seafood in Canada | Claire Li Loong, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre | |
The Future of Shellfish Development in the Baynes Sound Area on Vancouver Island | Dr. Terri Sutherland, DFO West Vancouver, Baynes Sound Carrying Capacity Project | |
Bringing Genomics Home; Do microbes rule the seas | Dr. Curtis Suttle, Biological Oceanography, Marine Biology, Environmental Virology | |
Keynote Lunch Presentation | Dr. John Nightingale, Vancouver Aquarium | |
How to get your product from here to there; Cross border trade and distribution channels to grow business | William Lee, Pacific Custom Brokers
Wendy Nixon, Transport Canada Sandy Moreland, Flying Fresh Freight |
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The Evolution of Salmon Aquaculture | Wade Kaskiw, AKVA Group
Ian Roberts, Marine Harvest Gavin Shaw, Skretting North America |
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Understanding Seafood Certifications and How to Buy Sustainable Seafood | Lisa Goché, Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) Division of the Global Aquaculture
Grant Warkentin, Cermaq Canada Ltd. Tim Rundle, Creative Salmon Katherine Dolmage, Marine Harvest Canada |
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Understanding the Research Behind Ocean Wise and Seafood Cooking Demo | Claire Li Loong, Ocean Wise, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre | |
The Changing Tide; How the Seafood Industry is Adapting to Ocean Acidification | Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith, VIU Centre for Shellfish Research
Dr. Curtis Suttle, Biology Oceanography, Marine Microbiology, Environmental Virology UBC Dr. Stephen Cross, North Island College & UVic Debby Ianson, Department of Fisheries & Oceans |
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European Trade Policies and Seafood Business Opportunities | Celso Boscariol, EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West
Alex Martyniak, European Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West Bart Schobben, Belgium Trade Commission |
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The Changing Landscape of Sustainable Seafood’s; Farm to Fork | Katherine Dolmage, Marine Harvest | |
Your Product – Export, Distribution & Trade | Rob Arthurs, Agri-Foods Export Development, Province of BC
Marilyn Denton, Department of Foreign Affairs Trade & Development |
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Ecological Aquaculture; an approach that follows natures lead | Dr. Stephen Cross, SEA Vision Group & North Island College |
Agriculture & Seafood
Other Resources
Media
Archived
The Comox Valley’s entrepreneurs are innovators in their fields, expanding their operations and incredible examples of the range of business opportunities in the area. Check out some of the recent business news here, and contact us if you are considering starting or expanding your business to explore how Comox Valley Economic Development Business Counts services can support your success.
Business News: