MAY 2015
   
Business Counts - Friday, May 22
Part of the 2015 Small Business Counts Workshop Series


Lunch & Learn: Funding Sources for Tech Start-ups
May 27, 2015
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
CVEDS Boardroom
580 Duncan Ave, Courtenay


A new series of eight hard hitting workshop modules for savvy technology based SMBs and Start-ups. Explore best practices in lean methodology and identify practical steps to take your business to the next level through rapid iteration and innovation.


Level-up your Business Model and tweak your Positioning Statement
June 1, 2015
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CVEDS Boardroom
580 Duncan Ave, Courtenay

Module 2: Customer Development Methodology
Identify new markets, buyer types, value propositions and understand the rules of TALC
June 19, 2015
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CVEDS Boardroom
580 Duncan Ave, Courtenay

Regional Statistics & Research
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 and to view the CVEDS Annual Work Plan click here.  

The average weekly wage rate in British Columbia for 2015 so far is $909.51, a 3.6% increase over the same time last year. This increase is highlighted by an 8.4% increase in Retail & Wholesale Trade and a 5.9% increase in Healthcare & Social Assistance, the two largest industries by employment in the Comox Valley.

B.C. Employment in March 2015 fell by 7,600 or 0.3% when compared to March 2014. Industries that saw the largest gains from this time last year were Manufacturing (+11,200) and Transport & Warehousing (+10,300). The largest loss of jobs was in the Accommodation & Food Services Industry (-15,800).
Source: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey - Prepared by BC Stats

employment Consumer Price Index
 
British Columbia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 1.0% (unadjusted) in March 2015, compared to 2014. The largest increase was a 3.6% rise for food, partly attributed to a large increase in the cost of meat (+10.2%) and vegetables (+10.3%). The biggest decrease was a sharp decline (-17.2%) in fuel oil used for shelter. Vancouver and Victoria both saw 1.0% increase in consumer prices. Canada's CPI rose 1.2% overall, with a high of 1.6% in Ontario and a low of -0.8% in Prince Edward Island.
S ource: Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index March 2015