Delta, British Columbia

Delta, British Columbia
District
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Ours to preserve by hand and heart.
Location of Delta within the Greater Vancouver Area in British Columbia, Canada
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
Regional District	Metro Vancouver
Incorporated	1879
Government
• Mayor	Lois Jackson
• Governing body	Delta Municipal Council
• MPs	Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Jinny Sims
• MLAs	Scott Hamilton, Vicki Huntington
Area
• Land	183.70 km2 (70.93 sq mi)
Elevation	10 m (30 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	99,863 (Ranked 51st)
• Density	554.4/km2 (1,436/sq mi)
• Demonym	Deltan
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
Postal code span	V4C to V4G, V4K to V4M
Area code(s)	+1-604/778
Website	Delta.ca

Delta is a district municipality in British Columbia, and forms part of Metro Vancouver. Located south of Richmond, it is bordered by the Fraser River to the north, the United States (Point Roberts, Washington) to the south and the city of Surrey to the east. Delta is composed of three distinct communities: Ladner, Tsawwassen, and North Delta.

History

Prior to European settlement, Delta's flatlands and coastal shores were inhabited by the Tsawwassen indigenous peoples, of the Coast Salish First Nations . The land was first sighted by Europeans in 1791, when Spanish explorer Lieutenant Francisco de Eliza mistook the area for an island and named it "Isla Capeda". The first Europeans to settle in the area were Thomas and William Ladner, who began farming the area in 1868. Farming and fishing helped the community grow quickly over the next few decades. In 1879, the area was incorporated to become "Delta", and the village of Ladner was made as its administrative centre.

Due to its geography, Delta was a relatively isolated community. The completion of the George Massey Tunnel in 1959 linking Ladner to Richmond and Vancouver along with the opening, in 1960, of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and the Highway 99 being rerouted from the King George Highway in Surrey in 1962 to a new route through Delta, ended Delta's isolation and resulted in a massive 400% population growth over the next 20 years. The 1986 completion of the Alex Fraser Bridge connecting North Delta to New Westminster and Vancouver also helped Delta's growth.

Population and people

As of 2005, Delta's population was 102,655. About 23% of Delta's population are visible minorities, of which there are approximately 12,000 South Asians and 5,400 Chinese Canadians. There are also about 1,400 Aboriginal peoples, some from the Tsawwassen band, who still hold traditional lands on the Tsawwassen Indian Reserve as well as the Hwlitsum First Nation, at the mouth of the Fraser River.

Communities

Delta comprises three distinct, geographically separate communities:

• North Delta (pop: 51,623) is home to over half of Delta's population. It is a largely suburban area in north-east Delta bordered by the Burns Bog and Surrey.
• Ladner (pop: 21,112) is a 19th-century fishing village in north-west Delta that has expanded into a suburb. Fishing and farming are important industries. Ladner Trunk Road is its main street.
• Tsawwassen (pop: 20,933) is a suburban community in south-west Delta that calls itself the sunniest place in Metro Vancouver. Luxury waterfront homes line Tsawwassen's coast. Tsawwassen is also home to the busy Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal which links the mainland to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Tsawwassen, together with Ladner are also known as South Delta.

Demographics

2011

According to the 2011 Canadian Census,^[1] the population of Delta is 99,863, a 3.3% increase from 2006. The population density is 554.4 people per square km. The median age is 42.8 years old, which is a bit higher than the national median age at 40.6 years old. There are 35,781 private dwellings with an occupancy rate of 97.1%. According to the 2011 National Household Survey, the median value of a dwelling in Delta is $562,181 which is significantly higher than the national average at $280,552. The median household income (after-taxes) in Delta is $71,590, quite higher than the national average at $54,089.

Delta is a fairly diverse city. The racial make up of Delta is:

• 67.5% White
• 17.2% South Asian; 15.6% Indian
• 7.2% East Asian; 5.7% Chinese, 0.4% Korean, 1.0% Japanese
• 3.2% Southeast Asian; 2.7% Filipino
• 2.3% Aboriginal; 1.3% First Nations, 0.9% Metis
• 0.7% Latin American
• 0.5% Black
• 0.1% West Asian
• 0.1% Arab
• 0.7% Multiracial; 1.6% including Metis
• 0.3% Other

Most of Delta is either a Christian (44.9%), or affiliates with no religion (37.1%), but there is also large Sikh (10.6%), Hindu (3.0%), Muslim (2.0%) and Buddhist (1.3%) communities. The remaining 1.1% affiliate with another religion.

2006

Geography and climate

A trail on Deas Island in late September

Delta is located 27 kilometres (17 mi) south of Vancouver and 22 kilometres (14 mi) north of the U.S. border at Peace Arch, Surrey. It is bordered by water on three sides: The Fraser River to the north, the Georgia Strait to the west and Boundary Bay to the south.

At 364 square kilometres (141 sq mi), Delta is the largest municipality in the GVRD; the second largest is its neighbour to the east, Surrey, at 317.4 square kilometres (122.5 sq mi).

Trachycarpus Fortunei Palm Trees line some streets in Tsawwassen

Delta's flat, fertile land has made it one of the most important agricultural areas in Metro Vancouver. The Agricultural Land Reserve regulations preserve most of this land for agricultural use, preventing its conversion to suburban housing. North Delta is also home to the Burns Bog, 40 square kilometres (10,000 acres) of natural wetlands that are important for wildlife.

Government and politics

Delta is governed by the Delta Municipal Council, led by a Mayor and six Councillors, elected for three-year terms, and there is also an elected school board. The current mayor is Lois Jackson. Unlike most communities in Canada, but like Vancouver and Richmond, Delta has a system of locally based election slates such as TriDelta, IDEA, One Delta, Delta Residents Association, and DIVA.

Delta's rural-urban split is reflected in its politics, with urbanized North Delta voting more to the left, while rural western areas of Delta have voted more conservative. For example, in the most recent elections to the British Columbia Legislature, the North Delta seat went to Guy Gentner of the New Democratic Party while the South Delta seat went to independent Vicki Huntington.

In the House of Commons of Canada, Delta is represented with two constituencies: Newton—North Delta, which is shared with parts of neighbouring Surrey, the other Delta-Richmond East which it shares with parts of Richmond. As of the 2011 elections, one of Delta's two MP seats is held by Kerry-Lynne Findlay of the Conservative Party while the other is held by Jinny Sims of the New Democratic Party, both elected in May 2011.

Delta, unlike most Lower Mainland municipalities, has its own police department.

Power

In Delta is the Arnott Substation (ARN), the mainland terminal of the HVDC Vancouver Island circuit.

Transportation

The Alex Fraser Bridge links Delta to New Westminster and Richmond.

• Public transportation in Delta is provided by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority bus system. There is no rapid transit system in Delta, though the SkyTrain system in Surrey comes within three kilometres of the city's borders.
• Delta is a major transportation hub for the Lower Mainland. Most vehicles leaving Vancouver for the United States pass through Delta's borders. Many vehicles destined for Vancouver Island use the Tsawwassen ferry terminal in Delta.
• Highway 99 links Richmond to Delta via the George Massey Tunnel, built in 1959. North Delta is linked to New Westminster and Richmond by Highway 91 and the massive Alex Fraser Bridge (opened in 1986). Delta is linked to Surrey, Langley, and all points eastward by Highway 10.
• Highway 17 in Delta provides a connection to the Tsawwassen B.C. Ferry terminal, which provides car ferry connections to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. In December 2013, north of the current junction with Deltaport Way, Highway 17 will be rerouted upon completion of the "South Fraser Perimeter Road", and will primarily run parallel to River Road through Tilbury and North Delta to all points east. The remaining stretch of Highway 17 north of that point will be renamed Highway 17A.
• River Road is also another connector through the municipality. River Road starts in Surrey and heads westbound through North Delta, under the Alex Fraser Bridge, north of Burns Bog, and then terminates at 62B Street, which then turns into Highway 17A.
• Like River Road, the western communities of "South Delta" (Ladner and Tsawwassen) are linked to North Delta and communities to the east by Ladner Trunk Road; east of its crossover of Highway 91, the road becomes Highway 10.
• 56th Street is another major artery in the community, bisecting the Tsawwassen region; it is the only road leading into the community of Point Roberts, south of the Canadian/American border.
• Delta is also home to Boundary Bay Airport, Canada's 5th busiest airport by aircraft movements. Boundary Bay Airport is primarily used for private aircraft, commercial charters, and flying lessons.

Delta sports

Delta has many minor sports teams in ice hockey, soccer, football, field hockey, baseball, field lacrosse and box lacrosse. Over 160 young people play ringette in Delta. The Delta Ringette Association has 13 teams in 2005. Notable professional sports players from Delta are Jeff Francis (MLB), Justin Morneau (MLB), Brent Seabrook (NHL), Troy Brouwer (NHL) and Mitch Berger (NFL). Delta's unique and varying terrain provides a challenging test for many of the world's best cyclists in the Tour de Delta. Since its first event in 2001, the Tour de Delta has grown to be Canada's largest cycling event, held annually in July as part of BC Superweek. More info on this world-class race at www.tourdedelta.com. The Delta Triathlon is also a very popular event, selling out each year in April. The event takes place in Ladner from the Ladner Leisure Centre. Over 500 participants take part, including many from the local South Delta Triathlon Club.

Notable people from Delta

• Vince Abbott, former professional American football player; kicker for the San Diego Chargers (1987–1988)
• Mitch Berger, professional American football player; punter for the Denver Broncos
• Adam Braidwood, professional Canadian football player; defensive end for the Edmonton Eskimos
• Troy Brouwer, professional hockey player; forward for the Washington Capitals
• Tyler Connolly, Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist; vocalist and guitarist for the rock band, Theory of a Deadman
• John Cummins, Canadian politician; currently the Conservative Member of Parliament for the riding of Delta—Richmond East
• Martin Cummins, Canadian actor
• Kevin Eiben, professional Canadian football player; linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts
• Jeff Francis, professional baseball player; starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies
• James Kirk, Canadian actor
• Michael Lee, Canadian field hockey player
• Tyson Mulock, professional hockey player; centre for the Berlin Polar Bears of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga
• Gary Nylund, former professional hockey player; defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Islanders
• Kyle O'Reilly, professional wrestler^[4]
• Jason Priestley, Canadian actor and director
• Dave Randorf, Canadian sportscaster, currently works for TSN
• Byron Ritchie, professional hockey player; centre for HC Dynamo Minsk of the KHL
• Mark Rogers, former professional soccer player, Men's National Team Assistant Coach
• Davis Sanchez, professional Canadian football player; cornerback for the BC Lions
• Will Sasso, Canadian comedian and actor
• Brent Seabrook, professional hockey player; defenceman for the Chicago Blackhawks
• Rob Short, Canadian field hockey player
• Marie Warder, writer and founder of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society

Surrounding municipalities

		Richmond	Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam
	Strait of Georgia		Surrey
	Delta
		Point Roberts (Washington, USA)	Boundary Bay, White Rock, Surrey, Blaine (Washington, USA)

Sister city

• Mangalore, India,^[5][6][7] 2010^[7]

References

• BC Stats. (2005) British Columbia Municipal Population Estimates 1996–2005

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Delta, British Columbia.

• Official Website of the Corporation of Delta
• Delta Chamber of Commerce
• The Delta Ringette Association
• DRS Earthwise Society
• Tour de Delta
• Delta Triathlon
• South Delta Triathlon Club

• The Delta Optimist — Delta's community newspaper
• South Delta Leader — Delta's 2nd community newspaper

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