Smithers, B.C.
Today, Northern Development Initiative Trust officially launched a new, fully digital State of the North economic dashboard.
The first State of the North Report was released for 2017 in a downloadable version. Subsequent reports followed in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The impetus behind the report was Northern Development’s realization that up-to-date, readily available data about Northern B.C.’s economy was hard to come by. As the North’s economic development organization, we want to understand the data behind the decisions that are affecting the communities we serve.
We felt that the data, collected in one document and made easily digestible, would not only be valuable for our own decision-making processes, but also would be a tool that communities, businesses and not-for-profits could use as they develop and deploy strategies to create jobs, generate new wealth and ensure our towns are amongst the most desirable places to live in Canada.
Today, all of that data is now available on one website. Users can compare statistics going back to 2017 on various topics including housing, the labour market, population, and key Northern B.C. industries such as forestry, energy, mining, and oil and gas.
This project was made possible thanks to our partners at MNP who research and compile all the data that can be found on State of the North.
The information on the site will be updated quarterly as new stats become available.
This website is free to all users and can be accessed through www.northerndevelompment.bc.ca
FAQ:
How often will the site be updated?
The stats will be updated quarterly, depending on when data is released from various organizations.
Where does MNP pull its data from?
Data is pulled from various sources including Statistics Canada, BC Stats, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the BC Real Estate Association.
Can the site be viewed on a smartphone?
Currently, the site is only optimized for a desktop or laptop.
Why is some information not available for certain topics/years?
The frequency of update for the data sources varies. Some of the data sources used are updated monthly, some are updated annually and others are only available every five years.
Can this information be used by other organizations for research or other purposes?
Yes. The website is public domain. However, the data is provided for information purposes and is intended for general guidance only. It should not be regarded as comprehensive or as a substitute for personalized, professional advice.
QUOTES:
Susan Mowbray, partner, consulting, MNP
“MNP is excited to be working with NDIT on the latest evolution of the State of the North Report. We believe that digitizing the report will provide a robust source of timely information on the North that can help inform decisions around the future of the region.”
Joel McKay, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust
“The launch of the new, digital State of the North is very exciting for Northern Development. We have heard from many community and business partners that the original State of the North Report was a publication they appreciated and referred to often. The new digital version, with up-to-date information that allows for year-over-year comparison offers a one stop platform with all of the data at your fingertips.”
