The Regional Context

There are approximately 1.1 million jobs in Metro Vancouver according to the 2006 Census (all job numbers include fixed place of work, work at home and a no fixed workplace allocation). The graph below shows the distribution of jobs by municipality. The largest number of jobs are found in: City of Vancouver (378,000); City of Surrey (138,000); City of Burnaby (131,000) and City of Richmond (125,000).

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census

The City of Vancouver has by far the greatest number of jobs, with 34% of all jobs in Metro Vancouver. In 2006 the City of Vancouver had nearly as many jobs as the Cities of Surrey, Burnaby and Richmond combined.

 

Jobs in City of Vancouver and the Rest of Metro Vancouver in 2006

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 census

While the City of Vancouver continues to add jobs at a consistent pace and account for the largest share of regional jobs, its share is gradually decreasing as the rest of the region grows in population and adds more jobs. The City of Vancouver accounted for 34% of regional jobs in 2006; however, it held a larger share in 1996 when it had 37% of jobs.

 

Jobs in Metro Vancouver: 1971 to 2006

 

Year	City of Vancouver Jobs	Rest of Metro Vancouver Jobs	TOTAL JOBS IN THE REGION
1971	223,000	172,000	395,000
1976	258,900	257,700	516,600
1981	294,900	343,300	638,200
1986	308,200	415,100	723,300
1991	321,400	487,000	808,400
1996	341,500	578,100	919,600
2001	348,000	659,200	1,007,200
2006	378,000	737,800	1,115,800

 

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