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Campbell River, British Columbia

Coordinates: 50°01′23″N 125°14′37″W / 50.02306°N 125.24361°W / 50.02306; -125.24361[1]
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This article is about the city. For the city's namesake, see Campbell River (Vancouver Island).

Campbell River
City
City of Campbell River
Campbell River from Discovery Passage
Campbell River from Discovery Passage
Nickname: 
Salmon Capital of the World.
Campbell River is located in Vancouver Island
Campbell River
Campbell River
Location of Campbell River in British Columbia
Campbell River is located in British Columbia
Campbell River
Campbell River
Campbell River (British Columbia)
Coordinates: 50°01′23″N 125°14′37″W / 50.02306°N 125.24361°W / 50.02306; -125.24361[1]
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
RegionMid-Island
Regional DistrictStrathcona
Founded1855
Incorporated1947
Government
 • TypeElected city council
 • MayorKermit Dahl
 • MPRachel Blaney (NDP)
 • MLAMichele Babchuk (BC NDP)
Area
 (2021)[2]
 • Land144.38 km2 (55.75 sq mi)
 • Population centre33.0 km2 (12.7 sq mi)
 • Census agglomeration1,734.05 km2 (669.52 sq mi)
Elevation
24 m (79 ft)
Population
 (2024)[2]
 • Total37,117
 • Density246.0/km2 (637/sq mi)
 • Population centre
38,108
 • Population centre density1,154.7/km2 (2,991/sq mi)
 • Census agglomeration
40,704
 • Census agglomeration density23.5/km2 (61/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−08:00 (PST)
Forward sortation area
V9H, V9W
Area code(s)236, 250, 672, 778
HighwaysHighway 19
Highway 19A
WaterwaysDiscovery Passage, Strait of Georgia
Websitecampbellriver.ca

Campbell River is a city in the Sayward Land District of British Columbia, Canada, on the east coast of Vancouver Island at the south end of Discovery Passage, which lies along the 50th parallel north along the important Inside Passage shipping route. Campbell River has a population (2021 census) of 35,138[2] and has long been touted as the "salmon capital of the world." Campbell River and Region are near the communities of Quadra and the Discovery Islands, Sayward, Oyster River, Gold River, Tahsis and Zeballos.

Campbell River is served by the coast-spanning Island Highway, the nearby but now defunct Island Rail Corridor, and Campbell River Airport.

History

[edit]

The first settlers known in the area were members of the Kʼómoks (Island Comox) and related Coast Salish peoples. During the 18th century, a migration of Kwakwakaʼwakw (Kwakʼwala-speaking) people of the Wakashan linguistic and cultural group migrated south from the area of Fort Rupert. Establishing themselves in the Campbell River area, they enslaved and later absorbed the Kʼómoks. These newcomers became infamous as raiders of the Coast Salish peoples farther south, who are known to history as the Euclataws (also spelled Yucultas), a variant on the Laich-kwil-tach, Lekwiltok or Legwildok, which is their name for themselves. There are two subdivisions of this group, also known as the Southern Kwakiutl: the Wekayi or Weiwaikai of the We Wai Kai Nation (Cape Mudge Indian Band) on Quadra Island and the Weiwaikum of the Campbell River Band located in and around the city of Campbell River.

Captain George Vancouver reached Campbell River in 1792 aboard the ships HMS Discovery and HMS Chatham. The channel between Quadra Island and Campbell River is named Discovery Passage after HMS Discovery. The captain and his botanist, Mr Archibald Menzies, encountered a small tribe of 350 natives who spoke the Salish language. A Laich-kwil-tach war party, heavily armed with European rifles, paddled south from Johnstone Strait in the middle of the 19th century and were in control of the area when HMS Plumper came through on a cartography mission under Captain George Henry Richards around 1859. Dr Samuel Campbell was the ship surgeon, and historians believe his name was given to the river by Richards. The community took the name "Campbell River" when its post office was constructed in 1907.[3] Likewise, the name of HMS Discovery's First Lieutenant Zachary Mudge is preserved in the nearby Cape Mudge.

Sports fishermen travelled to the area as early as the 1880s, especially after the tales from anglers such as Sir Richard Musgrave[4][5] and Sir John Rogers. The formation of the Campbell River Tyee Club in 1924, over concern regarding over-fishing of the salmon stocks, served to popularize the area among fishermen.[6] E.P. Painter, for instance, moved to Campbell River the following year and opened his Painter's Lodge in 1929. Painter's Lodge attracted clientèle from Hollywood and regular patrons included Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Commercial fishing was a large industry for many years. The town's magistrate Roderick Haig-Brown purchased a fishing cabin on Campbell River and wrote a number of books on fly fishing for both sport fishermen and conservationists.

Industrial logging took off in the 1920s with Merrill Ring and Company, Bloedel, Stewart and Welch and Comox Logging. A large forest fire started near Buttle Lake and burned much of the valley in 1938. Rock Bay, Menzies Bay, and Englewood all were big logging camps.

After 1912, Campbell River became a supply point for northern Vancouver Island, Quadra Island, and Cortes Island.[7] The E and N Railway was surveyed to Campbell River, yet it only reached Courtenay, 64 km (40 mi) south. In its original conception, it would have been the last leg of the transcontinental railway, which had been proposed to run down Bute Inlet after crossing the British Columbia Interior, connecting to Vancouver Island just north of Campbell River at Seymour Narrows. After the Second World War, Campbell River became a boomtown and industrial centre with the building of the John Hart Dam, the Elk Falls Mill, and nearby mills in Tahsis and Gold River. Logging and mining in the area prospered. There is a lead zinc mine nearby as well as coal mines, while a large copper mine operated to the north.

In recent years Campbell River, about halfway up Vancouver Island, has continued to mark the boundary between the more developed south and the wild and natural areas of the northern part of the island.[8] Local fish hatcheries help to maintain salmon stocks for the fishing industry.[9]

There is uncertainty about the source of the name of the city. It is thought that the river and the city may have been named for Dr. Samuel Campbell, who was assistant surgeon aboard HMS Plumper from 1857 to 1861.[10]: 37 

Climate

[edit]

Campbell River has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb), very closely bordering on oceanic (Cfb). The most precipitation is measured in November, at 231 mm (9.1 in) on average.[11] January tends to see the most snow, 23.3 cm (9.2 in) on average.[11] In the winter months, occasional Arctic bursts from the interior of British Columbia can make their way to the coast, bringing temperatures below freezing. If a Pacific low reaches the coast, a large snowfall can occur. Snowfalls in excess of 45 cm (18 in) have been recorded in a 24-hour period, and the greatest recorded snowfall was 53.3 centimetres (21.0 in) in 1978.[citation needed]

Vancouver Island's coldest temperature of −23.9 °C (−11.0 °F) was recorded in Campbell River on 30 January 1969.[11]

Climate data for Campbell River (Campbell River Airport)
Climate ID: 1021261; coordinates 49°57′07″N 125°16′23″W / 49.95194°N 125.27306°W / 49.95194; -125.27306 (Campbell River Airport); elevation: 108.8 m (357 ft); 1981–2010 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 13.9 16.1 18.6 28.0 32.4 43.5 40.9 40.0 33.4 27.7 17.9 15.7 43.5
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0) 		17.5
(63.5) 		20.6
(69.1) 		28.5
(83.3) 		33.2
(91.8) 		39.6
(103.3) 		37.2
(99.0) 		37.8
(100.0) 		31.6
(88.9) 		26.3
(79.3) 		17.8
(64.0) 		15.1
(59.2) 		39.6
(103.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.5
(41.9) 		7.2
(45.0) 		9.7
(49.5) 		13.2
(55.8) 		17.0
(62.6) 		20.1
(68.2) 		23.0
(73.4) 		23.3
(73.9) 		19.8
(67.6) 		13.1
(55.6) 		7.7
(45.9) 		4.9
(40.8) 		13.7
(56.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.4
(36.3) 		3.2
(37.8) 		5.2
(41.4) 		8.0
(46.4) 		11.6
(52.9) 		14.7
(58.5) 		17.3
(63.1) 		17.2
(63.0) 		13.7
(56.7) 		8.6
(47.5) 		4.4
(39.9) 		2.1
(35.8) 		9.0
(48.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.8
(30.6) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		0.7
(33.3) 		2.8
(37.0) 		6.2
(43.2) 		9.3
(48.7) 		11.5
(52.7) 		11.1
(52.0) 		7.6
(45.7) 		4.0
(39.2) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		4.3
(39.7)
Record low °C (°F) −23.9
(−11.0) 		−17.8
(0.0) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		2.2
(36.0) 		1.7
(35.1) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		−9.7
(14.5) 		−20.4
(−4.7) 		−18.5
(−1.3) 		−23.9
(−11.0)
Record low wind chill −30 −23 −15 −8 −4 0.0 0.0 0.0 −5 −12 −26 −24 −30
Average precipitation mm (inches) 217.5
(8.56) 		149.5
(5.89) 		140.0
(5.51) 		92.1
(3.63) 		68.4
(2.69) 		62.9
(2.48) 		39.4
(1.55) 		44.6
(1.76) 		55.2
(2.17) 		162.2
(6.39) 		231.9
(9.13) 		225.7
(8.89) 		1,489.3
(58.63)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 194.6
(7.66) 		135.5
(5.33) 		128.4
(5.06) 		91.6
(3.61) 		68.4
(2.69) 		62.9
(2.48) 		39.4
(1.55) 		44.6
(1.76) 		55.2
(2.17) 		161.0
(6.34) 		222.1
(8.74) 		204.2
(8.04) 		1,407.8
(55.43)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 23.3
(9.2) 		14.4
(5.7) 		11.7
(4.6) 		0.5
(0.2) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		1.2
(0.5) 		10.5
(4.1) 		22.6
(8.9) 		84.3
(33.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 20.8 16.4 19.7 17.1 15.5 13.7 9.4 9.3 9.7 18.4 21.6 21.2 192.8
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 18.7 15.0 18.9 17.1 15.5 13.7 9.4 9.3 9.7 18.4 21.0 19.3 185.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 4.3 3.0 2.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.8 4.1 16.3
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 Local standard time) 84.9 75.1 67.8 59.6 57.2 57.6 54.4 55.1 59.1 74.0 83.3 86.3 67.9
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[11] (October maximum)[12]

Demographics

[edit]

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Campbell River had a population of 35,519 living in 15,557 of its 16,194 total private dwellings, a change of 7.6% from its 2016 population of 33,007. With a land area of 144.38 km2 (55.75 sq mi), it had a population density of 246.0/km2 (637.2/sq mi) in 2021.[2]

Ethnicity

[edit]
Panethnic groups in the City of Campbell River (1986–2021)
Panethnic
group 		2021[2] 2016[13] 2011[14] 2006[15] 2001[16] 1996[17] 1991[18][19] 1986[20][21][22]: 93  1981[23][24]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[a] 28,995 83.12% 26,680 83.48% 26,820 87.29% 25,730 87.61% 25,035 88.48% 26,065 90.72% 18,270 86.81% 15,040 89.21% 14,250 89.76%
Indigenous 3,870 11.09% 3,670 11.48% 2,670 8.69% 2,540 8.65% 1,560 5.51% 1,305 4.54% 1,870 8.89% 1,220 7.24% 970 6.11%
Southeast Asian[b] 645 1.85% 635 1.99% 600 1.95% 475 1.62% 665 2.35% 395 1.37% 295 1.4% 40 0.24% — —
South Asian 535 1.53% 245 0.77% 120 0.39% 85 0.29% 500 1.77% 515 1.79% 280 1.33% 385 2.28% 475 2.99%
East Asian[c] 445 1.28% 385 1.2% 210 0.68% 315 1.07% 360 1.27% 300 1.04% 185 0.88% 110 0.65% 165 1.04%
African 175 0.5% 125 0.39% 120 0.39% 45 0.15% 90 0.32% 90 0.31% 55 0.26% 10 0.06% — —
Latin American 120 0.34% 115 0.36% 95 0.31% 105 0.36% 30 0.11% 45 0.16% 65 0.31% 25 0.15% 15 0.09%
Middle Eastern[d] 15 0.04% 45 0.14% 0 0% 10 0.03% 0 0% 0 0% 25 0.12% 30 0.18% 0 0%
Other[e] 80 0.23% 55 0.17% 65 0.21% 45 0.15% 60 0.21% 0 0% — — — — — —
Total responses 34,885 98.22% 31,960 98.07% 30,725 98.52% 29,370 99.32% 28,295 99.43% 28,730 99.58% 21,045 99.39% 16,860 99.26% 15,875 100.27%
Total population 35,519 100% 32,588 100% 31,186 100% 29,572 100% 28,456 100% 28,851 100% 21,175 100% 16,986 100% 15,832 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Religion

[edit]

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Campbell River included:[2]

Economy

[edit]
Marina and Fisherman's Wharf
Campbell River Art installation, "Transformation on the shore"

Campbell River has a variety of growing industries and small businesses suitable to an ocean side community. As of 2012, the focus of business is directed towards aquaculture, agrifoods, clean energy development, construction, creative industries, forestry, fishing,[25] health care, international education, mining, technology and tourism.[7] Elk Falls Mill, one of the largest employers in the area shut down in 2009; however, logging continues to be a significant source of employment.[7] There have been many cases of former mill employees moving away to other places with higher demands for a similar labour force, particularly Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Education

[edit]

Public schools are administered by School District 72 Campbell River and North Island College has a campus in Campbell River. Campbell River has recently developed a new international program accepting students from Germany, Austria, and various other countries across Europe, South America, and Asia. Along with School District 72, there is also a private K–12 Christian school, this being Campbell River Christian School. The two public high schools are Carihi Secondary School and Timberline Secondary School. Carihi Secondary School is also a part of School District 93 Conseil scolaire francophone.

The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique operates one Francophone school in Campbell River: the école Mer-et-montagne primary school.[26]

Politics

[edit]

In the House of Commons of Canada, Campbell River is represented by the riding of North Island—Powell River (Rachel Blaney, New Democratic Party (NDP)). In the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Campbell River is represented by the North Island (Claire Trevena, British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP)) riding.

The mayor of Campbell River is Kermit Dahl. He was elected on 15 October 2022.[27]

Transportation

[edit]

The city is served by Campbell River Airport (YBL), Campbell River Water Aerodrome at Campbell River Harbour, a BC Ferries route to Quadra Island,[28] and an inland island highway and an ocean side island highway which connect the community to the rest of Vancouver Island.[29] Campbell River Transit System provides bus service to the city and neighbouring communities. Operated by Watson and Ash Transportation, the transit system is funded under a partnership between the City of Campbell River and BC Transit, the provincial agency that plans and manages municipal transit systems.[citation needed]

Movies filmed in Campbell River

[edit]

Notable residents

[edit]

Media

[edit]

Sister City

[edit]

Since 1983, Campbell River has been a sister or twinned city of Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan. This twinning was based on the importance of salmon to both cities.[31]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  3. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  4. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Campbell River". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. 26 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table: Campbell River, City (CY) British Columbia [Census subdivision], Campbell River British Columbia [Population centre], and Campbell River British Columbia [Census agglomeration]". Statistics Canada. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  3. ^ Artibise, Alan F.J: "Campbell River". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  4. ^ Pedersen, Diana (Winter 2011). "The Fish That Made Campbell River Famous". British Columbia History. 44 (4): 5–15. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  5. ^ "The Salmon Capital of the World". campbellrivertourism.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Field & Stream". Field & Stream 2007–08. 79 (2): 65. June 1974. ISSN 8755-8599.
  7. ^ a b c Gebhart, Fred; Cass, Maxine (18 September 2002). Vancouver and British Columbia. Thomas Cook Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-84157-230-7.
  8. ^ Susan Bowers (14 May 2004). Toads and Nettles: Memories of the North West Coast. Xlibris Corporation. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-4134-4754-5.
  9. ^ Don Daniels, "Smolts growing in pens at Campbell River wharves will be released soon". Campbell River Mirror, 26 April 2018
  10. ^ Akrigg, G.P.V.; Akrigg, Helen B. (1986), British Columbia Place Names (3rd, 1997 ed.), Vancouver: UBC Press, ISBN 0-7748-0636-2
  11. ^ a b c d "Campbell River A". Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Daily Data Report for October 2022". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  13. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 October 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  14. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 November 2015). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  15. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (20 August 2019). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  16. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2 July 2019). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  17. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2 July 2019). "Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  18. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (29 March 2019). "1991 Census Area Profiles Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions – Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  19. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (29 March 2019). "Data tables, 1991 Census Population by Ethnic Origin (24), Showing Single and Multiple Origins (2) – Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  20. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 June 2019). "Data tables, 1986 Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census – Part A". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  21. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 June 2019). "Data tables, 1986 Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1986 Census – Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  22. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (3 April 2013). "Canada's aboriginal population by census subdivisions from the 1986 Census of Canada". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  23. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (26 May 2020). "Data tables, 1981 Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1981 Census – Part A". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  24. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (26 May 2020). "Data tables, 1981 Census Profile for Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 1981 Census – Part B". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  25. ^ Jayne Seagrave (5 June 2014). Camping British Columbia and Yukon: The Complete Guide to National, Provincial, and Territorial Campgrounds. Heritage House. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-927527-60-3.
  26. ^ "Carte des écoles Archived 5 October 2021 at archive.today." Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique. Retrieved on 22 January 2015.
  27. ^ "Dahl elected Campbell River's new mayor – Vancouver Island Free Daily". 15 October 2022.
  28. ^ Ed Readicker-Henderson; Lynn Readicker-Henderson (2004). British Columbia: Adventure Guide. Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-58843-366-4.
  29. ^ Brett McGillivray (1 January 2011). Geography of British Columbia, Third Edition: People and Landscapes in Transition. UBC Press. p. 252. ISBN 978-0-7748-4519-9.
  30. ^ "An Essential Guide to the 'Planet of the Apes' Films". Exclaim!, 29 June 2017
  31. ^ "What We Do". Campbell River Twinning Society. 17 January 2019.
[edit]
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