Normally, at this time of year I would be writing here about the recent launch of our Victoria’s Vital Signs report and revealing the details of the thought-provoking information found within.
But as with most things in 2020, this year is different.
For those maybe new to this initiative, Victoria’s Vital Signs is a magazine-style report put out by the Victoria Foundation each year that combines the results of a citizen opinion survey with a wide range of data to provide a snapshot of how our region is faring in a number of key issue areas.
From arts and culture, to the economy, to the environment, and more, Vital Signs looks at what we’re doing well and what needs improvement.
The report is typically released the first Tuesday of October, but this year we pushed the launch back to the beginning of November to give us more time to release a report that reflects the unique circumstances we find ourselves in.
This hasn’t been a normal year, so this isn’t going to be a normal report.
In the report, you’ll find a timely and revealing look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our region. Survey respondents were asked specific questions about how the pandemic has affected their lives, the results of which are in the report, and each of the key issue areas provide some staggering statistics showing just how significant this challenge has been for our region.
Our feature article also addresses the pandemic and looks at the continuing community response and how we can move forward, not just to recover, but to come out stronger.
You’ll find a lot of changes in the report in how residents view our region, much more so than in any other recent years. Of the 12 key issue areas, nine have seen a change in grade, a few rather drastic. We also have a new entry in the top three areas for improvement in our region.
I hope you’ll take the time to read the report when it’s released on Nov. 5. I’m sure you’ll find it as eye-opening as I do.
We’ve had to forego our usual in-person launch this year and instead will host a virtual launch at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, where we will share some of the findings from the report. I hope you can join us, with registration details available at victoriafoundation.ca or by searching for “Vital Signs” on Eventbrite. And head to our homepage to read the report starting on Nov. 5, or find a hardcopy in local grocery stores, rec centres and other locations in the community.
Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
Sandra@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
