The Nanaimo Foundation will not be releasing a Vital Signs report in 2016.
Vital Signs, a report card on the overall health and quality of life in Nanaimo, was released the previous two years, using data from a number of local, provincial and national sources, including Statistics Canada and online survey responses from Nanaimo residents.
Laurie Bienert, foundation development officer, said the 2015 report used information from the 2011 census and even from as far back as 2006.
“We decided, after releasing two consecutive reports ... the results in the reports were fairly similar and so we felt rather than directing resources for releasing another report, that those resources are time, energy and money, would be better spent trying to [effect change] on some of the issues those reports raised,” said Bienert.
Money from title sponsor Island Savings that would’ve gone toward the 2016 report was put toward three of 11 grants that were handed out to non-profit groups last August. Money also came from the foundation and the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th for a total of $70,000 that was granted.
Bienert said the foundation will look at when the next Vital Signs report will be released in the future.