Ethnic character and commercial infrastructure in Cariboo/Burquitlam and Maillardville

¶ … Landscape Neighborhood

In 1996, 79% of residents of the Cariboo/Burquitlam area reported using English as their home tongue, down about ten percent in five years. Although no 2004 data is readily available online, it is safe to assume that the number of residents of Cariboo/Burquitlam using English as a first language at home might have decreased even more. Among international languages spoken at home, the top four were Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Polish, followed by French. As far as commercial infrastructure is concerned, Cariboo/Burquitlam contains high density commercial real estate. Several strip malls and shopping centers with popular North American fast food chains line the main roads. Some large indoor shopping malls such as Burquitlam Plaza also give the area an almost generic North American feel to it; not much in the way of ethnic character can be witnessed in the commercial architecture of the area. Recreational centers and parks are likewise devoid of ethnic names or appearances. For instance, community centers are called "Pinetree" and "Evergreen." Schools are named "Roy Stibbs" and "Mountainview."