This article was created for Victoria Foundation, and produced independently by Capital Daily. It was approved by Victoria Foundation before it was published.

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The past couple of months have been a rollercoaster for everyone in Canada, to put it mildly. This is the time for all of us to come together, and while we cannot always control what happens elsewhere, we can improve what happens in our own communities. This spring, you can have your say in building your community’s future by participating in the Vital Signs survey, presented by Coast Capital. 

The Victoria Foundation is celebrating 20 years of the Victoria’s Vital Signs program this year. Since 2005, the Victoria Foundation has had its finger on the pulse of the Greater Victoria region, measuring 12 “vital signs,” including safety, wellness, healthcare, housing, and cost of living, with this survey. 

The theme of this year’s survey is “Your Voice, Your Victoria”. If you live in the Greater Victoria region, this is your chance to have a say in what goes on in your backyard.

Are you concerned about healthcare for you or your family? Do you want to see more inclusive support for our diverse communities? Is the region doing enough to combat climate change? This survey is an opportunity to have your voice heard, and when all our voices come together, we can change our local environment and shape our collective future.  

“For 20 years, Victoria’s Vital Signs has been an important and influential report card on the health and wellbeing of our region. Each year, it’s used by sector leaders, decision-makers, and the public alike to help steer the future of our community,” said Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO. 

“Our region faces complex and integrated challenges, and through the collective voices of our community, we can continue to identify and coordinate on solutions that will last far beyond the next 20 years.”

The 2025 survey is open now and will run until Friday, May 30, at noon. Take the short-form survey now to be entered into the draw for one of three Country Grocer gift cards worth $100 each. You can double your chances by taking the longer-form version. It takes 10 minutes or less!  

More than 6,500 Greater Victoria residents participated in the 2024 survey. Last year’s results showed that most people in the region were concerned about the cost of living, housing, healthcare, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many respondents expressed the need for better mental health supports for people facing mental health challenges such as substance use disorders and homelessness. 

You can read the 2024 survey report here. 

The Vital Signs program is proudly sponsored by Coast Capital, a Certified B Corporation® and a member-owned financial cooperative with 80 years of experience in building a more inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system. Each year, Coast Capital invests 10% of its budgeted bottom line into the community, which since 2000 totals over $100M.