Vancouver,  B.C.- The British Columbia Progress Board has released its ninth annual benchmark report. The Board tracks changes in the economic performance and social well being of the province by reviewing the most comprehensive data on the province’s economy, innovation, education, environment, health and societal performance.

 

Health Outcomes: "British Columbia has had the top rank on the index since 1990 and top three ranks on its components in most years. In absolute terms, British Columbians born last year could expect to live three years longer, on average, than those born in 1991. Mortality rates for cancer have dropped by 13 percent since 1990 and those for cardiovascular disease by 38 percent. Infant mortality is down by 37 percent and premature mortality is down by 29 percent" Gerry Martin, Progress Board chair, said.

 

Employment Rate : Strong employment growth prior to 2008 resulted in absolute and relative improvements.  British Columbia achieved a rate last year that was more than five percentage points higher than the low reached in 1998. In those ten years BC gained 28 places in the North American comparison.

 

Personal Income (formerly Standard of Living):  Other than a second-place rank in 1990, British Columbia has placed third in this area for the better part of two decades. British Columbia's average income was $1,100 above Canada’s in 1990, which deteriorated steadily to $544 below the national mark in 2000. The gap began to narrow in 2004 and all but vanished last year. In addition, BC is closing the gap that existed between it and second-place Ontario since 2000.

British Columbia ranked ninth in 2008 for growth in real GDP per capita.

 

Social Condition Index: The proportion of families and individuals with incomes below the after-tax Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) was almost one-third lower in 2007 than at its peak ten years earlier and the gap between BC’s and Canada's rates has narrowed. This has not translated into better ranks because other provinces are seeing similar improvements.

 

Crime rates: Crime rates have fallen dramatically throughout the country and in spite of the fact BC has experienced the largest decline over the last ten years and the second-largest decline since 1990 its rank has only improved by one place — from last to ninth in Canada. However, BC's improving situation has resulted in a ten-place jump in the North American comparison — from 60th to 50th place.