LCR Gba Final Report Feb 12-13

G ENDER - BASED A NALY SIS OF
E CONOMIC O PPORTUNITY
Gold Island Consulting and

Helen Lutz Consulting Lower Columbia R egion
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Gender-based Analysis of Economic Opportunity Study for the Lower Columbia Region was
undertaken on behalf of Women Creating Change, a project initiated by the Greater Trail Community Skills
Centre (The Skills Centre) in collaboration with the Trail Family and Individual Resource (FAIR) Society in
2012, to identify the barriers experienced by low-income women and the resources to improve the economic
security of women within the region. We would like to thank the Women Creating Team Management
Team for their input and assistance during the preparation of this report. These members are:
Janet Morton, Executive Director, The Skills Centre

Michele Cherot, Business Manager, The Skills Centre
Ann Godderis, Outreach Worker, Trail FAIR Society
Tara Howse, Project Coordinator, Women Creating Change
We also wish to thank the women, service providers, employers, educators and residents who
strengthened this report by sharing their experiences and perspectives.
CONSULTING TEAM
Lindsay Lister, Gold Island Consulting (Quantitative Analyst)
Helen Lutz, Helen Lutz Consulting (Qualitative Researcher)
ADVISOR: Pamela Ponic, Ph.D
The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of
The Skills Centre, Trail FAIR Centre Society or the Status of Women Canada. This report is the property of
The Skills Centre. The authors provided this study to The Skills Centre in good faith, with the reminder that
any action taken because of advice given herein is taken at the discretion and initiative of The Skills Centre.
Cover Photos (top left to bottom right): Rossland (Tara Howse), Downtown Trail, Trail (Tara Howse), Selkirk College, Teck, United Church.
This project has been funded by Status of Women Canada.

GENDER-BASED ANALYSIS OF
E C O N OMI C O P P O RTU NI T Y
Lower Columbia Region
Prepared for:
Women Creating Change: Working Together for Economic Opportunity
Greater Trail Community Skills Centre

in collaboration with
Trail Fair Society
Updated February 2013

Table of Contents
Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... i
1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background..............................................................................................................1
1.2 Methodology ...........................................................................................................2
2.0 Demographic Profile ............................................................................................ 5

2.1 Population Overview ...............................................................................................5
2.2 Population Characteristics ......................................................................................7
2.3 Population Growth ............................................................................................... 10
2.4 Population Projections ......................................................................................... 13
2.5 Marital Status & Families ..................................................................................... 14
2.6 Ethnic Identity ...................................................................................................... 18
3.0 Socioeconomic Snapshot ................................................................................. 20

3.1 Economic Setting .................................................................................................. 20
3.2 Labour Market ...................................................................................................... 26
3.3 Education .............................................................................................................. 31
3.4 Personal Income ................................................................................................... 35
3.5 Economic Dependency ......................................................................................... 40
3.6 Community Infrastructure.................................................................................... 45
4.0 Qualitative Findings ........................................................................................... 58

4.1 Theme: Community ........................................................................................... 58
4.2 Theme: Family .................................................................................................... 62
4.3 Theme: Housing ................................................................................................. 65
4.4 Theme: Education .............................................................................................. 66
4.5 Theme: Employment ......................................................................................... 69
4.6 Theme: Health .................................................................................................... 74
5.0 Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 78
Appendices
Appendix A—Qualitative Research Methodology
Appendix B—Detailed Demographic Statistics
Appendix C—Detailed Socioeconomic Statistics
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Population, Lower Columbia Region, 1996 to 2011
Figure 2-2 Population Distribution, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Figure 2-3 Female Share of Population, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Figure 2-4 Female Population Growth, Lower Columbia Region, 2006 to 2011
Figure 2-5 Female Population by Age Category, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Figure 2-6 Population Age 45+ Share of Female Population, 2011
Figure 2-7 Female Population Growth, Lower Columbia Region, 2006 to 2011
Figure 2-8 Median Age, Female vs. Male, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Figure 2-9 Median Age, Females, Lower Columbia Region vs. BC and Canada, 2011
Figure 2-10 Change in Female Median Age, Lower Columbia Region, 2006-2011
Figure 2-11 Total Fertility Rate, Trail LHA and BC, 1996 to 2011
Figure 2-12 Life Expectancy, Trail LHA and BC, 2006 to 2010
Figure 2-13 Annual Live Births and Deaths, Females, Trail LHA, 2006 to 2010
Figure 2-14 Net Migration, Kootenay-Boundary RD, 95/96 to 10/11
Figure 2-15 Migration Components, Kootenay-Boundary RD, 06/07 to 10/11
Figure 2-16 Population Growth Projections, Trail LHA, 2016 to 2036
Figure 2-17 Female Population Projections, Trail LHA, 2016 to 2036
Figure 2-18 Female Population 15+ by Marital Status, 2011
Figure 2-19 Change in Female Share of Population 15+ by Marital Status, Lower Columbia Region, 2006 to 2011
Figure 2-20 Type of Family as a Share of Total Families, 2011
Figure 2-21 Female Lone Parents by Age of Parent, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Figure 2-22 Composition of Female Lone Parent Families, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Figure 2-23 Percentage of Children in Families by Age Category, 2011
Figure 2-24 Female Visible Minority Share of Population, 2006
Figure 2-25 Female Visible Minority Share of Population, Lower Columbia, 2006
Figure 2-26 Female Aboriginal Identity Share of Population, 2006
Figure 2-27 Female Aboriginal Identity Share of Population, 2006
Figure 3-1 Total Labour Force by Industry, 2006
Figure 3-2 Gender Composition of Labour Force by Industry, 2006
Figure 3-3 Labour Force Participation Rate, 2006
Figure 3-4 Unemployment Rate, 2006
Figure 3-5 Unpaid Hours of Work per Week, Population Aged 15+, LCR, 2006
Figure 3-6 Ratio of Dependent to Working Age Population, 2006, 2011 and 2036
Figure 3-7 Distribution of Population Aged 25-64 by Highest Level of Education, 2006
Figure 3-8 Unemployment Rate of Labour Force by Highest Level of Education, 2006
Figure 3-9 Population 15+ Years With a Post-Secondary Certificate or Higher, by Major Field of Study, LCR, 2006
Figure 3-10 Distribution of Population 15+ With a Post Secondary Certificate or Higher by Gender and by Field
of Study, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Figure 3-11 Personal Income by Source, Both Genders, 2009
Figure 3-12 Share of Tax filers by Income Range, LCR, 2009
Figure 3-13 Median Income from all Sources, by Community, LCR, 2009
Figure 3-14 Median Employment Income by Community , Lower Columbia, 2009
Figure 3-15 Married-Couple/Lone-Parent Couple Median Pre-tax Income Gap by Community, LCR, 2005
Figure 3-16 Economic Dependency Ratio, 2009
Figure 3-17 Share of Senior Taxfilers Reporting Pension Incomes, LCR, 2009
Figure 3-18 Average Pension Income per Taxfiler, 2009
Figure 3-19 Population Aged 19 to 64 Receiving Basic Income Assistance as a Percent of Population, 2005 to 2012
Figure 3-20 Employment Insurance Beneficiaries as a Percentage of the Population Aged 15+, Aug 2011 to July 2012
Figure 3-21 Employment Insurance Program Beneficiaries, RDKB, Jan 2006 to Jul 2012
Figure 3-22 Median Monthly Payments for Rented Dwellings, 2005
Figure 3-23 Teen Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Age 15-19, Average 2008-2010
Figure 3-24 Share of Female Employed Labour Force in LCR Communities Who Work in Trail, 2006
Figure 3-25 Transit Access Within 1 Kilometre of Bus Stop, Kootenay Boundary Transit, 2012
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3-1 Income Dependency in British Columbia, 2006
Table 3-2 Major Projects Under Construction or Completed, Lower Columbia, 2005 to 2011
Table 3-3 Top Employers Based on Employee Numbers, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Table 3-4 Labour Force by Occupation, 2006
Table 3-5 Educational Attainment of 25 to 64 Female Population by Age Category, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Table 3-6 Unemployment Rate by Major Field of Study, Both Genders, LCR, 2006
Table 3-7 Employment Income by Source, 2009
Table 3-8 Median Pre-tax Income in Census Families by Community, LCR, 2005
Table 3-9 Contribution to Economic Dependency Ratio, Females, 2009
Table 3-10 Population Aged 19 to 64 Receiving Basic Income Assistance as a Percent of Population, June '11
to March '12
Table 3-11 Share of Households Paying More Than 30% on Housing, 2005
Table 3-12 Women who have Resided at Least Once in Trail Transition House, January 2008 to September 2012
Table 3-13 Registered Child Care Providers by Community, Lower Columbia Region, 2012
Table 3-14 Estimated Child Care Spaces Available for Children Aged 0 to 4 Years, Lower Columbia Region, 2012
Table 3-15 Commuting Flows for the Employed Labour Force 15 Years and Older Having a Usual Place of
Work, LCR, 2006
Table 3-16 Mode of Transportation, Female Employed Labour Force 15 Years and Older, LCR, 2006
Table 3-17 Estimated Elapsed Travel Time Between LCR Communities, Regional Transit, 2012
Gender-Based Analysis of
Economic Opportunity
E XECUTIVE S UMMARY
Introduction
The purpose of the Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity study is to assess the socio-
economic conditions of women in the Lower Columbia Region, identifying factors that either limit or
enhance opportunities for their economic security. To achieve this, a combination of quantitative
statistical analysis and interpretation and qualitative data collection and analysis was undertaken.
The information gathered in this study will assist the Women Creating Change Advisory Committee to
create a community plan to help improve the lives of low income women in the Lower Columbia
Region.
Quantitative Findings
The demographic profile and socioeconomic snapshot of the study area provide a context and setting
for the qualitative findings.
Demographic Profile
The Lower Columbia Region is rural in nature, comprising five municipalities—Fruitvale, Montrose,
Rossland, Trail, and Warfield—and Electoral areas A and B of the Regional District of Kootenay
Boundary. With a population of 19,223, the region is home to 0.4% of British Columbians. Women and
girls comprise 51.0% of the region's residents. Population growth in the past five years has been slow
compared to other regions of BC and is projected to be minimal in the future. Recent female
population increases have been driven by an in-migration of women and children.
Concerns
 The Lower Columbia Region has an older female age structure compared to BC and Canada. As
the large baby boom cohort continues to retire, the median age will rise further. By 2036, the
share of senior women is projected to comprise one-third of the female population while the
working age population (aged 25-64) is expected to fall below one-half of females living in the
Lower Columbia.
 The share of women who are alone in their senior years is higher than in BC and Canada—
11.5% of Lower Columbia women were widows in 2011.
 There are more than three times as many female lone-parent families as male lone-parent
families in the region.
Lower Columbia Region i|P a g e

Socioeconomic Snapshot
The Lower Columbia region has a higher than provincial share of its labour force engaged in the
production of goods (28% vs. 22%), of which mining is a key economic driver. Most of the female
labour force (86%) works in the health and social services, other services, retail trade, business
services and education industries. Although the majority of income in the study area is generated by
the public sector (schools, hospitals, health care services and government offices), major construction
projects have played a key role in stimulating the economy of the study area. Teck's zinc and lead
smelter is the largest company in the region, employing approximately 1,500 workers. Most of the
work opportunities with the major projects and Teck, however, are for typically male-dominated
occupations.
LABOUR MARKET
Gender Differences
 More males (68%) than females (57%) participate in the labour force.
 About one-third of the female labour force works in lower-wage occupations (ie. clerical, sales
and service).
 Females shoulder the lion's share of "unpaid" work such as housework, child minding and
senior's care.
Concerns
 As the older working age population moves into retirement, the demographic dependency
ratio1 is projected to swell—by 2036, it is estimated that there will be 97.5 dependents per 100
workers in the Lower Columbia versus 75.1 at the provincial level.
EDUCATION
Gender Differences
 The share of working age females with a post-secondary education (60%) was less than
males (66%) in 2006.
 Lower Columbia women who completed their trades training had the lowest rate of
unemployment (2.6%) of all educational attainment levels, for both females and males in 2006.
Regardless, there were significantly more males (30%) who had trained in the trades compared
to females (9%).
1
This ratio measures the size of the “dependent” population in relation to the “working age” population who in theory
provide social and economic support. A lower dependency ratio is better for economic growth—it means there are more
people in the workforce contributing to regional productivity.
Lower Columbia Region ii | P a g e

 One-third of the study area's residents with a post-secondary certificate or higher indicated
they had an educational background in architecture and engineering in 2006, but women
were vastly underrepresented, comprising only 5% of this group.
 The unemployment rate for Lower Columbia females holding a university certificate or
degree (6.5%) was considerably higher than for males with the same level of education (1.7%).
Barriers to Economic Security
 Lack of education beyond a high school diploma—Lower Columbia females who did not
complete high school had the highest rate of unemployment (17.7%) of all levels of educational
attainment in 2006.
PERSONAL INCOME
Gender Differences
 More than one-half of Lower Columbia women earned less than $24K in 2009 compared to
just over one-quarter of men. Significantly more men (43%) than women (16%) reported
earnings above the $50K level.
Concerns
 The income gap between married couple and lone-parent families is substantial—in some
Lower Columbia communities the difference in earnings is more than double the lone-parent's
median income.
ECONOMIC DEPENDENCY
Gender Differences
 Females in the Lower Columbia Region have a higher dependency on government transfer
payments2 than males. With the projected aging of the population, this dependency may
increase over time.
 More men than women collect employment pensions or superannuation and they earn consid-
erably more than women who receive this type of pension (on average $20.3K vs. $12.5K in 2009).
 Between 2011 and 2012, more males than females qualified for and utilized Employment
Insurance Benefits (1.0 to 1.7 percentage points higher).
2
Transfer Payments—Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, other employment pensions or superannuation, Workers'
Compensation Payments, Social Assistance payments, Employment Insurance payments, Net Federal Supplements, and
Provincial Tax Credits.
Lower Columbia Region iii | P a g e

Concerns
 The share of single parent Income Assistance caseloads in the Lower Columbia (29%) was
higher than the BC average (25%) in September 2011.
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Concerns and Barriers to Economic Security
 The region's housing stock is old and in a state of disrepair.
 There are no government subsidized housing options for low-income households with the
exception of seniors.
 There is no year-round emergency shelter—just an extreme weather response shelter that is

open to males and females from November to March.
 The Nova Vita apartments, second stage housing for women who have fled domestic violence,
are almost always full and wait times vary.
 "Getting to Home," a highly successful pilot project that assisted homeless people, those at
risk of homelessness and/or hard to house individuals to find and maintain safe, affordable
housing in the community is in need of funding if it is to continue after March 2013.
 Infant-toddler child care is difficult to access in some Lower Columbia communities. Child care
is not readily available for parents who work shifts or during the weekend, and child care is
not affordable for some parents who earn low incomes.
 The current public transit system does not adequately support low-income women as a
reliable form of transportation to and from work.
Qualitative Findings
The qualitative research process heard from nearly 50 people including low-income women, service
providers, business and economic development survey respondents and telephone interviewees.
These individuals offered input into what they feel are the best supports to low-income women, the
barriers most constraining low-income women, and ideas to improve the lives of low-income women
living in the Lower Columbia region. The highlights of the qualitative findings are summarized below:
THEME: COMMUNITY
Supports
 Services such as food banks, thrift shops, skills training programs and in particular, the
programs that foster women’s social connections such as the WINS drop-in.
Lower Columbia Region iv | P a g e

Barriers
 Limited evening and week-end bus service as well as the affordability of bus fare.
THEME: FAMILY
Supports
 Financial assistance provided by family members.
Barriers
 Lack of financial and emotional support from family members.
 Childcare that is affordable (even with a subsidy), safe, and accessible for women without
transportation.
THEME: HOUSING
Supports
 Options for low-income women such as the Women’s Transition House, Nova Vita second
stage housing, the BC Housing Rental Assistance Program and the Shelter Aid for Elderly
Residents housing subsidy program available to people over age 60.
Barriers
 Poor quality of rental housing and the high cost of renting for low-income households.
THEME: EDUCATION
Supports
 Community-based skills and training programs.
Barriers
 The challenging bureaucracy surrounding application and enrollment in some employment
skills training programs.
THEME: EMPLOYMENT
Supports
 Family friendly employee supports are available in some professional workplaces, though they
were not experienced by any of the low-income women.
Barriers
 Discrimination from employers due to age, gender, pregnancy, or weight.
 The lack of flexibility in work scheduling for single parent women who juggle childcare and
transportation.
Lower Columbia Region v|P a g e

THEME: HEALTH
Supports
 “Plan G,” a program that provides free prescription medications for people with mental health
diagnoses.
 Clients with diagnosed mental illness are pleased to receive $100 per year towards the cost of
recreational programs.
Barriers
 The physical strain of heavy labour jobs without the proper equipment to perform this work.
The negative self-image resulting from mental illness, poverty, stress and isolation.
Conclusion
The findings of this report reveal a complex and challenging reality for low-income women in this
region. Despite the barriers facing women, both the quantitative and qualitative research pointed to a
variety of actions that have the potential to better support and protect vulnerable women in the
region.
Education and Employment—Training and support for women targeted to regional employment
opportunities, the removal of educational barriers facing women who have children, family-friendly
policies in the workplace, job-coaching to support job retention, and support for women's small
business ideas such as feasibility studies and business planning.
Community and Infrastructure—
Transit System: Increase service hours, extend the seniors/disability annual bus pass to low-
income households, and investigate utilizing smaller buses.
Child Care: Advocate for low or no cost youth (over 12 years) programming options, and lobby to
base child care rates on a woman's income and/or for a national subsidy that would set rates at
$10 per family per day.
Housing: Examine innovative and affordable housing models such as co-operative housing, legal
suites and multi-family dwellings, and help to secure funding for the "Getting to Home" initiative.
Support: Enact a “poverty pass”, create a "one-stop" Women's Centre and provide on-going
emotional support for women leaving the Nova Vita second stage housing.
Gender-related Issues—Promote a greater awareness of how traditional gender roles may impact
women over the long term, provide support to women who face harassment in the workplace, look
for solutions to solve the systemic problem of women's unpaid work (housework, child care and
senior's care), educate younger women on the importance of their pension as a source of income
when they retire, and advocate for increasing women's income through Old Age Security pensions and
revising income assistance rates to reflect the true cost of living.
Lower Columbia Region vi | P a g e

Introduction Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity
1.0 I NTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the socio-economic conditions of women in the Lower Columbia
Region, identifying factors that either limit or enhance opportunities for their economic security. It is
anticipated the findings will serve as a baseline for measuring future progress and strengthen
conversations and planning around program and policy adjustments or initiatives to help improve the
lives of low income women in the Lower Columbia Region.
1.1.2 Context
In November 2011, the Skills Centre, in partnership with the Trail Family and Individual Resource
Centre Society (FAIR) responded to the Call for Proposals, issued by the Status of Women Canada, to
address women’s economic security in rural and remote communities. In March of 2012, approval
was received for the project and a Project Coordinator was contracted.
One of the funding requirements for the Women Creating Change Project was the development of a
Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) of Socioeconomic Opportunity. The information gathered from the GBA
Study will be used by the Advisory Committee for the development of a Community Plan.
The work of the Women Creating Change project is made possible by the Status of Women Canada.
1.1.3 Study Area
The Lower Columbia Region comprises

approximately 1,116 square kilometres3 in the
southern interior of British Columbia.
Lower Columbia
Region
The region is rural in nature, comprising five
municipalities, Fruitvale, Montrose, Rossland,
Trail, and Warfield, and Electoral areas A and B
of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.
The economy of the Lower Columbia has
historically been linked to the mining industry.
The Trail smelter is one of the largest lead and
3
Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.
Lower Columbia Region 1|P a g e

zinc smelters in the world and generates a considerable share of the region's jobs. Nonetheless, the
majority of income is generated by schools, health care and government offices. The region's
dependency on the public sector and mining, however, has shifted somewhat in the past decade, with
the establishment of several high-tech and industrial recycling companies, and the development of
major projects including hydro-electricity.
1.2 Methodology
A number of research techniques were employed to identify the factors that impact the economic
security of women in the study area. To accommodate this multi-pronged approach, the work was
carried out in several phases:
 Literature Review—A review of literature to aid in understanding the factors that impact
economic security of women.
 Demographic Profile—Collection, analysis and interpretation of published data related to

population and demographic trends.
 Socioeconomic Snapshot—Collection, analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary

socioeconomic data.
 Qualitative Research—Collection, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data from key

informants.
The quantitative research, the demographic profile and socioeconomic snapshot, provide a context
and setting for the qualitative findings.
1.2.1 Quantitative Analysis
The selection of quantitative data indicators in this report is intended to help us understand how
females are represented in the study area. Some of these indicators have pointed to potential areas of
concern and opportunities to improve the economic security of women.
Every effort has been made to ensure the indicators represent consistent geographies (the Lower
Columbia Region) and the most recent data. The demographic indicators are the share of female
population, the distribution of females within the region, age structure and median age, and the
marital status, family structure and ethnic representation of females. The socioeconomic indicators
illustrate gender differences with respect to labour force by industry, labour market participation,
educational attainment, personal income, and economic dependency.

Where possible, population, demographic and socioeconomic data have been drawn from Statistics
Canada's 2011 Census of Population as it provides detailed gender-based small area data. Data from
other agencies such as BC Statistics4 and the BC Vital Statistics Agency have also been utilized to fill in
data gaps as needed.
There were some challenges, however, with obtaining the level of depth and detail needed to fully
understand the complex issues related to women's economic security in the Lower Columbia Region.
With the elimination of the long form survey, beginning in the 2011, the scope of Census data is much
smaller than previously available.5 The "National Household Survey", which has replaced the long
form, collects social and economic information related to child care, education, family services,
housing, roads and public transportation, and skills training for employment at the community level.
This information (2011) will be released in the summer of 2013. As a result, many of the statistics
presented in the socioeconomic snapshot are from the 2006 Census and from various BC Stats
publications between 2006 and 2012.
An additional limitation is the large volume of data to analyze when compiling statistics for the Lower
Columbia Region. The region is comprised of five incorporated municipalities and two electoral
areas—data for these geographic areas have been aggregated to arrive at a value for each indicator.
Accordingly, the quantitative analysis is not exhaustive as such an analysis is beyond the means of this
project.
The analysis in the community infrastructure section of the Socioeconomic Snapshot is based on a
combination of quantitative and qualitative data that is not gender-based. Findings related to the
region's infrastructure helped to identify some community-based barriers that impact women's
economic security and opportunities to improve women's standard of living. Much of the information
presented under community infrastructure was collected via primary6 research by the Woman
Creating Change Management Team.
1.2.2 Qualitative Research
In order to answer the research question, “What are the supports, barriers and opportunities facing
low-income women who are trying to improve their economic security,” a series of steps were
developed to conduct ethical qualitative research, and rigorous data collection and analysis. The
following section provides an overview of these steps. For full details of the qualitative research
methodology, please refer to Appendix A.
4
Vital Statistics, BC Regional District Migration Components, PEOPLE 36 Population Projections, Trail Local Health Area
Profile, Taxation Statistics, Neighbourhood & Income Demographics, Labour Force Income Profile, Basic Income Assistance
as a Percent of Population, and Employment Insurance Beneficiaries as a Percentage of the Population.
5
The agency now publishes Census data related to the population, age and sex, families, households and marital status,
structural type of dwelling and collectives and language.
6
Field research, or the collection of "unpublished" data.

Several engagement methods were used to gather the attitudes, beliefs, opinions and perceptions of
a wide variety of people in the study region. These included two focus groups of low-income women
(12 in total), one focus group of service providers who support low-income women (eight in total), a
“Survey Monkey”7 electronic survey of the business and economic development sector (17
responses), a different “Survey Monkey” electronic survey of service providers (five responses) who
could not participate in the focus group and lastly, five unstructured telephone interviews for
individuals preferring this method of engagement.
The low-income women participating in the focus groups received a $40 honorarium as well as travel
and childcare subsidies. Proceedings from the focus groups were transcribed and digitally recorded
which helped to verify the notes and to solicit the direct participant quotes provided in this report. A
coding framework was developed to analyze focus group proceedings. The findings from the survey
respondents and telephone interviews were incorporated into the coding framework. From this data,
six themes were identified, and are expanded upon in the Qualitative Findings section of this report.
1.2.3 Organization of Report
The gender-based research in the following sections of this report is presented in the order the work
was carried out—Demographic Profile, Socioeconomic Snapshot and Qualitative Findings—and wraps
up with a brief overview of actions that have the potential to improve the economic opportunity of
women in the Lower Columbia Region.
Appendix A provides a comprehensive explanation of the qualitative methodology and Appendices B

and C provide detailed demographic and socioeconomic data tables.
7
Survey Monkey is an open source online survey and data analysis tool. www.surveymonkey.com

Demographic Profile Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity
2.0 D EMOGRAPHIC P ROFILE

This section of the GBA Study presents a demographic profile of women in the communities of the
Lower Columbia Region.
2.1 Population Overview

With a total population of 19,223, the Lower Figure 2-1 Population, Lower Columbia Region,
1996 to 2011
Columbia Region is home to 0.4% of British
Columbians.
20,500
Population in the region has declined -4.3%

20,000
dramatically since 1996, but recent Census data
Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 1996 to2011.
shows that the population recovered slightly in 19,500
-5.1%
the past five years. Between 2006 and 2011, the
19,000
number of residents grew by 608 (+3.3%). The +3.3%
Lower Columbia Region has experienced slower 18,500

1996 2001 2006 2011
population growth over the past five years
compared to British Columbia (+7.0%) and Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 1996 to 2011.
Canada (+5.9%).
As shown in Figure 2-2, the community with the largest population in the Lower Columbia is Trail,
followed by Rossland and Fruitvale. Population growth between 2006 and 2011 in Rossland (+8.5%)
exceeded regional, provincial and national averages, and Trail followed closely (+6.1%). Population
declines were seen in both Rural Areas A and B (-7.2% and -1.6%) and in the Village of Warfield (-1.7%).
Figure 2-2 Population Distribution, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Source: BC Stats, Mapping and Geography and Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2011.

Women and girls comprise just over half of the Figure 2-3 Female Share of Population, Lower
Columbia Region, 2011
Lower Columbia Region population. In 2011,
9,810 females accounted for 51.0% of the 53%
52.9%
region's residents, a slim majority that has not 52% 51.5%
changed since 2006. This is on par with the 51%
Percent
50%
provincial and national averages. 50.0% 50.1%
49% 49.5% 49.5%
The geographic distribution of the female 48%

47.7%
47%
population within the region follows a similar
pattern to that of the general population. In
2011, more than two-fifths of the region's Regional, Provincial & National Average (51.0%)
females resided in Trail. In this community, Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.
52.9% of the population is female (refer to

Figure 2-3). The Village of Warfield is the only
other community in the study area to have a
higher proportion of females than regional,
provincial and national averages. The Figure 2-4 Female Population Growth,
percentage of the total population comprised Lower Columbia Region, 2006 to 2011
of females is lowest in rural Area A (47.7%).

Fruitvale 1.0%
Figure 2-4 illustrates female population growth Montrose 4.1%
in the Lower Columbia communities between Rossland 7.6%

Trail 5.7%
2006-2011. During this five-year period, the
Warfield 0.6%
female population in the Lower Columbia Area A -7.4%
Region expanded by 3.2% (300 females). Area B -1.4%
Rossland, Trail and Montrose showed the -10% -5% 0% 5% 10%
fastest rates of female population growth while Percent of Female Population Growth
Lower Columbia Region Growth (+3.2%)

rural areas A and B experienced female
population loss. Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 and 2011.
POPULATION OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
 Females in the Lower Columbia Region account for 0.4% of all females in BC.
 Women and girls comprise 51.0% of the Lower Columbia Region population—this
is on par with provincial and national averages. Communities where the proportion
of females is above these averages are Trail and Warfield.

2.2 Population Characteristics
2.2.1 Age Structure
The data presented in Figure 2-5 illustrates the Figure 2-5 Female Population by Age Category,
Lower Columbia Region, 2011
age structure of the female population in the
Lower Columbia Region for selected age
65+ 20.5%
categories in 2011.
45-64
Age Category
33.4%
The number of females under age 15 account for 25-44 21.5%
13.6% of the female population, while females in
15-24 10.9%
the 15 to 24 category, high school students, recent
0-14 13.6%
high school graduates, those attending post-
0% 10% 20% 30%
secondary and young workers, represent 10.9%.
Percent of Female Population
The working-age female population, also the child- Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.
bearing age range, ages 25 to 44, comprise 21.5%

of the total female populace and the older working-age population of females ages 45-64 make up
33.4%. Women 65 and over account for 20.5% of all females in the Lower Columbia region.
The male population in the Lower Columbia Region has a similar age distribution, with two exceptions.
Boys under the age of 15 represent a larger share (15.6%) of the male population while seniors aged
65+ represent a smaller share (17.4%).
In comparison to BC and Canada, the Lower Figure 2-6 Population Age 45+ Share of Female
Population, 2011
Columbia Region has a greater proportion of
females aged 45 years and over. Figure 2-6 60%
reveals that the share of female population in

20.5%
40% 16.6%
both the 45 to 64 and 65+ age categories 16.1%
Percent
exceeds the BC and Canadian averages. The

20%
proportion of women and girls in the three 33.4% 30.2% 29.0%
younger age categories is lower than provincial
0%
and national averages. Lower Columbia BC CAN
45-64 65+
Two dramatic shifts in the Lower Columbia
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.
Region over the past five years have contributed
to this—the older working age female population aged 45-64 grew considerably while the population
of females younger than 25 years of age shrank (see Figure 2-7).

Although the 65+ female age category in the Figure 2-7 Female Population Growth, Lower
Lower Columbia Region comprises a higher share Columbia Region, 2006 to 2011
of the total female population as compared to BC

65+ +1.0%
and Canada, this category has grown much more
45-64 +8.3%
rapidly at the provincial and national levels in the
Age Category
past five years.8 25-44 +2.2%
15-24 -3.2%
Like most parts of Canada, the population of the
0-14 -1.5%
study area has increased in recent years, but it is
-10% -5% 0% 5% 10%
also aging. In a demographic sense, aging means
% Growth Since 2006
that higher proportions of the future population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 and 2011.
will be in the older age groups. This is owing to a
combination of factors including low fertility rate,
increasing life expectancy, and the movement of
the large baby boom cohort9 through the age
Figure 2-8 Median Age, Female vs. Male,
structure. Lower Columbia Region, 2011
51.0 51.0
51 50.0
2.2.2 Median Age 49

46.6 47.1
Median Age
47 46.1
45
The median age10 of Lower Columbia Region 43
females underscores the extent of the aging 41
39
39.3
population. Figures 1-8 and 1-9 illustrate the 37
difference in median age between females and

males in the study area, and in comparison to
Female Male
provincial and national averages.
Figure 2-9 Median Age, Females, 2011
The median age of females is greater than that 51
51.0 51.0
of males in four out of the seven Lower 49 50.0
47
Median Age
Columbia Region communities. Communities 47.1

45 46.6 46.1
with the largest age gaps are Trail and Fruitvale,
43
where the median age of females is 2.5 and 2.4 41
39.3
years higher than males. Male median ages are 39
higher than females in Montrose, Rossland and
Area B.
BC (41.5 yrs)Axis Title CAN (42.7 yrs)
8
Provincially and nationally, the 65+ age cohort of females expanded by 13.3% and 12.2% between 2005 and 2011 versus
1.0% in the Lower Columbia Region.
9
This large cohort, born between 1946 and 1965, was 45 to 64 years old in 2010.
10
Median age is not available for the Lower Columbia Region as a whole. The median age is an age “x”, such that exactly
one half of the population is older than “x” and the other half is younger than “x”.

With the exception of Rossland, the median age Figure 2-10 Change in Female Median Age,
Lower Columbia Region, 2006-2011
of female populations in all Lower Columbia
Region communities is considerably higher than Fruitvale +2.9
the provincial median (42.7 years) and national Montrose +3.2
Rossland -1.9
median (41.5 years).
Trail +0.1
Warfield +1.5
Between 2006 and 2011, the median age of
Area A +3.7
females increased in six of the seven communities Area B +4.5
in the Lower Columbia Region (see Figure 2-10). -3.0 -2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
The largest gains in median age were seen in Change in Median Age (Since 2006)
Areas A and B (3.7 and 4.5 years). Rossland Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.
experienced a drop of 1.9 years. In comparison,
provincial and national gains were 1.2 and 1.1
years respectively.
POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS HIGHLIGHTS
 One in three females are between the ages of 45 and 64. This was the fastest
growing age segment of the female population in the last five years.
 The Lower Columbia Region has an older female age structure compared to BC and
Canada.
 Rossland is the only community with a female median age below provincial and
national averages and the only community that saw a drop in median age in the
last five years.

2.3 Population Growth

Two components drive population growth—natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) and
migration, which can be broken down into international, interprovincial and intraprovincial11
migration flows.
2.3.1 Natural Increase
The Total Fertility Rate (TFR)12 is the number of Figure 2-11 Total Fertility Rate, Trail LHA and
BC, 1996 to 2011
births 1,000 women can expect during their child
bearing years.13 As shown in Figure 2-11, 2,000
fertility rates in the Trail Local Health Area14

1,800
Total Fertility Rate

have varied greatly since 1996, but have
generally drifted upwards. At the provincial 1,600
level, these rates have trended downwards.
Since 2006, the fertility rate in the study region 1,400
has exceeded the provincial rate.

1,200
1996 2001 2006 2011
Figure 2-12 shows that average life expectancy
Trail LHA BC
in the study area and BC has trended upwards Source: BC Stats, Vital Statistics.
since 2006. It also illustrates the considerable
gap in life expectancy between males and Figure 2-12 Life Expectancy, Trail LHA and BC,
2006 to 2010
females in the Trail Local Health Area—this gap
85
reached 4.8 years in 2008 but closed to 4.2 years
by 2010. Female life expectancy at the provincial 83
level was 2.8 years greater than females in the
81
Lower Columbia Region in 2010.
Age
79
Source: BC Vital Statistics Agency
In Canada, gains in life expectancy over the past
77
century have benefited women more than
men—lower mortality rates for females have 75
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
contributed to a slightly higher share of females
BC-Females Trail LHA-Females Trail LHA-Males
than males in the population.15 Source: BC Stats, Vital Statistics.
11
Migration in or out of Regional Districts within British Columbia.
12
TFR is a hypothetical measure of completed family size based on current levels of fertility by age.
13
15 to 44 years of age
14
The Trail Local Health Area is a close approximation to the Lower Columbia Region.
15
Statistics Canada, Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division, Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report, Female
Population, July 2011. Component of Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 89-503-X.
Lower Columbia Region 10 | P a g e

Figure 2-13 shows that annual deaths in the Figure 2-13 Annual Live Births and Deaths,
female population outweighed live births in the Females, Trail LHA, 2006 to 2010
140
study area between 2006 and 2010. As a result, 136
the Lower Columbia Region has a negative 120 126
Number per Year

123
16 115
natural population increase. By 2010, the 100
112
female population in the Lower Columbia Region

80 87 85
decreased “naturally” by 54, a rate of -5.5 per 77
82
1,000 females. In contrast, the rate of natural 60

68
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

increase in the female population at the
Live Births Deaths
provincial level has been positive. Source: BC Vital Statistics Agency.
2.3.2 Migration and Immigration
Migration and immigration statistics are only available for the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
(RDKB),17 for the total population only (vs. males and females), and they are calculated on a fiscal year
basis, not on a calendar year. Consequently, this data is not directly comparable to what has been
presented in the preceding sections, but it does provide a good indication of recent migration and
immigration trends that have occurred in the study area.
Figure 2-14 shows that migration into the RDKB Figure 2-14 Net Migration, Kootenay-Boundary
has been positive since 2004-05. Between RD, 95/96 to 10/11
2006/07 and 2010/11, more than 7,900 people

moved into the RDKB while over 7,100 left, 250
resulting in a net inflow of 774 individuals during

Net Migrants
the four-year period.18

0
95/96 00/01 05/06 10/11
The breakdown of net migration components

during this time period is illustrated in Figure -250
1-15. Since 2006/07, international migrants
comprised 17% of the RDKB's population net
-500
inflows, while inter- and intra-provincial19 inflows
Source: BC Stats, BC Regional District Migration Components.
accounted for 40% and 43% respectively.
16
The component increase in a population due to the number of live births less deaths; also called Natural
Population Growth. This increase is often expressed as a rate, such as per 1,000 population.
17
The Lower Columbia Region comprised 62% of the RDCK population in the 2011 Census.
18
BC Stats, British Columbia Regional District Migration Components, April 2012.
19
"Interprovincial" refers to population movement between provinces; "Intraprovincial" refers to population movement
within BC.

In absolute terms, the number of people moving Figure 2-15 Migration Components, Kootenay-
Boundary RD, 06/07 to 10/11
to the RDKB from elsewhere in the province and
from international locations has remained fairly 400
+315
constant over the past five years. The number of 300
+196
Net Migrants
people moving into the region from other 200
+132
provinces, however, has dropped considerably in +94
100 +37
recent years, pushing net migration figures
0
downwards.
-100
06-07 07-08 08-09 09-11 10-11
Net inflows of individuals from a combination of Interprovincial Intraprovincial International
international locations, other provinces and Source: BC Stats, BC Regional District Migration Components.
other regions of BC have played a key role in
stimulating recent population growth in the
Lower Columbia Region.
POPULATION GROWTH HIGHLIGHTS
 Average life expectancy for females is 4.2 years greater than males in the region,
but 2.8 years less than the average life expectancy of females in BC.
 Female population increases in the last five years have been driven by an in-
migration of women and children.

2.4 Population Projections

Population growth projections20 by five year Figure 2-16 Population Growth Projections,
Trail LHA, 2016 to 2036
period up to 2036 for the Trail LHA and BC are
8%
shown in Figure 2-16. Growth to 2036 in the
study area is projected to be positive, but 6%
conservative. Female population growth over
Percentage Growth
4%
the 25 year period (+3.5%) is expected to exceed
1.5%
that of males (-0.1%)—this translates into the 2% 1.2% 0.9%
0.1%
addition of 346 females and the loss of 14 -0.2%
0%
males. The rate of female population growth for
-2%
the province as a whole is projected to be 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036
considerably higher than both female and male BC-Female Trail LHA-Female Trail LHA-Male
growth rates in the study area. Source: BC Stats, Sub-Provincial Projections – PEOPLE 36, Sept 2012.
The aging population in the Trail LHA is expected

to gain momentum between 2011 and 2036, as
Figure 2-17 Female Population Projections,
people in the baby boom cohort reach their Trail LHA, 2016 to 2036
senior years. According to BC Stats projections, 35%
senior women may account for nearly one-third 30%
of the female population by 2036 (refer to 25%

20%
Figure 2-17). In contrast, the share of women in
15%
the 45-64 age group is expected to dip
10%
considerably from one-third to one-quarter of
5%
the female population. The share of females in 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036
the remaining age groups are projected to 0-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+
remain relatively stable through the coming Source: BC Stats, Sub-Provincial Projections—PEOPLE 36, Sept 2012.
decades.
At the provincial and national level, women in the 65+ age group are projected to comprise a smaller
share (25%)21,22 of the female population by 2036.
20
A population projection is a forecast of future population growth. BC Stats "grows" the population from the latest base
year estimate by forecasting births, deaths and migration by age. These forecasts are based on past trends modified to
account for possible future changes and, consequently, should be viewed as only one possible scenario of future
population.
21
BC Stats, Sub-Provincial Projections–PEOPLE 36, Sept 2012.
22
Statistics Canada, Senior Women, Component of Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report, Catalogue No.
89-503-X, July 2011.

2.5 Marital Status & Families
2.5.1 Marital Status
The majority of Lower Columbia females aged 15 Figure 2-18 Female Population 15+ by Marital
Status, 2011
and over (hereinafter referred to as women) live
as a couple. Over 4,100 women (48.9%) reside
50% 48.9%
with their married spouse and almost 900
40%
% of 15+ Population
(10.2%) live with their common-law partner
30%
(refer to Figure 2-18).
20%
10.2% 11.5%
18.6% 7.6%
10%
Although the share of married women in the 3.2%
0%
study area has declined by 1.5 percentage points
(ppt)23 since 2006 (see Figure 2-19), it is larger
than provincial and national averages. In
Lower Columbia BC CAN
contrast, the proportion of women in common-
law relationships in the Lower Columbia has
grown (+1.2 ppt) in the past five years, likely a
reflection of the greater social acceptance of this
Figure 2-19 Change in Female Share of Population
living arrangement. 15+ by Marital Status, Lower Columbia
Region, 2006 to 2011
Within the Lower Columbia Region, Area A has
the highest proportion of married women Married -1.5
(63.4%) followed by Montrose (60.4%). Rossland Common-law +1.2
has the highest share of women in a common-law Single +0.2
relationship (14.3%). Separated +0.2
Divorced +1.4
18.6% of females in the region over the age of 15
Widowed -1.5
are single—this is lower than provincial (24.2%)
and national (25.2%) averages. The share of -2 -1 0 1 2
Percentage Point Change in Share of Population
single women in the Lower Columbia Region has
not changed appreciably since 2006. Rossland's
female population above 15 years of age has the highest share of single women (22.8%).
There are approximately 920 women (10.8%) in the study area who are either divorced or separated.
The share of female divorcees has grown in the past five years (+1.4 ppt), but is on par with provincial
23
ppt = percentage point or the unit for the arithmetic difference of two percentages. For example, an increase in interest
rates from 14% to 15% is a rise of 1 percentage point.

and national averages. Trail has the highest share of women who are separated or divorced (13.3%),
followed by Warfield (11.6%) and Area B (11.2%).
Although the proportion of widowed women in the Lower Columbia Region has declined by 1.5 ppt
since 2006, more than one in ten women are widows. This proportion is higher than both BC and
Canadian averages (9% each). Within the study area, Trail has the largest proportion of widows
(17.2%).
2.5.2 Couple Families
Data from the 2011 Census indicate that there Figure 2-20 Type of Family as a Share of Total
Families, 2011
are 5,675 census families24 in the Lower
Columbia Region. As illustrated in Figure 2-20, 100%
13% 15% 16%
nearly three-quarters are headed by married 80% 15% 13% 17%
couples. This is on par with BC, but greater than 60%
Canada as a whole. Within the study area, Percent
40% 72% 72%
Montrose has the highest proportion of married 67%
20%
families (82%), followed by Area A (80%) and
Fruitvale (75%). Since 2006, the share of 0%
Lower Columbia BC Canada
married-couple families in the Lower Columbia Married Common-law Lone Parent
Region declined by 3 ppt.
The proportion of families led by common-law couples in the Lower Columbia (15%) is higher than the
BC average (13%), but below the Canadian average (17%). Rossland has the highest share of common-
law families (20%) followed by Warfield (18%). The Lower Columbia's share of common-law families
has increased by 3 ppt in the last five years.
2.5.3 Lone-Parent Families
Lone-parents head 13% of the region's families. This share is lower than that in BC and Canada (Figure
2-20). Communities with the highest share of lone parent families are Trail (17%), Rossland (13%) and
Warfield (13%). The proportion of lone parent families in the Lower Columbia Region has not changed
since 2006.
There were more than three times as many female lone-parent families (555) as male lone-parent
families (175) in the Lower Columbia Region in 2011. This is a significant increase since the last Census
when there were twice as many female lone-parent families as males.25 Trail has the highest
24
A census family is composed of a married or common-law couple, with or without children, or of a lone parent living
with at least one child in the same dwelling. Couples can be of the opposite sex or of the same sex.
25
Between 2006 and 2001, there was an increase in the number of female lone parents (+75) and a decrease in male lone
parents (-60). Together these dynamics boosted the female-male gap in lone parent families.

proportion of female lone-parent families (13%) Figure 2-21 Female Lone Parents by Age of Parent,
while Montrose and Area A have the lowest
30% 29%
shares (4% each). 30%
% in Age Category
The majority of female lone-parents in the study 20%
15%
area (59%) are between the ages of 35 and 54
10% 13%
(refer to Figure 2-21). This is higher than both BC 4% 8%
and Canadian averages. Conversely, in BC and 0%
20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+
Canada, there is a higher proportion female Age in Years
lone-parents in the 55 to 64 and age 65 plus age Lower Columbia BC CAN
categories—this is likely a reflection of the larger Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.
share of adult children aged 25 and older still

Figure 2-22 Composition of Female Lone Parent
living at home at the provincial and national
Families, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
levels.26
3+
Children
Figure 2-22 reveals that the majority of female 11%
lone-parents live with one child. Families with
two children comprise one-third of female lone- 2 Children 1 Child
33% 57%
parent households, while the remaining female
lone-parent families (11%) consist of three or
more children.

2.5.4 Children in Families
Across the Lower Columbia Region, 4,840 children Figure 2-23 Percentage of Children in Families by
Age Category, 2011
live with their parents. One in three children are
40%
between the ages of 6 and 14 years (Figure 2-23), 34%
% of Children in Families
which is comparable to BC and Canada. Children 30%

23%
21%
ages 6 and under account for 23% of children 20%
15%
living with their parents, while youth between the
10%
ages of 18 and 24 account for another 21%. The
7%
proportion of young adults aged 25 and over 0%
Under 6 6 to 14 15 to 17 18 to 24 25 +
comprise the smallest share of children who live Age in Years
at home (7%), which is lower than provincial Lower Columbia BC CAN
(12%) and national (11%) averages. Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2011.
26
Refer to Figure 2-23.

MARITAL STATUS AND FAMILIES HIGHLIGHTS
 Nearly one in five females are single—this is lower than provincial and national
averages.
 One in ten women are divorced or separated—the share of divorcees grew by 1.4
percentage points in the last five years.
 The share of widows in the Lower Columbia (11.5%) is higher than provincial and
national averages.
 Lone-parents comprise 13% of the region's families—there are more than three
times as many female lone-parent families as male lone-parent families.
 The majority of female lone-parent families (57%) live with one child.

2.6 Ethnic Identity

Visible minorities and Aboriginal peoples are two of four designated groups—women, visible
minorities, Aboriginal peoples and people with disabilities—identified under the Canadian
Employment Equity Act. The goal of the act is to achieve workplace equality and to correct
representation in the workplace for the four designated groups.
2.6.1 Visible Minorities
A visible minority is defined as a person, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race
or non-white in colour. The most recent information available on visible minority status of the
population is from the 2006 Census.
Visible minorities comprise a small share of the Figure 2-24 Female Visible Minority Share
Lower Columbia Region population. In 2006, 500 of Population, 2006
individuals reported being a member of a visible 30%

25.3%
minority population—200 or 40% were women. 25%
As illustrated in Figure 2-24, visible minority 20%
16.4%
Percent
women in the Lower Columbia comprised 2.2% 15%

of the female population. In contrast, 25.3% of
10%
BC females reported being a member of a visible
5% 2.2%
minority. In Canada, this figure was 16.4%.
0%
Lower Columbia BC CAN
Among the groups that make up the Lower
Columbia Region's female visible minority Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.
population, the largest are Chinese, Filipino,

Korean and South Asian27. Seventy-three
percent of visible minority women belonged to Figure 2-25 Female Visible Minority Share of
one of these groups in 2006. Overall, Chinese Population, Lower Columbia, 2006
was the largest visible minority group
comprising 50 females. Filipino females totaled 60%
59%
40 while Korean and South Asian females
Percentage
40%
numbered 30 and 25 respectively.
Figure 2-25 presents a breakdown of visible 20%

22%
minority population by community. Trail has the
12%
7%
largest proportion of the region's female visible 0%
Fruitvale Rossland Trail Warfield
minority population, followed by Warfield,
Fruitvale and Rossland. Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.
27
East Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan.

2.6.2 Aboriginal Identity
Aboriginal identify refers to those persons who Figure 2-26 Female Aboriginal Identity
Share of Population, 2006
identify with at least one Aboriginal group—
6% 5.5%
North American Indian, Métis or Inuit, and/or are 4.9%
5%
Treaty or Registered Indians, and/or members of
4% 3.8%
an Indian band or First Nation. The most recent
Percent
data available on Aboriginal identity of the 3%
population is from the 2006 Census. 2%
1%
In 2006, there were 955 individuals of Aboriginal
0%
identity in the Lower Columbia Region—505 or Lower Columbia BC CAN
53% were women. Aboriginal women and girls
made up 5.5% of the total Lower Columbia Figure 2-27 Female Aboriginal Identity
Region female population that year (see Figure Share of Population, 2006
2-26). In BC, 4.9% of females reported 50%
Aboriginal status, while in Canada, this figure 48%
40%
was 3.8%.
Percent
30%
As illustrated in Figure 2-27, Trail has the 20%

largest proportion of the region's Aboriginal 10% 13% 12%
11% 3%
females, followed by Rossland, Area A and 6% 8%
0%
Fruitvale.
ETHNIC IDENTITY HIGHLIGHTS
 Female visible minorities comprised a small share (2.2%) of the population

compared in 2006 to provincial and national representation. Nearly three-quarters
of the region's female visible minorities were of Chinese, Filipino, Korean or South
Asian ethnic origin.
 Females of Aboriginal identity comprised a larger share (5.5%) of the population

compared to provincial and national representation. Nearly one-half of the region's
female Aboriginal population resided in Trail.

Socioeconomic Snapshot Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity
3.0 S OCIOECONOMIC S NAPSHOT

This section of the Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity Study presents a socioeconomic
snapshot of women in the communities of the Lower Columbia Region. The economic setting portrays
the industries and major employers that drive the economy of the study area. The analysis of labour
market, education, income and economic dependency indicators helps us to better understand
gender differences and identifies areas of concern. Primary research on some aspects of the Lower
Columbia's "community infrastructure" (housing, crisis community services, child care and
transportation) reveals a number of community-based barriers that impact women's economic
security.
3.1 Economic Setting
3.1.1 Income Dependency
Income dependencies28 quantify the sources of income that support local economies and describe a
community in terms of its dependence on various sectors, its diversity and its vulnerability.
Table 3-1 illustrates income dependencies in the Trail Local Health Area (LHA) in comparison to other
health areas in the West Kootenay Region and in BC as a whole in 2006. Like many jurisdictions across
the province, the majority of income in the Trail LHA is generated by the public sector (25%)—schools,
hospitals, health care services and government offices. With the exception of Nelson, this share is
higher than other health areas in the West Kootenay.
Table 3-1 Income Dependency in British Columbia, 2006
Income Dependency (% )
Government Public Fishing &
Local Health Area Forestry Mining Construction Tourism
Transfers Sector Trapping
Creston 8 4 6 26 4 20 0
Kootenay Lake 18 4 9 20 9 14 0
Nelson 8 1 10 18 6 30 0
Castlegar 24 5 9 16 3 22 0
Arrow Lakes 23 1 9 21 6 20 0
Trail 3 20 6 17 4 25 0
BRITISH COLUMBIA 7 3 8 15 6 26 1
Source: BC Stats, Local Health Area 11-Trail Demographic Profile, 2011.
28
The fundamental premise of income dependencies is that the economy of a community can be represented by income
flows. Income flows can be generated by local exports, jobs generated by local industry, by government jobs where
salaries are paid at the provincial or federal (not local) levels, by transfer payments and by investment income. Source:
Horne, Gary, BC Local Area Dependencies: 2006, March 2009.

The Trail region is also highly dependent upon the mining sector (20%) and, in fact, has one of the
highest dependencies on this sector in BC.29 While government transfers30 (17%) also comprise a fair
share of the income in the area, this dependency is amongst the lowest in the West Kootenay Region.
A smaller share of income is derived from construction (6%), forestry (3%) and tourism (4%) sectors.
A community with a diversified economic base usually provides more community stability in volatile
economic times31. Diversity indices are calculated for each area, where higher indices represent a
more diversified economy. The Trail-Rossland area has a diversity index of 71 32—which means it's
economy is moderately diversified. In comparison, Invermere in the East Kootenay is the most
diversified community in BC (79), while neighbouring Fernie is one of the least (59).
3.1.2 Industrial Structure
The industrial structure of the labour Figure 3-1 Total Labour Force by Industry, 2006
force also provides insight into the Goods Services

20%
drivers in the local economy. As 20%
shown in Figure 3-1, the diversity of 16%
Percentage
15%
industries where people were 10%
13%
12%
employed or seeking employment in
7%
2006 in the study area was similar to 5% 1% 4%
6%
the provincial and Canadian industrial 0%

Agric- Constr- Manuf- Whlsl Retail Fince & Health Educa- Other
Business
Rsrces uction acturing Trade trade Real Est & Social tion Services
structure. Lower Columbia 5% 7% 16% 1% 15% 4% 13% 6% 12% 20%
BC 5% 8% 9% 4% 11% 6% 10% 7% 20% 21%
Canada 5% 6% 12% 4% 11% 6% 10% 7% 18% 19%
There were some differences,
however. The Lower Columbia Region
had a much higher concentration of the labour force in the goods-producing industries33 (29%) versus
21% and 24% for BC and Canada as a whole. The majority of the region's manufacturing labour force
work for Teck34 (processing of minerals), but there are other types of manufacturers that produce a
variety of goods such as semi-conductors, polymer concrete, cement products and more.
In 2006, the top five industries for female employment in the Lower Columbia were health and social
services (25%), other services (24%), retail trade (18%), business services (11%) and education (8%). In
29
Aside from the East Kootenay (Fernie—43%) and Northern Regions (Kitimat—40%; Peace River N—37%; Fort Nelson—
24%) of the province.
30
Income Assistance payments, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplements, Canada Pension Plan, Employment
Insurance benefits, Federal Child Tax benefits and other income from government sources.
31
Horne, Gary, British Columbia Local Area Economic Dependencies: 2006, March 2009.
32
Ibid.
33
Agriculture and resources, construction and manufacturing.
34
Approximately 1,500 individuals. Source: Kootenay Business Magazine, "Top 120 Kootenay Employers 2011", December
2011.

total, these industries account for 86% of the female labour force.35 These industries were also the top
in the province and Canada, but they accounted for a smaller share of the female labour force (80%
and 78% respectively).
The Lower Columbia gender composition of the labour force by industry is illustrated in Table 3-2.
Females comprised the majority of the labour force in the health and social services (85%), finance, real
estate and leasing (74%), education (64%), retail trade (56%) and other services (55%) industries.
Males, on the other hand, dominated the labour force in the manufacturing (91%), construction (90%),
wholesale trade (85%), agriculture and resource-based industries (78%) and business services (56%).
Figure 3-2 Gender Composition of Labour Force by Industry, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Female Male
Manufacturing 9% 91%
Construction 10% 90%
Wholesale Trade 15% 85%
Agric/Resources 22% 78%
Business 44% 56%
Other Services 55% 45%
Retail Trade 56% 44%
Education 64% 36%
Finance & Real Est 74% 26%
Health & Social 85% 15%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
3.1.3 Major Projects
Major project investment plays a critical role in the economy through the creation of jobs and local
spending. A number of projects have been under construction, or completed, since 2005 in the Lower
Columbia Region.
35
Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.

Table 3-2 Major Projects Under Construction or Completed, Lower Columbia, 2005 to 2011
ESTIMATED COST ESTIMATED

PROJECT NAME DESCRIPTION
(millions) COMPLETION
Waneta Expansion Project Expansion of existing dam. $900 2015
Red Mountain Ski Resort A five phase development over a 15 $900 2015
Expansion year period.
No. 4 Furnace (Teck) Construction of two new furnaces that $210 On Hold
will integrate into the existing lead
smelting process.
No. 1 Acid Plant (Teck) To replace two older acid plants. $125 2013
Selkirk Transformer (BC Installation of transformer at Selkirk $23 2011
Transmission Corp) Substation.
JL Crowe School Replacement of existing school with a $33 2009
Replacement new building.
Waneta Power Plant Replacement of switchyard station. $40 2008
Switchyard (Fortis)
Waneta Power Plant Installation of a third turbine $80 2007
Upgrade (Teck)
Source: BC Ministry of Finance, BC Major Projects Inventory, March 2006 to December 2011.
One of the largest projects, the Waneta Dam Hydroelectric Expansion ($900 million) commenced
construction in 2011. This development involves the design and construction of a second powerhouse to
generate power from flow that would otherwise be spilled. The four and a half year project is anticipated
to employ over 400 workers over the life of the project and generate local spending spin-offs.36
Teck's No. 4 Furnace project has been put on hold due to uncertain global economic conditions.37
Although detailed design continues with this project, the delay will have a short to mid-term impact
on both construction-related employment and local suppliers.
36
Columbia Power Corporation, WAX Factsheet Update, March 14, 2012.
37
News Release, Teck Trail Operations Announces Deferral of No. 4 Furnace Project Construction, October 24, 2012. Note:
the project was selected for deferral because major excavation and construction had not commenced and detailed
engineering had not been completed.

3.1.4 Top Employers
Further insight into the industrial structure is gained by understanding who the Lower Columbia
Region's largest employers are.
Table 3-3 Top Employers Based on Employee Numbers, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
NUMBER OF
COMPANY LOCATION INDUSTRY
EMPLOYEES
Teck - Trail Trail 1,500 Mining/Manufacturing
Red Mountain Resort Rossland 200 Winter Tourism/Recreation
Ferraro Foods Trail & Rossland 175 Retail
Wal-Mart Trail 165 Retail
City of Trail Trail 110 Public Administration
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Trail & Grand Forks 95 Public Administration
Professional, Scientific
Amec Americas Limited Trail 85
& Technical Services
Maglio Building Centre Ltd. Nelson & Trail 80 Retail
Canada Safeway Trail 62 Retail
Canadian Tire Trail 44 Retail
A.M. Ford Sales Ltd. Trail 42 Retail
FortisBC Trail Not Known Utilities
BC Public Service Trail Not Known Public Administration
38
603 Education/Public
School District #20 Lower Columbia
453-Female; 150-Male Administration
Interior Health Trail Not Known Health
13339 Finance, Insurance,
Kootenay Savings Credit Union Lower Columbia
104-Female; 29-Male Real Estate & Leasing
Source: Kootenay Business Magazine, Top 120 Kootenay Employers 2011, December 2011.
38
Includes Lower Columbia Region and Castlegar employees. Source: Greg Luterbach, School District #20.
39
Source: Larry Holm, Vice President Human Resources, Kootenay Savings.

ECONOMIC SETTING HIGHLIGHTS
 The majority of income in the study area is generated by the public sector—
schools, hospitals, health care services and government offices.
 The Lower Columbia region has a higher than provincial percentage of the labour
force engaged in producing goods, of which mining is a key economic driver.
 Most of the female labour force (86%) works in the health and social services,
other services, retail trade, business services and education industries.
 Important economic generators in the Lower Columbia Region have been major
construction projects which typically produce male-dominated work opportunities.
 Teck, the largest employer in the region with approximately 1,500 workers, also
generates economic spin-offs to a large number of local industrial supply
companies.

3.2 Labour Market

Indicators such as employment, participation and unemployment levels are key measures of the
overall health and performance of labour markets. The statistics presented in this section are from the
2006 Census but are the most recent ones that represent the study area.40 Other indicators such as
income assistance and employment insurance rates41 presented in other sections of the socioeconomic
snapshot provide us with more up to date information on how the regional labour market may have
fared since 2006.
3.2.1 Labour Force Participation Rate
The labour force refers to the number of people who are employed or seeking employment.42 In
2006, the number of individuals in the Lower Columbia Region labour force was 9,610. Approximately
46% were females.
The participation rate measures the share of the total population who are in the labour force. High
participation rates reflect optimism about the availability of jobs, confidence in the economy or a
higher proportion of individuals in the working age range.
In 2006, 62.1% of the region's population was either employed or seeking employment. In comparison, the
BC average was 65.6% and the national average was 66.8%. Labour force participation rates were
considerably lower in the Trail Local Health Area Figure 3-3 Labour Force Participation Rate, 2006
(LHA) than in most regions of the province.43 This
68.9%
is because the region has a significantly older age
profile compared to provincial and national 65% 66.1%
averages (refer to Section 2.2.2 Median Age).

Percentage of Population
60.9%
60.7%
59.7%
Although the gap in labour force participation
between the genders in the study area was 55%
considerable (11.2 ppt), it was comparable to
male-female differential at the provincial level 50.6%
48.8%
(10.0 ppt). In 2006, 56.6% of Lower Columbia
45%
females participated in the labour force versus Fruitvale Montrose Rossland Trail Warfield Area A Area B
67.8% of males (see Figure 3-3). Within the Lower Trail LHA-Female (56.6) Trail LHA-Male (67.8)
Columbia Region, the share of females who were BC-Female (60.7)
40
Census sources that indicate "20% Sample Data" refer to information that was collected using the long census
questionnaire. For the most part, these data were collected from 20% of the households.
41
Produced by BC Statistics and Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey.
42
Over the age of 15 years.
43
BC Stats, BC Stats, Local Health Area 11-Trail Demographic Profile, 2011 and Statistics Canada, Census of Population,
2006.

employed or seeking employment was the lowest in Trail (48.8%) and Fruitvale (50.6%). In Rossland, the
female participation rate (68.9%) was above both the BC female average (60.7%) and the Trail LHA male
average (67.8%).
3.2.2 Labour Force by Occupation
The experienced labour force by occupation is an indicator of the supply of labour available to
employers. The majority of the female labour force 15 years and older in the Lower Columbia Region
works in occupations that are traditionally dominated by women.
Figure 3-4 shows that in 2006, one third of the Table 3-4 Labour Force by Occupation, 2006
female labour force worked in occupations
related to sales and service, and clerical and Labour
Top 10 Occupations, Females
Force
secretarial functions. These jobs are often at
Sales and Service 520
the low end of the wage scale compared to the
Clerical 465
wages of male-dominated jobs. At the other
Secretaries 290
end of the spectrum, only about 5% of the
Retail Salespersons & Clerks 285
female labour force worked in the male- Nurses & Supervisors 215
dominated and higher income occupations Retail, Food & Accommodation Managers 195
such as trades, transportation and equipment Teachers 190
operation, natural and applied sciences and Paralegals, SS Workers, Education & Religion 180
manufacturing-related occupations. Cashiers 160
Administrative & Regulatory 140
Sales and service was also the top occupation
Labour
of the male labour force in the study area. Top 10 Occupations, Males
Force
Nearly 40% of the male labour force worked in
Sales & Service 390
occupations related to machine and equipment
Machine Operators in Manufacturing 310
operation, the trades, technical occupations Construction Trades 280
and as labourers. Major project development Mechanics 275
in the Lower Columbia Region since 2005 has Retail, Food & Accommodation Managers 260
likely stimulated employment in many male- Sta. Eng, Pwr Stn Op, Ele Trds & Telecommun 250
dominated occupations so it is probable that Natural & Applied Sciences Technical 245
these numbers have increased. Trades Helpers & Constr/Transport Labourers 220
Heavy Equip/Crane Operators & Drillers 210
Transportation Equipment Operators 200

3.2.3 Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate measures the share of the labour force that is unemployed. In 2006, the number
of unemployed individuals in the Lower Columbia Region was 605—an unemployment rate of 6.3%. In
British Columbia, the unemployment rate was slightly lower (6.0%), but higher in Canada as a whole
(6.6%).
Half of the unemployed individuals in the labour Figure 2.4 Unemployment Rate, 2006
force in 2006 were reported to be females.
Amongst the Lower Columbia Region 10.0%
communities, the rate of female unemployment
Percentage Unemployed
7.5%
varied from 2.6% to 11.0% (see Figure 3-4).
Unemployment rates in Area B (2.6%), Trail
5.0%
(5.1%), Warfield (5.6%) and Area A (6.3%) were
below or on par with the female provincial 2.5%
average (6.3%).
0.0%
Fruitvale Montrose Rossland Trail Warfield Area A Area B
Female 7.3% 7.4% 11.0% 5.1% 5.6% 6.3% 2.6%
Male unemployment rates in Lower Columbia Male 6.7% 2.0% 7.7% 7.3% 4.8% 2.4% 3.4%
communities were lower than females, except in BC-Female (6.3%)

Trail and Area B. Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.
3.2.4 Unpaid Work
Many women and men work without pay in their home and community. In 2006, women, by a slight
margin over men (51%), reported working hours of unpaid work. If we examine the volume of unpaid
work, however, we see that women's participation far exceeds that of men.
Figure 3-5 illustrates unpaid hours of work per week for the population aged 15 and over. Two major
types of activity performed in the home are housework and the care of children. Senior's care may
take place in or outside of the home. For all types of activity, as the number of hours per week
increase, female participation in that activity also
Figure 3-5 Unpaid Hours of Work per Week,
increases. The biggest female-male gap is at the Population Aged 15+, LCR, 2006
60+ hours per week of housework and child Housework
minding where women account for 79% and 77% Female Male
of individuals who perform these levels of 60+ Hours 79% 21%
activity. Men have an overall greater involvement 30+ Hours 72% 28%
in paid work than women, and a lesser 15+ Hours 62% 38%
involvement in housework and child minding. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Detailed data indicates that individuals (male and Child Minding

Female Male
female) who perform the majority of housework
at the 60+ hours per week level are between the 60+ Hours 77% 23%
ages of 25 and 64 (76%). The majority of child 30+ Hours 67% 33%
minding hours over 60 per week (91%) are 15+ Hours 61% 39%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

undertaken by individuals between 25 and 55
years of age.44 Senior's Care
Female Male
Beyond the realm of domestic work and caring for
20+ Hours 74% 26%
children, unpaid work may involve caring for
10+ Hours 68% 32%
seniors. The age groups of individuals spending
5+ Hours 64% 36%
the maximum hours on this type of care (20 or
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
more per a week), however, is spread much more
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
evenly amongst the age groups—25 to 54 years (20% Sample Data).
(29%), 55 to 64 years (18%), 65 to 74 years (29%)
and 75 years and older (18%).
3.2.5 Demographic Dependency Ratio
The demographic dependency ratio45 measures the Figure 3-6 Ratio of Dependent to Working Age
46
size of the “dependent” population in relation to Population, 2006, 2011 and 2036
the “working age” population who in theory 100
47
provide social and economic support. A lower
Ratio per 100 Workers
90
dependency ratio is better for economic growth—it
means there are more people in the workforce 80
contributing to regional productivity. 70
60
Between 2006 and 2011, the dependency ratio in
the Lower Columbia Region fell from 69.9 50
2006 2011 2036
dependents per 100 workers to 66.6 (see Figure Youth 37.8 35.0 39.5
Elderly 32.1 31.6 58.0
2-6). The biggest contributor to this is the fact that LCR Total 69.9 66.6 97.5
BC Total 60.7 59.5 75.1
the 20 to 64 age group expanded during this
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 & 2011 and
period. At the provincial level, this ratio also fell, BC Stats, PEOPLE 36, September 2012.
but by a lesser degree (60.7 to 59.5). Dependency
44
This data was not broken down by gender as significance is lost at that level of detail.
45
The total demographic dependency ratio is the ratio of the combined youth population (0 to 19 years) and senior
population (65 or older) to the working-age population (20 to 64 years). Source: Statistics Canada, Healthy People, Healthy
Places, Catalogue 82-229-XWE, January 11, 2010.
46
Youth population (0 to 19 years) and senior population (65 or older).
47
This ratio is based on age rather than employment status, so it does not account for young people or seniors who are
working, nor for working-age people who are unemployed or not in the labour force.

in the study area is considerably higher than in BC as a whole—for every 100 workers, there were 7.1 more
dependents in the Lower Columbia than in British Columbia in 2011.
Dependency ratios, particularly for the elderly, are projected to swell over the next 25 years.48 By 2036, it
is estimated that there will be 97.5 dependents per 100 workers in the Lower Columbia and 75.1 per 100 at
the provincial level. This will be primarily driven by the current working age population as it moves into
retirement, causing the proportion of seniors to grow substantially.
LABOUR MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
 The labour force participation rate in the Lower Columbia Region is lower than both
BC and Canadian averages—primarily because of its older age profile.
 The gender gap in participation is substantial in the study area—female (56.6%)

versus male (67.8%) in 2006—but on-par with the gap in BC.
 Women often work in occupations that are at the low-end of the wage scale
(clerical, sales and service). In 2006, a small portion (about 5%) worked in male-
dominated higher-income occupations.
 Women are doing the vast majority of unpaid work such as housework,
childminding and senior's care.
 The share of the population that is dependent upon the working age population is
projected to skyrocket over the next 25 years.
48
BC Stats, PEOPLE 36, September 2012.

3.3 Education
Similar to previous sections, the statistics presented in education are from the 2006 Census but are
the most recent ones that represent the study area.
3.3.1 Attainment
Educational attainment refers to the highest Figure 3-7 Distribution of Population Aged 25-64
level of education an individual has completed. by Highest Level of Education, 2006
In 2006, Lower Columbia women did not fare as 30% 28% 30%
well as men in terms of educational attainment.
Percentage
20% 15%
The share of the female population aged 25 to 11%
9% 7%
10%
64 with a post-secondary education49 in 2006
was 60.3% compared to 65.8% for males. 0%
While men had a greater focus on the trades,

more women attained a college certificate or
diploma in 2006. As Figure 3-7 illustrates, almost Lower Columbia-Female Lower Columbia-Male BC-Female
30% of the male population aged 25 to 64 had a
trades certificate or diploma compared to 9% of
females. The male-female gap in trades training is smaller at the provincial level where 16% of men
hold a trades certificate compared to 8% of women. In the Lower Columbia Region, the share of
females with a college or university certificate or diploma (36%) outweighed that of males (21%). Both
sexes shared the same attainment rate at the university degree level (15%).
Table 3-5 shows that younger females are Table 3-5 Educational Attainment of 25 to 64
more educated than their older counterparts. Female Population by Age Category,
The share of female population aged 25 to 34
with a post secondary education was 68% High School
Trades College/Univer.
University
Certificate/ Certificate/
compared to 59% for those aged 35 to 64. The or Below
Diploma Diploma
Degree
25 to 34 age group led the way in university Age 25-34 32% 9% 36% 23%
Age 35-64 41% 9% 36% 14%
attainment where 23% of this group obtained a
degree in 2006, compared to 14% of the 35 to Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.
64 age group.
Overall, the educational attainment of Lower Columbia females compared quite closely to women in
the rest of the province, except at the college and university levels. A larger share of Lower Columbia
women obtained a college certificate or diploma (30%) than BC females (22%), but a smaller share
49
Trades certificate of diploma or higher.

(15% versus 24%) completed a university degree. The proportion of the female population aged 25 to
64 with a post-secondary education50 in 2006 in BC and Canada was 61.6% and 60.5% respectively,
compared to 60.3% in the Lower Columbia Region.
3.3.2 Unemployment Rate by Attainment Level
Higher levels of educational attainment tend to Figure 3-8 Unemployment Rate of Labour Force
by Highest Level of Education, 2006
lead to better labour market outcomes—
attainment plays an important role in labour 17.7%
force participation, employment and the types of 15%
% Unemployed
7.8%
jobs obtained. 10% 2.6%
5.6% 6.5%
5%
Census 2006 data provides us with insight into 0%
labour market outcomes by the level of

education. For both genders, the unemployment
rate dropped sharply for individuals who
Lower Columbia-Female Lower Columbia-Male BC-Female
completed high school, and continued to
decline, for the most part, with increasing levels Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
(20% sample data).
of education (see Figure 3-8).
In 2006, individuals who did not complete high school were the most likely to be without a job—this
was true for females and males alike, within the region, provincially and nationally. Females without a
high school education in the study area, however, had the highest rate of unemployment (17.7%) and
faced more challenges in securing employment than their counterparts in BC and Canada where the
rate of unemployment was lower (11.9% and 11.5% respectively).
Lower Columbia females with a high school diploma fared better (7.8% unemployed). Women with a
trades certificate had the lowest rate of unemployment (2.6%) of any education level—this was a
lower unemployment rate than males with the same education (3.8%) in the Lower Columbia. It is
interesting to note that the unemployment rate for Lower Columbia females holding a university
certificate or degree (6.5%) was considerably higher than for males with the same level of education
(1.7%). Regional employment opportunities for individuals with this level of education may be more
closely aligned to their field of study.
50
Trades certificate of diploma or higher.

3.3.4 Major Field of Study
The Lower Columbia Region's population by major Figure 3-9 Population 15+ Years With a Post-
field of study represents the educational background Secondary Certificate or Higher, by
Major Field of Study, LCR, 2006
of residents in 2006.51 Figure 3-9 reveals that the
most common fields of study were architecture and Personal, Education
Protect & 8% Visual/Perform
engineering (33%), health, parks, recreation and Arts & Commun
Transport Srvc
fitness (20%) and business, management and public 5% 2%
Math, Sciences
administration (16%). Other popular fields were & Comptg
8%
humanities, social and behavioural sciences and law Humanities,
Social Sc & Law
(9%), mathematics, computer/information sciences 9%
Health, Parks,
(8%), and education (8%). Rec & Fitness
20% Business Mgmt
/ Public Admin
The proportion of women who held a certificate, 16%
diploma or degree varied greatly from one field to
another (see Figure 3-10). Women comprise the Architecture &
Engineering
majority of the population in many fields, the key 33%
ones being health, parks, recreation and fitness
(81%), business, management and public
administration (75%), education (74%), social and Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
behavioural sciences and law (61%), and humanities (60%). With the exception of mathematics and
computer/information sciences, men tipped the scales the other way in the sciences. Architecture,
engineering and related technologies is a key field of study where women were vastly
underrepresented (5%).
Figure 3-10 Distribution of Population 15+ With a Post Secondary Certificate or Higher by Gender and by
Field of Study, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Female Male
Architecture, Engineering & Related Technologies 5% 95%
Agriculture, Natural Resources & Conservation 37% 63%
Physical & Life Sciences & Technologies 38% 62%
Mathematics, Computer & Information Sciences 50% 50%
Personal, Protective & Transportation Services 54% 46%
Visual/Perform Arts or Communications Tech 56% 44%
Humanities 60% 40%
Social & Behavioural Sciences & Law 61% 39%
Education 74% 26%
Business Mgmt / Public Admin 75% 25%
Health, Parks, Recreation & Fitness 81% 19%
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
51
Major fields of study with a postsecondary certificate; diploma or degree.

An individual's field of study also plays an Table 3-6 Unemployment Rate by Major Field of
Study, Both Genders, LCR, 2006
important role in labour market outcomes. The
unemployment rate of the labour force by major Field of Study
Unemployment
Rate
field of study in 2006 is provided in Table 3-6. Agriculture, natural resources and conservation 4%
Architecture, engineering, and related technologies 3%
There were several fields where the demand for Business, management and public administration 4%
Education 0%
labour virtually equalled the supply—education, Health, parks, recreation and fitness 4%
Humanities 0%
humanities, and social and behavioural sciences Mathematics, computer and information sciences 24%
Personal, protective and transportation services 6%
and law. Unemployment for most of the Physical and life sciences and technologies 7%
Social and behavioural sciences and law 0%
remaining fields ranged from 3% to 13%. The Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies 13%
exception was in the mathematics, computer Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 (20% sample data)
and Author's Calculations.
and information sciences field where the rate of
unemployment was estimated at 24%—an indication that the labour market was saturated with
individuals having this background, with supply far exceeding demand by local employers.
EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS
 A smaller share of Lower Columbia females compared to males has a post-

secondary education.
 In 2006, about one-third of females had a college education—nearly one-third of

males had acquired trades related training and were more employable owing to
the high labour demand from the region's goods producing industries.
 Younger females in the study area are more educated than older women,
particularly at the university level.
 There are fewer job opportunities for unskilled labour in the Lower Columbia
than in BC and the rest of Canada—Lower Columbia females who did not
complete high school had the highest rate of unemployment in 2006.
 Lower Columbia women who completed their trades training had the lowest rate
of unemployment of all levels of education, for both females and males.
 One-third of the study area's residents with a post-secondary certificate or

higher indicated an educational background in architecture and engineering—
women only represented 5% of those individuals.

3.4 Personal Income

BC Statistics produces annual income data by source and level of income for various age groups at the
community level. It is assembled from Revenue Canada's tax filer data, and the most recent figures
represent the 2009 tax year. Since this data is more recent than Census 2006 (2005 tax year) and it is
quite comprehensive, it has been used to compute most of the indicators in this section.
3.4.1 Source of Income
Figure 3-11 illustrates employment, pension, Figure 3-11 Personal Income by Source, Both
investment and self-employment income as a Genders, 2009
share of total personal income earned by Lower 75%

65%
Columbia Region and BC tax filers in 2009. The
Percent of Income
majority of Lower Columbia personal income 50%
was generated by employment (65%) which is on
par with the BC average. When comparing the 25% 19%
7% 6%
genders within the study area, employment 3%
0%
income comprised a smaller share of women's Employment Pension Investment Self Other
income (62%) than men's (72%) in 2009.52 At the Employment
Lower Columbia BC
provincial level, the share of employment
Source: BC Stats, BC Taxation Statistics, 2012.
income for women was 66%. *Note: Does not sum to 100 because minor income sources are
excluded.
Given the older age structure of the population in the study area, it is no surprise that the proportion
of pension incomes (19%) was greater than the provincial share of this type of income (14%). In
contrast, the percentage of investment income (7%) and self-employment income (3%) is lower in the
Lower Columbia Region than the BC average (10% investment and 5% self-employment).
52
BC Stats, 2009 Neighbourhood & Income Demographics, 2011

3.4.2 Income Levels
The share of tax filers by income range for the Figure 3-12 Share of Tax filers by Income
2009 tax year is presented in Figure 3-12. The Range, LCR, 2009
data highlights considerable gender differences 30%
between the various levels of income. A larger
Percentage
share of women (67%) than men (41%) earned 20%
less than $35K. Though gender differences by

10%
earnings category follow the same pattern at
the provincial level, they are not as pronounced. 0%
< $15K $15-24K $25-34K $35-49K $50-99K $100K+
In BC, 66% of females earned less than $35K Females 28% 24% 15% 16% 14% 2%
Males 16% 12% 13% 17% 34% 9%
compared to 49% of males.
Of the women filing income tax returns in 2009, Source: BC Stats, 2009 Neighbourhood & Income Demographics, 2011.
52% earned less than $24K versus 28% of men. Approximately 28% of women reported receiving less
than $15K the same year, compared to 16% of men.
At the other end of the income spectrum, considerably more men (43%) than women (16%) reported
earnings above the $50K level. In this income category, 19% of BC females earned more than $50K in
2009 versus 36% of males.
Median income from all sources is the amount Figure 3-13 Median Income from all Sources,
by Community, LCR, 2009
which divides the annual reported income of tax
filers into two halves—the incomes of the first $50,000
half of tax filers are below the median, while $40,000
those of the second half are above the median. $30,000

2009 $
The graph in Figure 3-13 depicts median income $20,000
by gender for Lower Columbia Region $10,000

$0
communities in 2009.53 The gap in female-male Fruitvale Montrose Trail Rossland Area B
F-M Gap $24,300 $23,351 $17,527 $13,597 $15,239
median income ranged from $13,597 in Rossland Female $21,739 $24,720 $23,145 $27,376 $23,225
Male $46,039 $48,071 $40,672 $40,973 $38,464
to $24,300 in Fruitvale. These are the same
Female Male
communities with the highest ($27,376—
Source: BC Stats, 2009 Neighbourhood & Income Demographics, 2011.
Rossland) and lowest ($21,739—Fruitvale)
female median incomes.
53
Data is not produced separately for Area A or Warfield.

3.4.3 Employment Income
In 2009, median employment income54 of Figure 3-14 Median Employment Income by

women in Lower Columbia communities ranged Community , Lower Columbia, 2009
from $17,919 in Trail to $23,125 in Montrose

$40,000
(see Figure 3-14). The gender gap in
$30,000
2009 $
employment income was the greatest in
$20,000
Fruitvale ($25,290)—larger than the amount of
female median income in that community $10,000
($20,450). The smallest gap was in Rossland $0

Fruitvale Montrose Trail Rossland Area B
($7,911). F-M Gap $25,290 $20,745 $17,110 $7,911 $13,482

Female $20,450 $23,125 $17,919 $21,795 $18,754
Male $45,740 $43,870 $35,029 $29,706 $32,236
In 2009, Lower Columbia women received about Female Male BC-Female ($23,170)
92% of their employment income through Source: BC Stats, 2009 Labour Force Income Profile, 2011.
wages and salaries; men received 93% (see

Table 3-7 Employment Income by Source, 2009
Table 3-7). This share was slightly less for
females in the province as a whole (91%). Self-
Wages & Self-
employment income comprised 5% for both EI
Salaries Employment
genders regionally, and 6% for females in BC. Lower Columbia-Female 92% 5% 3%

Lower Columbia-Male 93% 5% 2%
Both groups of females derived slightly more
BC-Female 91% 6% 3%
employment income from employment
insurance (3%) than males in the Lower Source: BC Stats, 2009 Labour Force Income Profile, 2011.
Columbia (2%).
Female average wages, salaries and commissions55 in the Lower Columbia ($26,830) was 60% of males
($44,412) in 2009.56,57 One reason for this is that women are less likely to work full-time than men—
another reason may be the differences in wages and salaries themselves. At the provincial level, this
ratio was higher (65%).
54
Employment income is comprised of wages, salaries and commissions, self-employment income and employment
insurance (EI) income.
55
Per tax filer.
56
BC Stats, 2009 Labour Force Income Profile, 2011.
57
Average incomes can be higher or lower than median incomes because they are computed by summing all income
reported and dividing by the number of taxfilers. This method has the disadvantage of being affected by any single value
that is very high or low compared to the rest of the sample. A median is often the preferred measure as it can offer a
better measure of a mid point.

3.4.4 Lone Parent vs. Couples
Revenue Canada's tax filer data does not Table 3-8 Median Pre-tax Income in Census
Families by Community, LCR, 2005
capture income by family-type. Data from the
2006 Census, however, provides us with a Census Family Type
Community
glimpse into the differences in family income Married Common-law Lone-Parent
between lone parents and couples. Fruitvale $69,691 $40,675 $35,154
Montrose $75,760 n/a $42,152

Table 3-8 shows that median incomes varied Rossland $93,617 $50,553 $30,255
greatly in 2005 by Lower Columbia community Trail $65,268 $52,337 $27,598
for all census family types. Married couples Warfield $69,021 $72,811 $32,600
brought in the highest median incomes (from Area A $76,743 $60,458 $21,602
Area B $73,475 $69,852 $48,483

$65.3K in Trail to $93.6K in Rossland).
Common-law couples earned considerably less, Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.
with incomes varying from $40.7K in Fruitvale

to $72.8K in Warfield.
Lone-parents earned the lowest incomes of the Figure 3-15 Married-Couple/Lone-Parent Median
three family types. The gap between lone- Pre-tax Income Gap by Community,
LCR, 2005
parents and married couples in some
communities was more than double the lone
$60,000 $63.4
parent's median income. Differences in income
Gap in Median Income
$55.1
were the greatest in Rossland and Area A,
$40,000
where the gaps were $63.4K and $55.1K
2005
$37.7 $36.4
$34.5 $33.6 $33.8
respectively (see Figure 3-15). At the provincial
$20,000 $25.0
level, the gap between married couples and
lone-parents was $33.8K in 2005. $0
On average, female-lone parents58 in the study

area earned $32.9K in 2005 compared to couple Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.
59
families earnings of $77.2K—a gap of $44.3K.
At the provincial level, female lone-parents, on
average, earned $43.5K.
58
Lone-parent median income is available by gender in the 2006 Census, but it has not been used in this analysis because
of the small sample size of male lone-parents in most communities.
59
BC Statistics has estimated Trail LHA 2005 average family income for economic families from the Census 2006. BC Stats,
Local Health Area 11-Trail Demographic Profile, 2011.

PERSONAL INCOME HIGHLIGHTS
 Pension income comprises a greater share of personal income in the Lower

Columbia Region than in BC as a whole. The proportion of self-employment and
investment income is lower.
 There is a considerable gender gap in income—more than one half of the region's
women earned less than $24K in 2009 compared to 28% of men. Significantly more
men than women reported earnings above the $50K level.
 The income gap between the genders is the greatest in Fruitvale and the least in
Rossland—Fruitvale men earned the 2nd highest median income in the region in
2009 while females in the community earned the lowest median income.
 The income gap between married couple and lone-parent families in some
communities is more than double the lone-parent's median income.

3.5 Economic Dependency

Economic dependency is the degree of Figure 3-16 Economic Dependency Ratio, 2009
dependence a community has on government
$63.77
transfer payments.60 It is a gauge of economic 60
health and is measured through the economic 50

dependency ratio—total transfer payments as a 40 $46.08
Ratio
$38.96 $40.12
share of total employment income reported by 30 $25.97
tax filers within an area. It is expressed as a ratio 20
of transfer payment dollars for every hundred 10
Fruitvale Montrose Rossland Trail Area B
dollars of employment income.
Females Males BC-Female Avg ($32.77)
In 2009, Lower Columbia females had a greater

Source: BC Stats, 2009 Economic Dependency Profile, August 2011.
dependency on transfer payments than their
male counterparts in all Lower Columbia communities. Female dependency was, by far, the highest in
Trail, where tax filers received $63.77 in transfer payments for every $100 of employment income
earned in 2009 (see Figure 3-16). The dependency ratio was the lowest in Rossland ($25.97), the only
community in the study area below the BC female average ($33.77).
Table 3-9 shows that pensions—private, CPP and Table 3-9 Contribution to Economic Dependency
OAS—were the biggest contributors to women's Ratio, Females, 2009
economic dependency. Within the region, this Type of Transfer Payment Fruitvale Montrose Trail Rossland Area B BC
contribution ranges from a low of $20.95 per Other Pension $10.46 $12.62 $20.44 $8.82 $11.72 $9.38
Canada Pension Plan $9.09 $10.14 $15.12 $5.53 $12.18 $7.06
$100 of employment income in Rossland to Old Age Security $7.11 $6.85 $11.41 $3.57 $7.31 $5.32
Split-Pensions $4.60 $4.59 $6.75 $3.03 $6.48 $3.44
$53.72 in Trail. At the provincial level, female Total Pensions $31.26 $34.20 $53.72 $20.95 $37.69 $25.20
Employment Insurance $2.68 $3.11 $3.01 $2.85 $2.90 $2.93
economic dependency on pensions was $25.20 Income Assistance $1.45 n/a $3.13 $0.37 $1.60 $1.44
Supplements/Tax Credits $1.70 $0.75 $2.02 $0.49 $1.43 $1.96
per $100 of employment income. With the Worker's Compensation $1.08 $0.71 $1.10 $0.67 $1.87 $0.55
Child Benefit $0.78 $0.60 $0.79 $0.64 $0.59 $0.69
continued "greying" of the Lower Columbia
population, it is anticipated that pensions will Source: BC Stats, 2009 Economic Dependency Profile, August 2011
further dominate transfer payments in the

future.
A portion of the working age population does not participate in the labour market to their full
potential. There are many reasons for this ranging from a lack of employment opportunities and
seasonal work to personal issues, disabilities and a lack of education. For these individuals, access to
adequate assistance to meet their own needs and those of their family is critical.
60
Transfer Payments—Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, other employment pensions or superannuation, Workers'
Compensation Payments, Social Assistance payments, Employment Insurance payments, Net Federal Supplements, and
Provincial Tax Credits.

Within the Lower Columbia communities, female dependency on Employment Insurance Benefits was
fairly constant, varying from $2.68 per $100 of employment income in Fruitvale to $3.11 in Montrose.
At the provincial level, female economic dependency on Employment Insurance was $2.93 per $100
of employment income. Dependency on Income Assistance, however, was inconsistent amongst the
communities. Female dependency was, by far, the highest in Trail, where $3.13 of income assistance
was received for every $100 of employment income earned in 2009. The dependency ratio was the
lowest in Rossland ($0.37), well below the BC female average of $1.44.
3.5.1 Senior's Income
Pensions play an important role in the income Figure 3-17 Share of Senior Taxfilers Reporting
Pension Incomes, LCR, 2009
security of seniors. As Figure 3-17 illustrates, most
Female Male
seniors who reported Old Age Security (OAS) and
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) income in 2009 were Population (65+ Years) 56% 44%
women (55% and 54%). This corresponded closely Old Age Security 55% 45%
to the share of females aged 65 and older (56%) at Canada Pension Plan 54% 46%
that time. The majority of seniors who received Other Pension 48% 52%
other pension income in 2009 were males (52%). 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

OAS and CPP pensions, on average, provide less
income to seniors than other pensions (see Figure2-18). In 2009, Lower Columbia females received an
average of $5,896 in OAS payments—this was greater than their male counterparts ($5,845). Given
the region's high share of widows versus widowers,61 it is likely that more women (than men) qualify
for a Guaranteed Income Supplement. CPP
Figure 3-18 Average Pension Income per
income is dependent upon how long a person Taxfiler, 2009
has contributed to the Plan, how much was $20,000
Average Income per Taxfiler
contributed and when a person decides to start

$15,000
collecting their pension (to a maximum). Average
$10,000
CPP income for males ($7,366) in 2009 was
greater than females ($6,126). $5,000
$0
The gender difference is more pronounced in Other Pension
Canada Old Age
Pension Plan Security
other pension plans. Senior men who collected LCR-Female $12,482 $6,126 $5,896
LCR-Male $20,333 $7,366 $5,845
other pensions earned an average of $20,333 in BC-Female $13,566 $5,862 $5,550
2009 compared to female earnings of $12,482.
61
The 2011 Census reports that 11.5% of the population 15 years and older were widows, compared to widowers (3.3%).

3.5.2 Income Assistance
For most individuals who are unemployed, access Table 3-10 Population Aged 19 to 64 Receiving
to Basic Income Assistance (IA) is vital. Basic Income Assistance as a Percent of
Population, June '11 to March '12
BC Stats produces data that illustrates the share Trail LHA BC
of the population aged 19 to 64 in receipt of IA Quarter Ending Female Male Female
(see Table 3-10). In the past year, social assistance June 2011 2.0 2.1 2.0
September 2011 2.1 1.8 1.9
rates were similar for both women and men in the
December 2011 2.1 1.8 1.8
study area. In June 2011, the percent of males
March 2012 2.1 2.0 1.8
aged 19 to 64 in receipt of IA (2.1%) in the Lower
Source: BC Stats, Custom Request.
Columbia Region was slightly higher than that of
females in the study area and BC (2.0%). However, during the last three quarters ending March 2012,
the female IA utilization rate in the study area was greater than that of males in the region, and of
females in the province.
Longer term trends in IA utilization provide us Figure 3-19 Population Aged 19 to 64 Receiving
Basic Income Assistance as a Percent of
with more insight into typical gender gaps
Population, 2005 to 2012
experienced in the study area. Figure 3-19
illustrates the percentage of the population aged
2.25
19-64 who received IA between 2005 and 2012.
2.00
Between 2005 and 2008, the share of the female
Percentage
1.75
population in the Lower Columbia Region
1.50
collecting IA was consistently higher than males
1.25
(approximately 0.5 percentage points on average
1.00
over the four year period).
0.75
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Layoffs during the recession likely triggered a Trail LHA-Female Trail LHA-Male BC-Female
greater demand for IA by males beginning in
2009, narrowing the female-male gap. In some
quarters, the rate of male utilization was greater
than females.
At the provincial level, female IA rates have been consistently lower than those of females in the
Lower Columbia Region since 2005.

LONE PARENTS
Lone parents are at a particularly high risk of living in poverty. As of September 2011, the percentage
of single parent family receiving IA in the Trail Local Health Area was 28.6%.62 At the provincial level,
this figure was 24.9%.
Table C-14 in Appendix C illustrates current basic income assistance rates for various family types and
sizes in British Columbia. Lone parent families63 earn a basic monthly rate of $375 plus a minimum
shelter allowance of $57064 and a support allowance of $123 per child. Thus, a lone-parent with one
child will receive approximately $1,068 per month, or $12,816 per annum.65 At the other end of the
spectrum, a lone-parent with six children under the age of 19 has the potential to earn $1,936 per
month or $23,232 per annum.
3.5.3 Employment Insurance
Employment Insurance (EI) provides benefits to individuals who lose their jobs and are unable to find
work. Not all workers, however, are eligible, so the percentage of EI beneficiaries is lower than the
general unemployment rate. Gender-based EI utilization rates for the Trail LHA are available on a
monthly basis, but only go back to August 2011. 66 Changes in EI usage reflect various situations,
including new people becoming beneficiaries, people securing or returning to work, and people
exhausting their regular benefits.
Figure 3-20 shows that the utilization of Figure 3-20 Employment Insurance Beneficiaries as
a Percentage of the Population Aged
employment insurance is significantly higher for
15+, Aug 2011 to July 2012
males than females in the study area and in BC. 3.0%
Between August 2011 and July 2012, the male EI
utilization rate in the Lower Columbia varied 2.5%
between 1.0 percentage points and 1.7

2.0%
percentage points above the female rate. At its
highest point (March 2012), the share of males
1.5%
collecting EI was more than double than that of
females. 1.0%
Regional EI utilization rates for females

LHA-Female LHA-Male BC-Female
corresponded to females at the provincial level for
Source: BC Stats, Employment Insurance Beneficiaries Receiving
most of the year except during January to April. Regular Benefits by Local Health Area, September 30, 2012.
62
BC Stats, Local Health Area 11-Trail Demographic Profile, 2011.
63
Employable one-parent families where the parent is under 65.
64
Dependent upon family size—maximum is $820 per month for a lone-parent family of 7.
65
Recipients may be qualified to receive other assistance such as bus pass fees, Christmas, community volunteer, crisis,
school start up and other supplements and various subsidies.
66
Data is only available back to August 2011 as this is a new data series that BC Stats is producing.

Long-term data (back to January 2006) that Figure 3-21 Employment Insurance Program
Beneficiaries, RDKB, Jan 2006 to Jul 2012
represented the larger Regional District of
Kootenay Boundary is displayed in Figure 3-21. 1,000
This figure is evidence of a seasonal trend
Number Receiving Benefits

750
showing the demand for EI peaking in January
and February each year for both males and 500
females. This long-term data also correlates to IA
numbers and confirms that the regional job 250
market did indeed deteriorate beginning in

0
2008.67 By March 2009, 1,040 men were
Sep-06
Sep-07
Sep-08
Sep-09
Sep-10
Sep-11
May-06
May-07
May-08
May-09
May-10
May-11
May-12
Jan-06
Jan-07
Jan-08
Jan-09
Jan-10
Jan-11
Jan-12
reported to be receiving EI in the KBRD, which
Females Males
was more than three times the number from
Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM Table 276-0006.
just six months prior (270) and over double the
number of females (460).
ECONOMIC DEPENDENCY HIGHLIGHTS
 Females in the Lower Columbia Region have a higher dependency on government

transfer payments than males. With the projected aging of the population, this
dependency may increase over time.
 Women in Trail are most reliant on transfer payments of all the communities in the
study area, likely due to the high proportion of senior women in that community.
Rossland females have the lowest dependency.
 More men than women collect employment pensions or superannuation, and they
earn considerably more than women who receive this type of pension.
 In recent years, the rate of income assistance utilization between males and
females in the study area has been similar.
 The share of single parent Income Assistance caseloads in the Lower Columbia is
higher than the BC average.
 Males in the region tend to utilize Employment Insurance Benefits more than
females—particularly between January and May.
67
The increase in IA utilization showed up in 2009 because many recipients had exhausted their EI benefits by that time,
despite measures that were introduced to provide an extra 5 weeks of benefits for all claimants due to the recession.

3.6 Community Infrastructure
3.6.1 Rental Housing Affordability
Data from the 2006 Census indicate that rental Figure 3-22 Median Monthly Payments for Rented
housing costs in the Lower Columbia Region Dwellings, 2005
$800
were lower than the provincial ($752) and
Canadian ($671) medians (see Figure 3-22). $600 $651 $625 $600
Median monthly payments for rented dwellings $570
$541
2005$
$515 $526
varied considerably within the study area with $400
rentals being the lowest in Fruitvale ($515) and

$200
highest in Montrose ($651).
$0
Shelter cost is a major expense in low-income Fruitvale Montrose Rossland Trail Warfield Area A Area B
BC ($752 median rent ) CAN ($671 median rent )

family budgets. The amount a household is able
or willing to pay for housing determines not Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006.
only the quality of the dwelling but also the choice of community and neighbourhood. High shelter
costs reduce the income available for other essential family expenses such as food, clothing,
transportation and school expenses. The daily strain of living without adequate income negatively
impacts physical and emotional health status, employability, and general opportunities for inclusion in
society. The Women Creating Change project is currently working on a calculation of the "living wage"
which will provide valuable insight into the minimum income necessary for a family to meet their basic
needs in the Lower Columbia Region.68
Traditionally, housing affordability measures Table 3-11 Share of Households Paying More
have examined the ratio of housing cost to total Than 30% on Rental Housing, 2005
household income. A household paying 30% or
Share of
more of its pre-tax income on shelter is Local Health Area
Households
considered to face housing affordability Cranbrook 44.5%
69,70 Creston 48.3%
problems. The share of rental households (or
Nelson 49.0%
tenants) paying 30% or more of their gross Castlegar 35.5%
income on housing in the Trail LHA in 2005 was Trail 40.1%
40.1% (see Table 3-11) which was lower than British Columbia 43.4%
the BC average (43.4%) and other health areas Source: BC Stats, Local Health Area 11-Trail Demographic Profile, 2011.
68
The Living Wage report for the Lower Columbia Region will be available at www.communityskillscentre.com/wcc or by
contacting wcc@communityskillscentre.com by January 2013.
69
Statistics Canada, Perspective, Measuring Housing Affordability, Catalogue No. 75-001-XIE, November 2006.
70
It should be noted, however, that not all households spending 30% or more of incomes on shelter costs are necessarily
experiencing housing affordability problems. This is particularly true of households with high incomes.

in the Kootenays except Castlegar (35.5%).71 Data from the "Getting to Home" project, which is
discussed in the following section, indicates that most participants are paying 50% to 60% of their
gross income on housing despite assistance from the Housing Facilitators.72
A recent study funded by the Lower Columbia Community Development Team73 highlighted a number
of issues with respect to housing in the study area:
 There is a predominance of single-family dwellings—80% of all dwellings in the LCR are

detached single family dwellings. In comparison, about 50% of dwellings in BC are detached
single family dwellings.
 Housing stock is aging—About 90% of the housing stock in the LCR was built prior to 1986
compared to 62% at the provincial level. Nearly two thirds (about 66%) of the region’s
housing stock was built before 1971 compared to 31% across BC.
 A higher state of disrepair—Nearly one-half of the housing in the region requires minor or
major repairs beyond regular maintenance versus one-third of the housing in BC.
 Inadequate housing for low-income households—While some subsidized housing exists

across the region for low-income seniors, including four facilities operated by Interior Health ,
there are no government housing options for other low income households. Despite the
presence of low-cost rentals in the LCR, interviews show that low-income households
predominantly rely on housing that is often in a poor state of repair. This can lead to unsafe
and/or unhealthy living conditions for individuals and families. Poor weather-proofing can
also significantly increase utility costs in the winter, adding pressure to household budgets.
 Emerging issue of homelessness—In late winter of 2011, an extreme weather emergency

shelter opened in Trail for the first time and was regularly used by a number of clients. While
visible homelessness is an issue, there is also concern for people who face relative
homelessness,74 many of whom have mental health or addictions issues.
 Limited housing options for seniors—While a number of senior-specific housing facilities

exist, there is concern over the lack of units for low-income seniors. A lack of housing diversity
means fewer options for independent seniors who may want to downsize from a detached
single-family dwelling.
71
BC Stats data based on 2006 Census data which reflects 2005 costs.
72
Statistics from the first five months of project. Personal communication with Janet Morton, Executive Director, The Skills
Centre, December 2012.
73
Matt Thomson, Lower Columbia Region Attainable Housing Needs Assessment, April 2012.
74
People’s homes do not meet basic standards.

RENTAL HOUSING AFFORDABILITY HIGHLIGHTS
 Median monthly payments for rented housing in the Lower Columbia Region are
lower than the provincial and Canadian medians.
 The region's housing stock is old and in a state of disrepair—nearly two thirds was
constructed before 1971, and owing partly to the age, nearly half is in poor
condition.
 There are no subsidized government housing options for non-senior low-income

households.
 There is an abundance of older single detached houses in the Lower Columbia.
 Most Getting to Home project participants are paying 50% to 60% of their gross
income on housing.
3.6.2 Crisis Community Services
HOMELESSNESS
As a key element in the strategy to break the cycle of homelessness, the provincial Emergency Shelter
Program75 provides funding to shelters and drop-in centres. In addition to offering a temporary
sanctuary, the shelters help connect people who are homeless with housing, food and other support
services. The Lower Columbia Region does not have a year-round emergency shelter, but BC Housing
funds the United Church (located in West Trail where most low-income housing is found) to run an
extreme weather response shelter from November to March.76
The shelter appears to be well-utilized—between March 2011 and April 2012, the shelter was used
348 times. There are 6 beds available; approximately 3.5 (average) are utilized each day. Very few
women, however, make use of the service.77
Another local initiative to address homelessness is a 47 week pilot project known as "Getting to
Home," a collaboration between The Skills Centre and Career Development Services. The primary
purpose of the project is to assist people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and/or hard to
75
Delivered by BC Housing, a provincial crown agency that develops, manages, and administers a wide range of subsidized
housing options.
76
Additional dollars were given at the end of the term to keep the doors open until the end of April.
77
Numbers provided to WCC Coordinator by United Church.

house to find and maintain safe, affordable housing in the community. Recognizing many of the
people who have trouble finding and maintaining housing are often struggling with mental illness,
addictions and abuse, two half-time outreach workers work one-on-one with each person, helping
them to address their barriers to housing and supporting them to remain housed. The team is also
creating an inventory of rental housing and building good working relationships with landlords in the
community.
This short-term pilot project assisted 35 adults (along with 10 dependent children) since May 2012 to
secure housing. With the Homelessness Partnering Strategy grant from Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada ending in March 2013, the project team and its advisory committee are working
hard to secure longer term funding from other sources to maintain this highly successful community
resource.78
WOMEN' S TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
Women seeking to leave abusive situations can turn to women's shelters for help. Shelters for abused
women offer a safe place to stay, as well as access to a variety of programs and services designed to
help them (and their children) transition to a life free from abuse.
Women's transitional housing statistics are one indicator of the prevalence of violence against women
in a community. However due to women’s under-reporting of violence, the actual numbers of
women experiencing abuse are considered to be much higher. Typically a woman (often with her
children) will access a transition house as a desperate last resort. Some women may have had an
adequate family income prior to leaving, but
Table 3-12 Women who have Resided at Least
most are, or quickly become, "low income" Once in Trail Transition House,
because they are unable to access family assets January 2008 to September 2012
and cannot afford to hire a lawyer. # of
Origin
Women
Table 3-12 shows that Trail's transition house
Lower Columbia Area 119
assists approximately 4579 new clients per year Castlegar 35
with approximately 25 originating from the BC & Beyond 59
Lower Columbia Region. These figures do not Total 213
account for repeat stays by women who are
Average Annual Total 45
forced to return to their abusive partner
because they are unable to afford the high cost Average Annual Lower Columbia 25
of housing on their own. Women can stay at the
Source: Ann Godderis, Management Team, Women Creating Change
Transition house for 30 days. via Women in Need Society (WINS) Transition House.
78
Janet Morton, Management Team, Women Creating Change and Executive Director, The Skills Centre/Inside Job
Consulting, November 2012.
79
213 women in total over the 4.75 year period averages to 45 per year.

"Nova Vita" is a second-stage housing program in Trail. Independent accommodation in six, one or
two bedroom furnished apartments is available to women (with or without children) who have left
abusive relationships, or have experienced past abuse, and can benefit from a one-year individualized
support program to deal with these issues. The apartments are almost always full and wait times vary.
The focus is of the program is on the development of life skills, achievement of individual goals and
connections to community resources. A brief stay in a transition house is required prior to admission.
In collaboration with The Skills Centre and the Trail Work BC Employment Service Centre, women also
have access to a Bridging program which includes employment counselling and employability skills
development.
The local police detachment reports that there were 98 cases of domestic assaults or other domestic
partner offences (i.e., breaches, verbal arguments, etc.) filed (by men and women) in the first 8
months of 2012 versus 93 in total in 2011. 80
CHARITABLE FOOD A SSISTANCE
Low income is the reason that charitable food assistance programs operate in Canada. Across BC, the
majority of food bank usage is by single people (46%), while single-parent and two parent families
comprise 21.8% and 19.6% respectively. Nearly half (43.1%) are in receipt of social assistance and
24.5% receive disability-related income support. Over three-quarters (76.1%) are rental market
tenants.81
The three largest food banks available to Lower Columbia residents are the Salvation Army, St.
Andrew’s Anglican Church and the United Church—all located in the City of Trail. Smaller food banks
are located in Rossland and Fruitvale, but serve local residents only. Some churches and agencies in
the area have food cupboards and offer limited help to those in need.
Eligible clients of the Salvation Army food bank can receive one food hamper per month. Clients must
make an appointment and register before being given an appointed time to pick up their hampers. In
December, 2012, the Salvation Army donated food hampers to 380 families. The Salvation Army also
operates ‘Kate's Kitchen’. This service provides low cost lunches four days a week and an evening
meal once a week. They serve an average of 150 meals weekly.
The food banks at the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and the United Church are "low barrier," meaning
they do not require people to register. Between them, they are open once a week for “all comers".
The St. Andrew's Anglican Church food bank is open on the second Tuesday of each month and offers
a bag of groceries plus lunch to over 100 individuals. The United Church food bank (located across the
street from St. Andrew’s) is open all other Tuesdays. It is estimated that approximately 145
80
Ann Godderis, Management Team, Women Creating Change via Trail RCMP, 2012.
81
Food Banks Canada, HungerCount 2011, 2012.

individuals, 50 to 60% being women, use this service. Of the users, a large proportion are in their late
20's to early 30's and in the 50 to 60 year-old age range. Most food bank users are single, but there
are lone-parents and couples as well. In addition, the United Church offers a free dinner every third
Sunday of the month, with numbers occasionally reaching over 100 people. The majority of diners are
elderly people, which differs from the younger demographic of food bank users.
CRISIS COMMUNITY SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS
 Trail does not have a year-round emergency shelter—just an extreme weather

response shelter that is open from November to March.
 The "Getting to Home" pilot project that runs until March 2013, has been highly
successful in assisting people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and/or
hard to house to find and maintain safe, affordable housing in the community.
 The Trail Transition House provides enormous support to women fleeing domestic
violence—but it is a short-term refuge.
 Second stage housing is available to women who have left abusive relationships or
have experienced past abuse and can benefit from a year of individualized
support—the six apartments are almost always full, however, and wait times vary.
 There are a variety of charitable food assistance programs in the community, run by
volunteers.
3.6.3 Child Care
For many parents, employment depends on securing reliable and affordable child care. Low-income
women often face greater challenges than higher-income and two-parent families in making
affordable, appropriate child care arrangements that complement their work schedules.
Table 3-13 shows the number of registered child care spaces in Lower Columbia communities by type
of provider. Rossland has the greatest capacity with seven providers offering 100 spaces, although 15
are seasonal at the ski hill. Trail has more child care providers (thirteen), but less capacity (111 spaces)
on a per capita basis. Fruitvale has 48 spaces spread amongst five child care providers, while
Warfield's two facilities offer 27 spaces. Montrose has limited child care options with only one
provider offering two spaces.

Table 3-13 Registered Child Care Providers by Community, Lower Columbia Region, 2012
COMMUNITY TYPE OF PROVIDER # OF PROVIDERS CAPACITY
Licensed Family 4 28
Fruitvale
After School Care 1 20
Montrose Registered Licence Not Required 1 2
Licensed Group 2 62
Rossland Licensed Group—Ski Season Only 1 15

Registered Licence Not Required 2 4
Licensed Group 2 51
Trail
Registered Licence Not Required 6 12
Warfield
Licensed Family 1 7
Source: Ann Godderis, Management Team, Women Creating Change via Trail & Castlegar Child Care Resource & Referral Program,
November 2012.
Of these 283 registered child care spaces, 85 are dedicated solely to after school care for children
aged 5 to 12 in Fruitvale, Trail and Warfield. In addition, many of the other child care providers have
the flexibility to offer care to this age group. 82 Free, by donation, after school care for children who
are slightly older (ages 8 to 12 years) is available between 2:30 to 7:30 pm at "Sanctuary" in Trail.83
The centre, which is licensed for 25, has about 50 children who attend on a regular basis, with roughly
20-25 attending on any given day. Approximately 12-20 stay for supper each night.
Universal full-day kindergarten, which recently became available for all five-year-olds in the
province,84 has eased the demand for ½ day child care for this age cohort.
A CCESSIBILITY
All child care facilities in BC have restrictions on the number and ages of children they can care for
(refer to Table C-15 in Appendix C). These restrictions limit the supply of spaces at the pre-school age,
particularly in the infant-toddler ages, making it challenging to find care for this age group. This is
indeed the case in the Lower Columbia Region. Two of the group day cares surveyed indicated they
82
Data on the number of school-age children who are served by the other child care facilities is not available.
83
Run by the Generation to Generation Society.
84
Province of BC, Ministry of Education website. http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/early_learning/fdk/

have a waiting list for all age categories with wait times being longest for the younger children. One
noted their wait list was 33 children (all ages), which they equated to about a 2 ½ year wait.85 Another
group day care said they were full at times and had space at other times. 86
Aside from government restrictions, other reasons for the lack of infant-toddler care include a
shortage of certified educators and the higher operational costs due to greater staff to child ratios for
younger children (1:4 — infant-toddler vs. 1:10 — 3 to 5 years old).87
A VAILABILITY
Most child care providers are open during the week from about 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and closed on
the weekend. Some day cares are flexible and will open early or close later as required. The facility at
the base of Red Mountain is open seven days a week from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm during the ski season.
Some child care facilities are closed for all or part of the summer, however, and there are no
overnight or sick care facilities. As a result, many parents are obliged to take time off work to
accommodate these situations.
A FFORDABILITY
The cost of child care in the study area ranges between $40 and $47 per day. Families who earn a
combined income of less than $38K per year are eligible for a government child care subsidy. Monthly
subsidy payments depend on each family’s individual circumstances—family income, family size, the
age of children and the type of child care chosen (i.e. registered, licensed, group, family, pre-school,
etc.). Subsidies can range from $1050 per day for children of school age to $3750 per day for an
infant/toddler in licensed group care.88
Provincial Employment Assistance regulations require that single parents look for work once their
youngest child reaches three. Child care subsidies for children between three and kindergarten age
vary from $1770 to $2750 per day. Even at the lowest daily child care rate ($40 per day), parents still
need to contribute $1250 to $2230 per day, or $250 to $446 per month per child. This is a considerable
hardship for some parents, especially for those earning minimum wage.
85
Tara Howse, Coordinator, Women Creating Change, Independent Research, 2012.
86
Ann Godderis, Management Team, Women Creating Change and Tara Howse, Coordinator, Women Creating Change,
Independent Research, 2012.
87
Tara Howse, Coordinator, Women Creating Change, Independent Research, 2012.
88
Government of BC, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Child Care Subsidy Rate Table, April 1, 2012.
http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/pdfs/subsidy_rate_table.pdf

CHILD CARE HIGHLIGHTS
 Rossland has the most child care spaces of the Lower Columbia communities on a
per capita basis.
 Child care for pre-school children, especially those in the infant-toddler range is
difficult to access in some communities.
 Child care for parents with a sick child, or for those who work shifts or during the
weekend, is not readily available.
 Child care is not affordable for parents who earn low incomes.
3.6.4 Transportation to Work
COMMUTING FLOWS
While an understanding of a region's commuting Figure 3-24 Share of Female Employed Labour
Force in LCR Communities Who Work
and workflow patterns is important in
in Trail, 2006
determining where the available labour supply
and employment opportunities exist, 40% 43%
commuting flows also provide insight into the

30%
degree of mobilty required by the workforce to
Percentage
access employment opportunities. 20%
10% 14%
Most Lower Columbia women work in Trail. In 9%
11%
9%
8% 7%
2006, more than three-quarters of the 0%
Fruitvale Montrose Rossland Trail Warfield Electoral Electoral
employed female labour force (2,555) reported Area A Area B
Place of Residence
their usual place of work to be Trail. Nearly half
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 (20% Sample Data).
(43%) were residents of the City, while the
remainder resided in various communities
within the study area (see Figure 3-24).89
Table 3-15 shows that 42% of females (1,390) in the Lower Columbia Region indicated their usual
place of work to be within their own community in 2006. One-half (1,655) commuted to other
communities within the study area. The remaining 8% (280) reported they traveled outside the study
area for employment.
89
These numbers DO NOT include females who commute into Trail for work who reside outside of the study area.

Table 3-15 Commuting Flows of Employed Labour Force Having a Usual Place of Work, LCR, 2006
Place of Work
Castlegar Nelson & Grand Salmo &
Place of Residence Fruitvale Rossland Trail Warfield
& Area Area Forks Area
Fruitvale 70 220 10
Montrose 20 195
Rossland 200 355 85 10 10
Trail 25 25 1095 10 60 15 10
Warfield 30 290 25
Electoral Area A 60 220 15
Electoral Area B 25 180 65
1,390 Work in own Community

1,655 Commute to Another Community in Study Area
280 Work Outside Study Area
MODE OF TRANSPORT TO WORK
The most common form of transportation for Table 3-16 Mode of Transportation, Female
Employed Labour Force 15 Years and
female workers in the Lower Columbia Region is
Older, LCR, 2006
by vehicle, as a driver (see Table 3-16). Census
Vehicle Vehicle Public
Walked Bicycle Motorcycle
2006 data shows that 83% of employed women (driver) (passenger) Transit
drive themselves to work.90 This is no surprise Total 2,860 255 25 300 0 0

Share 83% 7% 1% 9% 0% 0%
given the size and spread of the study area and
because the majority of females (58%) commute Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 (20% sample data).
outside of their community to work. A reliable vehicle is a necessity for many workers, even more so for
women who need to drop off and pick up children at daycare.
Regardless, about 9% of females reported walking to work while another 7% caught a ride with another
person. Only 1% reported utilizing public transit to transport them to their job.91
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
A community's public transportation infrastructure plays a crucial role in supporting low-income

women who do not have the means to operate a vehicle, in securing and maintaining employment.
Accessibility
For the purpose of this study, "accessibility" is defined as neighbourhoods lying within a one kilometer
radius of a Kootenay Boundary Transit System bus stop.
90
Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006, 20% Sample Data.
91
The regional Transit system has expanded its service since the 2006 Census.

Figure 3-25 Transit Access Within 1 Kilometre of Bus Stop, Kootenay Boundary Transit, 2012
Transit Access Within 1 km Radius
Source: Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary.

Note: This is a draft map as of November 23rd, 2012.

The map in Figure 3-25 shows that most areas in the Lower Colombia Region have access to bus
services. There are, however, sections of Rural Area A (the outskirts of Fruitvale and Montrose, and
along the Waneta Highway towards the Waneta Dam) and Rural Area B (the outskirts of Rossland)
that do not have access to bus services.
Walking to and from bus stops in some neighbourhoods, however, may be a challenge during
inclement weather, after nightfall, if streets are steep or slippery, when carrying groceries or other
items, and especially for parents with young children.
Availability
Although the regional public transit system has expanded their hours of operation recently, there are
still times when bussing is not available. From Monday to Friday, buses are not operational before 6
am and after 9 pm. On Saturday, bussing is not available before 10 am and after 5 pm. On Sunday,
there is no bus service.92
These limitations are particularly challenging for individuals who work shifts or during the weekend
and for those who work at the many retail outlets on the outskirts of town. Regional taxi services are
limited—there is only one taxi in Trail that serves the Lower Columbia Region.
Elapsed Travel Time
Travel time estimates between each of the study area communities identify bus routes with
unreasonable (greater than one hour) elapsed travel times.
Table 3-17 Estimated Elapsed Travel Time Between LCR Communities, Regional Transit, 201293
Origin/Destination Fruitvale Montrose Rossland Trail
Fruitvale X X X X
Montrose 10 mins X X X
Rossland1 60 mins 50 mins X X
25 mins2 15 mins2
Trail 25-35 mins4 X
3 3
45 mins 30-35 min
Warfield 55 mins 45 mins 20 mins 10 mins
Source: Tara Howse, Coordinator, Women Creating Change via Trail Regional Transit System, 2012.
Note: These times are "best case scenarios" (i.e. the elapsed time between Rossland and Fruitvale can be as much as 2½
hours at certain times of the day.
92
Independent Research, Tara Howse, Coordinator, Women Creating Change.
93
+/- 5 minutes.

There appear to be no bus routes within the Trail Regional Transit System that have an elapsed travel
time between the point of origin and destination greater than one hour. There are, however, several
routes that are close to or meet that maximum—Rossland-Fruitvale (60 minutes), Warfield-Fruitvale
(55 minutes), Rossland-Montrose (50 minutes) and Warfield-Montrose (45 minutes).
TRANSPORTATION HIGHLIGHTS
 Over three-quarters of Lower Columbia women work in Trail.
 Nearly 60% report having to commute to another community within the study area
or outside the region for work.
 The most common form of transportation for female workers is by vehicle—either

as a driver or a passenger.
 A vehicle is a necessity for most workers due to the size of the study area and the
need to commute for employment.
 The regional transit system has recently expanded its service, ensuring that most
neighbourhoods in that study area have access to bussing. There are, however,
times when service is not available and a few situations when the elapsed travel
time between some points is excessive.

Qualitative Findings Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity
4.0 Q UALITATIVE F INDINGS

The purpose of the qualitative research was to identify the barriers facing low-income women as they
try to improve their economic security, the supports that they find most effective, and to develop a
collection of recommendations for future action.
This section of the Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity describes the findings from three
focus groups, 24 electronic surveys and five telephone interviews conducted between October 23rd
and November 10th, 2012. It conveys the views, experiences and perspectives of nearly 50 people
living in the Lower Columbia Region.
The report is organized according to the six themes that were drawn from the participants’ feedback.
These themes are Community, Family, Housing, Education, Employment and Health and form the
backbone of the qualitative findings.
4.1 Theme: Community

The theme “Community” captured any broad references made by focus group participants, survey
respondents and telephone interviewees to the community (as defined by the participant) and how it
impacts or affects the economic security of low-income women. This theme included references to
community infrastructure, and community services provided either through non-profits, provincial or
federal government. Using this lens, the following community supports that help economic security,
community barriers that constrain economic security and community opportunities to improve
economic security were identified.
4.1.1 Community Supports Helping to Improve Economic Security
COMMUNITY -BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Participants in both of the women’s focus groups recognized “The food banks really help so
much (it is on Tuesdays at the
programs and services as their most significant community-
based support. Several different community programs were church downtown, Ferraro and
mentioned by name such as the WINS Transition House94, Safeway donate food); the
WINS drop-in program, food banks, thrift shops, and local church volunteers do not
churches. Four of the twelve women made reference to free sermonize to those who are
food as being extremely helpful. not Christian; the bag of

groceries is a big help.”
Five women commented about the value of coming together Woman FG participant
94
The WINS Transition House is a program of the Trail FAIR Centre Society.

with other women: “There is a drop-in centre at the Gulch. I didn’t know about it until I was in the
Transition House. You can get clothes, coffee, refreshments and can talk to women there.“ This
affirms a finding discussed later in the report where women identified their experiences of loneliness
and isolation as being particularly difficult.
4.1.2 Community Barriers Constraining Economic Security
Women identified nine barriers at the community level that impeded their ability to improve their
economic security. Of these, the most commonly referenced was transportation (6 of 12 women),
followed by organizational bureaucracy and lack of information about services (each cited by 5 of 12
women).
TRANSPORTATION
Six of the twelve women reported that transportation was a

significant barrier for them. Their challenges included: “My biggest challenge is
transportation. Busses suck,
 lack of Sunday bus service (some women indicated
and cabs don't work. They say
they were denied employment because they couldn’t
you have to wait for two
travel to their workplace to work on Sundays);
hours; I have to pay three
 limited evening bus service to the mall where extra hours of child care fees
cheaper groceries are available, and to return home because of the time I spend on
following evening shifts at their part-time jobs; and the bus.”
Woman FG participant
 the inability to afford the $1.75 bus fare when
earning low-wages.95
Service providers also viewed transportation as the most significant community barrier for low-
income women. One service provider said, “Many of the jobs women are eligible for are located at
the mall—with shifts and Sunday work. A lack of bus availability makes it very difficult.” Another
service provider said “I see moms who need to get their children to daycare, then to work. One
woman walks her children across town to childcare in the rain and snow; then she takes the bus out
to Wal-Mart.” Another service provider shared the fact that many women are reliant on public
transportation to get to work. They arrange their childcare according to their work schedule only to
have their work hours changed. “Given these challenges, for some women it looks easier to go back
on social assistance,” said the service provider.
95
A minimum wage job of $10.25 per hour (assuming 37 hours per week and a 15% tax rate) yields a monthly net income
of approximately $1,307. After paying rent of $700, an individual is left with $607 for all other expenses including heat,
light, child care, food, clothing and transportation.

Though understanding of these challenges, the parallel issue of poor public transportation utilization
in the region was brought forward by an elected official: “At the business end, you have to consider
there are so many times the buses are sitting empty; someone has to pay for this.”
BUREAUCRACY
Closely following the barrier of transportation, women

reported bureaucracy as being an enormous challenge in “Government fees cause a
trying to navigate community-based and government disproportionate burden on
programs. There was frustration with the fee charged for a the poor. I can’t even buy a
fishing license. There was also frustration with trying to fishing license for an afternoon
comprehend social assistance guidelines, accessing training of “free” recreation.”
while on income assistance and the timing of income Woman FG participant
received for employment-related programs. As noted by a
service provider: “The timing of income can be a problem (i.e. if income is received for attending
employment-related programs) it is challenging to juggle flows of income with respect to Ministry
guidelines. Some people choose not to participate so they do not have to fight with the system”.
One service provider asked the question, “Who supports the service providers?” This stemmed from
her observations that workers in social service agencies are struggling themselves financially, as well
as feeling burnt out, disrespected and undervalued. Working in these conditions is challenging for
staff and they are in the position of supporting women who are also extremely vulnerable and
stressed. She felt that the tension between frustrated service providers and demanding clients was
palpable at times.
LACK OF INFORMATION
Five of the twelve women’s focus group participants did not know who to ask for help or where to go.
And in the case of service providers, some of them admitted to not fully understanding the
community-based services provided by their colleagues.
4.1.3 Community Opportunities to Improve Economic Security
TRANSPORTATION
There were several ways in which women and service “Thank you for letting me on
providers felt that community-based barriers could be (the bus) when I was short a
improved. quarter.” A woman FG
participant recalling a recent
 examine the possibility of using passenger vans experience on the city bus.
instead of large and costly buses to transport people;

 look into a car-share co-operative model similar to the one in Nelson;
 expand bus service to the mall to include Sundays and evenings; and
 lobby the provincial government to provide transportation assistance to all people who are
on Income Assistance (not just those diagnosed with a disability).
EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS
While community-based “drop-in” programs for women were noted and valued, five women had
additional recommendations for emotional supports to reduce their isolation and strengthen their
resolve. The women felt these types of supports need to be “by women, for women” and not
provided by a government worker who has not experienced the reality of living in poverty. According
to a mother with a young son, “We need a good female support group, where you can bounce ideas
off and get ideas. There is one here but it is not well known. The best thing for me was meeting
other women at FAIR (Transition) House as it developed a support network so that we could help
each other with daycare.”
Two mothers felt strongly that a support group specifically for parents who have had to deal with the
Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) is essential: “The Ministry (MCFD) can have
quite an impact on how you feel your parenting skills are. A support group would be great.”
A CCESS TO COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING
“It’s a community problem and things can only change meaningfully if community gets behind the
change,” said one service provider. Given the community barriers experienced by women and
observed by service providers, participants made several recommendations to improve access to
community programs for low-income women, including:
 reduced fees for lower income families to access recreation such as public swimming;
 government funding of the food banks;
 financial support to low-income women for small business start-up costs;
 Enact a “poverty pass”: “Perhaps we could have what I tongue-in-cheekily call a “Poverty
Pass”. By registering with one government agency that keeps your income details private and
updated, you can present your card to prove that you genuinely need a break in government
fees. This is automatically done in some cases for seniors (e.g. driver’s license fee) but the
vast majority of seniors are better off than I am”; and
 a woman’s centre: “A one-stop place where women can access support, socialize together,
get food, information, resource information and advocacy.”

REFORMING SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
There was much conversation amongst women and service

providers about the importance of reforming the current “Moms should not have to
welfare system. One elderly woman wishes some changes work until their kids are older
could be made: “If the government could increase pensions it (currently mothers on income
would help but I don’t think the government cares about low- assistance must begin looking
income people in general.” This woman had shared a story for work when their youngest
earlier about receiving a death benefit for funeral costs child turns three). It would be
following the death of her husband only to have it deducted great if kids are five or six,
from her pension. when they are in school full
time; it would make life for
Another woman who lives alone felt that welfare amounts
these moms and families a lot
should take into account the true cost of housing. Service easier.”
providers echoed this comment: “It is a fundamental thing; Service Provider FG Participant
income assistance rates are not reflective of market basket
measures.” Another service provider shared the story of a young mother: “I know a woman who has
a five month old baby and is living with her mom, when she had the baby welfare gave her $30 extra a
month; she is so down and depressed, she can't even think about work.”
4.2 Theme: Family

The family theme included any reference to the woman’s family of origin (extended family) and/or her
current family (as defined by the participant) which may include children, and the relationship
between family and economic security. It is important to note that in regards to family, two service
providers commented on the growing prevalence of grandparents stepping in to help with the care of
their grandchildren. As well, none of the women brought up their children’s father as being helpful to
their economic security, outside of receiving child support. Though the women didn’t bring up their
children’s fathers specifically when the discussion centred on family, some of the fathers may indeed
be helpful (outside of child support) to their ex-partners and children.
4.2.1 Family Supports Helping to Improve Economic Security
FINANCIAL
Two women identified financial support from their family as being extremely helpful to them: “I have
a great mom. She just paid my rent. Family help is important.“ Though appreciative of the financial
help, one of the women shared her frustration with being dependent on her family and the control
they maintained over her.

4.2.2 Family Barriers Constraining Economic Security
CHILD CARE
“My #1 barrier is childcare. For
The single biggest family-related barrier cited by low-income
me to get a job and put my
women was childcare. All seven of the lone-parent women
child in daycare, it is so
experience difficulties related to childcare. These challenges
expensive. I would be working
include the cost of childcare (even when the woman’s
to pay his day care. I can get a
income qualifies her for a childcare subsidy), the worry about
partial subsidy which is 45%,
the safety and quality of the childcare, the challenge of
but that is not enough.”
planning childcare with inconsistent work schedules, and the
Woman FG Participant
transportation to and from the childcare provider.
In addition, service providers in the focus group and two of the five survey respondents who work
with vulnerable women also felt that childcare was the leading family related barrier to economic
security. According to one service provider, “I’m also seeing a lot of couples. For instance, the mom
has not finished school and works minimally or is juggling a few part time jobs. The father is also
making just a minimal salary. These couples are juggling childcare.”
In addition to childcare, another stress for low-income women is the inability to provide any extras to
their children such as public swimming, enrollment in Brownies, school lunches, photos, etc. “You
always have to say NO. That is all they hear,” said one mother whose children now live with their
father because she couldn’t provide for them. A woman who is currently enrolled at Selkirk College
talked about her young daughter being excluded from so many things: “Things like pizza lunches,
Scholastic book orders. I have no money for it. With the pizza money, they give you a short time
frame. It’s hard to find the money in a short time frame.”
Service providers were familiar with some of the community-based programs available for low-
income children such as Jump Start. However there appeared to be some misunderstanding about
how much funding a child would be entitled to, which links to the “lack of information” barrier
identified above.
During a telephone interview, a female engineer recalled her

“Many of the men would like
experience of working while her children were young:
to work part-time. Instead they
“Balancing work and home obligations was tough. I work
work 10-hour days, 6-7
with men who have their wives at home taking care of all
days/week. Men get really
these things.”
tired of this. They miss their
According to a tradesman who completed a telephone families.”
interview, he felt that low-income women do face Telephone Interviewee

employment challenges in the community. He also spoke up for fathers who are challenged with their
workplace demands including the lack of steady work, the long hours, and the frequent need to work
away from home. There are also challenging logistics to get in and out of worksites, and onsite
childcare is out of the question.
FAMILY
When asked about the most significant family barriers low- “I’ve been in a custody battle
income women face when it comes to maintaining their and my ex has his family
employment, one service provider replying to the survey behind him. There is no one to
remarked: “There is a lack of supports that we used to find help me. It’s just me alone. It
with our extended families. No moms or dads or aunts or has been absolutely horrible.”
uncles or cousins or grandparents to help in emergencies, no Woman FG Participant
back up.”
One woman talked about her family not understanding her struggle with poverty: “They are clueless
as to what it is like to be on a low income. My brother had a tool I wanted to borrow, he suggested I
buy one as they don’t cost much ($100 at Canadian Tire).” Two women were angry that their child
support is taken off their income assistance cheques. To get around this, one of the women begs her
ex to provide child support in the form of grocery store vouchers instead of cash.
4.2.3 Family Opportunities to Improve Economic Security
CHILD CARE
The following recommendations were made by women to help make child care more affordable and
accessible:
 base the provincial child care subsidy on a woman’s income;
 provide some child care (or free after-school programs) for children over 12 years old who
have moved beyond the Sanctuary Program; and
 develop a national child care subsidy where all families pay just $10/day/family.

4.3 Theme: Housing
4.3.1 Housing Supports Helping to Improve Economic Security
Women described several housing supports that have been

particularly helpful in improving their economic security. “I have seen remarkable
changes and hopeful changes
Turning 60 allowed one woman to begin collecting a rental
through the second stage
subsidy. This subsidy comes through BC Housing and is part
(housing) experience. They
of the “Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters,” a program to help
have one year, a safe
make rents more affordable for low-income BC seniors.96
environment and they have
The Transition House was pivotal in the lives of several the basics. It adjoins the
women who had fled domestic violence. Some women transition house with 24/7
shared stories of their Nova Vita housing experience in Trail, a staff available if they need help
“second stage housing” unit where women have one year of with a crisis. I have seen some
safe and secure housing with the basics provided. Nova Vita miracles happen where there’s
adjoins the Transition House with 24/7 staff available if help a big “ah ha” moment and
or support is needed. women can shake off things
that have been keeping her
One woman commented on the support offered by the faith from moving ahead.” Service
community when local churches paid her rent for two months Provider FG Participant
while she got back on her feet.
4.3.2 Housing Barriers Constraining Economic Security
QUALITY
Poor quality was the outstanding housing barrier for low- “If housing costs are extreme,
income women in the focus groups. One woman recounted you do not have money for
her story in a written submission: “It is a constant struggle; I food and transport. Housing is
am always worrying about not making ends meet. I live in a the key to emotional stability
crappy rental accommodation and everything needs work. too. Without a home they (the
The roof is leaking, sewer needs fixing, etc.” She goes on to women) can’t manage their
say “Living in shaky places also takes more time out of your medication, which in turn
life if you want to try to live better.” She was referring to the makes them unable to manage
time she has to spend trying to winterize her cold and drafty social networks.” Service
Provider Survey Respondent.
96
In addition to these programs is the BC Housing Rental Assistance Program which provides eligible low-income, working
families with cash assistance to help with their monthly rent payments. Source: BC Housing Rental Assistance Program
website, http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Rental_market/RAP

house. Women were invited to hypothetically say whatever they wished to their landlords. One
woman who has struggled for four years with the quality of her suite said “You are a "slumlord". You
need to fix this place and get off the pot and get going.” The mother of an infant told the group, “I
have a one year old who is on the floor constantly. Most places I can afford are not suitable for a
child.”
COST
The high cost of rental housing was identified by four of the six service providers as being the main
housing challenge for low-income women. The women are challenged to pay market rents and are
therefore stuck living in places that are of lower quality. Two women felt unsafe in their homes for
reasons varying from landlord harassment to poor quality construction: “You need to tolerate all this
shit that is thrown at you when you are in low-income housing.” Other housing challenges mentioned
by several women were the frequent moves required to secure a lower rent, facing evictions for not
paying rent, and feeling unsafe and threatened.
4.3.3 Housing Opportunities to Improve Economic Security
Women and service providers put forward several ideas to improve the housing situation for low-
income women in the Lower Columbia:
 Provide more low-cost housing options for families, one of which could be a co-op housing
model.
 Encourage the landlords who choose to help low-income women to be more public about
why. “I’d like my good landlord to speak out, have him be proud of what he does,” reports
one woman who was extremely grateful for her landlord’s kindness.
 Develop additional supports for women who are leaving their one-year term in Nova Vita
second stage housing. This is often a time of intense worry and vulnerability for these
women.
 Develop a youth housing program along the lines of Cicada Place in Nelson.
4.4 Theme: Education

The Education theme included feedback from respondents that referenced past education, current
education, future plans, and skills training as they related to or impacted women’s economic security.

4.4.1 Educational Supports Helping to Improve Economic Security
Reference was made by three of the women to the support they received through community based
training programs. “I worked in the service industry for many years. I just completed the Achieve
Program.97 I had a 10-week practicum; they purchased shoes, a full education, computer, haircuts,
they paid for everything.” There was also reference to the Targeted Wage Subsidy Program98, and the
Columbia Basin Trust’s Training Fee Support Program,99 but these weren’t elaborated upon in the
focus groups.
4.4.2 Educational Barriers Constraining Economic Security
BUREAUCRACY
Though participants felt that training programs were helpful,

there was an underlying current of frustration and feeling “Everything needs to be ticked
overwhelmed with the level of bureaucracy they encountered and checked. You spend more
when trying to follow program guidelines. “The SDEB (Skills time on the process than on
Development Employment Benefit)100 program was one of the helping people.” Service
most stressful times of my life. I had no money for books and Provider FG Participant
supplies. When I first learned of the SDEB I was told it would
cover tuition, living expenses, books and software, but not a computer. Before I signed the contract I
learned I would have to come up with the money for these expenses, but I was so desperate for the
training I carried ahead with my plans. Part of the result is strained relations with friends who remain
unpaid due to my low income.”
One woman recounted the story of following through on her “back to work” plan which began with
high school upgrading. She was challenged by the number of rules to follow including her ineligibility
for income assistance and not being allowed to get a job. When she was told to get a student loan,
she soon became overwhelmed with the process. She went back to restaurant work for $10.25 per
hour where her employer continues to deduct her tips off her wage. Partly out of desperation, some
women admitted to lying to the authorities so that they could remain on income assistance while
trying to attend school.
97
ACHIEVE, the Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities, is funded by the BC Ministry of Social Development. It
is a self-referred or Ministry-referred program that helps people with disabilities who want to find gainful employment in a
highly effective and efficient manner.
98
The Targeted Wage Subsidy Program is an employment program that provides employers with financial assistance
towards wages of eligible individuals whom they hire. The program encourages employers to hire eligible individuals
whom they would not normally hire in the absence of a subsidy.
99
The Training Fee Support Program is a bursary-style program that promotes access to education or training that helps
Basin residents adapt to meet employment needs. Residents can access up to $800 to help pay tuition or course fees for
short-term training and education essential to securing immediate employment.
100
The SDEB (Skills Development Employment Program) assisted EI Clients who lacked marketable skills for the labour
market in which they were seeking employment and who required training to re-enter into employment. The SDEB
program is now a training support available through the Employment Program of BC (EPBC)

4.4.3 Educational Opportunities to Improve Economic Security
Though women were appreciative of the training programs available, they offered specific
recommendations for employment training that would better fit their needs. These included:
 Offer training programs that are affordable, accessible and of short-duration. They need to be
flexible to accommodate women with children. One woman tells the story of needing to get
her young daughter to childcare then catch the 7 AM bus to the Castlegar campus of Selkirk
College. Her classes end at 3 PM but she needs to wait until 5 PM to catch the return bus,
getting her back to her daughter about 6 PM.
 Develop more programs like Achieve but don’t limit it

to people with disabilities. I’m a big fan of mentoring
programs. For women, by
 Tailor job preparation skills to the learner’s ability women. You feel like you’re
and learning style. Some women would prefer on- not alone. There’s a level of
the-job training instead of classroom learning. One
understanding. There is some
woman who has been through several types of validation that that treatment
training programs said, “What I need is on-the-job of you was stupid, but here’s
training; I can do school work, but once I get to the what you can do about it.”
job I have a hard time putting it to use. I need hands Telephone Interviewee
on training to alleviate the fears within me.”
Service providers recommended improved collaboration between high schools, colleges and non-
profits who offer employment support services. As one service provider said, “It is back to education;
collaborating with schools, college … collaborating around education. Even today, I have not seen the
people in this room before.”
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND MENTORING
In addition, the topics of on-the-job training and mentoring came up with professionals and trades
people during phone interviews as viable ways to further the education of employees. Mentoring was
felt to be very valuable to women, particularly when the mentor was another woman. One person
who owns a small business feels that the presence of an older and very experienced woman in the
office is enormously beneficial to the other female staff. “I work to foster empowerment in female
employees and I’ve seen that empowerment has been helpful to their own personal growth.” During
a phone interview a tradesman identified that their union is trying to develop ways to better support
female workers in the workplace. He hadn’t considered mentoring as a way to support women, but
felt it is something they would explore.

4.5 Theme: Employment

Comments that referenced paid or unpaid employment, or job searching were included in this theme.
Involvement in the paid workforce is just part of the story. Many Canadian women spend hours in
unpaid work which includes care giving for children or aging family members, housework and cooking.
Combining a woman’s paid work with unpaid work can place an extraordinary burden on her if
additional supports are not in place. With the aging of the population, it is anticipated that many
women will see an increase in their unpaid care giving workload.
4.5.1 Employment Supports Helping to Improve Economic Security
Skills training programs were the only employment supports that focus group women discussed as
being helpful. One telephone interviewee with experience in employment training encouraged
service providers to help clients set realistic and achievable goals during their job search. This person
stressed the importance of helping women find the incremental successes to give them confidence:
“First get them employed and then take small steps.“
Family-friendly employee supports in the workplace varied by employer. One interviewee reported that
flexible work arrangements would be enormously helpful in balancing work and family life. This person
went on to say that these employee supports are ranked very high in job satisfaction surveys and many
companies in Canada are implementing these arrangements to attract and retain good people. To get a
sense of the sort of workplace supports available for employees in the Lower Columbia, business and
economic development survey respondents were asked to indicate what was available in their
workplaces (see Figure 4-1).
Figure 4-1 Employee Supports in the Workplace, Lower Columbia Region, 2012
The four darker

coloured bars refer
specifically to the
types of employee
supports available
to staff who are
pregnant.

Of the 11 responses received,101 over half of the workplaces support employees by allowing part-time
and flexible hours. Onsite childcare is the least available employee support with just one respondent
having this in their workplace.
4.5.2 Employment Barriers Constraining Economic Security
EDUCATION
Four of the seven service providers in the focus group and two of the five service provider survey
respondents felt that a lack of education was the most significant employment barrier for low-income
women. “About 90% of the women I see have not finished high school, and some may also have
substance abuse issues as they try to self-medicate,” reported a service provider. An employment
counselor echoed this, saying “I meet so many people who have not finished high school. This in itself
is a huge barrier as these people are struggling just to hit the bar (high school graduation), let alone go
beyond.”
Employers also commented on the education level of prospective employees. One high-tech sector
manager reported that job opportunities in science and technology depend on skills and education,
and noted that young women in this field are very keen: “There is a lot of enthusiasm from university
educated, younger women, ages 20-40. They are well educated, often with a masters degree.” He
goes on to say “The economy here is smaller, diverse and robust, but small. The numbers of
opportunities are smaller. To live here everyone has to be prepared to work harder.”
One small business owner said he may hire people

without a high school diploma on a temporary “New staff have to be at a certain level
basis for clerical duties. However, his staff need of competency. I need people up and
more than a high school diploma to stay. He offers running and productive right away.”
on-the-job training but it is more to hone existing Small business owner.
skills if staff are keen and interested.
DISCRIMINATION
Discrimination was the employment barrier most noted by low-income women in the two focus
groups. This issue also resonated with several of the phone interviewees and one service provider.
Women recalled stories of how they had been discriminated against because of age, pregnancy, or
weight: “Age is still a problem and so is being pregnant; in restaurants no one wants to be served by a
fat women.” An older woman recounted her story: “After 25 years of restaurant experience I was
refused, and told I was too old. I got job at ___ because the owner says younger people are
101
There were just 11 responses to this question out of a possible 17. It is not known if those people who did not answer
this question have such supports.

unreliable.” She goes on to say that her dream is to go into nursing because age doesn’t matter when
you work with seniors.
One young woman recounted a story where her boss gave her more shifts, then asked her out for a
drink, dinner and then to his place. She refused his invitations and immediately her hours started
being cut back. She asked her boss why this was happening and was told, “If you would pay your
boss a little attention, you might get more hours.”
When discussing family friendly policies,102 one phone interviewee from the economic development
sector felt strongly that employers should adopt these, and noted that research shows that
employees are more productive when family friendly policies are in place. That said, he stressed the
fact that small business owners invest a lot of time, money and effort into training their staff. To
remain competitive, business owners need to hire good employees and do their best to retain them:
“Small teams depend highly on each other. It’s hard for small businesses to not take potential
maternity leaves into consideration when hiring. I sympathize with employers on this one. “
Phone interviewee.
Three women and some service providers referenced an “old boys’ club” as something they feel still
exists, and limits women’s ability to secure a job. One service provider spoke about gender
discrimination when it comes to employment in the region: “We live in a "resource area", it is hard
for women to access higher paying job because there is gender discrimination; we talk about wanting
more equal numbers103 but this is not evident from women's experiences.”
The female engineer echoed these remarks, commenting: “The women I know as trades people are
happy, but you need to be able to stand up to the initial bullshit. Once you get into the field, a
woman’s five-year mortality rate in engineering and trades is very high.” She went on to say that her
experience as a junior engineer in an office was rough. “My worst experiences were in the design
offices with senior engineers. Older engineers offered me the choice of sitting on their laps. I had
way better experiences working in the field because field crews just want to get the work done. In the
field, people are respected for their skills and ability to get the job done.”
102
Family friendly policies can include such things as flexibility in timing of maternity and paternity leaves, lactation
breaks, subsidized childcare, flexible work hours, home-based work, job-sharing, employer paid childcare for after hours
work, leave without pay, etc.
103
The person was referring to more equal gender distribution in the workforce.

“Yes it is hard for women to get employment in __ trade. Women are generally disregarded
completely unless they know the contractors or have an “in”. There are a lot of very traditional
men in this field and they don’t want a woman on their job-site… there is a high percentage of
traditional men, red neck, intolerant men on construction sites. You need a pretty thick skin to
put up with them. I have witnessed multiple occasions of chargeable harassment issues. If the
woman pursues justice, they see consequences.” Tradesman and Phone Interviewee.
One of the survey respondents contacted this researcher to offer his Masters’ Thesis104 as a document
that may have relevance to the Gender-Based Analysis project. Dan Obradovic is the Electrical
Program Instructor at Selkirk College in Nelson. In 2004, he undertook a study to determine the
effectiveness of the Entry Level Electrical Program in preparing graduates for employment success.
One component of his research was the examination of any gender barriers faced by female
graduates when seeking employment. He randomly selected and surveyed 42 male graduates and all
14 female graduatees of the 2003 class as well as employers in the area. He found that 65% of male
graduates and 80% of female graduates felt gender bias was a barrier to employment success for
women. Nearly half of male graduates were hired by the first employer they contacted while none
of the women were. Women gave up their job searches faster than men, and were less likely than
men to re-locate for employment. Employers reported that women apprentices compared as well or
better than men when assessing their skills, knowledge, commitment, and attitude. Employers had
earlier ranked attitude as the second most important factor contributing to employment success.
Despite this, fewer women than men found employment following graduation.
Figure 4-2 on the following page describes the findings from the business and economic development
survey respondents regarding the gender breakdown of their workplace. Of the 193 employees
working in these 17 workplaces, 72 were female (37%) and 121 were male (63%). These work places
varied from small business, non-profits, health, trades, industry and manufacturing, etc. There were
no responses made by organizations numbered 1 and 9.
104
Obradovic, D. (2004). Employment success of graduates of the entry level electrical program at Selkirk College.
University of Victoria.

Figure 4-2 Proportion of Employees by Gender in the Workplace, Lower Columbia Region,
2012
HOURS OF WORK
According to a tradesperson, there are very few opportunities for part-time and flexible work hours
on a construction site: “Trades can be harder than professional jobs in a lot of ways. Staying in them
is difficult.” Regarding flexibility, an engineer reported that professional jobs have a big advantage
over trades due to the flexibility you can negotiate. “Flexibility is not available to people working in
the trades”.
PHYSICAL HARDSHIP
Some low-income women reported that many of the lower wage jobs they currently hold or have held
in the past, take a toll on their body. According to one woman in the focus group, “I would like to ask
them (employers) to treat employees like human beings, not animals. On the job I’m currently on,
the owner is driving women like water buffaloes – hard work at minimum wage and the bathroom is
gross with no hot water and no way to dry hands. It makes you feel even worse and you are stuck,
you feel really put down.” Another woman shared her story about a recent job: “Recently I had a job
that was less than minimum wage and I was working my butt off. I was so frustrated. If I was paid
more to work that hard I would not feel so bad.”

One woman said, “Age is a problem for me too. I rely on my body to get a job done by laboring, doing
physical jobs. The SDEB training I took was so I would not have to do the physical work anymore, but
as soon as I was done the training, I took a short-term job where I am working my butt off. Today
(a cold, wet day), I was soaking wet by 11 AM (she did not have the proper rain gear) so I went home.”
4.5.3 Employment Opportunities to Improve Economic Security
Four women brought forward ideas that they felt could improve women’s employment opportunities.
One woman said, “Women may need special resources105 to help them face up to bad employers.”
Two other women just pleaded to employers in the community to “please give them a chance.”
One survey respondent working primarily in the high-tech sector recommended ongoing coaching
support be available for women who are facing barriers to employment: “Lousy employers hire
“stuck” people with limited skills and confidence. It would be really valuable to keep the support
going for women who are trying to make changes in their lives.”
4.6 Theme: Health

Comments made by any of the participants were placed in the “Health” theme if there was reference
to physical or mental health, changes in health, how the participant thought about or understood
their health and how it impacted their economic security.
4.6.1 Health Supports Improving Economic Security
MEDICATIONS AND RECREATION
Several women from the focus groups utilize health supports that are only available through social
assistance and only to women with a diagnosed mental illness. Two women receive their medications
without cost through “Plan G” which allows them to use their income support for other expenses such
as food and housing. Two women with mental health diagnoses spoke about the free recreation
passes they receive and how beneficial they are. Each year they are eligible for a $100 pass towards
the use of recreation facilities.
4.6.2 Health Barriers Constraining Economic Security
MENTAL HEALTH
Feedback from women and service providers revealed mental health to be the most significant health
barrier constraining women’s economic security. Whether due to a diagnosed mental illness, or to
105
The woman was referring to extra support such as an advocacy worker.

the constant worry and anxiety of living in low-income, all of the women in the focus groups made
reference to their mental health. “I start every day with depression, I need to work at getting up and
doing something. It is really hard to make yourself feel good,” said one woman. Another said that a
stable income would give her inner peace, away from the chaos that is her and her son’s reality.
“There is a stigma that is attached to mental illness. Some women are just not mentally stable,
and if they do not stay on their medication they have problems. The ‘stigma’ prevents these
women from a stable income as businesses don’t want to hire women with mental issues.”
Service Provider.
Other service providers referenced specific illnesses such as depression, post-traumatic stress, and
trauma as all contributing to the barriers facing their clients. “If women are suffering from post-
traumatic stress disorder and depression, those women are in survival mode and are unable to get
out and seek work,” said one service provider. Another asserted that trauma during childhood is the
root cause of much of the mental illness experienced by low-income women.
SELF-IMAGE
Tied to mental health and poverty is the negative self-image many of the women shared. “I feel like I
fail. I can’t make ends meet on a daily basis,” says one woman who also struggles with harassment
from her landlord and a workplace injury from a previous labour job. A young mother said “It’s a
struggle and I definitely feel like a failure. I was continually going downhill until today (she landed a
job). Though happy to soon be working, she was also worried that she didn’t have money to purchase
the proper work equipment and had no childcare lined up. One older woman admitted to feeling
great despair, and has come to accept that she cannot change her life of poverty.
In addition to mental illness and a negative self-image, other health related hurdles identified by the
women were aging106, not having access to a family doctor and isolation. One woman in particular
was very clear how the social isolation of being poor affects her: “It’s really hard when you are trying
to socialize with people who have no idea of your situation (she gave an example of not being able to
bring wine or contribute a dish to a social get-together). It would be good for my mental health not to
have to explain myself.”
106
Aging as it relates to their chronic pain and lower energy.

4.6.3 Health Opportunities to Improve Economic Security
The following ideas came from women in the focus groups:
 Free access to community recreation facilities. One woman referenced a recreation pass that
is made available to low-income families in Edmonton.
 Vouchers that allow women to select clothes for job interviews from a used clothing store.
Reference was made to a program in Victoria where a low-income woman is issued a ticket to
make these purchases.
Summary
The gender-based qualitative research process has helped to identify what low-income women,
service providers, survey respondents and telephone interviewees feel are the most pressing barriers
low-income women face in improving their economic security. As well, the research uncovered
existing supports that are most beneficial to women and it generated ideas and opportunities to
improve the lives of low-income women living in the Lower Columbia region.
“I would …
- integrate the services that are available;
- eliminate the barriers (application process, diagnosis of an illness or conditions to gain

access to supports);
- provide transportation and child care;
- ensure an adequate level of housing, food and clothing;
- I'd help them find something inspirational—world changing—to focus their lives on; and,
Then I'd help them change the world!”
Service Provider

QUALITATIVE FINDINGS—HIGHLIGHTS OF SUPPORTS & BARRIERS
Supports:
 Community based programs and services including those that promote women’s
social connections, and those that provide skills training.
 Housing options such as the Women’s Transition House and Nova Vita second stage
housing. The “Shelter Aid for Elderly Residents” housing subsidy program available
to people over age 60.
 “Plan G,” a program whereby people with mental health diagnoses have the cost of
their prescription medications covered, and a $100/year recreation pass available to
people diagnosed with a mental illness.
Barriers:
 Transportation - specifically the limited service of busses and cabs and their
affordability.
 Affordable and accessible childcare.
 Lack of financial support and emotional support or understanding from family

members.
 Poor quality of rental housing and the high rental cost.
 The challenging bureaucracy surrounding application and enrollment in some

employment skills training programs.
 Discrimination due to age, gender, pregnancy, or weight. A lack of flexibility in work

hours.
 Physical hardships due to heavy labour jobs and improper (or unavailable)
equipment to perform this work.
 Mental illness. A negative self-image tied to the combination of mental illness,

stress and isolation.

Conclusions Gender-Based Analysis of Economic Opportunity
5.0 C ONCLUSIONS
The Gender-Based Analysis of Socio-Economic Opportunity is an important step in examining and
understanding the factors that impact the economic security of low-income women in the Lower
Columbia region. The findings of this report reveal a complex and challenging reality for low-income
women in this region.
The demographic profile and socioeconomic snapshot confirm that there are indeed gender
differences in the Lower Columbia Region in terms of labour force participation, educational
attainment, personal income and dependency on government transfer payments. This research has
also uncovered some concerns related to the aging of the population, the growing demands facing
women caregivers, and the inequitable income distribution between Lower Columbia region families.
In addition, the research has identified barriers to women’s economic security associated with
education level, housing, child care and transportation and has pointed to a variety of actions that
have the potential to support women in the region.
The qualitative research attests that it is through the efforts of skilled service providers, and
passionate volunteers, that low-income women are supported with community-based programs and
services. These range from subsidized and emergency housing to food banks and employment skills
training. However it appears that the barriers constraining low-income women far outweigh the
supports. Despite the barriers facing women and challenging service providers, all participants
contributed insights and ideas into future actions that would better support and protect vulnerable
low-income women (and their children) in the Lower Columbia region.
Education and Employment

 Training Targeted to Regional Employment Opportunities—
- Encourage collaboration between Lower Columbia high schools, Selkirk College and
industry to better understand future workforce needs and to creatively plan to nurture
Lower Columbia women to meet the educational requirements of employers.
- Liaise with the Kootenay Regional Workforce Table107 to understand how their initiative
may tie into employment and training opportunities for Lower Columbia women, and
what further work needs to be done at the regional level to support targeted training for
women.
107
A group formed in late 2012 that is comprised of approximately 20 key leaders representing a range of communities
and organizations in the Kootenay Development Region. Their mandate is to determine how to best align existing regional
training to meet local employment opportunities, and to ensure residents have access to training and job opportunities in
their home communities. They are embarking upon a "Regional Skills Training Plan" which is anticipated to be complete in
April 2013.

- Lobby to support women in their transition to typically male-dominated occupations, such

as trades and engineering, after their training via union/employer mentorship and
assistance.
 Remove Barriers—Encourage the school system, Selkirk College and local employers to work
together to remove as many educational barriers as possible facing young mothers so that
they may build a suitable set of employment skills.
 Family Friendly Policies—Encourage larger employers to implement family-friendly policies in

the workplace. These policies support the well-being of employees who have children and include
such things as flexible scheduling, part-time shifts, parental sick time, on-site childcare, etc.
 Job-Coaching—Support low-income women with job-coaching and employer relations once

they are employed to increase the odds that they will maintain their employment.
 Small Business Support—Advocate to strengthen supports to assist low-income women with

feasibility studies, business risk assessment and the development of small business plans.
Community and Infrastructure

 Regional Transit System—
- Encourage the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to expand current bus service
hours to include evenings and week-end routes and to instigate all-day bus passes.
- Lobby the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to extend the seniors and disability $45
annual bus pass to low-income households, perhaps as one of the benefits of a “poverty
pass,” (see below).
- Encourage local municipalities to investigate different public transportation models that

could replace costly large buses (that seldom run at capacity) with smaller vans.
 One-Stop Women's Centre—Create a "one-stop" Lower Columbia Region Women’s Centre to

foster information sharing, networking and social connection.
 Child Care—
- Advocate for low or no cost youth programming options for children over age 12 as a next
step once they leave Sanctuary.
- Lobby the provincial government to base a woman's child care subsidy on her income
and/or for a national child care subsidy (as in Quebec) that would set child care fees at
$10 per family per day.

 Housing—
- Encourage municipalities to investigate innovative and affordable housing models
including co-operative housing, and to provide incentives for the construction of
affordable legal suites108 and multi-family dwellings located close to bus routes. 109
- Advocate to community service funders for the provision of ongoing emotional support
for women leaving the Nova Vita second stage housing.
- Support efforts and/or help to secure funding for projects or resources to help meet the
housing needs for homeless or hard-to-house women.
 Poverty Pass—Work with municipal leaders and Regional District directors in the community
to enact a “poverty pass” that will provide low-income individuals and families with reduced
fees for recreation, transportation, thrift stores, and other community services.
Gender-Related Issues
 Traditional Roles—Promote greater awareness of traditional gender roles where the male
partner works outside the home and the female partner occupies the home and assumes a
caregiver role—and how this arrangement may impact women over the long term.
 Harassment—
- Promote public and employer awareness of the impact of workplace harassment against
women.
- Strengthen community services to include advocacy for women experiencing harassment

in the workplace.
 Unpaid Work—Raise awareness of the physical and emotional impact and the growing
demand on women to provide “unpaid work” and care giving.
 Pension Income—
- Educate younger women on the importance of their pension as a source of income as

they age.
- Advocate for increasing women's income through their Old Age Security pension and
revising income assistance rates to reflect the true cost of living.
108
A commonly used term that means basement suites or secondary suites in homes that meet legal building code
requirements.
109
In their 2009-2013/14 Social Strategic Plan, the Columbia Basin Trust identified the goal of assisting Basin communities
to enhance their ability to effectively address housing issues. One of their objectives is to identify segments of the
population that are housing-vulnerable.

A PPENDICES
List of Tables
Table B-1 Population, Lower Columbia Region, BC and Canada, 2006 and 2011
Table B-2 Female Population, Lower Columbia Region, 2006 and 2011
Table B-3 Age Structure of Female Population, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Table B-4 Median Age, 2006 and 2011
Table B-5 Life Expectancy in Years, 2002-06 to 2006-10
Table B-6 Annual Natural Population Increase, Females, 2006 to 2010
Table B-7 Population Projections, 2016 to 2036
Table B-8 Share of Female Population by Age Category, 2011 Census vs. 2016 to 2036 Population Projections,
Lower Columbia Region
Table B-9 Kooteny-Boundary Regional District Migration Components, 2006-07 to 2010-11
Table B-10 Female Population 15+ by Marital Status, Lower Columbia Region, BC & Canada, 2011
Table B-11 Female Population 15+ by Marital Status and Community, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Table B-12 Family Structure, Lower Columbia Region, BC and Canada, 2011
Table B-13 Female Lone-Parent Families by Community, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
Table B-14 Female Visible Minority Groups, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Table B-15 Aboriginal Female Population, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Table C-1 Share of Experienced Labour Force by Industry, Ages 15 Years and Over, 2006
Table C-2 Participation Rate, 2006
Table C-3 Unemployment Rate, 2006
Table C-4 Unpaid Work, Population Aged 15+, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Table C-5 Unpaid Work, Population Aged 15+, by Age Category, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Table C-6 Populuation and Estimated Dependency Ratios, Lower Columbia Region and BC, 2006, 2011 and 2036
Table C-7 Distribution of Population Aged 25-64 by Highest Level of Education, 2006
Table C-8 Unemployment Rate by Highest Level of Education, 2006
Table C-9 Share of Population 15+ With a Post Secondary Certificate by Field of Study, 2006
Table C-10 Distribution of Population 15+ With a Post Secondary Certificate or Higher by Gender and by Field
of Study, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
Table C-11 Economic Dependency Ratio, 2009
Table C-12 Average Pension Income per Taxfiler, 2009
Table C-13 Adult Population (19-64) by Gender Receiving Basic Income Assistance as a Percent of Population
19-64 by Gender, 2002 to 2012
Table C-14 BC Employment and Assistance Rate Tables, Income Assistance
Table C-15 Child Care Options and Definitions
Appendix A—Qualitative Research Methodology
Overview
Following systematic and rigorous qualitative research protocol (as reviewed by Dr. Pamela Ponic), a series
of steps to conduct ethical participant recruitment, data collection and analysis were undertaken. We
triangulated the data by employing several different methods. The intention was to gather the attitudes,
beliefs, opinions and perceptions of a wide variety of people in the study region.
The eligibility criteria was:
Women’s Focus Groups: Self-identify as a woman who resides in the Lower Columbia region; 20 years
of age or older; not having the adequate income, resources and assets to meet their needs, and those of
their family; and, feel safe discussing socioeconomic issues in a focus group with researchers and other
women from their community.
Service Provider’s Focus Group: Work with and/or help build the skills of vulnerable women who reside
in the Lower Columbia region.
Business and Economic Development Survey: Business owners in the Lower Columbia region.
Focus Groups:
Three focus groups were held in total, two with low-income women and one with service providers. The
Women Creating Change Project Coordinator assisted with the recruitment of research participants.
To recruit low-income women, the Project Coordinator informed social service providers of the eligibility
criteria and encouraged them to offer their clients an opportunity to attend one of two focus groups.
Interested women were referred to the Coordinator who provided more detail on the focus groups. In
appreciation for participating, meals were served and childcare and travel subsidies were made available.
Participants were also given a $40 cash honorarium to honor their time commitment. Extensive notes
were taken to document the proceedings, which were also digitally-recorded. The digital recordings were
used to verify the notes and to solicit the direct participant quotes provided below. One woman attending
the second focus group also brought typed notes of the barriers she faces in improving her economic
security. This is referred to as a “written submission” in the Qualitative Report. The transcripts and the
written submission were viewed by both GBA researchers and the digital recording was listened to by only
one of the researchers.
Twelve low-income women met the eligibility criteria and attended the focus groups. They ranged in age
from early 20’s to late 70’s. All participants had been on social assistance at some point in their lives, and
most of the women still were. Two of the women collected old-age pensions. Eleven of the twelve
women had children, though two had adult children. Of the women with children, two referenced losing
their children to foster care. The seven women currently raising children are lone parents with children
ranging in age from one year to 17 years old. One woman lives in Fruitvale, and the rest live in Trail. Of
the twelve women, one had a vehicle while the rest were reliant on public transit and friends for
transportation.
The third focus group consisted of eight service providers who counsel and support vulnerable women.
The fields represented by these staff were employment counseling, mental health and addictions, a food
bank, transition house, childcare providers, and municipal government. The focus group was held in the
morning and refreshments were provided. The transcripts were viewed by both GBA researchers and the
digital recording was listened to by only one of the researchers.
A coding framework was developed to analyze focus group proceedings. Six themes were identified,
which are expanded upon in the sections below. For each of the six themes, the same three codes were
used: i) Supports to economic security, ii) barriers to economic security and iii) opportunities to improve
economic security. These codes were then further broken down into sub-codes which facilitated data
analysis at a more detailed level. For example, for the theme of “Education”, the codes were “Education
Supports that improve economic security", “Education Barriers that impede economic security” and
“Education Opportunities that improve economic security”. Under the code “Barriers”, the sub-codes
were age of learner, learning ability, bureaucracy of training program, and cost.
Surveys:
In order to reach a broader audience with additional perspectives on women’s economic security, two
separate surveys were designed using Survey Monkey (www.surveymonkey.com). In recognition of the
busy working lives of the potential respondents, it was felt that the brief electronic surveys (rather than
participation in a focus group) would help gather more responses. In total, 24 surveys were completed.
Business & Economic Development Survey
The first survey was targeted to people working in the business and economic development sector in the
Lower Columbia region - employers, professionals, educators, and business owners. Augmenting focus
group findings with this input strengthened the picture of the economic and employment situation in the
region. Through their network of contacts in the region, the Women Creating Change Management
Committee and Advisory Committee developed a list of individuals who met the criteria and were
interested in receiving the survey link.
There were nine survey questions. Respondents were asked to identify the field they work in, the
proportion of male to females in the workplace, the presence of any “family friendly” supports for
employees such as onsite childcare, accommodations for pregnant women (such as more frequent breaks,
temporary alternative duties, temporary re-location to another work station, etc), part-time hours, job-
sharing, etc. There were also questions about the availability of professional development in the
workplace, opportunities for advancement, eligibility for benefits, and an open-ended question regarding
advice they would offer to a woman looking for employment in their workplace. A total of 17 completed
surveys were received. The resulting data was analyzed using Survey Monkey and findings were
incorporated into these Qualitative Findings, mainly under the themes of Employment and Education.
Service Providers’ Survey
Because recruitment of service providers into the focus group was moving very slowly, a second survey for
service providers was developed as another option for them to provide input. Through their network of
contacts in the region, the Women Creating Change Management Committee and Advisory Committee
developed a list of service providers who met the criteria and were interested in receiving the survey link.
There were six questions in the survey. Respondents were asked to indicate their field of work, the most
significant barriers facing low-income women in becoming employed, the most significant barriers facing
low-income women in maintaining employment and their recommendations for making a change to the
current collection of programs and services available for low-income women. A total of five completed
surveys were received. The resulting data was analyzed using Survey Monkey and findings were
incorporated throughout this section.
Telephone Interviews:
The final method of engagement was the use of unstructured telephone interviews. A phone interview
was offered as an option for any participant who was eligible, but unable or unwilling to participate in
focus groups or the online survey. This type of interview did not have a limited, pre-set range of
questions, but rather allowed the Interviewer to delve deeper into Interviewee experiences and
perceptions. Interview proceedings were typed up and analyzed for themes. The findings were
incorporated throughout the Qualitative Report. Five telephone interviews were completed: One small
business owner, one person working in a non-profit, a female engineer, a tradesman, and one service
provider.
Appendix B—Detailed Demographic Statistics
NOTE TO READERS
Statistics Canada is committed to protect the privacy of all Canadians and the
confidentiality of the data they provide to us. As part of this commitment, some data
counts in the tables in Appendices B and C are adjusted, by rounding counts to a base of 5.
The adjustment has little impact on the counts at the community level, but in some
cases, reported totals will not balance to those that have been broken out by detail.
Table B-1 Population, Lower Columbia Region, BC and Canada, 2006 and 2011
POPULATION POPULATION GROWTH
COMMUNITY
2006 2011 NUMBER PERCENT
Fruitvale 1,952 2,016 +64 +3.3%
Montrose 1,012 1,030 +18 +1.8%
Rossland 3,278 3,556 +278 +8.5%
Trail 7,237 7,681 +444 +6.1%
Warfield 1,729 1,700 -29 -1.7%
Area A 1,989 1,845 -144 -7.2%
Area B 1,418 1,395 -23 -1.6%
Lower Columbia 18,615 19,223 +608 +3.3%
BC 4,113,487 4,400,057 +286,570 +7.0%
CAN 31,612,897 33,476,688 +1,863,791 +5.9%
Table B-2 Female Population, Lower Columbia Region, 2006 and 2011
2011
2006-2011
COMMUNITY 2006 2011 GROWTH FEMALE SHARE DISTRIBUTION
OF TOTAL BY
(%)
POPULATION COMMUNITY
Fruitvale 1,000 1,010 +1.0% 50.0% 10.3%
Montrose 490 510 +4.1% 49.5% 5.2%
Rossland 1,655 1,780 +7.6% 50.1% 18.1%
Trail 3,845 4,065 +5.7% 52.9% 41.4%
Warfield 870 875 +0.6% 51.5% 8.9%
Area A 950 880 -7.4% 47.7% 9.0%
Area B 700 690 -1.4% 49.5% 7.0%
Total 9,510 9,810 3.2% 51.0% 100.0%
Table B-3 Age Structure of Female Population, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
LOWER 2011 SHARE OF FEMALE POPULATION/GROWTH SINCE 2006
AGE GROUP COLUMBIA 2011
POPULATION LOWER COLUMBIA BC CANADA
0-14 1,330 13.6% -1.5% 14.7% -0.3% 16.0% +0.5%
15-24 1,065 10.9% -3.2% 12.1% +2.3% 12.5% +3.0%
25-44 2,100 21.5% +2.2% 26.5% +2.6% 26.3% -0.1%
45-64 3,255 33.4% +8.3% 30.2% +13.5% 29.0% +12.6%
65+ 2,000 20.5% +1.0% 16.6% +13.3% 16.1% +12.2%
Total 9,750 100.0% +3.2% 100.0% +6.9% 100.0% +5.7%
Table B-4 Median Age, 2006 and 2011
FEMALES
COMMUNITY 2006-2011 MALES 2011

2006 2011 CHANGE
(YEARS)
Fruitvale 43.7 46.6 +2.9 44.2
Montrose 46.8 50.0 +3.2 50.1
Rossland 41.2 39.3 -1.9 40.2
Trail 50.9 51.0 +0.1 48.5
Warfield 44.6 46.1 +1.5 44.5
Area A 43.4 47.1 +3.7 46.6
Area B 46.5 51.0 +4.5 51.3
BC 41.5 42.7 +1.2 41.1
Canada 40.4 41.5 +1.1 39.6
Table B-5 Life Expectancy in Years, 2002-06 to 2006-10

LOWER COLUMBIA REGION LOWER
YEAR FEMALE-MALE BC FEMALES COLUMBIA-BC
MALES FEMALES FEMALE GAP
GAP
2002-2006 76.3 81.0 +4.7 83.2 -2.2
2003-2007 75.7 80.3 +4.6 83.3 -3.0
2004-2008 75.6 80.4 +4.8 83.3 -2.9
2005-2009 76.1 80.7 +4.6 83.6 -2.9
2006-2010 76.9 81.1 +4.2 83.9 -2.8
Source: BC Ministry of Health, Vital Statistics Agency.
Table B-6 Annual Natural Population Increase, Females, 2006 to 2010
LOWER COLUMBIA REGION FEMALES NATURAL RATE OF INCREASE

per 1,000 Females
YEAR LOWER
NATURAL
BIRTHS DEATHS COLUMBIA BC
INCREASE
REGION
2006 77 115 -38 -3.8 +2.4
2007 68 123 -55 -5.4 +2.7
2008 87 112 -25 -2.5 +2.6
2009 85 126 -41 -4.2 +2.9
2010 82 136 -54 -5.5 +2.6
Source: BC Ministry of Health, Vital Statistics Agency and author's calculations.
Table B-7 Population Projections, 2016 to 2036
LOWER COLUMBIA FEMALES LOWER COLUMBIA MALES BC FEMALES
YEAR 5 YEAR 5 YEAR 5 YEAR
POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION
GROWTH GROWTH GROWTH
2016 9,820 -0.2% 9,426 -0.5% 2,438,205 5.7%
2021 9,937 +1.2% 9,469 +0.5% 2,595,747 6.5%
2026 10,082 +1.5% 9,523 +0.6% 2,751,258 6.0%
2031 10,171 +0.9% 9,522 0.0% 2,894,855 5.2%
2036 10,185 +0.1% 9,456 -0.7% 3,025,371 4.5%
Source: BC Stats, Sub-Provincial Projections – PEOPLE 36, Sept 2012.
Table B-8 Share of Female Population by Age Category, 2011 Census vs. 2016 to 2036
Population Projections, Lower Columbia Region
AGE 2011 PROJECTED

CATEGORY CENSUS 2016 2021 2026 2031 2036
0-14 13.6% 13.1% 14.4% 14.8% 14.4% 13.5%
15-24 10.9% 10.5% 8.0% 8.1% 9.0% 9.9%
25-44 21.5% 22.3% 23.7% 24.2% 23.3% 20.8%
45-64 33.4% 31.8% 28.2% 23.6% 22.1% 24.1%
65+ 20.5% 22.4% 25.7% 29.3% 31.2% 31.7%
Source: BC Stats, Sub-Provincial Projections – PEOPLE 36, Sept 2012.
Table B-9 Kooteny-Boundary Regional District Migration Components, 2006-07 to 2010-11

NET INTERPROVINCIAL INTRAPROVINCIAL NET
YEAR INTER- TOTAL
NATIONAL IN OUT NET IN OUT NET MIGRATION
2006-07 7 594 388 206 1,299 1,197 102 315
2007-08 33 505 397 108 1,197 1,142 55 196
2008-09 30 370 383 -13 1,032 955 77 94
2009-10 40 405 361 44 963 915 48 132
2010-11 24 452 487 -35 963 915 48 37
Source: BC Stats, British Columbia Regional District Migration Components, April 2012.
Table B-10 Female Population 15+ by Marital Status, Lower Columbia Region, BC and
Canada, 2011
LOWER SHARE OF WOMEN

MARITAL STATUS COLUMBIA LOWER
REGION BC CANADA
COLUMBIA
Married 4,160 48.9% 48.0% 45.2%
Common-law 865 10.2% 8.4% 10.9%
Single 1,580 18.6% 24.2% 25.2%
Separated 275 3.2% 3.1% 2.8%
Divorced 645 7.6% 7.8% 7.0%
Widowed 980 11.5% 8.6% 8.9%
Table B-11 Female Population 15+ by Marital Status and Community, Lower Columbia
Region, 2011
MARITAL STATUS
COMMUNITY COMMON-
MARRIED SINGLE SEPARATED DIVORCED WIDOWED
LAW
Fruitvale 54.0% 9.2% 17.2% 2.3% 6.3% 10.9%

Montrose 60.4% 8.8% 14.3% 2.2% 6.6% 7.7%
Rossland 49.0% 14.3% 22.8% 3.4% 5.8% 4.8%
Trail 42.4% 8.2% 19.0% 3.8% 9.5% 17.2%
Warfield 47.9% 12.3% 17.8% 4.1% 7.5% 11.0%
Area A 63.4% 10.5% 16.3% 2.0% 3.3% 4.6%
Area B 54.4% 11.2% 15.2% 2.4% 8.8% 8.0%
Lower Columbia 48.9% 10.2% 18.6% 3.2% 7.6% 11.5%
Table B-12 Family Structure, Lower Columbia Region, BC and Canada, 2011
LOWER COLUMBIA REGION SHARE
TYPE OF FAMILY
NUMBER SHARE BC CAN
Married Couples 4,075 72% 72% 67%
Common-law Couples 860 15% 13% 17%
1
Lone-parent Families 740 13% 15% 16%
Female Parent 555 10% 12% 13%
Male Parent 175 3% 3% 3%
Total Families 5,675 100% 100% 100%
Table B-13 Female Lone-Parent Families by Community, Lower Columbia Region, 2011
TOTAL NUMBER OF FEMALE LONE-PARENTS

COMMUNITY
FAMILIES NUMBER SHARE OF TOTAL
Fruitvale 605 55 9%
Montrose 335 15 4%
Rossland 1040 100 10%
Trail 2130 275 13%
Warfield 500 45 9%
Area A 600 25 4%
Area B 465 40 9%
Lower Columbia 5,675 555 10%
Table B-14 Female Visible Minority Groups, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
NUMBER OF FEMALES
VISIBLE MINORITY GROUP
FRUITVALE ROSSLAND TRAIL WARFIELD
Total visible minorities 20 25 110 45
Chinese 25 15 0 10
South Asian 0 0 10 15
Black 0 0 15 0
Filipino 0 0 40 0
Latin American 0 0 10 0
Southeast Asian 0 0 10 0
West Asian 0 0 10 0
Korean 0 0 10 20
Japanese 0 0 15 0
Table B-15 Aboriginal Female Population, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
FEMALE ABORIGINAL POPULATION
TOTAL FEMALE PROPORTION OF
COMMUNITY
POPULATION TOTAL FEMALE DISTRIBUTION
POPULATION
Fruitvale 1,000 55 5.5% 11%
Montrose 490 30 6.1% 6%
Rossland 1,655 65 3.9% 13%
Trail 3,845 240 6.2% 48%
Warfield 870 40 4.6% 8%
Area A 950 60 6.3% 12%
Area B 700 15 2.1% 3%
Total 9,510 505 5.3% 100%
Appendix C—Detailed Socioeconomic Statistics
Table C-1 Share of Experienced Labour Force by Industry, Ages 15 Years and Over,
2006
LOWER COLUMBIA REGION BC CANADA
INDUSTRY
TOTAL MALE FEMALE FEMALE FEMALE
Total Labour Force 15 Years + 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Agriculture & Other Resource-Based 5% 7% 2% 3% 3%
Construction 7% 12% 2% 2% 2%
Manufacturing 16% 27% 3% 5% 7%
Wholesale Trade 1% 2% 0% 3% 3%
Retail Trade 15% 12% 18% 13% 13%
Finance & Real Estate 4% 2% 7% 7% 7%
Health Care & Social Services 13% 4% 25% 17% 18%
Educational Services 6% 4% 8% 10% 10%
Business Services 12% 13% 11% 17% 15%
Other Services 20% 17% 24% 24% 22%
Table C-2 Participation Rate, 2006

LOWER COLUMBIA REGION
COMMUNITY
TOTAL MALE FEMALE
Fruitvale 59.7 68.9 50.6
Montrose 57.9 55.1 60.7
Rossland 71.5 73.3 68.9
Trail 55.5 63 48.8
Warfield 67.8 75.9 59.7
Area A 67.8 73.5 60.9
Area B 67.5 67.9 66.1
Trail LHA 62.1 67.8 56.6
BC 65.6 70.7 60.7
CAN 66.8 72.3 61.6
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 and BC Stats, Local Health Area 11-Trail Demographic Profile, 2011.
Table C-3 Unemployment Rate, 2006
COMMUNITY
TOTAL MALE FEMALE
Fruitvale 8.0 6.7 7.3
Montrose 4.9 *2.0 7.4
Rossland 9.0 7.7 11.0
Trail 6.3 7.3 5.1
Warfield 5.2 4.8 5.6
Area A 4.5 2.4 6.3
Area B 3.0 3.4 2.6
BC 6.0 5.8 6.3
CAN 6.6 6.5 6.6
* Estimated by author.
Table C-4 Unpaid Work, Population Aged 15+, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
TYPE OF WORK/ SHARE OF TOTAL

TOTAL MALE FEMALE
MAX HOURS/WK MALE FEMALE
Housework
15+ Hours 6,315 2,390 3,925 38% 62%
30+ Hours 2,460 700 1770 28% 72%
60+ Hours 720 155 570 21% 79%
Child Minding
15+ Hours 2,610 990 1,595 39% 61%
30+ Hours 1,735 570 1,165 33% 67%
60+ Hours 1,145 260 885 23% 77%
Senior's Care
5+ Hours 1,545 555 990 36% 64%
10+ Hours 480 150 325 32% 68%
20+ Hours 190 55 140 26% 74%
Table C-5 Unpaid Work, Population Aged 15+, by Age Category, Lower Columbia
Region, 2006
TYPE OF WORK/ AGE CATEGORY (BOTH GENDERS)

HOURS PER WEEK 15-24 25-54 55-64 65-74 75+
60+ Hours of Housework 7.6% 55.6% 20.8% 3.5% 12.5%
60+ Hours of Child Minding 2.6% 90.8% 4.8% 1.7% 0.0%
20+ Hours of Senior's Care 5.3% 28.9% 18.4% 28.9% 18.4%
Note: This data was not broken down by gender because it lost significance at that level of detail.
Table C-6 Populuation and Estimated Dependency Ratios, Lower Columbia Region and
BC, 2006, 2011 and 2036
AGE LOWER COLUMBIA REGION BRITISH COLUMBIA

GROUP 2006 2011 2036 2006 2011 2036
Youth 4,135 4,030 3,935 953,165 952,525 1,169,284
Population
Workers 10,950 11,510 10,009 2,560,515 2,758,810 3,527,212

Elderly 3,520 3,640 5,868 599,805 688,715 1,459,092
Youth 37.8 35.0 39.3 37.2 34.5 33.2
Ratio
Elderly 32.1 31.6 58.6 23.4 25.0 41.4

Total 69.9 66.6 97.9 60.7 59.5 74.5
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 & 2011 and BC Stats, PEOPLE 36, September 2011 and author's
calculations.
Table C-7 Distribution of Population Aged 25-64 by Highest Level of Education, 2006
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION BC FEMALES
FEMALES MALES
Some High School 11% 10% 11%
High School Diploma 28% 24% 27%
Trades Certificate or Diploma 9% 30% 8%
College Certificate or Diploma 30% 16% 22%
University Certificate/Diploma 7% 5% 7%
University Degree 15% 15% 24%
Table C-8 Unemployment Rate by Highest Level of Education, 2006
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION BC FEMALES
FEMALES MALES
Some High School 17.7% 14.3% 11.9%
High School Diploma 7.8% 7.9% 6.4%
Trades Certificate or Diploma 2.6% 3.8% 6.1%
College Certificate or Diploma 5.6% 4.0% 4.9%
University Certificate/Diploma/Degree 6.5% 1.7% 5.1%
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006 (20% sample data).
Table C-9 Share of Population 15+ With a Post Secondary Certificate by Field of Study,
2006
LOWER COLUMBIA BC
FIELD OF STUDY FEMALES
FEMALES MALES
Health, Parks, Recreation & Fitness 34% 7% 23%
Business Management / Public Administration 25% 8% 26%
Education 12% 4% 11%
Social & Behavioural Sciences & Law 6% 4% 12%
Humanities 5% 3% 7%
Architecture, Engineering & Related Technologies 4% 61% 3%
Physical & Life Sciences & Technologies 3% 4% 3%
Visual/Performing Arts or Communications Technologies 2% 1% 5%
Mathematics, Computer & Information Sciences 2% 2% 3%
Agriculture, Natural Resources & Conservation 1% 2% 2%
Total 100% 100% 100%
Table C-10 Distribution of Population 15+ With a Post Secondary Certificate or Higher
by Gender and by Field of Study, Lower Columbia Region, 2006
LOWER COLUMBIA LOWER COLUMBIA
FEMALES MALES
FIELD OF STUDY
SHARE SHARE
NUMBER NUMBER
(%) (%)
Health, Parks, Recreation & Fitness 1,315 81% 310 19%
Business Mgmt / Public Admin 950 75% 320 25%
Education 480 74% 165 26%
Social & Behavioural Sciences & Law 245 61% 155 39%
Humanities 180 60% 120 40%
Visual/Perform Arts or Communications Tech 75 56% 60 44%
Personal, Protective & Transportation Services 220 54% 190 46%
Mathematics, Computer & Information Sciences 85 50% 85 50%
Physical & Life Sciences & Technologies 105 38% 170 62%
Agriculture, Natural Resources & Conservation 55 37% 95 63%
Architecture, Engineering & Related Technologies 135 5% 2,710 95%
Total With a Post Secondary Certificate or Higher 3,845 47% 4,260 53%
No Postsecondary Certificate, Diploma or Degree 4,000 55% 3,285 45%
Table C-11 Economic Dependency Ratio,110 2009

COMMUNITY MALE FEMALE TOTAL
Fruitvale $23.46 $38.96 $28.41
Montrose $23.71 $40.12 $29.00
Rossland $20.16 $25.97 $22.38
Trail $33.98 $63.77 $44.21
Area B $35.77 $46.08 $39.21
British Columbia $22.02 $32.77 $26.19
110
The ratio of transfer payments to total employment income reported by tax filers.
Table C-12 Average Pension Income per Taxfiler, 2009
TYPE OF
GENDER FRUITVALE MONTROSE TRAIL ROSSLAND AREA B
PENSION
Old Age Males $5,732 $5,683 $5,866 $6,121 $5,611
Security Females $5,981 $5,900 $5,913 $5,741 $5,686
Canada Males $7,261 $7,141 $7,482 $7,176 $7,300
Pension Plan Females $5,691 $6,165 $6,249 $6,116 $6,027
Other Males $18,953 $18,429 $20,585 $23,500 $17,210
Pension Females $10,823 $11,855 $12,471 $15,595 $10,633
Table C-13 Adult Population (19-64) by Gender Receiving Basic Income Assistance as a
Percent of Population 19-64 by Gender111, 2002 to 2012
LOWER COLUMBIA BRITISH COLUMBIA
YEAR MONTH LCR LCR-BC
FEMALE MALE FEMALE
F-M GAP* FEMALE GAP*
March 2.3% 1.8% +0.5 2.0% +0.3
June 2.2% 1.5% +0.7 1.9% +0.3
2005
Sept 2.3% 1.4% +0.9 1.7% +0.6
Dec 1.7% 1.4% +0.3 1.7% 0.0
March 2.0% 1.6% +0.4 1.6% +0.4
June 1.7% 1.4% +0.3 1.6% +0.1
2006
Sept 1.7% 1.2% +0.5 1.5% +0.2
Dec 1.6% 1.2% +0.4 1.5% +0.1
March 1.5% 1.3% +0.2 1.5% 0.0
June 1.6% 1.1% +0.5 1.5% +0.1
2007
Sept 1.6% 1.2% +0.4 1.4% +0.2
Dec 1.7% 1.0% +0.7 1.5% +0.2
March 1.6% 1.0% +0.6 1.5% +0.1
June 1.4% 1.0% +0.4 1.5% -0.1
2008
Sept 1.7% 1.0% +0.7 1.5% +0.2
Dec 1.8% 1.3% +0.5 1.6% +0.2
March 2.1% 1.6% +0.5 1.7% +0.4
June 1.9% 1.8% +0.1 1.8% +0.1
2009
Sept 1.8% 2.0% -0.2 1.8% 0.0
Dec 2.1% 2.2% -0.1 2.0% +0.1
March 2.1% 2.1% 0.0 2.0% +0.1
June 2.0% 1.8% +0.2 2.0% 0.0
2010
Sept 2.1% 1.9% +0.2 1.9% +0.2
Dec 2.1% 1.9% +0.2 1.9% +0.2
March 2.1% 2.4% -0.3 2.0% +0.1
June 2.0% 2.1% -0.1 2.0% 0.0
2011
Sept 2.1% 1.8% +0.3 1.9% +0.2
Dec 2.1% 1.8% +0.3 1.8% +0.3
2012 March 2.1% 2.0% +0.1 1.8% +0.3
* Percentage Point Change
111
These figures include only a subset of those receiving Income Assistance under the BC Employment and Assistance
program. INCLUDED are those on Temporary Assistance (Expected to Work, Expected to Work - Medical Condition,
Temporarily Excused, Persistent Multiple Barriers).
Table C-14 BC Employment and Assistance Rate Tables, Income Assistance112
SUPPORT RATE
SHELTER
MAX.
UNIT
SIZE
A B C D E F G H
1 $235.00 $282.92 N/A $531.42 N/A N/A N/A N/A $375
2 $307.22 $452.06 $375.58 $700.56 $949.06 $672.08 $423.58 $396.22 $570
3 $401.06 $546.06 $375.58 $794.56 $1,043.06 $672.08 $423.58 $490.06 $660
4 $401.06 $546.06 $375.58 $794.56 $1,043.06 $672.08 $423.58 $490.06 $700
5 $401.06 $546.06 $375.58 $794.56 $1,043.06 $672.08 $423.58 $490.06 $750
6 $401.06 $546.06 $375.58 $794.56 $1,043.06 $672.08 $423.58 $490.06 $785
7 $401.06 $546.06 $375.58 $794.56 $1,043.06 $672.08 $423.58 $490.06 $820
Notes:
• All rates are monthly.
• In addition to the support allowance, families receive $123.50 for each child to age 19
years, under the BC Family Bonus and ministry top-up if the Family Bonus is less than
$123.50 or the child is ineligible for Family Bonus.
• Families of two or more that include someone on Old Age Security (OAS) are entitled to a
maximum shelter rate for the family size.
• Shelter increments continue to increase by an additional $35 for each additional

dependant after unit size 7.
RATES
A Employable singles, couples, and two-parent families where all adults are under 65 years of
age.
B Singles, couples, and two-parent families where all adults meet the Persons with Persistent
Multiple Barriers (PPMB) criteria and all are under 65.
C Employable one-parent families where the parent is under 65.
D Singles, couples, and two-parent families where one adult is aged 65 years or older.
E Couples and two-parent families where both adults are aged 65 years or older.
F One-parent families where the parent is aged 65 or older.
G One-parent families where the parent meets the Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers
(PPMB) criteria and is under 65.
H Couples and two-parent families where one adult meets the PPMB criteria and all are under
65.
112
Effective June 1, 2007.
Table C-15 Child Care Options and Definitions
TYPE OF CARE MAXIMUM # OF CHILDREN

Registered License-Not-  Two children or a sibling group, other that the care provider's
Required Family Child Care own children (birth up to and including age 12).
 Seven children including the care provider's own children

(under the age of 12).
 No more than:
Licensed Family Child Care - Three children younger than 48 months old and, of those, no
more than one child younger than 12 months old; OR,
- Four children younger than 48 months old and, of those, no
more than two children younger than 24 months old.
Licensed Group Child Care  Not more than 12 in a group (children under three years of age).
Licensed Group Child Care  Not more than 25 in a group (children 30 months to school age).
 Not more than 20 to 25 children in a group (kindergarten up to

School Age Child Care
and including age 12).
Source: Tara Howse, Coordinator, Women Creating Change via Childcarechoices.ca website, 2012.

LCR Gba Final Report Feb 12-13

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

LCR Gba Final Report Feb 12-13

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

LCR Gba Final Report Feb 12-13

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

G ENDER - BASED A NALY SIS OF

Gold Island Consulting and

Janet Morton, Executive Director, The Skills Centre

ADVISOR: Pamela Ponic, Ph.D

This project has been funded by Status of Women Canada.

Women Creating Change: Working Together for Economic Opportunity

Greater Trail Community Skills Centre

Updated February 2013

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... i

1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1

2.0 Demographic Profile ............................................................................................ 5

3.0 Socioeconomic Snapshot ................................................................................. 20

4.0 Qualitative Findings ........................................................................................... 58

5.0 Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 78

Lower Columbia Region i|P a g e

Lower Columbia Region ii | P a g e

Barriers to Economic Security

Lower Columbia Region iii | P a g e

 The region's housing stock is old and in a state of disrepair.

 There is no year-round emergency shelter—just an extreme weather response shelter that is

Lower Columbia Region iv | P a g e

Lower Columbia Region v|P a g e

Community and Infrastructure—

Lower Columbia Region vi | P a g e

1.1.3 Study Area

The Lower Columbia Region comprises

Lower Columbia Region 1|P a g e

 Demographic Profile—Collection, analysis and interpretation of published data related to

 Socioeconomic Snapshot—Collection, analysis and interpretation of primary and secondary

 Qualitative Research—Collection, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data from key

1.2.1 Quantitative Analysis

Lower Columbia Region 2|P a g e

1.2.2 Qualitative Research

Lower Columbia Region 3|P a g e

1.2.3 Organization of Report

Appendix A provides a comprehensive explanation of the qualitative methodology and Appendices B

Lower Columbia Region 4|P a g e

2.0 D EMOGRAPHIC P ROFILE

2.1 Population Overview

Population in the region has declined -4.3%

Lower Columbia Region has experienced slower 18,500

Figure 2-2 Population Distribution, Lower Columbia Region, 2011

Lower Columbia Region 5|P a g e

changed since 2006. This is on par with the 51%

The geographic distribution of the female 48%

52.9% of the population is female (refer to

of females is lowest in rural Area A (47.7%).

in the Lower Columbia communities between Rossland 7.6%

Lower Columbia Region Growth (+3.2%)

POPULATION OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Lower Columbia Region 6|P a g e

2.2 Population Characteristics

2.2.1 Age Structure

bearing age range, ages 25 to 44, comprise 21.5%

reveals that the share of female population in

exceeds the BC and Canadian averages. The

Lower Columbia Region 7|P a g e