Communities

Taken together, Powell River and the Sunshine Coast is a 'community of communities'. There are close to 25 sub-communities within Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, ribboned together along Highway 101 and connected by BC Ferries. The region has a total population of 47,340. It is accessible only by boat or plane, and its many islands and inlets create geographic separation within its boundaries. There is a diverse mix of rural/remote and urban-satellite settlements - from isolated shellfish farms of Okeover Inlet in the north, to Gibsons and Langdale in the south where many residents commute to work in Greater Vancouver.

At either end of the geographic region there are strong Aboriginal communities: Sechelt Indian Government District and Sliammon First Nation. The Sechelt First Nation and the Sliammon First Nation are progressive in terms of self-governance and negotiations around Aboriginal rights and title. Sechelt First Nation had one of the first self-governing acts in Canada (1986).

There is a wide variety of early childhood programs and services offered throughout Powell River and the Sunshine Coast. To find out more about what is available in your community choose the appropriate link below:

We acknowledge the funding support of the Government of Canada through Human Resources and Social Development. The opinions expressed on this website do not necessarily reflect those of Human Resources and Social Development Canada.