The cost of living has clearly emerged as the No. 1 concern in the minds of people living and working in the Capital Region.

The Victoria Foundation revealed this and many other informational nuggets at today's launch of this yearB次元官网网址檚 Vital Signs report at the Hotel Grand Pacific.

In the B次元官网网址渃ommunity report card,B次元官网网址� 52.4 per cent of respondents identified cost of living as VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 chief issue, up from 47 per cent last year, Victoria Foundation executive officer Sandra Richardson said in an interview, noting one-quarter said they were working more than one job.

The ninth edition of report compiles research and survey responses that offer information about issues affecting the region, with the goal of providing insight, prompting debate and inspiring philanthropy.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 Victoria Capital Region Community Wellbeing Survey, based on the conceptual framework of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing from the University of Waterloo, measures the subjective wellbeing of Greater Victorians in eight quality of life categories: community vitality, democratic engagement, education, environment, healthy populations, leisure and culture, living standards and time use.

Recognizing that traditional markers like GDP donB次元官网网址檛 paint the whole picture of community well-being, the index bridges the gap by using primary research to also reflect areas such as social and environmental well-being, Richardson said.

B次元官网网址淚 think it gives the report a whole lot of extra fibre,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. B次元官网网址淚t really mirrors some of the things people have been telling us for years. B次元官网网址淚 think youB次元官网网址檙e going to find this is our best reports yet.B次元官网网址�

Richardson was pleased with the depth of feedback from the 16,000 distributed surveys, which enjoyed a return rate of about 14 per cent.

In addition to cost of living, additional issues of concern included related issues of housing (21.1 per cent), mental illness (20.3 per cent), homelessness (16.5 per cent), employment (15.5 per cent), and health care (14.7 per cent). Additional issues rounding out the top 12 included municipal amalgamation, addictions, transportation, poverty, sewage treatment and community planning/development.

Identifying the positive aspects of life in the region as well as concerns, the natural environment topped the list of the best things about living in the Greater Victoria at 47 per cent, followed by climate (38.6 per cent) air quality (23.2 per cent), friends and family (21.1 per cent), a feeling of safety (19 per cent) and walkability (18.5 per cent).

Capitalizing on these and other positive aspects of living in the region, 88 per cent of respondents identified themselves as being happy, 87 per cent feel supported by loving family, companions and/or friends, 82 per cent feel somewhat or very connected to the community and 76 per cent rated their general sense of mental well-being as high B次元官网网址� up significantly from 69 per cent last year, Richardson noted.

As a significant tool to the community, Vital Signs is open access information, meaning other community groups can use the data to dig deeper, or take up an issue they feel strongly about, Richardson said.

B次元官网网址淕roups are looking at us as one of the places that knows the community well and can make these connections.B次元官网网址�

Ultimately, the report helps expose areas of interest and concern in the community, including gaps where funds and programs are needed.

B次元官网网址淚 think weB次元官网网址檙e starting to really see the impact of how the report is being used,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. In 2012, the Vital Signs cover questioned B次元官网网址淒o our kids have a healthy future?B次元官网网址� looking at issues such as activity, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

From that, the Victoria Foundation partnered with the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence to pilot the B次元官网网址淎BCs of Physical Literacy for 175 children at the Cridge Centre and today, the initiative counts 3,300 participants throughout the region.

The impact of these and other initiatives, plus the awareness raised by these discussions, is seen in this yearB次元官网网址檚 numbers: Vitals Signs reports that 91 per cent of youth ages 12 to 19 reported spending their leisure time being physically active or moderately active, up from 77 per cent in 2012.

And from last yearB次元官网网址檚 Vital Signs Food Security issue, a new food funding network emerged in which 43 partnerships granted $1.6 million to support 93 local food security initiatives, Richardson says.

Also released is Youth Vital Signs, which gives youth a voice about the issues important to them. At the same time, one of the interesting results from both reports is how in sync both youth and older adults are about the issues of the day.

B次元官网网址淭hey really see things from a very similar point of view,B次元官网网址� Richardson said.

To Learn More:

Learn more about Vital Signs locally at www.victoriafoundation.ca or nation-wide at vitalsignscanada.ca

Put the report to good use

How should Victorians use this yearB次元官网网址檚 Vital Signs report?

First, use it to start conversations B次元官网网址� talk about whatB次元官网网址檚 behind the data and what people are experiencing in our community, says Victoria Foundation Executive Officer Sandra Richardson.

If moved by what you read, use the report as a catalyst for action, sharing the information B次元官网网址� and your reaction to it B次元官网网址� with friends, colleagues, neighbours or elected officials.

Richardson also encourages people to use the Victoria FoundationB次元官网网址檚 resources to get to know the issues and organizations in their community. Request a guest speaker for your group or organization, learn about the many organizations in our community working to improve it, and what you can do to help, Richardson says.

Youth Vital Signs

WhatB次元官网网址檚 great about living in Greater Victoria? HereB次元官网网址檚 what local youth had to say:

1. Natural Environment B次元官网网址�34.8 per cent

2. Parks - 31.1 per cent

3. Festivals and Events B次元官网网址� 28 per cent

4. Climate B次元官网网址� 25.6 per cent

5. Air Quality B次元官网网址� 25.6 per cent

6. Walkability B次元官网网址� 22.6 per cent

Where do youth think Victoria needs work?

1. Cost of Living B次元官网网址� 59.8 per cent

2. Employment B次元官网网址� 29.3 per cent

3. Mental Illness B次元官网网址� 28 per cent

4. Education B次元官网网址� 26.8 per cent

5. Homelessness B次元官网网址� 22 per cent

6. Climate chage B次元官网网址� 18.9 per cent