GETTING STARTED

Helping children, youth, and newcomers to get a good start in life, work, adulthood, and our community makes a lasting difference.


Hey, look! That’s my preschool!

Getting Started

Hey, look! That’s my preschool!

For over 70 years, children have crafted, learned, and explored at parent-run Metchosin Co-op Preschool—an inviting white house with rainbow letters cheering, “Come play!” However, decades of laughing and little feet zipping around took a toll on the beloved building and required the preschool to move to a new home at 4495 Happy Valley Road. With Victoria Foundation’s support, a tucked-away, sterile, former elementary school classroom transformed into a warm, accessible new home. “It’s been emotional for the teachers to take the heart of the preschool and translate it into a new space,” admits Tara Townshend, parent and preschool President. Upgrades included architectural plans, outdoor egress, sound baffles, and updated learning tools. 

Licensed for 19 children, Metchosin Co-op Preschool brings parents into the classroom to learn alongside their kids. Teachers are also alumni, reinforcing a strong sense of connection and shared ownership. With many babies born during the COVID pandemic having limited early social contact, the co-op model helps caregivers observe and support emotional development. Resilience, confidence, and community values are nurtured through play, time in nature, and active participation in local events, fundraisers, and markets. It’s a place where kids and families don’t just begin preschool—they truly get started in life.  


Photo by: Jo-Ann Richards, Works Photography 

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+

Last year's grade was C

Getting Started

Vital signs citizen survey grade

C+
Sustainable Development Goals

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

NET MIGRATION

Total net migration in Greater Victoria between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

0% 0% 0%
other countries 86%
within BC 11%
other provinces 3%

A TOTAL OF 8,724 PEOPLE
Lower than the previous year (9,188), with a larger share coming from other countries (86% vs 73%) and a smaller share from other provinces (3% vs 17%) compared to 2022/23.

In 2023/24, 319 young people, aged 20-34 years, came to Greater Victoria from other provinces, well down from 915 the year before, and 531 young people came here from other parts of BC, up from 526 in 2022/23. 

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA

COMMUNITY IN FOCUS

Supporting Indigenous Maternal and Child Wellness

Xexe Pahlatsis’lelum (Sacred Cradle House) supports Indigenous mothers and birthers experiencing housing precarity and substance use when they are discharged from hospital. It offers a culturally supportive transitional home where life together with their newborn can begin. Mothers and birthers stay at the program until stable, affordable housing is secured for their family. 

Located on the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, Sacred Cradle House is operated by the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society. Residents have access to 24/7 staff support and culturally appropriate services, including Elder and Aunty mentorship, life and parenting skills training, doula and midwifery care, healthcare, infant supplies, and recovery groups and women’s circles. These supports are designed to lovingly support maternal and child wellness, centering community, culture, and connection. 

SOURCE: ABORIGINAL COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS SOCIETY

THEN & NOW
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

Between 2015-2025 in the capital region
1,985 REFUGEES RESETTLED

175 blended sponsorship

790 government-assisted sponsorship

1,015 privately sponsored

During this time, 334,695 refugees were admitted to Canada for resettlement, of whom 32,210 were resettled in BC. The top five countries of citizenship for resettled refugees admitted to Canada were Syria (31%), Afghanistan (17%), Eritrea (17%), Iraq (7%), and Somalia (6%). 

The Government of Canada resettles refugees to save lives and provide stability to those fleeing persecution with no hope of relief. A refugee is different from an immigrant. An immigrant is a person who chooses to settle permanently in another country; refugees are forced to flee. The United Nations Refugee Agency, along with private sponsors, identifies refugees for resettlement in Canada.  

SOURCE: IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA

IMMIGRATION RETENTION

Immigrant taxfilers in 2022 who continued to reside in Greater Victoria 5 years after choosing to live here upon admission to Canada 

72%GREATER VICTORIA
on par with 2021

88%BRITISH COLUMBIA

84%CANADA

The 2022 retention rate is calculated for immigrants admitted to Canada in 2017. The admission year is when an immigrant first obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status and may or may not be the same as the arrival year. The five-year retention rate provides insight on the longer-term likelihood that immigrants will settle, establish networks and relationships, and contribute to the economy in their intended geography. 

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment rate for youth, aged 15-24 years, in 2024

0%

GREATER VICTORIA
up from 7% in 2023

0%

BRITISH COLUMBIA

0%

CANADA

Youth unemployment rates by gender were suppressed in 2024 to meet confidentiality requirements.

% Population (15-24 years) who are unemployed

20202021202220232024
Canada20.113.510.010.713.1
BC18.912.38.99.611.4
Victoria CMA14.37.87.57.37.9

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA 

CHILD CARE SPACES

Across the region’s four school districts, in 2024/25
15,402 LICENSED CHILD CARE SPACES
up 35% from 11,381 spaces in 2018/19

includes group spaces for children under 36 months, 30 months to school age, preschool, school age, and multi-age, and family spaces.

Over the past seven years, SD61 (Greater Victoria) has consistently had the largest number of total spaces, with 9,653 (63%) in 2024/25, and SD63 (Saanich) and SD62 (Sooke) have had the largest percentage increase in spaces at 44% and 42%, respectively.

Note: Data refers only to child care spaces in licensed facilities that have opted in to the BC government’s Child Care Operating Funding program or the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program. 

SOURCE: BC MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE