Economic Geography
Primary Industries Found in Whistler
Forestry
Forestry is a very important part of the Whistler and British Columbia industry. The BC forest industry contributes $12 billion anually to the provinces GDP. Forestry plays a large part in the provinces income. Currently, 1 in 5 jobs in British Columbia is related to forestry and is said to be one of the the fastest industry groups to experience the fastest growth from 2007-2017 with an average growth rate of 1.7 % (BC Forestry, 2016). Due to the high number of people retiring, it is estimated that the Forest sector in British Columbia will experience a shortage of between 10 000 - 32 000 workers by the end of the decade (BC Forestry, 2016). This is very important to pay attention to as 40% of BC’s regional economies are dependent on forestry (BC Forestry, 2016).
Fishing
Fisheries and seafood make up a very big part of the British Columbia and Whistler economy. The many lakes located around Whistler contributes to it being the fourth largest primary industry within British Columbia (BC Stats, 2007). The B.C. fishery contributes greatly to the province's and country's economy. Fish are not only circulated within the country but are also exported internationally. According to B. C. Stats, fishing exports accounted for more than 50 % of the total revenue earned by the fishing industry (BC Stats, 2007). In 2005, the fishing industry created more than 15, 000 jobs (BC Stats, 2007).
Forestry
Forestry is a very important part of the Whistler and British Columbia industry. The BC forest industry contributes $12 billion anually to the provinces GDP. Forestry plays a large part in the provinces income. Currently, 1 in 5 jobs in British Columbia is related to forestry and is said to be one of the the fastest industry groups to experience the fastest growth from 2007-2017 with an average growth rate of 1.7 % (BC Forestry, 2016). Due to the high number of people retiring, it is estimated that the Forest sector in British Columbia will experience a shortage of between 10 000 - 32 000 workers by the end of the decade (BC Forestry, 2016). This is very important to pay attention to as 40% of BC’s regional economies are dependent on forestry (BC Forestry, 2016).
Fishing
Fisheries and seafood make up a very big part of the British Columbia and Whistler economy. The many lakes located around Whistler contributes to it being the fourth largest primary industry within British Columbia (BC Stats, 2007). The B.C. fishery contributes greatly to the province's and country's economy. Fish are not only circulated within the country but are also exported internationally. According to B. C. Stats, fishing exports accounted for more than 50 % of the total revenue earned by the fishing industry (BC Stats, 2007). In 2005, the fishing industry created more than 15, 000 jobs (BC Stats, 2007).
Secondary Industry Found in Whistler
Pulp and Paper
The pulp and paper industry remains an important secondary industry within Britush Columbia. Wood is converted into a variety of pulps, papers and paper boards. British Colunmbia's 15 pulp mills and six paper mills employ 12 000 workers and support an additional 12 500 jobs
(The Canadian Encyclopidia, 2016). British Columbia mills create products such as tissue, pulp, packaging, and paper products that are sold around the world. In 2014, global exports of British Columbia pulp and paper was valued at $4.2 billion (The Canadian Encyclopidia, 2016).
Oil and Natural Gas
British Columbia is Canada's second largest natural gas producer. In 2015, 20, 900 barrels of crude oil were produced daily (CAPP, 2015). The history of B.C 's natural gas and crude oil can be traced back for more than 100 years ago (CAPP, 2015). Several wells were drilled during the first half of the 20th century (CAPP, 2015). Horn River and Montney natural gas basins belong to British Columbia and are said to contain enough natural gas resources to last 300 years plus at current demand levels (CAPP, 2015).
Pulp and Paper
The pulp and paper industry remains an important secondary industry within Britush Columbia. Wood is converted into a variety of pulps, papers and paper boards. British Colunmbia's 15 pulp mills and six paper mills employ 12 000 workers and support an additional 12 500 jobs
(The Canadian Encyclopidia, 2016). British Columbia mills create products such as tissue, pulp, packaging, and paper products that are sold around the world. In 2014, global exports of British Columbia pulp and paper was valued at $4.2 billion (The Canadian Encyclopidia, 2016).
Oil and Natural Gas
British Columbia is Canada's second largest natural gas producer. In 2015, 20, 900 barrels of crude oil were produced daily (CAPP, 2015). The history of B.C 's natural gas and crude oil can be traced back for more than 100 years ago (CAPP, 2015). Several wells were drilled during the first half of the 20th century (CAPP, 2015). Horn River and Montney natural gas basins belong to British Columbia and are said to contain enough natural gas resources to last 300 years plus at current demand levels (CAPP, 2015).
Tertiary Employment - Tourism
Whistler is a known as a tourist town. Many stores, restraunts and hotels are found within the area. Any of the people who are providing services for those visting are providing a tertiary service/industry. The number one tertiary industry in Whistler is tourism related services. This includes, those who work at restraunts, hotels, stores, sports instructors, sports equipment renals ect (Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2016). Whistler makes a large amount of their income through these services as it attracts over 2.7 million visitors yearly (Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2016). Tourists visit the area year round, with approximately 60 % of visitors during the summer and 40 % in the spring and summer months (Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2016).
Whistler is a known as a tourist town. Many stores, restraunts and hotels are found within the area. Any of the people who are providing services for those visting are providing a tertiary service/industry. The number one tertiary industry in Whistler is tourism related services. This includes, those who work at restraunts, hotels, stores, sports instructors, sports equipment renals ect (Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2016). Whistler makes a large amount of their income through these services as it attracts over 2.7 million visitors yearly (Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2016). Tourists visit the area year round, with approximately 60 % of visitors during the summer and 40 % in the spring and summer months (Resort Municipality of Whistler, 2016).