2018
Vancouver relocation guide
Wonder of the West
A robust economy and unique combination of outdoor and city living make Vancouver the perfect place to live, work and play
Metro Vancouver Meetups welcome newcomers
Official publication
PUBLISHED BY
Coquitlam |
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Learn more about the advantages Coquitlam has to offer. Call 604-927-3905 or email economicdevelopment@coquitlam.ca coquitlam.ca/economicdevelopment
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CONTENTS
Vancouver draws professionals with work-life balance and the combination of outdoor and city living, with cost of housing the main drawback
10 FEATURES Wonder of the West Going places Meetup in Metro Vancouver Education 101 To your health Get plugged in
BRIEFS INFOGRAPHICS VANCOUVER TRANSIT MAP AREA PROFILES Vancouver Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster North Vancouver, West Vancouver Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows Delta, Surrey, Langley Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack
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PUBLISHER: Sue Belisle EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER; VICE-PRESIDENT, GLACIER MEDIA: Kirk LaPointe EDITOR: Meg Yamamoto INTEGRATED SALES MANAGERS:
Pia Huynh, Laura Torrance, Chris Wilson
DESIGN: Randy Pearsall PRODUCTION: Rob Benac CONTRIBUTORS: Marke Andrews, Peter
Mitham, Brigitte Petersen
PROOFREADER: Christine Rowlands ADVERTISING SALES: Dean Hargrave,
Blair Johnston, Joan McGrogan, Corinne Tkachuk
SALES OPERATIONS MANAGER:
Michelle Myers
ADMINISTRATORS: Katherine Butler,
Marie Pearsall
Carrie Schmidt
28 31 33
Relocation Guide 2018 is published by BIV Magazines, a division of BIV Media Group, 303 Fifth Avenue West, Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1J6, 604-688-2398, fax 604-688-1963, www.biv.com.
35 37 39
Copyright 2017 Business in Vancouver Magazines. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or incorporated into any information retrieval system without permission of BIV Magazines. The publishers are not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions in this publication. ISSN 1205-5662
41 41 44
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EDUCATION 101 Greater Vancouver features a good range of educational options and resources
TO YOUR HEALTH
B.C. is home to world-class health care; here’s how to access it
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PUBLISHED BY
RESEARCH: Anna Liczmanska,
DIRECTORIES Business associations Education Relocation services
METRO VANCOUVER MEETUPS WELCOME NEWCOMERS
PUBLISHED BY
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been making business connections for 130 years
6 8 26 28
WONDER OF THE WEST A robust economy and unique combination of outdoor and city living make Vancouver the perfect place to live, work and play
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
GET PLUGGED IN
10 13 16 18 22 24
VANCOUVER RELOCATION GUIDE
2018
WONDER OF THE WEST
Publications Mail Agreement No.: 40069240. Registration No.: 8876. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Department: 303 Fifth Avenue West, Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1J6 Email: subscribe@biv.com Cover photo by Frannz Morzo Photography/Tourism Vancouver
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
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Relocation briefs
FOR MORE NEWS, GO TO BIV.COM
Vancouver is Canada’s top big city for jobs
West side, downtown priciest in country
V
V
a n c o u ve r is to ps w h e n i t comes to job markets in the country’s major cities – defined as those with populations of more than 250,000 – according to an August 2017 Express Employment Professionals report, which found that for every 1,000 people in the city, there are 2.82 jobs available. When municipalities of all sizes are considered, Victoria, with a population of around 85,000, is the hottest spot in the province, with 4.71 jobs per 1,000 people. Nor th Vancouver (2.97) also scores higher than Vancouver.
Across B.C. as a whole, there are 2.07 jobs available per 1,000 people. Retail sales jobs are the most advertised occupations, followed by banking, insurance and other financial clerks, cashiers, grocery clerks and carpenters. Express Employment compiles its annual report by looking at the number of available jobs on Canada’s Job Bank.
ancouver’s west side and downtown are the most expensive neighbourhoods in Canada when it comes to price per square foot, according to a Century 21 study released in October 2017. A home in Vancouver’s west side cost s $1, 210 per square foot on average, compared with $962.75 downtown and $816.61 in West Vancouver. Coming in just ahead of West Vancouver, as Canada’s third most expensive neighbourhood, is Toronto downtown ($818.86).
Icelandair ups service out of YVR
Vancouver has lowest debt delinquency rate
I
D
celandair launched its first full fall-and-winter season of flights out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) last October. The Reykjavik-based carrier launched flights to Vancouver in May 2014 and flew twice per week on a seasonal basis. That increased to four times per week during the peak May-throughOctober period. Now, for the first time, the airline is operating two flights per week during the slower October-through-May period, with flights scheduled to ramp up to four flights per week again in May.
With YVR on track to notch a record tally for annual passengers in 2017 and better 2016’s 22.3-million high-water mark, much attention has focused on new airlines flying out of the airport. Beijing Capital Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines, for example, launched service to YVR last year while Flair Airlines was readying to launch flights in December 2017.
espite living in the most expensive city in Canada, Vancouverites have proven to be able to manage their consumer debts well – better than residents of any other major Canadian city, according to a September 2017 Equifax report. The average delinquency rate for all consumer debt, which includes all personal debt except mortgages, was 0.7 per cent in Vancouver in 2017’s second quarter. By comparison, the national average delinquency rate was 1.09 per cent in the same period.
Institute wants less single-family zoning
Vancouver transit scores well in study
M
V
etro Vancouver municipalities’ failure to convert single-family-zoned neighbourhoods into areas where developers can build multi-family homes is being criticized by the Urban Development Institute (UDI). A UDI State of the Market 2017 research report found the supply of completed new condominiums and townhomes has fallen substantially in the past five years. According to the report, conducted by Urban Analytics on behalf of UDI, in 2013’s second quarter there were 9,800 newly constructed
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multi-family units across Metro Vancouver; that number ha s dropped to 1,900 units. There were no new townhomes or concrete apartments completed and move-in ready in Vancouver, with only 31 individual condominiums or townhomes ready for occupancy in the entire Metro Vancouver region, at the end of June 2017, the report found.
ancouver ranks third among 23 North American cities in terms of overall urban transportation system sustainability, according to an Arcadis study released in October 2017. The city scored well in terms of system maintenance, air pollution and incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles. It also ranked first in terms of profit for transit sustainability, which Arcadis says was boosted by a high rate of public transit use per capita. North American cities in general scored poorly in terms of
According to the study, seven of the country’s top 10 most expensive areas are located in the Lower Mainland. In addition to Vancouver’s west side, downtown and West Vancouver, these include Vancouver’s east side ($718.75 per square foot), North Vancouver ($625.75), Richmond ($614.20) and Burnaby ($588.11).
In second place was Ottawa at 0.96 per cent, followed by Toronto (1.16 per cent), Calgary (1.2 per cent) and Montreal (1.23 per cent). The highest rates of delinquency were found in Fort McMurray (1.7 per cent), Edmonton (1.48 per cent) and Halifax (1.47 per cent). The average debt in Vancouver was $25,232, which was four per cent higher than it was a year ago.
sustainability compared with those in Europe, however. The No. 1 city in the world was found to be Hong Kong, followed by Zurich and Paris. Vancouver comes in at No. 28 worldwide. No North American cities made it into the top 20. The study was conducted by London’s Centre for Economics and Business Research.
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B.C. by the numbers
BUSINESS INCORPORATIONS IN GREATER VANCOUVER, 2016
LIONS BAY 10
GREATER VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT 31,372
BOWEN ISLAND 12 WEST VANCOUVER 459
NORTH VANCOUVER 1,304
BELCARRA 3 ANMORE 19 BURNABY TRI-CITIES 1,917 1,585 PITT MAPLE MEADOWS RIDGE NEW WESTMINSTER 87 430 413
VANCOUVER 14,310 RICHMOND 3,172
SURREY 5,619 DELTA 601
LANGLEY 1,201 WHITE ROCK 184
BIGGEST SOURCES OF JOBS IN GREATER VANCOUVER Sales and service Business, finance and administration Trades, transport and equipment operators and related Education, law and social, community and government services Management occupations Natural and applied sciences and related Health occupations Art, culture, recreation and sport Manufacturing and utilities Natural resources, agriculture and related production 50
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100
150
200 250 300 Thousands
350 400
450
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Number of businesses
GREATER VANCOUVER COMPANIES BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, 2016
ANNUAL GDP GROWTH, B.C. Chained 2007 dollars, percentage change
70,000
4
60,000
3
50,000
2
40,000
1
30,000
0
20,000
-1
10,000
-2 1 to 4
5 to 9
10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 199 200 plus Number of employees
-3
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
BUSINESS INCORPORATIONS IN GREATER VANCOUVER AND B.C. 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000
GVRD
15 20 16
20
13 20
11 20
09 20
07 20
05 20
20 03
01 20
99 19
97 19
95 19
93 19
19
91
5,000
B.C.
BIGGEST INDUSTRIES IN B.C. BY EMPLOYMENT Health care and social assistance Retail trade Construction Professional, scientific and technical services Accommodation and food services Manufacturing Educational services Transportation and warehousing Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing Information, culture and recreation Other services Public administration Business, building and other support services Wholesale trade Forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas Agriculture Utilities 50
100
150
200
250
300
Employees (thousands) SOURCES: BC STATS, STATISTICS CANADA
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WONDER OF THE
WEST
Vancouver draws professionals with work-life balance and the combination of outdoor and city living, with cost of housing the main drawback
MARKE ANDREWS
R
ecruiters trying to lure workers to the Vancouver area have a lot to offer: the natural beauty of the region, boundless outdoor recreational activities, a rich ethnic mix in the population, quality restaurants, a steadily improving transit system, beaches, mountains and, with the exception of last winter, a temperate climate. The elephant in the room, if you can afford a room, is the swollen cost of housing. A Workopolis study of 13 major Canadian cities ranked Vancouver the most expensive city in the country to buy or rent accommodations. Last October, the average detached home in Vancouver cost $1.47 million, edging Toronto’s $1.2 million and dwarfing the other 11 cities, all of which had average prices of $500,000 or less. Rentals weren’t quite as lopsided, though Vancouver, with a tight rental market, was still the priciest, with the average one-bedroom apartment in the city centre running $1,447 a month. Alana Savage Briggs, a senior recruiter with Vancouver-based McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group, says that the cost of housing and cost of living here are the
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Jeremy Wood, vice-president of product marketing at Hootsuite, with wife Samantha and kids Phoenix, 13, Indie, 11, Saskia, 8, and Marlowe, 5, says schools were a big consideration in the family’s move to Vancouver from the San Francisco Bay Area | ROB KRUYT
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Vancouver has natural beauty, boundless outdoor recreational activities, a rich ethnic mix in the population, quality restaurants, a steadily improving transit system, a temperate climate – and the country’s highest housing costs | FRANNZ MORZO PHOTOGRAPHY/TOURISM VANCOUVER
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major stumbling blocks for those wanting to move. “People in Calgary often used to owning a three-bedroom home with a bonus room, basement and two-car garage just 30 minutes from the city … are only able to afford a two-bedroom apartment 30 minutes from downtown,” says Savage Briggs. “The math just doesn’t add up for a lot of families.” Housing has not been a deterrent for Jeremy Wood, vice-president of product marketing for Hootsuite’s Vancouver office. Wood comes here with his wife and four children from the San Francisco Bay Area, whose housing costs far exceed those of Vancouver. Prior to that, he lived in Sydney, Australia, where the cost of living is also higher. In its current ranking of the cost of living in cities
around the world, Expatistan ranks San Francisco seventh-highest with a price index of 238, Sydney 16th (215) and Vancouver 59th (172), one point lower than Toronto. Expatistan uses Prague, Czech Republic, as an average city at 100, so Vancouver has a cost of living 72 per cent higher than Prague’s. A native of Toronto, Wood took the Vancouver position last January, commuting back and forth between San Francisco for the first six months and then settling here with his family in August. They rent a place on the eastern edge of Kitsilano. Spending four days a week here in the early months gave Wood an opportunity to learn about the city’s neighbourhoods, rental opportunities and culture. For a family with four kids, one with special needs, schools
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Wonder of the West
Alana Savage Briggs, senior recruiter with McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group: “people moving to Vancouver are usually looking for a better balance of outdoors with city life” | SUBMITTED
were a huge consideration. The Vancouver area has two Eaton Arrowsmith schools, a top-ranked institution for those with learning difficulties. “That was a driving force for us, [our son’s] ability to get into a school that met his needs,” says Wood, who is happy with the public schools his other kids attend. And because Wood is a Canadian citizen, there were no complications with work visas. According to BC Stats, 2,632 people migrated to British Columbia from other provinces and countries in the fourth quarter of 2016, the largest migration i n five years. The biggest influx was from other provinces, with a net gain (newcomers minus those leaving) of 3,292. International migration was minus 660. Wood came here for a specific job, so he hasn’t explored other work activities. He knows that Vancouver has a growing tech scene with a healthy startup culture and is a destination for large, international companies, like Hootsuite, to open offices here. Most tech companies know their employees want a life outside of the office. “Vancouver gives one of the best work-life balance opportunities, whether you choose to seize that balance or not,” says Wood. Savage Briggs concurs.
“People moving to Vancouver are usually looking for a better balance of outdoors with city life, as well as the more relaxed work style compared with other big cities,” she says. Ell Gnostic, a native of Iran and CEO of North Vancouver-based Wellknown Formulas, a distributor of pharmaceuticals and natural health products, moved to Vancouver from Dubai in 2008. Besides having to learn English and build a professional network, he found his biggest challenge was dealing with Canadian banks, which he says would not grant loans – never a problem in Dubai. “[Canadian] banks do not co-operate and share risk,” says Gnostic. Certainly coastal British Columbia has a reputation for grey days and rain, particularly in November and late winter, but Wood takes heart in the locals’ attitude. “One of my colleagues here said, ‘No one has ever rusted from the rain,’” says Wood. “People just get the right clothing and the right boots and do things anyway.” As one who made a successful move, what advice can Wood offer others thinking of relocating? “Do your due diligence,” he says. “Look into what matters to you, and tick the boxes.” É
2018
VANCOUVER RELOCATION GUIDE Real Estate Consultant/REALTOR® 604-831-9780 office: 604-263-1144 toll free: 1-877-263-1144 email: larocque@dexterrealty.com direct:
WONDER OF THE WEST A robust economy and unique combination of outdoor and city living make Vancouver the perfect place to live, work and play
METRO VANCOUVER MEETUPS WELCOME NEWCOMERS
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
PUBLISHED BY
TO BOOK YOUR 2019 RELOCATION GUIDE AD 2094 West 43rd Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6M 2C9
Call Marie at 604-608-5158 or email mpearsall@biv.com Space Close: November 6, 2018
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GOING PLACES
Ongoing improvements mean it’s easier than ever to travel Metro Vancouver without owning a car
PETER MITHAM
T
wenty years ago, getting around Metro Vancouver took time. Going by car was fastest, although traffic on Highway 1 through Surrey and Langley often slowed things down. Since then, rush-hour traffic has only worsened. Road capacity in Metro Vancouver simply hasn’t kept pace with population growth, with the region having the least amount of highway per capita in a Colliers International survey of major metropolitan areas across North America.
Passengers wait for a train at the Burquitlam station of the new Evergreen Extension of SkyTrain’s Millennium Line from Vancouver to Coquitlam | SODAKE/ SHUTTERSTOCK
Given the choice between high insurance rates and other vehicle ownership costs and time spent stuck in traffic, many Vancouver residents have opted to spend their money on housing close to amenities that include transit and car-sharing services. Upgrades to transit over the past 20 years mean that a trip to deepest Langley now takes two hours from the core, as opposed to three hours. Lions Bay, a popular backcountry hiking destination, is little more than 90 minutes away. Connections are smoother thanks to wireless communications and big data that keep the various parts in sync. Rapid transit lines have multi-use trails alongside them ideal for cyclists, who can connect with hundreds of kilometres of routes in municipalities across the region.
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Going places
Car-sharing services like Evo make it easier to get around Vancouver without owning a car | ROSEBC10987/SHUTTERSTOCK
While transit capacity lags in some areas, and trail improvements are ongoing, it’s easier than ever to travel the region without owning a car. The following is a brief guide to your options if you’re new to the area. TRANSIT Q Transit is the default travel option for most city dwellers who want to travel more than walking distance, especially during the cold, wet months of winter. Buses are the most economical, with one fare allowing travellers to move across the region any day of the week; connecting to the SkyTrain rapid transit system, the SeaBus passenger-only ferry between North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver, and the West Coast Express commuter railway invite higher fares based on distance travelled. There are three zones for SkyTrain, SeaBus is a two-zone fare, and West Coast Express has four zones that take travellers as far as Mission. (For a map of key regional transit connections, see pages 26–27.) Compass is the region’s transit fare card. Available for $6 apiece at transit stations and select locations of London Drugs, the cards can be loaded with cash for single trips or passes covering a day or a month of travel. Google Maps is a good tool to plan the various options for making it quickly between two addresses, but TransLink – which oversees transit services within Metro Vancouver – also offers a trip planner. Apps such as Radar allow commuters to check the whereabouts of local buses in real time by searching a route or stop number. Metro Vancouver’s transit system connects with those in the Fraser Valley and, via BC Ferries, on Vancouver Island. In addition, several private operators offer shuttles for distances as short as across False Creek or as far as Whistler. PUBLIC TRAILS Q Those keen on exercise, and for whom the elements are a minor consideration (end-oftrip facilities exist at a growing number of workplaces), can take advantage of the region’s extensive trail networks. These include the BC Parkway that parallels the SkyTrain Expo Line to Surrey, and the Central Valley
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Greenway alongside the SkyTrain Millennium Line through Burnaby and toward Port Coquitlam. Here, the Trans Canada Trail network runs east through Pitt Meadows to Langley along some of the region’s 600 kilometres of dikes. Well-developed cycling networks in each city allow cyclists to reach local destinations for work and play. Trip planning is easy with the help of Google and cycling maps from municipalities, TransLink and the Great Trail app. The latter is designed to help users navigate the Trans Canada Trail network, but it highlights plenty of other routes besides. Many walking routes connect with transit. Cyclists,
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on the other hand, can either rent lockers at transit exchanges or take their bikes aboard at no extra charge (no more than two at a time on buses, however). TransLink provides a free shuttle for cyclists using the George Massey Tunnel between Delta and Richmond. VEHICLE SHARING Q Ride-sharing services aren’t
legal in Vancouver, but that hasn’t stopped Chineselanguage apps like Raccoon Go and Udi Kuaiche from making inroads. Car-sharing services such as Modo, a local co-op originally launched in 1997, and Evo, a venture of the British Columbia Automobile Association, compete against Car2Go and Zipcar. Most of the services,
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like the bike-sharing network Mobi, are membershipbased. They’re also best suited for short trips within the city or not far beyond. Since services like Evo and Car2Go depend on vehicles being available to other users, there are incentives to keep them within reach rather than, say, in Whistler or Abbotsford. Still, when the costs of renting a car for a day or two each month are added up over the course of a year, it often comes out to less than what many people pay for insurance. While ownership has its privileges, the key one associated with vehicles is convenience. But for the contemporary urban dweller, freedom from the costs associated with ownership is an even greater reward. É
The SeaBus passenger-only ferry crosses Burrard Inlet between downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver | DENIS KUVAEV/SHUTTERSTOCK
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MEETUP IN METRO VANCOUVER Social networking groups ‘a great way for newcomers to find their community’ BRIGITTE PETERSEN
F
orming vital connections, both online and offline, is essential for professionals relocating to Metro Vancouver, and social networking websites like Meetup are helping people to do just that.
Elijah van der Giessen, co-organizer of NetSquared Vancouver, a non-profit technology Meetup | JENNY LEE SILVER
Zeinab Sadeghipour, research and development scientist at MetaOptima and member of Women Who Code Meetup | SUBMITTED
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Perusing Meetup groups in and around Vancouver on meetup.com is a great way for newcomers to get started in establishing a solid local network of like-minded people, according to group organizers and members. The website offers endless possibilities for people with a variety of interests, from business and professional groups to more socially oriented and special interest groups. Limited only by imagination, topics range widely from career coaching and investing to fitness training, beer making, learning languages and delivering compelling presentations. Signing up is free at meetup.com, where members select events and meet up during offline group meetings. Nominal attendance fees are charged to help cover basic event costs, and new groups and Meetups are added daily. Roger Killen organizes the Vancouver Business Network Meetup, geared toward helping sole proprietors of microbusinesses. With more than 11,490 members and growing daily, the group is the second-largest in Canada in its category, after Toronto Entrepreneurs, which has upwards of 14,750 members. While the Vancouver-based group meets every Tuesday, members choose when to attend events, where they pay admission at the door to hear keynote speakers, learn and network. “This is a perfect place for newcomers to Vancouver to meet each other,” says Killen, a retired entrepreneur who also organizes TEDxStanleyPark. “There’s no shortage of networking opportunities.” While numerous groups exist, members can sometimes spread themselves too thin by joining too many,
according to Killen, who says consistent attendance in one or two groups is key to effective networking. For newcomers, building a network happens over several Meetups. “It’s a little like Cheers, where everyone knows your name, but you have to show up,” he says. Since its December 2016 inception, the Women Who Code (WWCode) Vancouver Meetup group, focused on supporting women in technology careers, has grown from four organizers to more than 1,330 members, and it continues to expand. Activities include workshops, study groups, panels, speakers and hackathons. “We like to deliver high-impact events,” says Holly Peck, co-founder and director of the group. “Our workshops sell out quickly.” Peck, an artificial-intelligence engineer at Kindred AI, says WWCode was formed due to a lack of Meetups for women in technology. “It is phenomenal what doors this Meetup opens,” says the Gastown resident. “It propelled me into a leadership role.” WWCode group member Zeinab Sadeghipour, a research and development scientist at Vancouver-based digital health company MetaOptima, relocated to Vancouver from Iran in 2014. She joined the Meetup in early 2017, immediately getting involved as a volunteer event organizer. She soon became one of the directors. Making connections is the main benefit for Sadeghipour, followed by learning about local career opportunities and supporting other women in technology. “I’ve met so many women with a career in tech who are
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Holly Peck, co-founder and director of Women Who Code Vancouver, addresses the crowd at the group’s kickoff Meetup at Microsoft Garage in January 2017 | THE PREVAIL PROJECT
doing an amazing job in their roles,” says Sadeghipour, who holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology engineering from the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran and a master’s degree in computer science from Simon Fraser University. Elijah van der Giessen is one of the organizers of NetSquared Vancouver, a non-profit technology Meetup. The Vancouver resident is also the community manager for the global network of NetSquared #Tech4Good Meetups, through which he organizes 105 Meetups in 34 countries. “Going to Meetups is a great way for newcomers to find their community in Vancouver,” says van der Giessen, who encourages people to organize Meetups. “Hosting a Meetup is the best way you can meet all the key players in your sector and build a reputation as the key networker and connector in your line of business.” Group volunteers plan free monthly technology workshops for local non-governmental organization staff members to help them use technology faster and smarter.
“We’re trying to change the world, and technology allows us to scale our impact and serve more people,” he says. “Plus, it’s super lonely to be the only tech-minded person at a non-profit.” The group’s main activities include a free monthly event designed to bring Vancouver’s non-profits and technology community together. “Each event focuses on a theme or case study showing how we can use technology for good,” explains van der Giessen. “Some recent hits included Design for NonDesigners that gave non-profits hands-on training with free online design tool Canva, and a field trip to Vancouver Hack Space to learn how to solder a circuit board.” For those relocating to Metro Vancouver, “Meetups are where you find your community, your tribe of people who share your values and interests,” adds van der Giessen. Based in New York City, Meetup currently has more than 32.3 million members and over 288,726 groups in 182 countries. Similar meeting and event exchange networks include Meetin.org, Explara.com and Eventbrite.ca. É
Many Meetups Whether you’re into professional networking, outdoor activities or bubble tea, chances are there’s a Meetup for you. Below is a small sample of Meetup groups in the Vancouver area (membership numbers as of November 2017). Bubble Tea Vancouver 3,799 members
NetSquared Vancouver 2,914 members
Vancouver Business Network 11,673 members
Extremely Shy – Looking for Friends 20,681 members
PolyglotVancouver 3,738 members
Fun Dance Party 6,897 members
Shy Philosophers 1,696 members
Vancouver Entrepreneurs & Business Builders 6,176 members
Meatless Meetup 3,343 members
TechVancouver 5,686 members
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Vancouver Writers Group 3,159 members
VanDev: Vancouver’s Software Developers Network 6,450 members VanHikers 12,977 members Women Who Code Vancouver 1,378 members
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EDUCATION
101
Greater Vancouver features a healthy range of educational options and resources
BRIGITTE PETERSEN
CARLOS WOLF PRESIDENT, FXTECTIPS
A public school education gives them a connection with the real world
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F
inding the right school for their children can be a challenging assignment for parents relocating their families to Metro Vancouver, but resources are available to help take the headache out of homework.
The area features a healthy range of educational options including public, private, religious, French immersion, International Baccalaureate, integrated arts, traditional, Montessori and Waldorf schools. B.C. has an open-boundary policy, but catchment areas should be considered for enrolment in public schools. Most school districts have an online school locator tool on their websites to help parents find catchment schools. After moving to Vancouver from Caracas, Venezuela, with his family in 2003, Carlos Wolf wanted his son, Ivan, now 16, to attend a free public French immersion school, but he says he found it difficult to access enrolment information. Ivan attended Little Sprout Preschool at the West End Community Centre to help him prepare for kindergarten, and later attended Henry Hudson Elementary School. He is currently in Grade 11 French immersion at Kitsilano Secondary School and shows an interest in film production and basketball. “A public school education gives them a connection with the real world,” says Wolf, president of FXtectips, his foreign-exchange-market training company. “It
helps them build social skills, learn how to solve problems and negotiate with others.” Navigating online school information has improved in recent years, but Wolf recommends parents new to Metro Vancouver seek advice when school hunting. “Talk with people who have kids and get them to explain the process,” he suggests. GETTING STARTED Q To prepare children under five for kindergarten, many school districts offer free programs including StrongStart BC, which allows parents to join their children in storytelling, music and art. The Ready, Set, Learn program helps parents with three-year-olds support their child’s learning, while English-as-a-second-language preschool programs are also available. Children between six and 16 must attend school or study at home in B.C. Proof of the child’s birth date, resident status, immunization record and current address need to be provided to enrol a child at a public school. INDEPENDENT OPTIONS Q For those considering independent schools, options are wide-ranging, but
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can be costly. Annual tuition at most schools ranges between $6,000 and $12,000, with some being as low as about $4,000 and others as high as $55,000. The Vancouver Private School Expo, where parents have the opportunity to speak with school representatives, students and parents from Vancouver and elsewhere, is held every November in Vancouver. The website ourkids.net offers practical advice, including step-by-step guides, for parents looking for private, independent and boarding schools for their children. Located in Vancouver’s affluent Shaughnessy neighbourhood, York House School is a day school for girls in junior kindergarten to Grade 12. Head of school Chantal Gionet says smaller class sizes allow the independent school to provide students with more personalized and experiential learning opportunities and a well-rounded, values-based education. “We understand how daunting it can feel to move to a new community where you don’t know anyone,” says Gionet. “We are a small but very close-knit community, and our parent community is very supportive of the school and of each other.” Several years ago, York House introduced a program matching new families with enrolled ones, creating opportunities to connect with each other.
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“New families have other parents that they can reach out to to get to know the community and also get a better sense of the flow of the school,” explains Gionet. Russell and Wanda Hopkins chose to send their 15-year-old daughter, Vianna, to York House after relocating to Vancouver in August 2017 following 25 years in Singapore. Russell Hopkins says they chose the school due to its “high academic standards”; a campus tour sold them. Vianna, in Grade 10, is performing well and making friends. “She has enjoyed both the challenges of the academic program and the extracurricular activities, including a four-day hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park, the volleyball team and choir,” says the Kitsilano resident. Crofton House School, located in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood, is a university preparatory day school for girls from junior kindergarten to Grade 12. The school offers a range of learning opportunities from design to filmmaking, debate to athletics, music to math and science and technology. “This is a school where there is valuing of difference,” says Crofton House’s head of school, Patricia Dawson. “Each girl brings her own unique potential to the school and it is our responsibility to help her discover and pursue what will be her personal excellence.”
Hennessy Escobar (left) and Kendra Lee are Grade 5 students at Crofton House School, an allgirls university preparatory day school in Vancouver’s Kerrisdale neighbourhood | CROFTON HOUSE SCHOOL
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Education 101
From left, Kitsilano Secondary student Ivan Wolf, 16, with his father, Carlos Wolf, and his video production teacher, Scott Ramsay | CHUNG CHOW
RESOURCES Q The Fraser Institute, a Vancouverbased think tank, publishes annual B.C. school rankings. Its Report Card on British Columbia’s Secondary Schools ranks 293 public and independent secondary schools based on seven academic indicators using student results from annual provincewide exams, grade-to-grade transition rates and graduation rates. Parents should keep in mind that the rankings are often controversial, with critics accusing them of being biased toward
independent schools. To view rankings and compare schools’ performance, visit compareschoolrankings.org. Many Metro Vancouver school districts have Settlement Workers in Schools programs to help immigrants settle in to their new schools. In addition, the Vancouver School Board offers several resources to help new Canadians, including multicultural liaison workers, an Engaged Immigrant Youth program and volunteer interpreters. É
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Public school registration Abbotsford School District No. 34 sd34.bc.ca If new to district, registration for grades 1 to 12 starts February 1. If arriving during school year, register at catchment school. Kindergarten registration takes place every January for the upcoming school year starting in September.
Mission School District No. 75 mpsd.ca Register for kindergarten at your neighbourhood elementary school from end of January to beginning of February. Use the online school locator link to find school. Contact the district for more registration information.
Burnaby School District No. 41 sd41.bc.ca Find your school using the district’s online school locator tool and register there. Call school the last week of August for registration dates and times.
New Westminster School District No. 40 newwestschools.ca Individual schools have ongoing registration. Complete a printable registration form and use the catchment map to locate your school. Bring the form to your child’s school, along with necessary documentation. Kindergarten registration begins early January at elementary schools. Students register at their neighbourhood school.
Chilliwack School District No. 33 sd33.bc.ca Contact schools directly for registration information. Conseil scolaire francophone (French school board) csf.bc.ca Contact schools directly for registration information. Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody School District No. 43 sd43.bc.ca Use the online school locator tool. For kindergarten, children who are five years old on or before December 31 may register for school in September of the year they turn five, or parents may defer enrolment for one year. Kindergarten registration is held in February in all elementary schools. Contact your assigned school to register students in higher grades. Early registration is highly recommended. Parents may apply for a school outside of their neighbourhood by completing a cross-catchment application. Delta School District No. 37 deltasd.bc.ca Use the online school locator tool and contact schools directly to register. Application forms for French immersion registration are made available online, at parent information meetings and Delta elementary schools on the first school day every January. Langley School District No. 35 sd35.bc.ca For kindergarten, children who will be five by the end of December are eligible for classes beginning in September of same year. Register on the third Monday in January of the eligible year. Contact your neighbourhood school for details. New students in grades 1 to 12 should register at their school as soon as possible before classes start. Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows School District No. 42 sd42.ca Kindergarten registration every February; any child who turns five in 2018 is eligible to register for the 2018-19 school year. An open-boundary policy allows for some choice of secondary school. Grade 8 registration must be completed on the online parent portal, open mid-February each year. Those new to the district must complete a paper registration form at the district office before March 1. After spring break, register at your catchment high school. For all other registrations, contact your catchment school.
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North Vancouver School District No. 44 sd44.ca Children may be registered for kindergarten if the student will have reached the age of five on or before December 31 of that school year. Students must be registered in person between November and mid-December. New students up to Grade 12 must be registered in person, and all forms and documents must be submitted to the central registration office. Richmond School District No. 38 sd38.bc.ca New student registrations are processed at the district office before midJune. Students attend their catchment schools unless no physical, resource or program space is available. Early registration is encouraged. Kindergarten registration opens November 1. Grade 1 to 12 registration begins January 8 at the board office. Surrey School District No. 36 surreyschools.ca In-person registration, along with accompanying documents, is required at the neighbourhood school or school of choice. Vancouver School District No. 39 vsb.bc.ca Kindergarten registration at your catchment school is from November to the last weekday in January to begin school the following September. Registration for the current school year for kindergarten to Grade 12 continues through May. West Vancouver School District No. 45 sd45.bc.ca Apply online for the 2018-19 school year. Applications for kindergarten and grades 1 to 12 accepted until March 1. Refer to website for more details about programs of choice.
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NIYAZZ/SHUTTERSTOCK
TO YOUR
HEALTH
B.C. is home to world-class health care; here’s how to access it PETER MITHAM
O
ne of the key attractions of B.C. in the eyes of immigrants is its highly regarded system of universal health care. While workers relocating from other parts of Canada take it for granted, it’s an attractive feature companies often mention as a reason for establishing offices here. It is also rapidly evolving into the backbone of a dynamic life sciences sector.
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But there’s a cost: through a combination of historical circumstance and a desire for transparency, B.C. charges residents a monthly premium of $75 per person, although the new BC NDP government plans to reduce this by 50 per cent starting in January 2018 and eventually phase out premiums altogether. MEET THE MSP Q Most other provinces fund universal health care through a budget allocation. Residents pay for it, but not through an overt charge. Since 1968, however, B.C. has enrolled residents in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in exchange for a premium. The premium doesn’t flow directly to health-care budgets, prompting some to advocate for its abolishment, but it nevertheless serves as a reminder that health care costs money. Residents who don’t pay their premiums risk charges for some services. Those in arrears face action from collection agencies. People relocating to B.C. aren’t eligible for coverage right away, however. While newcomers should apply for coverage immediately, it won’t kick in until they’ve been in the province for three months. The terms of the plan further stipulate that members must be resident in the province for at least six months each calendar year. People who fall outside the residence requirements are encouraged to seek alternative coverage through an employer, a private plan such as Pacific Blue Cross or, in the case of people from elsewhere in Canada, their home province. There’s also an option for adults to opt out of the MSP (children must be enrolled, regardless of what the adults caring for them do). Residents who do so are responsible for the cost of all care received in the following 12 months and may be unable to access other health coverage. RECEIVING CARE Q Those who successfully enrol in
the MSP are eligible to obtain a BC Services Card – formerly CareCard – that must be shown to receive care. Since 2013, residents have been able to combine the card with their driver’s licence, giving them a single piece of government-issued photo ID. Any visit to a doctor’s office requires a BC Services Card/CareCard. It’s also required for hospital visits and when attending tests on doctor’s orders. Dental care and mental health services fall outside the medical system in B.C. Standard vision care, such as eye tests and prescription lenses, are not covered; however, eye surgery may be covered if medically required. Prescription medications are not covered, but registering with PharmaCare, which isn’t mandatory and doesn’t charge premiums, may ensure lower drug costs if your income falls (participants must pay MSP premiums). Some types of health-care practitioners, including acupuncturists, chiropractors and naturopaths, fall outside MSP coverage. Cosmetic and other discretionary procedures aren’t covered, nor are examinations required for employment, schooling, life insurance or immigration purposes. Diagnostic tests not supported by scientific evidence of their effectiveness, such as prostate-specific antigen tests, are not covered. MSP premiums do not cover ambulance services, which typically cost $80 a trip for B.C. residents.
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CHOOSING CARE Q Knowing you’ve got health coverage is one thing; finding someone to deliver the care is another. Without knowing anyone in town, many newcomers turn to the nearest clinic when illness strikes and hope for the best. Scouting out your options before you need them is helpful, however. As with many other critical decisions it helps to have two or three names from trusted friends or acquaintances. Some doctors assist at medical clinics, and a visit may introduce you to a physician willing to have you as a regular patient. In addition, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC maintains a physician search tool at cpsbc.ca/physician_search. Higher-level care frequently requires a reference, so building a rapport with a family doctor you trust is important. When it comes to emergency care, the nearest hospital is usually the natural choice. Some hospitals have a reputation for being less congested than others, however. The site edwaittimes.ca helps patients pick from among six Vancouver-area emergency departments, including Vancouver General Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital (operated by Providence Health Care) and the UBC Hospital Urgent Care Centre. These front-line facilities are backed up by a network of institutions across the Lower Mainland including BC Children’s and BC Women’s hospitals and the BC Cancer Agency. Vancouver Coastal Health oversees a host of local services, including home support for those who need it, while Fraser Health Authority manages its own portfolio of health centres, including New Westminster’s Royal Columbian Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre. É
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC website maintains a physician directory search tool that lets users search for doctors by practice type, location, languages spoken and other criteria
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GET
PLUGGED IN The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been making business connections for 130 years
I
f you are thinking of relocating to the Vancouver region, one of the first things you should do is become a member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
Stars of the hit CBC television show Dragons’ Den Bruce Croxon (right) and Manjit Minhas (centre) take part in a fireside chat on March 13, 2017. The Q&A was moderated by Greater Vancouver Board of Trade director Meredith Powell (left) | GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE
Membership in the board of trade opens doors to a network of thousands of business contacts. No other organization in Western Canada offers as many business-building and networking activities, combined with exclusive membership services and savings. By making use of everything the board of trade offers, you and your company can gain access to a unique network of world-class business leaders, professionals from all industry sectors and new potential customers and clients. You will also be able to access valuable information and resources to strengthen business skills, develop your employees and expand your markets, all of which
are vital components to achieving success in today’s business world – particularly when relocating to a new community. SPEAKER EVENTS Q The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is one of Canada’s busiest and most sought-after event platforms, with more than 130 events annually. Members can build connections at monthly networking receptions or learn from business and thought leaders at speaker events. The board of trade’s reputation attracts top-notch speakers and leading authorities – from prime ministers and presidents to industry magnates and global influencers. In recent years, speakers have included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton, B.C. Premier John Horgan, Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson. Throughout the year the board of trade also hosts several half-day forums aimed at moving the dial on emerging areas of public policy. With content developed by volunteer public policy committees, these annual forums often feature upward of a dozen speakers, including elected officials and industry experts from across North America. Outcomes from these forums often help shape and drive the board of trade’s advocacy efforts with government. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Q Each year the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade hosts approximately 50 networking events that are open only to members. Monthly Board 101 events are an opportunity for new and existing members to learn about making the most
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ABOVE: B.C. Premier John Horgan
speaks to media following an address to Greater Vancouver Board of Trade members during the 2017 provincial election campaign | GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE
TOP LEFT: Greater Vancouver
Board of Trade president and CEO Iain Black (left) leads a discussion with renowned Harvard Business School Prof. Michael Porter during the Globe 2016 conference, which drew more than
of their membership benefits and savings. Thrive Series events help you stay ahead of the latest business trends while providing a valuable opportunity to connect and interact with other motivated business people from across the region. Following each event, attendees participate in a networking roundtable discussion. And finally, members’ receptions are hosted in unique venues throughout the region, including restaurants and lounges, rooftop patios, golf courses and even the bleachers of Nat Bailey Stadium for a ball game. SIGNATURE PROGRAMS Q The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is perhaps best known for its four signature programs and professional development opportunities, which set the organization apart from other chambers of commerce in North America. Whether you’re an emerging leader, young executive, woman in business or small-business owner, the board of trade has a program to help support, connect and inspire you. The Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) mentorship program connects top post-secondary students with leading industry professionals. Launched in 1999, LOT is recognized as the premier mentorship program in British Columbia. Candidates go through a competitive and rigorous selection process to experience a year of accelerated professional and personal growth. The Company of Young Professionals (CYP) is a professional development program for people under the age of 35. Launched in 2007, CYP is a vibrant network for emerging leaders to acquire the skills needed to advance their careers. Through the CYP program, young professionals can accelerate their career progression as
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1,200 attendees | GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE
LEFT: Members of the Greater
Vancouver Board of Trade’s under-35 program, the Company of Young Professionals, take part in the annual Big Idea video contest | GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE
in no other program in the country. The Women’s Leadership Circle (WLC) is an inclusive program that recognizes that diversity in leadership strengthens the business community. Launched in 2007, the WLC has grown to become one of the largest women’s business networking groups in Canada. The WLC is open to all board of trade members, both men and women. And finally, the Small Business Council (SBC) is a development program that connects, educates and equips small-business owners and entrepreneurs to grow their networks and take their enterprises to the next level. The SBC tailors its events and public policy initiatives to meet the unique needs of small businesses from across the region. For more information or to become a member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, call 1-844-208-8197 or visit boardoftrade.com/info. É
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© 2017 SOUTH COAST BRITISH COLUMBIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY DOING BUSINESS AS TRANSLINK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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AREA PROFILES |
Vancouver
URBAN OASIS A stunning backdrop sets the stage for a city of livable communities PETER MITHAM
V
ancouver is one of the most livable cities in the world with a beautiful backdrop to boot. While winter rain clouds obscure the North Shore mountains, in summer their evergreen slopes stretch west to the ocean and as far east as the eye can see. At their foot stand the gleaming towers of downtown, where a vibrant mix of cultures live, work and play. Its coastal location makes Vancouver an entry point for goods and people from around the globe as well as Canada’s gateway to Asia. A petite downtown peninsula packed with neighbourhoods is easy to navigate on foot, bicycle or transit, and is an inspiration to cities around the world. Some of the best Chinese food outside of China is made here, while Filipino workers mingle with a jet set hailing from Europe, the Middle East and Asia in the city’s network of civic spaces. English, Chinese and Punjabi are the top local languages, but listen closely and you’ll hear Russian, Farsi and many more. Within living memory, migration from within Canada and across the world has transformed a city of loggers and sailors into a modern metropolis. While residents lament a dearth of historic landmarks, planners have their eyes fixed on the future. Densification is transforming the Oak Street, Cambie Street, Fraser Street and Kingsway corridors while ambitious new residential and office towers are changing the skyline from a city of glass to one with class.
View of downtown Vancouver from Spanish Banks beach in west-side Vancouver’s Point Grey neighbourhood | J A UPPENDAHL/SHUTTERSTOCK
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DOWNTOWN Q Vancouver boasts one of the most compact and livable urban cores in the world, thanks to a mix of office towers and condos that define highdensity West Coast living. Gastown and Chinatown are
downtown’s core residential neighbourhoods, constantly reinventing themselves with chic restaurants and contemporary residences. Rogers Arena and BC Place, the city’s primary sports venues, are a short distance from galleries and theatres. Trains, buses, float planes and ferries lead to destinations throughout the province. WEST END, COAL HARBOUR Q West of Burrard
Street between English Bay and Burrard Inlet lie Coal Harbour and the West End, one of Canada’s most densely populated neighbourhoods. A longtime favourite of renters, the West End is getting a makeover with developer plans for new residential and commercial towers. Coal Harbour, an upscale precinct of multimillion-dollar condos on the former Canadian Pacific Railway yards, has waterfront views of the North Shore mountains. Just minutes from downtown offices, the area’s marinas, beaches and 1,000-acre urban oasis of Stanley Park provide a backyard to the city. Robson, Denman and Davie streets are the key shopping and entertainment strips, while St. Paul’s Hospital is a centre for health care. YALETOWN Q A forest of condo towers has transformed
this former warehouse district into a model for urban planners around the world. Expo 86 set the stage for Concord Pacific to redevelop the north shore of False Creek, and jobs followed as tech companies set up shop in adjacent warehouse properties. More recently, towers have sprouted toward the Granville Street Bridge on the south side of downtown. Yet the heart of Yaletown remains Davie and Mainland streets, where Canada Line trains shuttle passengers to and from Vancouver International Airport.
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HOME PRICES
POINT GREY Q West of Alma Street, overlooking
Jericho, Locarno and Spanish Banks beaches, Point Grey attracts both prosperous professionals and students. Once its own municipality, Point Grey is home to some of the most expensive housing in the city. An influx of new owners has led to redevelopment of many properties, but students attending the neighbouring University of British Columbia (UBC) still gravitate here for rooms. Shops, restaurants and services cluster around West 10th Avenue and Sasamat Street. Transit routes run along the key east-west streets, connecting residents to UBC and downtown. UNIVERSITY Q UBC’s campus on the western edge of Point Grey is home to some of Vancouver’s best-known cultural jewels as well as a fast-growing residential community. Comprising more than 3,000 acres, the UBC campus, the University Endowment Lands and Pacific Spirit Regional Park provide a refuge from city life and connection with the city’s ancient forests and bogs. Wesbrook Village, the newest neighbourhood on campus, is home to shops and restaurants that give the neighbourhood its own flair. Lelem, a new development undertaken by the Musqueam Indian Band, will add yet more housing. KITSILANO Q Kitsilano (“Kits” to locals) is conveniently located between Point Grey and downtown. The neighbourhood is a crossroads for people from all walks of life who easily mingle at the local farmers market (among the busiest in the province), at Kitsilano Beach or during the neighbourhood’s annual Khatsahlano and Greek Day festivals. Transit along West 4th Avenue and Broadway connects with SkyTrain, slated for extension to Arbutus Street, while cycling is a popular means of transportation. DUNBAR, MACKEN ZIE HEIG HT S , SOUTH LANDS Q Southlands is a riverfront neighbourhood
south of Southwest Marine Drive that’s home to riverfront trails, equestrian estates and the city’s last remaining agricultural land. This secluded corner of Vancouver is a bucolic contrast to the established single-family neighbourhoods of Dunbar and MacKenzie Heights with their manicured lawns and city views. West 41st Avenue and Dunbar Street are key arteries and home to shops, services and transit connections.
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Neighbourhood
Houses
Townhouses
Apartments
Arbutus Ridge Cambie, Oakridge, South Cambie Downtown Dunbar, MacKenzie Heights, Southlands East Vancouver (Main, Fraser, Knight, Victoria) Fairview, False Creek, Mount Pleasant West Fraserview, Champlain, Killarney, South Vancouver Grandview, Mount Pleasant East Hastings, Hastings East Kitsilano Marpole Point Grey Renfrew, Renfrew Heights, Collingwood Shaughnessy, Kerrisdale, Quilchena South Granville, Southwest Marine University West End, Coal Harbour Yaletown
$3,855,000 $2,990,000 NA $3,405,800 $1,591,000
NA $1,509,500 $1,188,000 $1,060,000 $1,045,000
$450,750 $836,000 $670,500 $651,500 $562,000
$2,440,000
$999,000
$710,000
$1,645,000
$795,000
$500,000
$1,580,000 $1,480,000 $2,875,000 $2,450,000 $3,400,000 $1,415,400 $4,300,000 $3,880,000 $6,390,000 $4,090,000 $2,328,000
$1,070,000 $901,500 $1,235,000 $1,460,000 $1,085,000 $846,000 $1,649,000 $1,475,000 $1,308,000 $1,300,000 $1,529,000
$615,000 $464,000 $649,000 $510,000 $696,500 $460,000 $874,100 $760,000 $914,000 $806,000 $868,500
SOURCE: REBGV; MEDIAN SALE PRICE, ROLLING 12 MONTHS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 ARBUTUS RIDGE Q This affluent, family-friendly
Historic Gastown in downtown
neighbourhood has welcomed an influx of apartments in recent years that complement a well-established stock of single-family homes. A generous mix of parks and community centres attracts young children and seniors, while stunning views continue to draw buyers in the prime of life. A greenway through the Arbutus corridor is a new and evolving amenity. Arbutus Shopping Centre, the main retail complex, anchors the neighbourhood with its central location, while bus routes provide links to UBC, downtown and SkyTrain.
Vancouver is home to chic restaurants and contemporary residences | NELSON MOUELLIC/TOURISM VANCOUVER
SHAUGHNESSY, KERRISDALE, QUILCHENA Q The tony precincts of Shaughnessy, Kerrisdale and Quilchena have historically been home to some of Vancouver’s most affluent residents and the estates designed to preserve their privacy. Some of the city’s priciest properties are located here, many enjoying protected status, beneath the boughs of ancient trees that speak to the area’s old-fashioned splendour and prestige. Quilchena Park attracts ballplayers and picnic groups, while shopping is available on Granville Street and West 41st Avenue. Students take public transit to local schools and UBC, but private vehicles carry the rest. FAIRVIEW, FAL SE CREEK, MOUNT PLEASANT WEST Q Together, these three neighbourhoods are
the heart of the Broadway corridor, which boasts the region’s largest cluster of offices outside of downtown Vancouver and is slated for a new SkyTrain extension west to Arbutus Street. Vancouver General Hospital, life science companies and tech stars such as Hootsuite provide jobs for professionals and families who call the
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AREA PROFILES |
Vancouver
the airport and home prices that compare favourably to neighbouring Shaughnessy and Kerrisdale. Riverside trails off Southwest Marine Drive and the expansive Fraser River Park provide recreational opportunities. The neighbourhood is underserved by transit, making a vehicle essential for getting around. MARPOLE Q Marpole, long known for aging walkups, is undergoing a transformation as highrise towers take root. Situated between downtown Vancouver and Richmond, Marpole is an ideal bedroom community with a tight-knit spirit. Amenities include a marina accessible off Southwest Marine Drive (but technically in Richmond), riverfront trails and parks as well as the southern terminus of the Arbutus Greenway. Proximity to the airport and highway connections to the U.S. complement transit, making Marpole a home for people on the go. EAST VANCOUVER (MAIN, FRASER, KNIGHT, VICTORIA) Q The neighbourhoods of Main, Fraser and
area home. Townhomes and low-rise apartment blocks dominate, but highrises along False Creek are part of the area’s evolution. A cut more expensive than areas farther east, homes are within walking distance of Granville Island and transit services. GRANDVIEW, MOUNT PLEASANT EAST Q Grandview
TOP: The Trout Lake farmers
market in East Vancouver draws local crowds from May to October | NELSON MOUELLIC/TOURISM VANCOUVER
View facing north from Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in Vancouver | NELSON MOUELLIC/TOURISM VANCOUVER
and Mount Pleasant East are the historic industrial heart of Vancouver, with warehouses, rail lines and port lands just a few blocks away. Development of the Great Northern Way Campus is transforming the area into a high-tech hub and centre of learning with the arrival of Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The area is increasingly popular with young professionals, and city planners have opened the door to fresh housing development to the east. SkyTrain, express buses and feeder routes to the Trans-Canada Highway place the area within a short distance of neighbourhoods across the city and region. CAMBIE, OAKRIDGE, SOUTH CAMBIE Q Convenient connections to Vancouver International Airport and downtown, as well as proximity to Oakridge Centre and Langara College, contribute to the appeal of housing in this trio of west-side neighbourhoods. Redevelopment promises to add a host of new community amenities, complementing Queen Elizabeth Park, the highest point in Vancouver, and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Students appreciate the area’s transit connections to Langara College and UBC. SOUTH GRANVILLE, SOUTHWEST MARINE Q The south end of Granville Street overlooks the Fraser River and is home to a mix of single-family homes and rental apartments. The area’s appeal lies in its proximity to
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Knight streets and Victoria Drive make up vibrant East Vancouver. East of Queen Elizabeth Park and south of 16th Avenue, they offer relatively affordable (though prices still average nearly $1.6 million) single-family homes and a growing number of new low-rise apartments. A rich mix of cultures means everything from congee to kielbasa is available in local shops. Better yet, it’s just 20 minutes from downtown by transit or bicycle. FRASERVIEW, CHAMPLAIN, KILLARNEY, SOUTH VANCOUVER Q Fraserview, Champlain, Killarney and
South Vancouver are oriented to the Fraser River, where the River District development is creating a new residential community with up to 10,000 people. Historic and new industrial space provides jobs. Better transit services and paths for urban hikers and bikers are taking shape, but a vehicle remains essential for crossing the city. Affordable housing has made these neighbourhoods ideal for immigrants and young families. HASTINGS, HASTINGS EAST Q Running from the downtown core to Burnaby, Hastings Street includes both the underprivileged and the up-and-coming. Railtown and the shopping area east of Nanaimo Street showcase the city’s industrial roots and immigrant cultures. In between, craft breweries and condos are fuelling urban renewal. Hastings Park offers a swath of green space on the edge of Burnaby. Transit routes link Hastings Street with Burnaby’s Simon Fraser University, North Vancouver and Port Coquitlam. R E N F R E W, R E N F R E W H E I G H T S , C O L L I N G WOOD Q Grandview Highway and a pair of SkyTrain
lines cut across this easternmost trio of neighbourhoods, creating a convenient alternative to areas farther south. Grandview is the commercial heart of the area, with Broadway Tech Centre and light manufacturing supporting well-paying jobs. Transit provides links to offices in downtown and Burnaby, while the Central Valley Greenway offers a cycling route east to Burnaby and beyond. É
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Burnaby ■Richmond ■New Westminster
RIVERFRONT LIVING ROOM Vancouver’s immediate neighbours have unique histories, characters
PETER MITHAM
B
urnaby, Richmond and New Westminster are Vancouver’s closest neighbours this side of the Fraser River. Cities in their own right, they look onto the working waterfront of the Fraser River like three amigos, each with its own personality. New Westminster is the region’s historic heart, while Burnaby is its commercial core and home to Simon Fraser University (SFU). Richmond combines farmland with an international character reflecting its large Asian population. Thanks to rapid transit connections, however, all three municipalities are growing up as the region expands outward.
BURNABY RISING Q Burnaby, immediately east of Vancouver, is B.C.’s third-largest municipality and home to the province’s biggest mall, Metropolis at Metrotown. Brentwood Town Centre and Lougheed Town Centre are also key hubs. Yet rapid transit lines define Burnaby, carrying commuters across the city in as little as 25 minutes as well as north to Port Coquitlam. These facilitate travel to the city’s two post-secondary institutions, SFU and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), with their programs in the arts, sciences and trades, as well as to business parks in the Still Creek and Lake City locales. Rapid transit lines also serve a network of highrise communities that draw homebuyers from around the world. Metrotown is a hub for office development, drawing in workers who can find a cosmopolitan range of options for lunch in the surrounding streets. Whether it’s Italian cuisine in Burnaby Heights or Chinese fare at eateries in Crystal Mall, the local restaurant scene is as varied and multicultural as the city’s residents. The banks of the Fraser River are home to walking trails that offer verdant retreats from the offices and warehouses that form the backbone of Burnaby’s economy. Burnaby boasts one of the highest ratios of parkland to residents in North America, from the Fraser to the peak of Burnaby Mountain. In between, Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake parks are popular venues for festivals and arts events. FEELING RICHMOND Q Vancouver’s southern neighbour is a slice of Asia that hasn’t forgotten its roots. While the Richmond Night Market on River Road is a taste of Asia’s vibrant street life, riverside trails wind around the city to historic Steveston and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, Britannia Heritage Shipyard and
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ABOVE: Burnaby’s Metropolis
at Metrotown, the province’s biggest mall. Rapid transit lines are serving as the backbone for a network of highrise communities in B.C.’s thirdlargest municipality | JOSEF HANUS/SHUTTERSTOCK
LEFT: Restaurants along the
wharf in Richmond’s Steveston Village | TOURISM RICHMOND
London Heritage Farm. These attractions preserve the area’s roots as a farming and fishing community. Fisherman’s Wharf lets residents buy the day’s catch fresh off the boats not far from where Belted Galloway cattle at the Steves Farm graze coastal pastures. Richmond is a first stop for immigrants travelling through Vancouver International Airport, located on Sea Island at the mouth of the middle arm of the Fraser River. A visible reminder of the city’s cultural diversity is the
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Burnaby ■Richmond ■New Westminster
HOME PRICES Neighbourhood
Detached
Attached
Apartments
Burnaby East Burnaby North Burnaby South New Westminster Richmond
$1,275,000 $1,596,300 $1,728,600 $1,138,500 $1,695,000
$636,500 $701,900 $747,800 $668,400 $801,500
$682,500 $576,700 $664,500 $488,600 $598,600
SOURCE: REBGV; BENCHMARK PRICES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
ABOVE: Apartment buildings
on the New Westminster riverfront | ALEX533/ SHUTTERSTOCK
RIGHT: Aerial view of Simon
Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain. Burnaby boasts one of the highest ratios of parkland to residents in North America | EB ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPH/SHUTTERSTOCK
01_2018_Relocation Guide_48p.indd 32
more than 60 temples, mosques, churches and chapels located in the city, many of which congregate along No. 5 Road (known locally as “Highway to Heaven”). Rapid transit connections to both downtown Vancouver and Surrey make getting around easy, but numerous big-box stores as well as the Richmond, Aberdeen and Yaohan shopping centres mean residents never have to travel far for whatever they’re seeking. The outlet shops of McArthurGlen on Sea Island serve travellers staying at the area’s several airport-oriented hotels. Work is also a local affair, with No. 3 Road designated as the spot for new office development alongside the expanding industrial parks in East Richmond. The city is also home to major farms, food processors and distribution facilities that serve the region, and the world, with products from potatoes to cranberries and even wine. With a large stock of single-family homes and several highrise developments, not to mention campuses for Kwantlen Polytechnic University, BCIT and Trinity Western University, Richmond is the educated choice for many families. THE ROYAL CITY Q The original capital of B.C., New Westminster is a growing city that retains the friendliness of its frontier roots. Those roots are celebrated in events such as the annual Hyack Festival, originally held in 1870 and said to be the longest-running May Day celebration of its kind in the Commonwealth. Similarly, RiverFest celebrates the Fraser River that is a defining feature of the city. Other public parties include a culture crawl, music festival, Victorian Christmas and multicultural fest. SkyTrain loops through the city from neighbouring Burnaby, connecting New Westminster with SFU on Burnaby Mountain as well as Surrey on the opposite side of the Fraser River. In between, workers hop on and off on their way to the city’s 13 neighbourhoods. Among the most popular with young families is Queensborough, which lies off transit but close to cycling paths and job opportunities. Older neighbourhoods on the Fraser’s north shore offer heritage homes and family-run shops. The revitalized River Market at the foot of 8th Street, with its mix of artisans and food vendors, anchors emerging highrise communities along the bustling waterfront; at the other end of town is Sapperton, with its cluster of shops and condos. A harbour-side boardwalk leads to Steel & Oak Brewing Co., one of the city’s most popular gathering spots, along with Old Crow Coffee Co. on Front Street. For entertainment, there are the long-established Royal City Musical Theatre players at the Massey Theatre and comedy or mystery shows at Queen’s Park. The park’s sports arena is home to the New Westminster Salmonbellies, one of the oldest professional lacrosse teams in Canada. A dozen primary and secondary schools lay a local foundation for learning, while postsecondary institutions include Douglas College, the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine. É
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North Vancouver ■West Vancouver
GO NORTH The North Shore offers mountainside luxury, waterfront ambience
LEFT: View of West
Vancouver from Ambleside Park at sunset | ADAM MELNYK/SHUTTERSTOCK
BELOW: The City of North
Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale area is home to residential highrises, Lonsdale Quay and the SeaBus terminal | NATALIA BRATSLAVSKY
PETER MITHAM
T
he trifecta of communities at the foot of the Coast Mountains north of Burrard Inlet are collectively known as the North Shore, but each has a distinct history that defines its identity. What we know today as the city of West Vancouver and the city and district of North Vancouver were established as a single entity in 1891. Prosperity at the turn of the century led to the City of North Vancouver’s formation as the commercial core of the region in 1907, while West Vancouver, wishing to distinguish itself from the industrial zone east of the Capilano River, separated in 1912. Today, the two cities and the district are home to a multicultural population that sticks close to home, typically working at neighbourhood businesses or in one of the many commercial areas along the North Shore waterfront. Rush hour on the Lions Gate and Ironworkers Memorial bridges is defined more by when parents take children to school than by workers commuting downtown. The homes clustered along the ragged shore from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove form several close-knit communities, including Eagle Harbour, Caulfeild, Lynn Valley and Maplewood.
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NORTH VANCOUVER Q North Vancouver is really two municipalities – the city and district – under one moniker. Together, the pair occupy the area east of the Capilano River. The city includes the commercial heart along Lonsdale Avenue north to 29th Street, as well as the area from MacKay Road in the west to Mountain Highway in the east. The district, simply put, is everything else. The highrises of Lower Lonsdale define the city, which stretches north along the spine of Lonsdale Avenue to 29th Street. Upscale restaurants and condos
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North Vancouver ■West Vancouver
HOME PRICES Neighbourhood
Detached
Attached
Apartments
North Vancouver West Vancouver
$1,713,000 $3,136,600
$964,700 $1,590,000
$553,500 $1,153,700
SOURCE: REBGV; BENCHMARK PRICES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, EXCEPT FOR WEST VANCOUVER ATTACHED, WHICH IS THE ROLLING 12-MONTH MEDIAN SALE PRICE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 RIGHT: Snowshoers on
the Discovery Trails at Mount Seymour in North Vancouver | INSIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY/DESTINATION BC
BELOW: Point Atkinson
Lighthouse at Lighthouse Park, an easily accessible touch of unspoiled wilderness in West Vancouver | TOM RYAN/DESTINATION BC
to rival Yaletown’s give way to family-run shops and restaurants, but redevelopment is bringing new amenities and employment opportunities. The district is a larger municipality dominated by single-family residences ranging from mountainside villas to creekside cottages. Some properties, especially around Deep Cove, rival the luxury homes of West Vancouver, while others are older homes slated for redevelopment and densification. Redevelopment of the Moodyville neighbourhood east of Lonsdale as well as high-density construction on former industrial sites in the Seylynn area is extending urban amenities to other parts of the municipality. Capilano Mall and Park & Tilford serve as retail bookends for the city, with new shops providing exciting new opportunities along Marine Drive west of MacKay Road. The Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier is popular with visitors, while shops along Lonsdale Avenue offer plenty of goods and services. Lonsdale is also home to several galleries, but the best known is the Polygon Gallery, formerly the Presentation House Gallery, which is at the heart of an emerging arts and culture precinct on the waterfront. Mount Seymour is a favoured winter destination for skiers and snowboarders, while the famous Grouse Grind takes hikers up Grouse Mountain. A rite of passage (and endurance test) for local residents, it’s a great place to mingle with the locals while getting in touch with nature. The 48-kilometre Baden-Powell Trail runs from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay, connecting bikers, joggers and hikers with West Vancouver and the North Shore’s natural splendour. WEST VANCOUVER Q A city of many neighbourhoods, West Vancouver encompasses both the toniest and most rustic areas of Metro Vancouver. A short distance from downtown, it offers homes synonymous with the West Coast’s good life. Ocean views from forest-clad slopes just below the Cypress Mountain ski area make West Vancouver a retreat as well as a wealthy suburb where the amenities of the Dundarave and Ambleside neighbourhoods offer quaint, old-time shopping experiences. Ambleside Park is a key venue for festivals and home to a popular dog park. A seawall promenade connects it with Dundarave farther west. Several community centres provide indoor recreational facilities. Horseshoe Bay is home to a busy marina and ferry connections to Bowen Island, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The secluded enclave of Eagle Harbour is home to the West Vancouver Yacht Club, and nearby Lighthouse Park provides a touch of unspoiled wilderness for those not keen to follow the trails leading above to Eagle Bluffs. Caulfeild Elementary and Rockridge Secondary schools are the choice for many West Vancouver students, but plenty of other top-rated options exist, including Mulgrave and Sentinel Secondary schools. Park Royal is the municipality’s premier retail destination and Canada’s oldest enclosed shopping centre. An ambitious redevelopment of the mall’s south side has added exciting new retail and entertainment space. The mall is also the hub for West Vancouver’s iconic Blue Bus that links the North Shore with downtown Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay. É
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Coquitlam ■Port Coquitlam ■Port Moody ■Maple Ridge ■Pitt Meadows
THE FANTASTIC FIVE Rustic living is an easy commute from Vancouver by car or public transit
LEFT: Booming Coquitlam
celebrates Canada Day 2017, as seen above Town Centre Park | CITY OF COQUITLAM BELOW: Traboulay PoCo Trail in
Port Coquitlam | KARAMYSH/ SHUTTERSTOCK
PETER MITHAM
C
lustered at the foot of the Garibaldi Ranges sit five communities – Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the trio collectively known as the Tri-Cities – offering a blend of urban charms and rural simplicity a mere hour from downtown Vancouver. Situated east of North Vancouver at the head of Burrard Inlet, the area is linked to the rest of the region by Lougheed Highway (Highway 7) and the Golden Ears Bridge, just a 30-minute drive from the U.S. border. The SkyTrain Evergreen Extension extends rapid transit to Coquitlam, connecting commuters with the West Coast Express rail service that links the area with downtown Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. TRI-CITIES Q Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port
Moody, collectively known as the Tri-Cities, have seen a boom in residential development along the Evergreen rapid transit line running northeast from Burnaby.
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While the multimillion-dollar homes in Coquitlam’s ritzy Westwood Plateau area may not suit every budget, the duplexes of River Heights and towers of Coquitlam Centre offer more affordable options. With the area among the region’s most affordable locales, and local councils generally developer-friendly, a boom in
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Coquitlam ■Port Coquitlam ■Port Moody ■Maple Ridge ■Pitt Meadows
HOME PRICES Neighbourhood
Detached
Attached
Apartments
Coquitlam Port Coquitlam Port Moody Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows
$1,280,600 $995,800 $1,497,200 $812,600 $892,500
$641,400 $635,400 $605,400 $514,600 $572,900
$482,300 $414,200 $601,300 $262,400 $392,300
SOURCE: REBGV; BENCHMARK PRICES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
ABOVE: Golden Ears Bridge spans
Port Coquitlam, once heavily rural, is a growing residential community with a variety of industrial and commercial activities, including metal fabrication, technology and transportation. Residents and visitors alike flock to its expansive parkland and extensive trail network along the Pitt River. Cultural activities are also a draw: Port Coquitlam plays host to open-air concerts, farmers markets, parades and public festivals all year long.
the Fraser River between Maple Ridge and Langley | JOSEF HANUS/SHUTTERSTOCK
TOP RIGHT: Red barn near
Alouette River in rustic Pitt Meadows | STEVE SMITH/SHUTTERSTOCK
RIGHT: Rocky Point Spray
Park in Port Moody | OLEG MAYOROV/SHUTTERSTOCK
high-density housing is planned for the coming years. The westernmost municipality, Port Moody, offers local residents picture-perfect conditions for a plethora of water sports on Burrard Inlet, including swimming, boating and cold-water scuba diving. Cultural pursuits abound here, too, earning Port Moody the moniker City of the Arts. An annual film festival in March and the Golden Spike Days Festival in July, which celebrates Port Moody’s history as the original terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, are key events. While commercial activities centre around the condo towers of Newport Village, craft breweries are leading a transformation of the city’s downtown industrial area. Single-family housing is available in the College Park, Glenayre and Harbour Heights neighbourhoods outside the core. Coquitlam, just east of Port Moody on Highway 7, is home to a large francophone community. The annual Festival du Bois in Maillardville celebrates the city’s distinctive cultural character, while Minnekhada Regional Park is a popular retreat overlooking the Pitt River.
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MAPLE RIDGE AND PITT MEADOWS Q Across the Pitt River from the Tri-Cities lie Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, close-knit communities known for their large berry plantations and stunning alpine vistas. A quick 45-minute drive east of Vancouver, the two cities are home to 100,000 residents and a range of housing, employment and recreational opportunities. From trout fishing in Pitt Lake to hiking in nearby Golden Ears Provincial Park, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do when the workday’s through. Maple Ridge’s expanding downtown core is a hub of shops and services, while significant warehouse development at Pitt Meadows Airport is yielding wellpaying employment opportunities. A number of incentives are helping attract fresh commercial and residential development to Maple Ridge, building on the city’s established mill sector. The communities’ rustic roots provide inspiration for many local artisans, from food processors to artists whose handiwork is available at farm stands and markets throughout the communities. Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge host more than a dozen public festivals and celebrations each year, from studio tours to sports events and concerts. É
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Delta ■Surrey ■Langley
SOUTHERN SUBURBS Delta, Surrey and Langley attract those looking for affordable housing
PETER MITHAM
LEFT: Boundary Bay Regional Park
T
views of downtown Vancouver
in Tsawwassen offers panoramic
he area south of the Fraser River is just 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver yet a world apart. Affordable housing draws young families and a rich mix of cultures, in turn boosting population growth and making this one of B.C.’s fastest-growing regions. Jobs run the gamut from office and professional work to highly skilled blue-collar opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and distribution. Universities have fostered clusters of technology companies, while significant investments in local road and rail networks support connections with Vancouver’s port and the U.S. Recreational opportunities and summer festivals abound, offering room to play as well as work from the Fraser River south to the U.S. border and west to the coast. DELTA, PORT OF CALL Q Sitting on the south bank of the Fraser River, Delta encompasses the communities of Tsawwassen, Ladner and North Delta. It also neighbours Tsawwassen First Nation, which is pursuing an ambitious development program that includes residential and retail projects. Tsawwassen is largely residential, while Ladner is home to the municipality’s administrative centre and Roberts Bank, slated for a major new container terminal. Agriculture is also a significant industry, supplying greenhouse vegetables, berries and field crops to Vancouver and the world. Commercial development adjacent to the South Fraser Perimeter Road, which provides a beeline from Tsawwassen to Langley, promises residents job opportunities well into the future. North Delta is home to a vibrant mix of cultures and shops and housing that is typically cheaper than in Tsawwassen or Ladner. Situated along the Fraser River, it includes Annieville, the area’s historic heart, as well as numerous parks and conservation areas boasting networks of walking and cycling trails. Here, as throughout the municipality, agricultural land doubles as green space. Highway 99 and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal connect Delta with the U.S. and Vancouver Island. SURREY, THE CENTRAL CITY Q Surrey, designated by regional planners as the home of Metro Vancouver’s second downtown, is the southeastern terminus of the region’s SkyTrain rapid transit line. A new civic centre
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and the mountains | MARINA POUSHKINA/SHUTTERSTOCK
BELOW: Surrey City Centre,
Metro Vancouver’s second downtown | EB ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK
and highrise condos mark the city’s core, which lies at the heart of a swath of industrial land. Highway 1 and the South Fraser Perimeter Road are key east-west transportation routes that provide rapid access from Surrey to surrounding municipalities and ports. Subdivisions, farmland and parks stretch south to the Canada-U.S. border, a lush backyard to the city’s urban core. Morgan Crossing, Grandview Corners and other shopping destinations anchor residential communities,
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Delta ■Surrey ■Langley
HOME PRICES Neighbourhood
Detached
Attached
Apartments
Ladner Langley North Delta South Surrey-White Rock Surrey-Central Surrey-Cloverdale Surrey-North Tsawwassen
$1,015,000 $999,800 $992,100 $1,514,200 $999,600 $1,007,600 $939,000 $1,269,700
$742,500 $465,200 $574,600 $652,800 $534,000 $580,200 $507,900 $737,500
$422,800 $368,500 $333,000 $462,100 $350,900 $415,400 $344,000 $451,500
SOURCE: REBGV, FVREB; BENCHMARK PRICES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
ABOVE: Residential area in
historic Fort Langley | HARRY BEUGELINK/SHUTTERSTOCK
TOP RIGHT: Agriculture
is a significant industry in Delta | JAMESCHEN/ SHUTTERSTOCK
RIGHT: The annual Cloverdale
Rodeo draws crowds to the Surrey farming community every Victoria Day weekend | SERGEI BACHLAKOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
while Campbell Valley Regional Park and Mud Bay offer recreational opportunities. White Rock, with its waterfront promenade, and the deep farming roots of Cloverdale offer a rustic counterpoint to urban pretensions. Surrey is home to several well-regarded public and private schools, as well as campuses of Simon Fraser and Kwantlen Polytechnic universities.
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LANGLEY, CITY AND TOWNSHIP Q Langley is a blend of urban and rural streetscapes where the bustling 200 Street commercial corridor contrasts with the secluded acreages south of 8 Avenue. The city encompasses Langley’s commercial heart, while the township is a separate municipality where bucolic equestrian acreages sit alongside prosperous berry farms. Wineries and roadside stands are popular tourist stops, and a chance for locals to stock up, too. Relatively cheap land prices keep local housing in demand. Warehouses with their well-paying jobs have located here, too, thanks to the South Fraser Perimeter Road. Pitt Meadows and other municipalities north of the Fraser are now within the ambit of Langley residents thanks to the Golden Ears Bridge. U.S. border crossings in Surrey and Aldergrove are minutes away. Transit connections link the Langleys to SkyTrain in Surrey, while Highway 10 leads to Delta and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. Abbotsford International Airport, a short distance east, is a convenient alternative to Vancouver International Airport, thanks to regular WestJet schedules. In addition to primary and secondary schools, the Langleys are home to internationally acclaimed Trinity Western University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s School of Horticulture. É
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Abbotsford ■Mission ■Chilliwack
VALLEY LIFE Fraser Valley communities are hip to the urban with rural charm
PETER MITHAM
T
he Fraser Valley, an hour’s drive from Vancouver via the Trans-Canada Highway, accounts for more than half of B.C.’s agricultural revenue. But if Abbotsford has historically laid claim to being the raspberry capital of Canada, urban amenities are sweetening the pie for Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack.
ABSOLUTE ABBOTSFORD Q Abbotsford lies roughly 70 kilometres east of Vancouver on Highway 1 and is home to an international airport that many consider a convenient alternative to Vancouver International Airport. Aerospace and transportation companies have joined farming among the area’s most important industries, and they provide local jobs, too: 60 per cent of Abbotsford residents work locally. The city is currently seeking to expand its industrial land base to ensure jobs stay in the community. The city’s stock of residential housing has increased in response to the economic growth, offering a range of options for first-time buyers, young families and retirees. Keeping pace with residential growth, Abbotsford School District operates 46 public elementary, middle and secondary schools. The city is also home to a campus of the University of the Fraser Valley. Shopping includes markets, farm stands and even wineries selling locally grown produce, while a hip new merchant is helping rejuvenate the historic downtown, once a place of crime. Sumas Way and the new Highstreet development at the Mount Lehman interchange are home to many brand-name retailers. Rural pursuits such as four-wheeling are big here, but fitness junkies can hike up Sumas Mountain or head to the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre. Those who wish to sit back and watch others play can take in two of the city’s most popular annual events: the Abbotsford International Airshow and Abbotsford Agrifair. MISSION POSSIBLE Q Mission, on the north bank of the Fraser River east of Maple Ridge and opposite Abbotsford, is one of the most rural corners of the Lower Mainland. Approximately 40 per cent of the district
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ABOVE: View of Mission from
Sumas Mountain | BOB HARE/SHUTTERSTOCK
LEFT: Historic downtown
Abbotsford during its annual vintage car show | MODFOS/ SHUTTERSTOCK
has been a municipal tree farm for more than 50 years, and the forestry sector remains a significant employer alongside manufacturing and power generation. Stave Lake is an important hydro installation as well as a popular recreational area in the summer. While the West Coast Express connects commuters
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Abbotsford ■Mission ■Chilliwack
HOME PRICES Neighbourhood
Detached
Attached
Apartments
Abbotsford Chilliwack Mission
$785,400 $535,000 $629,700
$346,000 $379,900 $392,400
$265,700 $195,900 $279,600
SOURCE: FVREB; BENCHMARK PRICES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017, EXCEPT FOR CHILLIWACK, WHICH IS THE ROLLING 12-MONTH MEDIAN MLS SALE PRICE AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
ABOVE: Beautiful Chilliwack Lake
lets area residents connect with nature | KLARKA0608/
with the Evergreen rapid transit line in Port Moody, where passengers can transfer on to Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey, the Mission Bridge runs south to Abbotsford and the U.S. border. Along the way, roadside stands and farm markets offer local produce. A thriving arts community welcomes visitors to its studios, including the world-renowned Barbarian Press in Steelhead. Mission also hosts events at the Fraser River Heritage Park, including a folk festival, twilight concerts and car shows. The Mission Candlelight Parade, Canada’s largest night parade, occurs annually in December. Mission celebrates its long history through a number of heritage sites, including the Xa:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre at Hatzic Rock, one of the oldest inhabited sites in B.C. Westminster Abbey, a Benedictine monastery established in 1939, is home to approximately 30 monks who operate a seminary and raise cattle, pigs and chickens on more than 170 acres.
SHUTTERSTOCK
TOP RIGHT: The Canadian Forces
Snowbirds perform aerial manoeuvres at Abbotsford International Airshow. Abbotsford International Airport is a convenient alternative to Vancouver International Airport | BRADLEY L. GRANT/SHUTTERSTOCK
RIGHT: Tulip field near
Chilliwack | NALIDSA/ SHUTTERSTOCK
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CHILLIWACK CHECKS IN Q Since its establishment in 1873, Chilliwack has grown from a rural community to a vibrant city with several distinct neighbourhoods, from Greendale in the west to Rosedale in the east. Bordered by mountains including the prominent Mount Cheam as well as Cultus Lake and Chilliwack Lake provincial parks, it’s a great place to relax and connect with nature. Some of the province’s warmest daytime temperatures let residents enjoy a variety of outdoor activities yearround, from field sports to hiking. Chilliwack is also a centre for arts and culture, with two classical orchestras and thousands of artists and artisans. The city hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including the Chilliwack International Film Series. The local arts council offers classes in dance, cooking and theatre, and organizes its popular Christmas Craft Market in December. Vedder Road is the key shopping strip, while the city’s historic downtown is home to the popular restaurant Bravo, specialty stores and a weekly farmers market. The epicentre of B.C.’s hop renaissance, Chilliwack is also home to craft brewers including Old Yale and Chaos & Solace. É
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Business associations and professional organizations
Appraisal Institute of Canada – British Columbia 10451 Shellbridge Way Suite 210, Richmond V6X 2W8 p: 604-284-5515 f: 604-284-5514 w: aicanada.ca/province-british-columbia/ british-columbia Architectural Institute of British Columbia 440 Cambie St Suite 100, Vancouver V6B 2N5 p: 604-683-8588 f: 604-683-8568 w: aibc.ca Asia Pacific Foundation Canada 675 Hastings St W Suite 900, Vancouver V6B 1N2 p: 604-684-5986 f: 604-681-1370 w: asiapacific.ca BC Chamber of Commerce 750 Pender St W Suite 1201, Vancouver V6C 2T8 p: 604-683-0700 f: 604-683-0416 w: bcchamber.org BC Economic Development Association 5428 Highroad Cres, Chilliwack V2R 3Y1 p: 604-795-7119 f: 604-795-7118 w: bceda.ca BC Hotel Association 948 Howe St Suite 200, Vancouver V6Z 1N9 p: 604-681-7164 f: 604-681-7649 w: bchotelassociation.com BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association 8678 Greenall Ave Suite 307, Burnaby V5J 3M6 p: 604-436-0220 f: 604-436-2627 w: roadbuilders.bc.ca BC Tech Association 887 Great Northern Way Suite 101, Vancouver V5T 4T5 p: 604-683-6159 f: 604-683-3879 w: wearebctech.com Better Business Bureau Mainland BC 788 Beatty St Suite 404, Vancouver V6B 2M1 p: 604-681-0312 f: 604-681-1544 w: bbb.org/mbc British Columbia Council for International Education 409 Granville St Suite 603, Vancouver V6C 1T2 p: 604-637-6766 f: 604-637-6765 w: bccie.bc.ca British Columbia Environment Industry Association 1130 Pender St W Suite 305, Vancouver V6E 4A4 p: 604-683-2751 f: 604-677-5960 w: bceia.com British Columbia Real Estate Association 701 Georgia St W Suite 1420, PO Box 10123, Pacific Centre, Vancouver V7Y 1C6 p: 604-683-7702 f: 604-683-8601 w: bcrea.bc.ca
British Columbia Restaurant & Food Services Association 890 Pender St W Suite 600, Vancouver V6C 1J9 p: 604-669-2239 f: 604-669-6175 w: bcrfa.com British Columbia Trucking Association 20111 93A Ave Suite 100, Langley V1M 4A9 p: 604-888-5319 f: 604-888-2941 w: bctrucking.com Building Owners and Managers Association of British Columbia 409 Granville St Suite 556, Vancouver V6C 1T2 p: 604-684-3916 f: 604-684-4876 w: boma.bc.ca Burnaby Board of Trade 4555 Kingsway Suite 201, Burnaby V5H 4T8 p: 604-412-0100 f: 604-412-0102 w: bbot.ca Business Council of British Columbia 1050 Pender St W Suite 810, Vancouver V6E 3S7 p: 604-684-3384 f: 604-684-7957 w: bcbc.com Canada China Business Council – Vancouver 1055 Hastings St W Suite 300, Vancouver V6E 2E9 p: 604-681-8838 w: ccbc.com Canadian Bar Association – BC Branch 845 Cambie St Suite 1000, Vancouver V6B 5T3 p: 604-687-3404 f: 604-669-9601 w: cbabc.org Canadian Federation of Independent Business – BC 625 Howe St Suite 1430, Vancouver V6C 2T6 p: 604-684-5325 f: 604-684-0529 w: cfib-fcei.ca Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters – BC 13353 Commerce Pky Suite 2163, Richmond V6V 3A1 p: 604-713-7800 f: 604-713-7801 w: bc.cme-mec.ca Canadian Media Producers Association – BC Producers Branch 736 Granville St Suite 600, Vancouver V6Z 1G3 p: 604-682-8619 f: 604-684-9294 w: cmpabc.com Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia 1111 Hastings St W Suite 100, Vancouver V6E 2J3 p: 604-681-2351 f: 604-681-4364 w: cosbc.ca Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia 555 Hastings St W Suite 800, Vancouver V6B 4N6 p: 604-872-7222 w: bccpa.ca
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of BC & Yukon 1111 Hastings St W Suite 1101, Vancouver V6E 2J3 p: 604-684-7228 f: 604-684-3225 w: cphrbc.ca Creative BC 7 6th Ave W, Vancouver V5Y 1K2 p: 604-736-7997 f: 604-736-7290 w: creativebc.com Destination British Columbia 510 Burrard St Suite 1200, Vancouver V6C 3A8 p: 604-660-2861 f: 604-660-3383 w: destinationbc.ca Digital Media and Wireless Association of BC (DigiBC) 887 Great Northern Way Suite 101, Vancouver V5T 4T5 p: 604-602-5237 f: 604-683-3879 w: digibc.org Engineers and Geoscientists BC 4010 Regent St Suite 200, Burnaby V5C 6N2 p: 604-430-8035 f: 604-430-8085 w: egbc.ca Genome British Columbia 575 8th Ave W Suite 400, Vancouver V5Z 0C4 p: 604-738-8072 f: 604-738-8597 w: genomebc.ca Greater Vancouver Board of Trade 999 Canada Pl Suite 400, Vancouver V6C 3G3 p: 604-681-2111 w: boardoftrade.com Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association 7495 132 St Suite 1003, Surrey V3W 1J8 p: 778-565-4288 f: 778-565-4289 w: gvhba.org Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of British Columbia 3823 Henning Dr Suite 211, Burnaby V5C 6P3 p: 604-298-7795 f: 604-298-2246 w: icba.ca Insurance Brureau of Canada – Western & Pacific 510 Burrard St Suite 901, Vancouver V6C 3A8 p: 604-684-3635 f: 604-684-6235 w: ibc.ca/bc Law Society of British Columbia 845 Cambie St, Vancouver V6B 4Z9 p: 604-669-2533 f: 604-669-5232 w: lawsociety.bc.ca LifeSciences British Columbia 1285 Broadway W Suite 580, Vancouver V6H 3X8 p: 604-669-9909 f: 604-669-9912 w: lifesciencesbc.ca
Mining Association of British Columbia 808 Hastings St W Suite 900, Vancouver V6C 2X4 p: 604-681-4321 f: 604-681-5305 w: mining.bc.ca Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC 555 Brooksbank Ave, North Vancouver V7G 3S5 p: 604-983-5980 f: 604-983-5981 w: mppia.com New Westminster Chamber of Commerce 309 Sixth St Suite 201, New Westminster V3L 3A7 p: 604-521-7781 f: 604-521-0057 w: newwestchamber.com North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce 124 1st St W Suite 102, North Vancouver V7M 3N3 p: 604-987-4488 f: 604-987-8272 w: nvchamber.ca Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver 2433 Spruce St, Vancouver V6H 4C8 p: 604-730-3000 f: 604-730-3100 w: rebgv.org Retail Council of Canada – Western 890 Pender St W Suite 410, Vancouver V6C 1J9 p: 604-736-0368 f: 604-736-3154 w: retailcouncil.org Richmond Chamber of Commerce 5811 Cooney Rd Suite 202 (North Tower), Richmond V6X 3M1 p: 604-278-2822 f: 604-278-2972 w: richmondchamber.ca Small Business BC 601 Cordova St W Suite 54, Vancouver V6B 1G1 p: 604-775-5525 f: 604-775-5520 w: smallbusinessbc.ca Surrey Board of Trade 14439 104 Ave Suite 101, Surrey V3R 1M1 p: 604-581-7130 f: 604-588-7549 w: businessinsurrey.com Tourism Vancouver 200 Burrard St Suite 210, Vancouver V6C 3L6 p: 604-682-2222 f: 604-682-1717 w: tourismvancouver.com Trade and Invest British Columbia 999 Canada Pl Suite 730, Vancouver V6V 3E1 p: 604-775-2100 w: britishcolumbia.ca Vancouver Economic Commission 401 Georgia St W Suite 1500, Vancouver V6B 5A1 p: 604-632-9668 f: 604-632-9788 w: vancouvereconomic.com West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce 2235 Marine Dr, West Vancouver V7V 1K5 p: 604-926-6614 f: 604-926-6436 w: westvanchamber.com
New York Institute of Technology Vancouver p: 604-639-0942 w: nyit.edu/canada SFU Beedie School of Business Burnaby p: 778-782-3708 w: beedie.sfu.ca TWU School of Business Langley p: 604-888-7511 w: twu.ca/academics/school-business UBC Sauder School of Business Vancouver p: 604-822-8500 w: sauder.ubc.ca
Canadian College of English Language 1050 Alberni St Suite 450, Vancouver V6E 1A3 p: 604-688-9366 w: canada-english.com Canadian Second Language Institute 188 Nelson St, Vancouver V6B 6J8 p: 604-683-2754 w: csli.com EC English Language Centres 570 Dunsmuir St Suite 200, Vancouver V6B 1Y1 p: 604-683-1199 w: ecenglish.com EF International Language Schools – Vancouver 750 Cambie St Suite 200, Vancouver V6B 2P2 p: 604-633-0505 w: ef.com
ELS Language Centres Vancouver 549 Howe St Suite 600, Vancouver V6C 2C2 p: 604-684-9577 w: els.edu Eurocentres Vancouver 815 Hastings St W Suite 250, Vancouver V6C 1B4 p: 604-688-7942 w: eurocentrescanam.com GEOS Languages Plus 322 Water St Mezzanine Level, Vancouver V6B 1B6 p: 604-684-6407 w: geosvancouver.com Global College 1199 Pender St W Suite 298, Vancouver V6E 2R1 p: 604-669-1603 w: gcc-canada.com
Education Business Schools Acsenda School of Management Vancouver p: 604-430-5111 w: acsenda.com BCIT School of Business Burnaby p: 604-434-1610 w: bcit.ca/business Capilano University School of Business North Vancouver p: 604-984-4960 w: capilanou.ca/business KPU School of Business Surrey p: 604-599-2100 w: kpu.ca/business Langara School of Management Vancouver p: 604-323-5255 w: langara.bc.ca/departments/langara-schoolof-management
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Language Schools Berlitz Canada 1111 Melville St Suite 320, Vancouver V6E 4A6 p: 604-685-9331 w: berlitz.ca
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Education
Global Village English Centres 888 Cambie St, Vancouver V6B 2P6 p: 604-684-2112 w: gvenglish.com International House 88 Pender St W Suite 2001, Vancouver V6B 1R3 p: 604-739-9836 w: ihvancouver.com International Language Academy of Canada 1199 Pender St W Suite 100, Vancouver V6B 1P1 p: 604-484-6660 w: ilac.com International Language Schools of Canada 555 Richards St, Vancouver V6B 2Z5 p: 604-689-9095 w: ilsc.com iTTTi Vancouver 605 Robson St Suite 300, Vancouver V6B 5J3 p: 604-681-5550 w: ittti.ca Kaplan Vancouver IELTS Test Centre 755 Burrard St Suite 300, Vancouver V6Z 1X6 p: 604-688-7350 w: kaplanvancouver.ca LSI Language Studies International 808 Nelson St Suite 101, Vancouver V6Z 2H2 p: 604-683-7654 w: lsi.edu OHC Vancouver 322 Water St, Vancouver V6B 1B6 p: 604-647-1011 w: ohcenglish.com Pera College 1520 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver V7P 2S2 p: 604-770-4504 w: peracollege.ca Sprott Shaw Language College (SSLC) 1125 Melville St, Vancouver V6E 0B6 p: 604-683-7528 w: studysslc.com/vancouver St Giles International Language Centres Canada 1130 Pender St W Suite 400, Vancouver V6E 4A4 p: 604-685-0291 w: stgiles-international.com Tamwood Language Centre Vancouver 889 Pender St W Suite 200, Vancouver V6C 3B2 p: 604-899-4480 w: tamwood.com UBC English Language Institute 2121 West Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4 p: 604-822-1555 w: eli.ubc.ca Vancouver International College 549 Howe St Suite 200, Vancouver V6C 2C2 p: 604-893-8423 w: vicenglish.com VGC International College 411 Hastings St W, Vancouver V6B 1L4 p: 604-688-9057 w: vgc.ca
Universities & Colleges Academy of Learning Vancouver Vancouver p: 604-876-8600 w: academyoflearning.com Alexander College Vancouver p: 604-681-5815 w: alexandercollege.ca Arbutus College Vancouver p: 604-622-4446 w: arbutuscollege.com Art Institute of Vancouver, The Vancouver p: 604-683-2006 w: artinstitutes.edu/vancouver
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Ashton College Vancouver p: 604-899-0803 w: ashtoncollege.ca Brighton College Burnaby p: 604-430-5608 w: brightoncollege.com British Columbia Institute of Technology Burnaby p: 604-434-1610 w: bcit.ca Canadian Tourism College Vancouver p: 604-736-8000 w: tourismcollege.com Capilano University North Vancouver p: 604-986-1911 w: capilanou.ca CDI College Vancouver p: 604-685-8585 w: cdicollege.ca Centre for Digital Media Vancouver p: 778-370-1001 w: thecdm.ca City University of Seattle – Vancouver Vancouver p: 604-689-2489 w: cityu.edu Columbia College Vancouver p: 604-683-8360 w: columbiacollege.ca Coquitlam College Coquitlam p: 604-939-6633 w: coquitlamcollege.com Cornerstone International Community College of Canada Vancouver p: 604-620-1111 w: ciccc.ca Dorset College Vancouver p: 604-879-8686 w: dorsetcollege.bc.ca Douglas College New Westminster p: 604-527-5400 w: douglascollege.ca Emily Carr University of Art + Design Vancouver p: 604-844-3800 w: ecuad.ca Erickson College Vancouver p: 604-879-5600 w: erickson.edu Eton College Vancouver p: 604-677-3866 w: etoncollege.ca Fairleigh Dickinson University Vancouver p: 604-682-8112 w: view2.fdu.edu/vancouver-campus Greystone College Vancouver p: 604-682-3880 w: greystonecollege.com INVO Career College Vancouver p: 604-605-0960 w: invocollege.com Justice Institute of British Columbia New Westminster p: 604-525-5422 w: jibc.ca Kwantlen Polytechnic University Surrey p: 604-599-2000 w: kpu.ca Langara College Vancouver p: 604-323-5511 w: langara.ca LaSalle College Vancouver Vancouver p: 604-683-2006 w: lasallecollegevancouver.com New Image College of Fine Arts Vancouver p: 604-685-8807 w: newimage.ca Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts Vancouver p: 604-734-4488 w: picachef.com
Seabird College Agassiz p: 604-796-6839 w: seabirdcollege.ca SELC Career College Vancouver p: 604-488-0780 w: selceducation.com/canada Simon Fraser University Burnaby p: 778-782-3111 w: sfu.ca Sprott Shaw College Vancouver p: 604-683-7400 w: sprottshaw.com Stenberg College Surrey p: 604-580-2772 w: stenbergcollege.com Trinity Western University Langley p: 604-888-7511 w: twu.ca UBC Vantage College Vancouver p: 604-827-0337 w: vantagecollege.ubc.ca University Canada West Vancouver p: 778-655-3702 w: ucanwest.ca University of British Columbia Vancouver p: 604-822-2211 w: ubc.ca University of the Fraser Valley Abbotsford p: 888-504-7441 w: ufv.ca Vancouver Academy of Music Vancouver p: 604-734-2301 w: vancouveracademyofmusic.com Vancouver Career College Vancouver p: 800-651-1067 w: vccollege.ca Vancouver College of Counsellor Training Vancouver p: 604-683-2442 w: vcct.ca Vancouver Community College Vancouver p: 604-871-7000 w: vcc.ca Vancouver Film School Vancouver p: 604-685-5808 w: vfs.edu Vancouver Institute of Media Arts Vancouver p: 604-682-2787 w: vanarts.com VanWest College Vancouver p: 604-731-5256 w: vanwest.com VSO School of Music Vancouver p: 604-915-9300 w: vsoschoolofmusic.ca
Independent Schools Abbotsford Christian School Abbotsford p: 604-755-1891 w: abbotsfordchristian.com Agassiz Christian School Agassiz p: 604-796-9310 w: agassizchristianschool.com Alcuin College North Vancouver p: 604-360-8656 w: alcuin.ca Aldergrove Christian Academy Aldergrove p: 604-856-2577 w: rosbc.com/aca BC Christian Academy Port Coquitlam p: 604-941-8426 w: bcchristianacademy.ca BC Muslim School Richmond p: 604-270-2511 w: bcmuslimschool.ca Bibleway Christian Academy Surrey p: 604-576-8188 w: biblewayacademy.org
Bodwell High School Inc. North Vancouver p: 604-998-1000 w: bodwell.edu Boundary Bay Montessori School Delta p: 604-946-9814 w: bbmschool.ca Brockton Preparatory School North Vancouver p: 604-929-9201 w: brocktonschool.com Burnaby Montessori School Burnaby p: 604-298-1661 w: burnabymontessori.com Canadian Reformed Schools of the Fraser Valley Surrey p: 604-576-2144 w: credochs.com Canyon Springs Montessori Coquitlam p: 604-945-0566 w: canyonspringsmontessori.com Carver Christian High School Burnaby p: 604-523-1580 w: carverchristian.org Cascade Christian School Chilliwack p: 604-793-7997 w: cascadechristian.ca Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese Vancouver p: 604-683-9331 w: cisva.bc.ca Century High School Vancouver p: 604-730-8138 w: centuryhighschool.ca Children of Integrity Montessori Academy Coquitlam p: 604-461-1223 w: childrenofintegrity.com Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre of BC Vancouver p: 604-437-0255 w: childrenshearing.ca Choice School for Gifted Children Richmond p: 604-273-2418 w: choiceschool.org Cloverdale Lutheran Christian School Surrey p: 604-576-6313 w: cloverdalechristianschool.ca Collingwood School West Vancouver p: 604-925-3331 w: collingwood.org Cornerstone Christian Academy Richmond p: 604-303-9181 w: cornerstonechristianacademy.ca Cornerstone Christian School Abbotsford p: 604-859-7867 w: cornerstoneschool.ca Cornerstone Montessori School Surrey p: 604-599-9918 w: cornerstone-montessori.ca Crofton House School Vancouver p: 604-263-3255 w: croftonhouse.ca Dasmesh Punjabi School Abbotsford p: 604-826-1666 w: dasmeshschool.com Deer Lake School Burnaby p: 604-434-5844 w: deerlakeschool.ca Delta Christian School Delta p: 604-946-2514 w: deltachristianschool.org Diamond Elementary and Relevant High School Surrey p: 604-576-1146 w: relevantschoolssociety.ca Eaton Arrowsmith School Vancouver p: 604-264-8327 w: eatonarrowsmith.com École Française Internationale Cousteau North Vancouver p: 604-924-2457 w: cousteauschool.org
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École St-Sacrement Vancouver p: 604-876-7211 w: ecolesaintsacrement.ca Family Montessori School Vancouver p: 604-224-2643 w: familymontessori.com Fawkes Academy Richmond/Burnaby p: 604-261-8782 w: fawkesacademy.ca Fraser Academy Vancouver p: 604-736-5575 w: fraseracademy.ca Fraser Valley Adventist Academy Aldergrove p: 604-607-3822 w: fvaa.net Fraser Valley Elementary School Langley p: 604-427-2282 w: fves.bc.ca GAD Elementary School Surrey p: 604-595-0888 w: gadschool.com Gatehouse Montessori School West Vancouver p: 604-925-1437 w: gatehousemontessori.com Glen Eden Multimodal Centre Richmond p: 604-821-1457 w: gleneden.org Global Montessori School Langley p: 604-534-1556 w: globalmontessorischool.com Holy Trinity School North Vancouver p: 604-987-4454 w: holytrinityschool.ca Hope Lutheran Christian School Port Coquitlam p: 604-942-5322 w: hopelcs.ca iLearn DL BC Secondary School Surrey p: 604-590-5504 w: ilearndl.com Iqra Islamic School Surrey p: 604-583-7530 w: iqraschool.com Island Pacific School Bowen Island p: 604-947-9311 w: islandpacific.org James Cameron School Maple Ridge p: 604-465-8444 w: jcs.bc.ca John Calvin School Chilliwack p: 604-823-6814 w: jcss.ca John Knox Christian School Burnaby p: 604-522-1410 w: myjkcs.com Kenneth Gordon Maplewood School & Maplewood Alternative High School North Vancouver p: 604-985-5224 w: kgms.ca Khalsa School Surrey p: 604-591-2248 w: khalsaschool.ca Khalsa School - Aldergrove Aldergrove p: 604-856-1177 w: khalsaschool.ca King David High School Vancouver p: 604-263-9700 w: kdhs.org King’s School, The Langley p: 604-888-0969 w: thekingsschool.org Langley Christian School Langley p: 604-533-2118 w: langleychristian.com Langley Montessori School Langley p: 604-532-5667 w: langleymontessori.ca Lions Gate Christian Academy North Vancouver p: 604-984-8226 w: lgca.ca
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Lions Gate Montessori Vancouver p: 604-687-6701 w: lionsgatemontessori.org Little Flower Academy Vancouver p: 604-738-9016 w: lfabc.org Madrona School Vancouver p: 604-499-7303 w: madronaschool.com Magnussen School Vancouver p: 604-264-8327 w: eatonarrowsmith.com/our-programs/ magnussen-school Maple Ridge Christian School Maple Ridge p: 604-465-4442 w: mrcs.ca Meadow Montessori School Maple Ridge p: 604-465-3492 w: meadowmontessori.ca Meadowridge School Maple Ridge p: 604-467-4444 w: meadowridge.bc.ca Mediated Learning Academy Coquitlam p: 604-937-3641 w: mediatedlearningacademy.org Mennonite Educational Institute Abbotsford p: 604-859-3700 w: meischools.com Mount Cheam Christian School Chilliwack p: 604-794-3072 w: mccs.ca Mulgrave Independent School West Vancouver p: 604-922-3223 w: mulgrave.com Noah’s Ark Montessori Reggio School Richmond p: 778-990-3520 w: noahsarkschool.ca North Star Montessori Elementary North Vancouver p: 604-980-1205 w: northstarmontessori.ca Pacific Academy Surrey p: 604-581-5353 w: pacificacademy.net Pacific Rim Montessori Academy Richmond p: 604-726-8428 w: pacificrimmontessori.com Pacific Spirit School Vancouver p: 604-222-1900 w: pacificspiritschool.org Pacific Torah Institute Vancouver p: 604-261-1502 w: ptibc.org PALS Autism School Vancouver p: 604-251-7257 w: palsautismschool.ca Pattison High School Vancouver p: 604-608-8788 w: pattisonhighschool.ca Purpose Independent Secondary School New Westminster p: 604-528-6014 w: purposesecondary.org Pythagoras Academy Richmond p: 604-370-0199 w: pythagorasacademy.ca Regent Christian Academy Surrey p: 604-599-8171 w: regent.bc.ca Richmond Christian School Richmond p: 604-274-1122 w: myrcs.ca Richmond Jewish Day School Richmond p: 604-275-3393 w: rjds.ca Roots and Wings Montessori Surrey p: 604-510-2588 w: rootsandwingsbc.com Royal Canadian College Vancouver p: 604-738-2221 w: royalcanadiancollege.com
Sikh Academy Surrey p: 604-599-3828 w: sikhacademy.ca Southpointe Academy Tsawwassen p: 604-948-8826 w: southpointe.ca Southridge School Surrey p: 604-535-5056 w: southridge.bc.ca St George’s School Vancouver p: 604-224-1304 w: stgeorges.bc.ca St John’s International School Vancouver p: 604-683-4572 w: stjohnsis.com St John’s School Vancouver p: 604-732-4434 w: stjohns.bc.ca St Joseph the Worker Catholic Elementary Richmond p: 604-277-1115 w: stjosephtheworker.ca St Paul School Richmond p: 604-277-4487 w: stpaulschool.ca St Thomas More Collegiate Burnaby p: 604-521-1801 w: stthomasmorecollegiate.ca Stratford Hall Vancouver p: 604-436-0608 w: stratfordhall.ca Surrey Christian School Surrey p: 604-498-3233 w: surreychristian.com Surrey Muslim School Surrey p: 604-599-6608 w: surreymuslimschool.ca Traditional Learning Academy Coquitlam p: 604-931-7265 w: traditionallearning.com Unity Christian School Chilliwack p: 604-794-7797 w: unitychristian.ca Urban Academy New Westminster p: 604-524-2211 w: urbanacademy.ca Valley Christian School Mission p: 604-826-1388 w: valleychristianschool.ca Vancouver Christian School Vancouver p: 604-435-3113 w: vancs.org Vancouver College Vancouver p: 604-261-4285 w: vc.bc.ca Vancouver Hebrew Academy Vancouver p: 604-266-1245 w: vhebrewacademy.com Vancouver Montessori School Vancouver p: 604-261-0315 w: vancouvermontessorischool.com Vancouver Talmud Torah Vancouver p: 604-736-7307 w: talmudtorah.com Vancouver Waldorf School North Vancouver p: 604-985-7435 w: vws.ca West Coast Christian School Vancouver p: 604-255-2990 w: westcoastchristianschool.ca West Point Grey Academy Vancouver p: 604-222-8750 w: wpga.ca Westside Montessori School Vancouver p: 604-731-6594 w: westsidemontessori.ca Westside School, The Vancouver p: 604-687-8021 w: thewestsideschools.ca
White Rock Christian Academy Surrey p: 604-531-9186 w: wrca.ca Wind and Tide Preschool Surrey p: 604-575-0549 w: windandtide.com York House School Vancouver p: 604-736-6551 w: yorkhouse.ca
Public School Districts French School Board (Conseil Scolaire Francophone) 13511 Commerce Pky Suite 100, Richmond V6V 2J8 p: 604-214-2600 f: 604-214-9881 w: csf.bc.ca School District No. 034 (Abbotsford) 2790 Tims St, Abbotsford V2T 4M7 p: 604-859-4891 f: 604-852-8587 w: abbyschools.ca School District No. 041 (Burnaby) 5325 Kincaid St, Burnaby V5G 1W2 p: 604-296-6900 f: 604-296-6910 w: sd41.bc.ca School District No. 033 (Chilliwack) 8430 Cessna Dr, Chilliwack V2P 7K4 p: 604-792-1321 f: 604-792-9665 w: sd33.bc.ca School District No. 043 (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody) 550 Poirier St, Coquitlam V3J 6A7 p: 604-939-9201 f: 604-939-7828 w: sd43.bc.ca School District No. 037 (Delta) 4585 Harvest Dr, Delta V4K 5B4 p: 604-946-4101 f: 604-952-5375 w: deltasd.bc.ca School District No. 035 (Langley) 4875 222 St, Langley V3A 3Z7 p: 604-534-7891 f: 604-533-1115 w: sd35.bc.ca School District No. 042 (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows) 22225 Brown Ave, Maple Ridge V2X 8N6 p: 604-463-4200 f: 604-463-4181 w: sd42.ca School District No. 075 (Mission Public Schools) 33046 4th Ave, Mission V2V 1S5 p: 604-826-6286 f: 604-826-4517 w: mpsd.ca School District No. 040 (New Westminster) 811 Ontario St, New Westminster V3M 0J7 p: 604-517-6240 f: 604-517-6390 w: newwestschools.ca School District No. 044 (North Vancouver) 2121 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver V7M 2K6 p: 604-903-3444 f: 604-903-3445 w: sd44.ca School District No. 038 (Richmond) 7811 Granville Ave, Richmond V6Y 3E3 p: 604-668-6000 f: 604-233-0150 w: sd38.bc.ca School District No. 036 (Surrey) 14033 92 Ave, Surrey V3V 0B7 p: 604-596-7733 f: 604-596-4197 w: surreyschools.ca School District No. 039 (Vancouver School Board) 1580 Broadway W, Vancouver V6J 5K8 p: 604-713-5000 f: 604-713-5049 w: vsb.bc.ca School District No. 045 (West Vancouver) 1075 21st St, West Vancouver V7V 4A9 p: 604-981-1000 f: 604-981-1001 w: westvancouverschools.ca
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Relocation services
Accommodation Providers 910 Beach Avenue Apartment Hotel 910 Beach Ave, Vancouver V6Z 2W7........... p: 604-609-5100 f: 604-609-5111 e: sales@910beach.com 910beach.com Best Western Plus Chateau Granville Hotel & Suites Conference Centre 1100 Granville St, Vancouver V6Z 2B6 ............p: 604-669-7070 f: 604-669-4928 e: res@chateaugranville.com chateaugranville.com Carmana Plaza 1128 Alberni St, Vancouver V6E 4R6 ............ p: 604-683-1399 f: 604-683-1391 e: sales@carmanaplaza.com carmanaplaza.com Coast Coal Harbour Hotel by APA 1180 Hastings St W, Vancouver V6E 4R5 Shafina Hajee ..p: 604-673-2182 f: 604-673-2180 e: vancoastsales@coasthotels.com coastcoalharbourhotel.com Comfysuites Rentals Inc 1010 Howe St, Vancouver V6Z 1P5 ....................................... p: 778-855-2442 e: info@comfysuites.com comfysuites.com Dunowen Properties Ltd 1288 Alberni St Suite 201, Vancouver V6E 4N5 Karel Hardiawan .........................p: 604-736-1900 f: 604-736-5680 e: suites@dunowen.com dunowen.com Executive Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre 7311 Westminster Hwy, Richmond V6X 1A3 Harris Lam........ p: 604-207-7156 f: 604-278-0255 e: harris@executivehotels.net executivehotels.net/vancouver-airport-hotel Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 900 Georgia St W, Vancouver V6C 2W6 .......... p: 604-684-3131 f: 604-662-1907 e: hvc.concierge@fairmont.com fairmont.com/hotelvancouver
Lamond Properties 1755 Robson St, Vancouver V6G 3B7 Wendy Lamond p: 604-684-4649 f: 604-685-2510 e: info@lamondproperties.com lamondproperties.com
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel 1088 Burrard St, Vancouver V6Z 2R9 Sean Antonson p: 604-893-7210 f: 604-331-1001 e: santonson@wallcentre.com sheratonvancouver.com
Level Furnished Living 1022 Seymour St, Vancouver V6B 0G1.......................................p: 604-685-3835 e: yaletown@stayinglevel.com stayinglevel.com
St Regis Hotel 602 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver V6B 1Y6 Janet Thomas...p: 604-681-1135 f: 604-683-1126 e: jthomas@stregishotel.com stregishotel.com
Lord Stanley Suites on the Park 1889 Alberni St, Vancouver V6G 3G7 Wendy Krasovec .........................p: 604-688-9299 f: 604-688-9297 e: info@lordstanley.com lordstanley.com
Fairmont Waterfront 900 Canada Place, Vancouver V6C 3L5 ............p: 604-691-1991 f: 604-691-1999 e: thewaterfronthotel@fairmont.com fairmont.com/waterfront-vancouver
Pan Pacific Vancouver 999 Canada Pl Suite 300, Vancouver V6C 3B5 Kathryn Poole... p: 604-662-8111 f: 604-891-2861 e: kathryn.poole@panpacificvancouver.com panpacificvancouver.com
Sterling Furnished Suites 862 Renfrew St, Vancouver V5K 4B6 Kelly Shih ......... p: 800-909-6088 f: 888-505-5442 e: bookings@sterlingfurnishedsuites.com sterlingfurnishedsuites.com
Park Inn & Suites by Radisson Vancouver 898 Broadway W, Vancouver V5Z 1J8 Darian Tooley ...p: 604-872-8661 f: 604-872-2270 e: sales@parkinn-vancouver.ca parkinn.com/vancouverca
SuiteLiving Rentals Ltd 862 Renfrew St, Vancouver V5K 4B6 Kelly Shih ......... p: 800-909-6088 f: 888-505-5442 e: bookings@suiteliving.ca suiteliving.ca
Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver V7L 0B1 ............ p: 604-973-8007 f: 604-986-7432 e: jmackenzie@pinnacleatthepier.com pinnaclepierhotel.com
Sylvia Hotel 1154 Gilford St, Vancouver V6G 2P6 Ross Dyck......... p: 604-681-9321 f: 604-682-3551 e: rdyck@sylviahotel.com sylviahotel.com
Ramada Vancouver Downtown 1221 Granville St, Vancouver V6Z 1M6 Rajiv Singh ....... p: 604-685-1111 f: 604-685-0707 e: rajiv@ramadavancouver.com ramadavancouver.com
Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver 791 Georgia St W, Vancouver V6C 2T4 ............p: 604-689-9333 f: 604-689-3466 e: vcr.sales@fourseasons.com fourseasons.com/vancouver Georgian Court Hotel 773 Beatty St, Vancouver V6B 2M4 Susan Leung ....p: 604-682-5555 f: 604-682-5669 e: susan@georgiancourt.com georgiancourt.com Granville Island Hotel 1253 Johnston St, Vancouver V6H 3R9............ p: 604-683-7373 f: 604-683-3061 e: reservations@granvilleislandhotel.com granvilleislandhotel.com L’Hermitage Hotel 788 Richards St, Vancouver V6B 3A4 Jean-Michel Tanguy....................p: 778-327-4100 f: 778-327-4109 e: guest.services@lhermitagevancouver.com lhermitagevancouver.com
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Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown 1234 Hornby St, Vancouver V6Z 1W2 Susan Fregona . p: 604-688-1234 f: 604-689-1762 e: sfregona@silverbirchhotels.com marriott.com/yvrdr Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel 838 Hamilton St, Vancouver V6B 6A2 James Miller ....p: 604-689-8033 f: 604-689-4426 e: jamesm@rosedaleonrobson.com rosedaleonrobson.com Sandman Hotel Vancouver City Centre 180 Georgia St W, Vancouver V6B 4P4 ............p: 604-681-2211 f: 604-681-8009 sandmanhotels.com Sandman Suites on Davie Street 1160 Davie St, Vancouver V6E 1N1............p: 604-681-7263 f: 604-669-8284 e: sales_davie@sandman.ca sandmanhotels.com
Accurate U-Man Hiring Inc Burnaby Wendy Smith ................ p: 604-568-7442 f: 604-608-3997 e: info@u-man.ca u-man.ca AngusOne Professional Recruitment Ltd 777 Hornby St Suite 1800, Vancouver V6Z 1S4 ............ p: 604-682-8367 f: 604-682-4664 e: info@angusone.com angusone.com BBW International Inc 999 Canada Pl Suite 404, Vancouver V6C 3E2 Lois Jackalin ....p: 604-984-0352 f: 604-608-3510 e: vancouver@bbwinternational.com bbwinternational.com
Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver 645 Howe St, Vancouver V6C 2Y9 ............p: 604-687-1122 f: 604-602-7844 e: reservations@van.metropolitan.com metropolitan.com/vanc
Fairmont Pacific Rim 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver V6C 0B9 ............ p: 604-695-5300 f: 604-695-5301 e: pacificrim@fairmont.com fairmont.com/pacificrim
Employment Agencies: Temporary & Permanent Staffing
David Aplin Group 1050 Pender St W Suite 1710, Vancouver V6E 3S7 Jacqueline Gallagher ..................p: 604-648-2799 e: vancouver@aplin.com aplin.com/vancouver Executive Waiter Resources Inc 1975 16th Ave W, Vancouver V6J 2M5 ...........p: 604-689-0640 f: 604-689-3670 e: info@executivewaiter.com executivewaiter.com Hays Canada Vancouver 1050 Pender St W Suite 2150, Vancouver V6E 3S7 ............p: 604-648-4297 f: 604-648-0588 e: recruit@hays.com hays.ca Hunt Personnel/Temporarily Yours 789 Pender St W Suite 760, Vancouver V6C 1H2 Greg/Isabelle Colborne...............p: 604-688-2555 f: 604-688-1536 e: greg@tyhunt.ca hunt.ca Immigrant Services Society of BC 2610 Victoria Dr, Vancouver V5N 4L2 ............p: 604-684-2561 f: 604-684-2266 e: info@issbc.org issbc.org
Times Square Suites 1821 Robson St, Vancouver V6G 3E4 Jacqui McMullen ........................p: 604-684-2223 f: 604-684-2225 e: jacqui@timessquaresuites.com timessquaresuites.com Looking for a Vancouver-based home away from home? Or a place to live while moving? Located in Vancouver’s West End. Enjoy the comfort of home, with the perks of a hotel. Unique Real Estate Accommodations Inc 1010 Queens Rd W, North Vancouver V7R 4S9 ............p: 604-984-7368 f: 604-984-7323 e: info@uniqueaccommodations.com uniqueaccommodations.com Vancouver Short Stay North Vancouver Daniel Pennell . p: 604-710-3527 e: info@vancouvershortstay.com vancouvershortstay.com
Lock Search Group 1040 Georgia St W Suite 810, Vancouver V6E 4H1 Frank Joe ......... p: 604-669-8806 f: 604-669-5385 e: fjoe@locksearchgroup.com locksearchgroup.com McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group 860 Homer St Suite 407, Vancouver V6B 2W5 Cheryl Nakamoto ........................ p: 604-662-8967 f: 604-662-8927 e: askme@mcnak.com mcnak.com Premium Staffing Solutions 1661 2nd Ave W Suite 101, Vancouver V6J 1H3 Brad Bates ..................................p: 604-602-9193 e: recruiter@premiumsolutions.ca premiumsolutions.ca Randstad 701 Georgia St W Suite 200, Vancouver V7Y 1C6 ............ p: 604-408-2772 f: 604-408-2792 e: vancouver@randstad.ca randstad.ca
Westin Bayshore Vancouver 1601 Bayshore Dr, Vancouver V6G 2V4............p: 604-682-3377 f: 604-691-6959 e: bayshore.sales@westin.com westinbayshore.com
Randstad Technologies 701 Georgia St W Suite 200, Vancouver V7Y 1C6 Michael Cvitkovich ..................... p: 778-331-2417 f: 604-687-5397 e: mike.cvitkovich@randstad.ca randstadtechnologies.ca
Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport 3099 Corvette Way, Richmond V6X 4K3 Sean Antonson p: 604-893-7210 f: 604-331-1001 e: santonson@wallcentre.com westinvancouverairport.com
Strive Recruitment Inc 409 Granville St Suite 468, Vancouver V6C 1T2 Michael Dha ....p: 604-336-8844 f: 604-336-8849 e: michael@striverecruitment.ca striverecruitment.ca
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Swim Recruiting 601 Cordova St W Suite 330, Vancouver V6B 1G1............p: 604-689-7946 f: 604-689-7950 e: info@swimrecruiting.com swimrecruiting.com
Raymond James Ltd 925 Georgia St W Suite 2100, Vancouver V6C 3L2 ............p: 604-659-8000 f: 604-659-8099 e: webcomments@raymondjames.ca raymondjames.ca
ZSA Legal Recruitment 1050 Pender St W Suite 620, Vancouver V6E 3S7 ............p: 604-681-0706 f: 604-681-0566 e: vancouver@zsa.ca zsa.ca
RBC Dominion Securities 745 Thurlow St Suite 2000, Vancouver V6E 0C5 Edward Teodoro .......................... p: 778-327-5481 e: edward.teodoro@rbc.com edwardteodoro.com
Financial Services Annie Chen Chartered Professional Accountant Ltd 938 Howe St Suite 901, Vancouver V6Z 1N9.......................................p: 604-336-3300 e: achen@ayccpa.com ayccpa.com BlueShore Financial 1250 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver V7M 2H6 .....................................p: 604-982-8000 e: info@blueshorefinancial.com blueshorefinancial.com BMO Bank of Montreal 595 Burrard St PO Box 49500, Vancouver V7X 1L7 ............p: 604-665-2643 f: 604-665-6614 bmo.com CIBC 400 Burrard St Commerce Place, Vancouver V6C 3A6............ p: 604-665-1645 f: 604-665-1225 cibc.com
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC Financial Group) 1055 Georgia St W, Vancouver V6E 3S5 ....................................... p: 800-769-2511 rbc.com Vancity 183 Terminal Ave, Vancouver V6A 4G2 Online Care Team Vancity Member Services Centre .............. p: 604-877-7000 f: 604-877-8292 e: feedback@vancity.com vancity.com ZLC Financial 666 Burrard St Suite 1200, Vancouver V6C 2X8 ............p: 604-688-7208 f: 604-688-7268 e: info@zlc.net zlc.net
Furniture Leasing Services Flüff Designs 1121 William St, Vancouver V6A 2J1 Beka Knight................................. p: 604-876-3747 e: info@rentfluff.com rentfluff.com Home Ingredients 65 7th Ave W, Vancouver V5Y 1L4 ............ p: 604-876-9959 f: 604-876-9951 e: info@homeingredients.ca homeingredients.ca
Government Agencies
Deloitte 1055 Dunsmuir St Suite 2800, Vancouver V7X 1P4 ............ p: 604-669-4466 f: 604-685-0395 deloitte.ca Envision Financial (a division of First West Credit Union) 6470 201 St, Langley V2Y 2X4 ............ p: 604-539-7300 f: 604-539-7315 e: communications@envisionfinancial.ca envisionfinancial.ca EY 700 Georgia St W Suite 2300, Box 10101 Pacific Centre, Vancouver V7Y 1C7 ............ p: 604-891-8200 f: 604-643-5422 ey.com/ca Freedom 5 5 Financial 1111 Georgia St W Suite 1200, Vancouver V6E 4M3 ...........p: 604-685-6521 f: 604-685-9666 e: questions.comments@freedom55financial.com freedom55financial.com G&F Financial Group 7375 Kingsway, Burnaby V3N 3B5 ......................................p: 604-419-8888 e: inquiry@gffg.com gffg.com Investors Group Financial Services Inc 2052 41st Ave W Suite 200, Vancouver V6M 1Y8 Ida Templeton ..p: 604-228-7777 f: 604-228-7776 e: ida.templeton@investorsgroup.com investorsgroup.com
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City of Coquitlam - Economic Development 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam V3B 7N2 David Munro .... p: 604-927-3442 f: 604-927-3525 e: economicdevelopment@coquitlam.ca coquitlam.ca/economicdevelopment
Home Inspection AmeriSpec Home Inspection Services 3665 Kingsway Suite 300, Vancouver V5R 5W2 ..........p: 604-430-0343 f: 604-628-0128 e: vancouver@amerispec.ca home-inspection-vancouver.ca Duxbury & Associates - Building Inspection and Consulting Ltd 125 DeBeck St, New Westminster V3L 3H7 Glenn Duxbury .p: 604-524-2502 f: 888-877-0630 e: info@glennduxbury-inspections.com glennduxbury-inspections.com
HR Consultants Harbour West Consulting Inc 92 Lonsdale Ave Suite 300, North Vancouver V7M 2E6 ...........p: 604-998-4032 f: 888-443-4028 e: info@hwest.ca hwest.ca Vertical Bridge Corporate Consulting Inc 1275 6th Ave W Suite 300, Vancouver V6H 1A6 Sandra Reder ...p: 604-682-2262 f: 604-676-1043 e: info@verticalbridge.ca verticalbridge.ca
Industry Associations/ Chambers of Commerce French Economic Development Group/La Société de Développement Economique de la CB 1555 7th Ave W Suite 220, Vancouver V6J 1S1 .......................................p: 604-732-3534 e: info@sdecb.com sdecb.com Insurance Brokers Association of BC 543 Granville St Suite 1600, Vancouver V6C 1X8 ............ p: 604-606-8000 f: 604-683-8497 ibabc.org Languages Canada 27282 12B Ave, Aldergrove V4W 2P6 Linda Auzins..... p: 604-625-1532 f: 888-277-0522 e: info@languagescanada.ca languagescanada.ca
Insurance Providers - Health
City of Langley 20399 Douglas Cres, Langley V3A 4B3 ........... p: 604-514-2800 f: 604-530-4371 city.langley.bc.ca
City of Surrey - Economic Development 13450 104 Ave, Surrey V3T 1V8 Stephen Wu ..... p: 604-591-4128 f: 604-594-3055 e: econdev@surrey.ca surrey.ca District of Mission - Economic Development 7337 Welton St Suite B, Mission V2V 3X1 Stacey Crawford .........................p: 604-820-3789 f: 604-820-6738 e: scrawford@mission.ca mission.ca
AllWest Insurance Services Ltd 1681 Chestnut St Suite 315, Vancouver V6J 4M6 ...........p: 604-731-6696 f: 604-731-9210 e: info@allwestins.com allwestins.com Aon Canada 401 Georgia St W Suite 1200, PO Box 3228, Vancouver V6B 5A1............p: 604-443-2513 f: 604-682-4026 aon.ca HUB International Insurance Brokers 4350 Still Creek Dr Suite 400, Burnaby V5C 0G5............ p: 604-269-1000 f: 604-269-1001 e: tos.info@hubinternational.com hubinternational.com Intact Insurance Co 999 Hastings St W Suite 1100, Vancouver V6C 2W2 ..........p: 604-891-5400 f: 778-328-6399 intact.ca Jardine Lloyd Thompson Canada Inc 1111 Georgia St W Suite 1600, Vancouver V6E 4G2 ............p: 604-682-4211 f: 604-682-3520 jltcanada.com
IT Business Consulting & Support Xuzo.com 122 Walter Hardwick Ave Suite 305, Vancouver V5Y 0C9 Bruno Vincent .............................p: 931-488-8298 e: bruno@xuzo.com xuzo.com
Lawyers/Legal Services Boughton Law Corp 595 Burrard St, Vancouver V7X 1S8 ............ p: 604-687-6789 f: 604-683-5317 boughtonlaw.com Lawson Lundell LLP 925 Georgia St W Suite 1600, Vancouver V6C 3L2 Clifford Proudfoot .......................p: 604-685-3456 f: 604-669-1620 e: genmail@lawsonlundell.com lawsonlundell.com Miller Thomson LLP 725 Granville St Suite 400 Pacific Centre, Vancouver V7Y 1G5............p: 604-687-2242 f: 604-643-1200 e: vancouver@millerthomson.com millerthomson.com
City of New Westminster Economic Development Office 511 Royal Ave, New Westminster V3L 1H9 Blair Fryer....................................p: 604-527-4536 e: info@investnewwest.ca investnewwest.ca City of Richmond - Economic Development 6911 No. 3 Rd, Richmond V6Y 2C1 Neonila Lilova .............................p: 604-276-4000 e: economicdev@richmond.ca businessinrichmond.ca
Insurance Services (other than health)
Society of Notaries Public of BC 625 Howe St Suite 700, Box 44, Vancouver V6C 2T6 ............p: 604-681-4516 f: 604-681-7258 notaries.bc.ca David Cummings Insurance Services Ltd 2083 Alma St Suite 350, Vancouver V6R 4N6 Jason Cummings .........................p: 800-818-3188 e: jason@david-cummings.com david-cummings.com Hospital and medical insurance for new residents waiting for MSP, for visitors to Canada and for expatriates. TFG Global Insurance Solutions Ltd 701 Georgia St W Suite 1500, Vancouver V7Y 1C6 David Tompkins p: 604-628-0426 f: 604-259-0652 e: info@tfgglobal.com tfgglobal.com
Mortgage Brokers Dominion Macklem Mortgages 15388 24 Ave Suite 108, Surrey V4A 2J2 ............ p: 604-684-4663 f: 604-535-5517 e: billm@macklemmortgages.com billimac.com Mortgage Brokers Association of BC 1769 8th Ave W Suite 101, Vancouver V6J 5C6 ............ p: 604-408-9989 f: 604-608-0977 e: admin@mbabc.ca mbabc.ca
Move Management & Space Planning DLO Move Support Services Ltd 1988 Triumph St, Vancouver V5L 1K5 .......................................p: 604-254-0135 e: go@dlo.ca dlo.ca
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Relocation services
Orderly Concepts & Solutions 3363 Rosemary Heights Cres, South Surrey V3Z 0X8 Janis Nylund ...............................p: 604-536-1288 e: janis@orderlyconcepts.com orderlyconcepts.com
Packing & Shipping Suppliers Allworld Packaging Supplies Ltd 1023 Clark Dr, Vancouver V5L 3K1 Janet Nixon ...... p: 604-637-0179 f: 604-254-4987 e: sales@allworldpackaging.com allworldpackaging.com
Personal Goods Moving & Storage AMJ Campbell - Vancouver 9924 River Rd, Delta V4G 1B5............ p: 604-940-4208 f: 604-940-2385 e: abrown@amjbc.ca amjbc.ca
Canadian International Relocations 7371 Westminster Hwy Suite 705, Richmond V6X 0B4 Hans Martens .. p: 604-275-4280 f: 604-275-4012 e: vancouver@cirelo.com cirelo.com Downtown U-Lok Storage Ltd 915 Cordova St E, Vancouver V6A 4B8 Yvonne De Valone .......................p: 604-215-2156 f: 604-215-2220 e: yvonne@ulok.com ulok.com PODS of BC 5350 Byrne Rd, Burnaby V5J 3J3 Mellanie Siteman .......................p: 604-434-6005 f: 866-658-4898 e: podsbc@gmail.com pods.com Purely Canadian Movers Inc 91 Golden Dr Suite 16, Coquitlam V3K 6R2 ............ p: 604-522-7222 f: 604-552-7241 e: esales@pcmovers.ca purelycanadianmovers.com Salmon’s Transfer Ltd 9500 Van Horne Way Suite 100, Richmond V6X 1W3 Doug Kellough .p: 604-273-2921 f: 604-273-4963 e: salmons@salmonstransfer.com salmonstransfer.com Tippet-Richardson 8035 North Fraser Way, Burnaby V5J 5M8 ........... p: 604-324-5015 f: 604-324-2047 e: trvancouver@tippetrichardson.com tippetrichardson.com World Cargo 9295 Shaughnessy St, Vancouver V6P 6R4 Dane Croft........ p: 604-305-0337 f: 604-608-5562 e: info@goworldcargo.com goworldcargo.com
Property Management Advent Real Estate Services 1168 Hamilton St Suite 204, Vancouver V6B 2S2 Michelle Farina p: 604-736-6478 f: 604-608-9292 e: info@adventvancouver.com adventvancouver.com
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Cadillac Fairview Corp Ltd 609 Granville St Suite 410, Vancouver V7Y 1E8 ............ p: 604-688-7236 f: 604-630-5323 e: tom.knoepfel@cadillacfairview.com cadillacfairview.com
The MI Group 3171 No. 6 Rd Unit 140, Richmond V6V 1P6 ............ p: 604-273-2012 f: 604-273-7655 e: mi.vancouver@themigroup.com themigroup.com
Downtown Suites Ltd 1174 Pender St W, Vancouver V6E 2R9 Nicholas Meyer p: 604-694-8801 f: 604-682-5634 e: nic@downtownsuites.com downtownsuites.ca
Vehicle Rental & Leasing
EasyRent Real Estate Services Ltd 1290 Homer St Suite 100, Vancouver V6B 2Y5 ............ p: 604-662-3279 f: 604-608-9187 e: info@easyrent.ca easyrent.ca
Colliers International - Commercial 200 Granville St Suite 1900, Vancouver V6C 2R6 ............p: 604-681-2655 f: 604-661-0849 colliers.com
Metro Core Realty 1030 Georgia St W Suite 701, Vancouver V6E 2Y3 Janice McDonald ........................p: 604-729-4149 e: janicemcdonald@shaw.ca metrocorerealty.com
Dexter Associates Realty 2094 43rd Ave W, Vancouver V6M 2C9 Joanne LaRocque ........................p: 604-263-1144 f: 604-263-6699 dexterrealty.com
New Century Real Estate Ltd 535 Howe St Suite 400, Vancouver V6C 2Z4 .......................................p: 778-317-6393 e: firststaybc@gmail.com new-c.com
Faith Wilson Realty Group Inc 2512 Yukon St, Vancouver V5Y 0H2............p: 604-224-5277 f: 604-224-5279 e: faith@faithwilsongroup.com faithwilsongroup.com
One West Properties 1125 Howe St Suite 912, Vancouver V6Z 2K8 ........... p: 604-669-9380 f: 604-669-9381 e: info@onewest.ca onewest.ca
Harbour Management Inc 970 Burrard St Suite 240, Vancouver V6Z 2R4 Ron Jones ...................................p: 604-876-8895 e: harbourmgt@shaw.ca
Vancouver Relocation Services 1965 4th Ave W Suite 101, Vancouver V6J 1M8 Andrew Kuras ..p: 604-318-2497 f: 604-738-6398 e: andrew@vancouverrelocation.com vancouverrelocation.com
car2go Vancouver 321 Water St Suite 330, Vancouver V6B 1B8 Justin MacDonald ....................... p: 855-454-1002 e: memberservicescan@car2go.com car2go.com
Visa & Immigration Services/ Consultants Archway Immigration & Consulting Services Inc Vancouver ..................................p: 604-779-0354 e: info@archwayimmigration.com archwayimmigration.com Best Place Immigration 1500 Georgia St W Suite 1300, Vancouver V6G 2Z6 Ron Liberman ...p: 604-970-0629 f: 604-608-4723 e: info@bestplace.ca advancedmigrationsolutions.com Higher Options - HR & Immigration 1285 Broadway W Suite 600, Vancouver V6H 3X8 Amelia Chan..... p: 604-801-5895 f: 778-800-9922 e: mail@hr-options.com hr-options.com Lowe and Company Immigration & Business Lawyers 777 Broadway W Suite 900, Vancouver V5Z 4J7 Jeffrey Lowe .... p: 604-875-9338 f: 604-875-1325 e: info@canadavisalaw.com canadavisalaw.com
Real Estate Appraisal National Appraisal Group Ltd 5718 Owl Crt, North Vancouver V7R 4V7 Azim Jamal ......p: 604-904-9676 f: 604-904-9690
Pacific M&A and Business Brokers Ltd 1090 Pender St W Suite 550, Vancouver V6E 2N7 Pino Bacinello ..p: 604-696-6111 f: 604-696-6119 e: info@pmabb.com pmabb.com
Niemi LaPorte & Dowle Appraisals Ltd 8678 Greenall Ave Suite 312, Burnaby V5J 3M6 ...........p: 604-438-1628 f: 604-438-2886 e: info@nldappraisals.com nldappraisals.com
NKF Devencore 543 Granville St Suite 1500, Vancouver V6C 1X8 Jon Bishop........ p: 604-681-3334 f: 604-681-5255 e: jbishop@devencorenkf.com devencorenkf.com
Penny & Keenleyside Appraisals Ltd 319 Governors Crt Suite 202, New Westminster V3L 5S5 ............p: 604-525-3441 f: 604-525-9313 e: values@pkappraisals.com pkappraisals.com
Oakwyn Realty Ltd 3195 Oak St, Vancouver V6H 2L2 Shelly Smee ..... p: 604-763-2787 f: 604-689-5665 e: shelly@relocationsvancouver.com shellysmee.com
Stevens & Associates Immigration Services 938 Howe St Suite 801, Vancouver V6Z 1N9 Don Stevens..... p: 604-687-1871 f: 604-687-3137 e: stevensandassociates@telus.net stevensimmigration.com
Westech Appraisal Services Ltd 197 Forester St Suite 411, North Vancouver V7H 0A6 Henk den Breejen ....................... p: 604-986-2722 f: 604-986-2552 e: mail@westechappraisal.com westechappraisal.com
Re/Max Progroup Realty 5360 12 Ave, Delta V4K 2B3 ............p: 604-946-8000 f: 604-946-1288 e: admin@remaxprogroup.ca remaxprogroup-delta.ca
Track Resources Inc 19939 35A Ave, Langley V3A 2R1 Linda Maley ................................ p: 604-424-4117 e: linda@track-resources.com track-resources.com
Realtors Anson Realty Ltd 3378 Cambie St, Vancouver V5Z 2W5 Stephen Kwok.. p: 604-876-9222 f: 604-876-9225 e: anson@anson-realty.com anson-realty.com CBRE Ltd 1021 Hastings St W Suite 2500, Vancouver V6E 0C3 Norm Taylor ................................p: 604-662-3000 cbre.ca Chandler Realty Ltd 1965 4th Ave W Suite 202, Vancouver V6J 1M8 ...................................... p: 604-328-0077 e: maggiechandler@telus.net maggiechandler.ca
RB Global Immigration Consultants 409 Granville St Suite 1500, Vancouver V6C 1T2 Ron Beirnes...... p: 604-688-3081 f: 604-688-3015
Royal LePage Sterling Realty 3137 St Johns’s St, Port Moody V3H 2C8 Barrie Vattoy ...............................p: 604-618-8108 e: vattoy@shaw.ca relocationbc.com Vancouver Relocation Services 1965 4th Ave W Suite 101, Vancouver V6J 1M8 Andrew Kuras ..p: 604-318-2497 f: 604-738-6398 e: andrew@vancouverrelocation.com vancouverrelocation.com
Relocation Management Services Les Clutter Services 360 2nd St E Suite 404, North Vancouver V7L 4N6 Leslie Wilshire ............................p: 604-813-1985 e: lesclutter@shaw.ca lesclutterservices.com
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Kitimat
A Marvel of Nature and Industry www.kitimat.ca
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edo@kitimat.ca
2017-12-01 10:02 AM
Explore | Experience | Excel The Township of Langley is the place to do business in BC
Economic Investment and Development Department 20338 – 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1 T: 604.533.6084 E: invest@tol.ca
invest.tol.ca CA17-507
01_2018_Relocation Guide_48p.indd 48
2017-12-01 10:02 AM