BC Stats Infoline
Edition: October 23, 2017
Resources
News by Sector
Economy
Major partnership with the Netherlands signed to better support B.C. food security
Government Operations
Community gaming grants improve services, support not-for-profits
Multiculturalism
Japanese Canadian legacies honoured as part of redressing historical wrongs
Services
Interior communities awarded gaming grants to improve services, support not-for-profits
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Infoline Highlights: Coverage for the week of October 16-20
Retail Sales -Retail sales in British Columbia fell by 1.0% in August compared to July, mainly due to a decline in sales at food and beverage, and general merchandise stores. Notable increases were observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers, and clothing and clothing accessories stores.
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Consumer Price Index -British Columbia’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.0% (unadjusted) in September compared to the same month of the previous year. The year-over-year rate of inflation was unchanged from August.
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Employment Insurance - The number of people receiving employment insurance (EI) benefits in British Columbia decreased by 400 (‑0.8%) in August compared to the previous month, to reach 50,530 individuals. The decline was due to a lower number of female recipients (‑2.5%), as the number of male beneficiaries was up by 0.5%..
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Visitor Entries -In August, B.C. welcomed almost 651 thousand non-resident travellers (seasonally adjusted), of which about three quarters were from the United States. Non-resident traveller entries to Canada through British Columbia decreased (‑0.1%) in the month.
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Manufacturing Sales - B.C. manufacturing sales (seasonally adjusted) went up by 0.8% in August compared to July, led by increases in wood product (+3.2%) and primary metal (+5.3%) manufacturing. The increase was widespread, with both the durable and non-durable goods components gaining ground in the month.
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Non-Residential Building Investment - There was a 1.7% increase (seasonally adjusted) in investment in non-residential building construction in B.C. in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the second quarter. The strongest growth was for the industrial sector (+6.7%), but there was also growth in institutional (+3.5%) and commercial (+0.2%) buildings.
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@BCStats on Twitter
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In 2016, B.C. had the most small businesses per capita in Canada, and they collectively employed over 1 million people.
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Current Surveys
- Baccalaureate Graduate Survey
- BC Hydro Workforce Profile Survey
- BC Public Service Exit Survey
- Building Occupants Survey
- Canada-BC Job Grant Outcomes Survey
- Elections BC Voters List Quality Survey
- FrontCounter BC Customer Satisfaction Survey
- Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities Outcome Survey
- Liquor Distribution Branch Work Environment Survey 2017
- Long Term Disability (LTD) Application Process Survey
- New Job Survey
- SDSI LMAPD Monthly Survey 2016-17
- 2017 BC Wildfire Service Auxiliary Work Environment Survey
You can read more about any of these by visiting our Current and Recent Surveys page.

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Did You Know
There were 823 suspected illicit drug overdose deaths with fentanyl detected in B.C from January 2017 through August 2017, a 151% increase over the same time period in 2016.
Source: B.C. Coroners Service

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Headlines
- B.C.'s consumer price index was higher in September compared to September 2016.
- Small businesses in B.C account for 98% of all businesses in the province.
- B.C's manufacturing sales went up in August compared to July.

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Released last week by BC Stats
- Consumer Price Index(CPI)
This week
- No releases
