Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation
VICTORIA – The Victoria Foundation is thrilled to announce the long-anticipated release of the 2025 edition of Victoria’s Vital Signs, the 20th edition of this influential community report card, in both print and digital versions.
This year, the annual check-up measuring the vitality of our region, as perceived by residents in the community, invites readers to celebrate Vital Signs’s anniversary with a special feature on the critical impacts the program has made to philanthropy, knowledge, and policy in the region. This retrospective, entitled “What’s Next for Victoria’s Vital Signs,” delves into the history, passion, and major community achievements influenced by Vital Signs over the decades – and a look at how the program might evolve into the future.
“When Vital Signs came to life in 2006, we had no idea of the influence on our community it would grow to have,” says foundation CEO Sandra Richardson. “Today, Vital Signs is used by organizations, governments, businesses, schools, and the public, to guide decisions about philanthropy and public policy for the wellbeing of everyone in the capital region. It’s been such an honour to watch Vital Signs and the community grow together, and I look forward to watching how they will evolve into the future.”
In the two decades since the first Vital Signs, the Victoria Foundation’s annual granting increased from $3.8 million to more than $33 million last year.
This year’s report is full of letter grades, statistics, and colourful stories of social impact in the community, spanning 12 key issue areas, such as standard of living, arts and culture, belonging and engagement, and more. The 2025 edition also includes insightful “Then and Now” sections which compare life in the region today with twenty years ago. Data was obtained from a web-based citizen survey completed by over 5,800 people, and data from secondary sources curated by a local researcher, to explore how the region is doing.
Overall quality of life in Greater Victoria scored a B grade, which remains unchanged from the past two years. Housing was given a D, up from a D- last year, though it continues to be the lowest-graded issue area. Similarly, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was given a B grade, up from B- last year, and Getting Started was given a C+, up from a C. All other issue area grades stayed the same as last year.
Respondents said the top 5 things to address to make Greater Victoria an even better place to live are 1) Social Issues, including mental health and homelessness, 2) Affordable housing and rental options, 3) Improving public transportation, 4) Better access to healthcare, and 5) Improving public safety.
70% of respondents said they are likely to still be living and/or working in Greater Victoria 10 years from now. 64% of respondents said they are satisfied with their work and home life balance. Only 22% of respondents said their access to physical healthcare in a timely manner is good or excellent.
For many more insights, you can visit the online version of Vital Signs, accessible on all devices, at victoriavitalsigns.ca.
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