The Coast Reporter was founded in March 1997.  Our coverage area is the beautiful Sunshine Coast of BC from Earls’ Cove in the north to Langdale in the south.  Our primary employer is government – provincial and civic (including St. Mary’s Hospital). Our largest private employer on the Coast is Howe Sound Pulp and Paper.  Tourism is also important on the Coast, primarily as small business enterprises such as bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and other related businesses such as boat tours and kayak rentals.

Two major recreational facilities were recently built on the Coast, a swimming pool in Sechelt and an ice-based facility in Gibsons.  As wellthe local hospital is about to undergo a major expansion.

We are in an area of many local festivals, including the June Jazz Fest in Gibsons, July Sea Cavalcade in Gibsons, the August Festival of the Written Arts in Sechelt (the longest running and largest exclusively Canadian writers’ festival, the August Show and Shine and Drag Races that bring car buffs from all over BC and the United States, the August Chamber Music Festival in Pender Harbour, the August Fibre Arts Festival in Gibsons and the September Pender Harbour Jazz Festival are the major draws.  In winter we have an annual snow day in Sechelt as well as the usual polar bear swims.