| Growth rates for all commercial (private) services between 1986 and 1996 ranged from 128% (Varennes, Quebec) to -13.1% (Elliot Lake, Ontario). Commercial services include personal services, leisure services, business services, financial services, retailing and wholesaling.
Geographical Description
This map is composed of seven thematic map layers to show the growth
rates for overall commercial services (initial map view), and then
individually for personal services, leisure services, business services,
financial services, retailing and wholesaling. On all map layers,
the circles indicate the population in 1996 (the larger the population,
the larger the circle), while colours in the legend indicate the
rates of growth, either positive or negative.
Generally, the growth rates for commercial services suggest that
growth was widely dispersed across the country, with the exception
of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The highest rates of growth occurred
in British Columbia, Alberta and in or near Toronto, Ottawa and
Montréal. Of course, these are the places with the highest
per capita incomes. Cities in the Atlantic provinces showed modest
growth but less than those in Ontario and Quebec.
Wholesaling
The growth rates for wholesaling varied regionally, with the higher
rates in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec contrasting
with those in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces.
The highest rates of growth occurred in British Columbia and Alberta,
and in or near Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal. These are some
of the places with the highest per capita incomes, and generally
the places with highest rates of population growth during this period.
The highest growth rates are found in small peripheral cities, which
had a very small employment base in 1986 (for example, La Baie,
Quebec, and Port Alberni and Fort St. John, British Columbia).
Retailing
Growth in retailing varied regionally, with declines in Manitoba and Saskatchewan contrasting with rapid growth in the rest of the country. The highest growth rates are found in the urban centres near the largest cities: Varennes, Quebec; Airdrie, Alberta; and Buckingham, Quebec (near Ottawa).
Financial Services
Growth in financial services varied from decline or slow growth
in the Prairie provinces to rapid growth in British Columbia and
southern Ontario and Quebec. The highest rates of growth occurred
in coastal British Columbia and in the urban centres near the largest
cities (for example, Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal).
Business Services
Growth in business services was relatively slow in the Prairie
provinces and rapid in British Columbia and southern Ontario and
Quebec. The highest rates of growth occurred in coastal British
Columbia and in the urban centres near the largest cities (Toronto,
Ottawa and Montréal).
Leisure Services
Growth rates for leisure services were relatively slow in the eastern
Prairie provinces and rapid in British Columbia and southern Ontario
and Quebec. The very highest rates of growth were widely dispersed
in the urban centres on the edge of metropolitan regions. These
high-growth places are often those that cater to the recreational
needs of nearby large cities.
Personal Services
Growth rates for personal services show much the same regional
pattern, the relatively slow growth in the eastern Prairie provinces
contrasting with the rapid growth in British Columbia, Alberta and
southern Ontario and Quebec. The very highest rates of growth occurred
in coastal British Columbia and around Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal,
where population growth was rapid.
To properly interpret this map, please consult the text Data
and Mapping Notes.
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