Port Moody is a city in British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. It envelops the east end of Burrard Inlet and is the smallest of the Tri-Cities, bordered by Coquitlam on the east and south and by Burnaby on the west. The villages of Belcarra and Anmore, along with the rugged Coast Mountains, lie to the northwest and north, respectively. It is named for Richard Clement Moody, the first lieutenant governor of the Colony of British Columbia.

Port Moody
City of Port Moody
Port Moody Centre and Rocky Point Park
Port Moody Centre and Rocky Point Park
Flag of Port Moody
Official logo of Port Moody
Nickname: 
PoMo
Motto: 
City of the Arts
Location of Port Moody in Metro Vancouver
Location of Port Moody in Metro Vancouver
Coordinates: 49°16′59″N 122°49′54″W / 49.28306°N 122.83167°W / 49.28306; -122.83167
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Regional districtMetro Vancouver
First settled7000 BCE
Incorporated 
 • Town1859
 • City11 March 1913[1]
Named forRichard Moody
SeatPort Moody City Hall
Government
 • TypeMayor-council government
 • BodyPort Moody City Council
 • MayorMeghan Lahti
 • City Council
Councillors
 • MPBonita Zarrillo (NDP)
 • MLARick Glumac (BC NDP)
Area
 • Land25.85 km2 (9.98 sq mi)
Elevation
40 m (130 ft)
Population
 (2021)[3]
 • Total33,535
 • Estimate 
(2023)[4]
39,316
 • Density1,297.3/km2 (3,360/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Forward sortation area
Area codes604, 778, 236, 672
Websiteportmoody.ca

History

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Port Moody is named for Colonel Richard Clement Moody, of the Royal Engineers.[5] It was established at the end of a trail that connected New Westminster with Burrard Inlet to defend New Westminster from potential attack by the US. After 1859, the town grew rapidly following land grants to Moody's Royal Engineers after the sapper detachment was disbanded in 1863.[6]

The construction of a transcontinental railroad was the condition that prompted British Columbia to enter into confederation in 1871. The small town received little attention until it was declared the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1879.

By 1881, the survey of Port Moody had begun. Both John Murray Sr. and Jr. assisted, and, in fact, it was John Murray Jr. who named many of the streets after members of his family. The population grew rapidly through the early 1880s. Andrew Onderdonk was the contractor who, under government contract, built 227 miles (365 km) of line from Port Moody, via Hope, Yale and Savona. Onderdonk built a large wharf and receiving area and started rail construction from Port Moody in 1883. The line was finished in 1885. As the Western Terminus of the CPR, almost everyone had high hopes that Port Moody would become a major West Coast metropolis.

The railway was completed with the last spike driven at Craigellachie on 7 November 1885, and a train arriving at Port Moody the next day. The first scheduled passenger transcontinental train arrived on 4 July 1886, a date that is still celebrated during Golden Spike Days. Real estate prices soared but soon fell flat when a 12-mile (19 km) branch line was built westward along the inlet to Vancouver in 1887.

While many people lost a great deal of money and moved on, others, including real estate tycoon and ship captain James A. Clarke, and several lumber mills, decided to remain. On 7 April 1913, Port Moody's Council met for the first time as a city.

Governance and politics

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Federal

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The City of Port Moody is located entirely in the Federal riding of Port Moody—Coquitlam and is represented in the House of Commons of Canada by Member of Parliament Bonita Zarrillo.

Provincial

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The City of Port Moody is located entirely in the Provincial electoral district of Port Moody-Coquitlam and is represented in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia by Rick Glumac.

Municipal

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Port Moody's City Council consists of Mayor Meghan Lahti, Councillors Samantha Agtarap, Diana Dilworth, Kyla Knowles, Dr. Amy Lubik, Haven Lurbiecki, and Callan Morrison. School Trustees representing Port Moody are Lisa Park and Zoë Royer.[2]

Climate

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Climate data for Port Moody (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.5
(61.7)
19.0
(66.2)
24.0
(75.2)
28.0
(82.4)
34.5
(94.1)
33.5
(92.3)
35.0
(95.0)
34.0
(93.2)
32.5
(90.5)
28.0
(82.4)
19.0
(66.2)
15.5
(59.9)
35.0
(95.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.3
(43.3)
7.5
(45.5)
10.2
(50.4)
12.9
(55.2)
16.7
(62.1)
19.3
(66.7)
22.2
(72.0)
22.7
(72.9)
19.1
(66.4)
13.6
(56.5)
8.3
(46.9)
5.6
(42.1)
13.7
(56.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.9
(39.0)
4.6
(40.3)
6.8
(44.2)
9.1
(48.4)
12.5
(54.5)
15.2
(59.4)
17.6
(63.7)
18.1
(64.6)
15.0
(59.0)
10.4
(50.7)
6.0
(42.8)
3.3
(37.9)
10.2
(50.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.4
(34.5)
1.6
(34.9)
3.4
(38.1)
5.3
(41.5)
8.3
(46.9)
11.0
(51.8)
13.0
(55.4)
13.4
(56.1)
10.8
(51.4)
7.2
(45.0)
3.6
(38.5)
0.9
(33.6)
6.7
(44.1)
Record low °C (°F) −14
(7)
−13
(9)
−7.8
(18.0)
−1
(30)
−1.0
(30.2)
4.4
(39.9)
−2.5
(27.5)
7.2
(45.0)
1.0
(33.8)
−7
(19)
−15.5
(4.1)
−16
(3)
−16
(3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 285.0
(11.22)
170.9
(6.73)
185.5
(7.30)
152.9
(6.02)
110.8
(4.36)
88.3
(3.48)
60.7
(2.39)
65.4
(2.57)
87.2
(3.43)
204.5
(8.05)
316.2
(12.45)
241.4
(9.50)
1,968.8
(77.51)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 266.9
(10.51)
161.4
(6.35)
179.5
(7.07)
152.7
(6.01)
110.8
(4.36)
88.3
(3.48)
60.7
(2.39)
65.4
(2.57)
87.2
(3.43)
204.4
(8.05)
310.1
(12.21)
225.8
(8.89)
1,913.2
(75.32)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 18.0
(7.1)
9.5
(3.7)
6.0
(2.4)
0.2
(0.1)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0.2
(0.1)
6.1
(2.4)
15.6
(6.1)
55.6
(21.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 19.1 14.7 17.6 15.1 14.0 12.0 7.7 6.8 9.0 16.3 20.0 18.1 170.4
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 18.0 13.9 17.3 15.1 14.0 12.0 7.7 6.8 9.0 16.2 19.7 16.9 166.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 2.1 1.9 0.92 0.12 0 0 0 0 0 0.09 1.1 2.7 8.9
Source: Environment Canada[7]

Demographics

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In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Port Moody had a population of 33,535 living in 13,109 of its 13,603 total private dwellings, a change of -0.05% from its 2016 population of 33,551. With a land area of 25.85 km2 (9.98 sq mi), it had a population density of 1,297.3/km2 (3,360.0/sq mi) in 2021.[3]

In 2006, 8,015 residential dwellings were owned, while 2,115 were rented.[8] 45% of Port Moody residents were legally married, 6.25% were in common-law relationships, 5.72% were divorced and 24% were single. Thirty percent of residents identified themselves as immigrants, slightly higher than the 27% Canadian average.[8]

Population by year
2006 2011 2016 2021
27,512 32,975 33,551 33,535
Population by age[9]
Age Group % of Total % of Males % of Females
0 to 14 years 18 19.1 17.1
15 to 64 years 69.8 69.1 70.5
65 years and over 12.2 11.8 12.5
85 years and over 1 0.8 1.2
Average age of the population 39 38.4 39.6
Median age of the population 40.6

Ethnicity

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Panethnic groups in the City of Port Moody (2001−2021)
Panethnic
group
2021[10] 2016[11] 2011[12] 2006[13] 2001[14]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[a] 21,495 64.25% 22,505 67.28% 22,530 68.53% 20,030 73% 18,345 77.31%
East Asian[b] 5,765 17.23% 5,710 17.07% 5,385 16.38% 4,020 14.65% 2,645 11.15%
Middle Eastern[c] 1,585 4.74% 1,335 3.99% 1,085 3.3% 505 1.84% 420 1.77%
Indigenous 1,030 3.08% 760 2.27% 850 2.59% 470 1.71% 480 2.02%
South Asian 1,005 3% 775 2.32% 710 2.16% 825 3.01% 555 2.34%
Southeast Asian[d] 955 2.85% 940 2.81% 875 2.66% 845 3.08% 595 2.51%
Latin American 580 1.73% 560 1.67% 580 1.76% 235 0.86% 165 0.7%
African 395 1.18% 300 0.9% 440 1.34% 275 1% 280 1.18%
Other[e] 655 1.96% 575 1.72% 420 1.28% 235 0.86% 250 1.05%
Total responses 33,455 99.76% 33,450 99.7% 32,875 99.7% 27,440 99.74% 23,730 99.64%
Total population 33,535 100% 33,551 100% 32,975 100% 27,512 100% 23,816 100%
  • Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.

Languages

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Mother languages as reported by each person:[15]

Canada 2011 Census
Language Population % of total population % of non-official language population
English 22,720 69.1 N/A
Korean 1,830 5.6 18.8
Chinese Cantonese 635 1.9 6.5
n.o.s. 625 1.9 6.4
Total 1,260 3.8 12.9
Persian 930 2.8 9.5
Spanish 655 2.0 6.7
French 340 1.0 N/A

Religion

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According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Port Moody included:[10]

Education

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Port Moody is served by School District 43, which offers the following:[16]

Secondary Schools:


Middle Schools

  • Eagle Mountain Middle School
  • École Moody Middle School of the Arts


Elementary schools

  • Aspenwood Elementary School
  • École Glenayre Elementary School
  • Heritage Mountain Elementary School
  • Moody Elementary School
  • Mountain Meadows Elementary School
  • Pleasentside Elementary School
  • Seaview Community Elementary School)

Simon Fraser University is located in nearby Burnaby, while Douglas College maintains a campus in Coquitlam Town Centre.

Port Moody's public library is located in the City Hall complex.

Geography and the environment

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Over 41 streams flow through Port Moody to Burrard Inlet.[17] The City of Port Moody Stream Stewardship Program manages urban streams, streamside vegetation and watersheds to support the production of fish and insect life for present and future generations. The Port Moody Ecological Society (PMES), a not-for-profit organization, works alongside the city to promote ecological awareness in the area. PMES volunteers operate a salmon and trout hatchery, a water quality lab and public awareness & community outreach programs.

The city has also banned the use of pesticides and holds annual seminars on how to garden naturally at its Inlet Theatre. City Hall has been pesticide free since 1988.[18]

Port Moody won a large number of provincial, national and international awards. In 2004, the city received a prestigious award from the UN sponsored International Awards for Liveable Communities in the category Planning for the Future. The city also received third place overall for cities of its size.

Economy

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The traditional industrial sector in Port Moody is characterized by a deep-sea bulk loading terminal, two petrochemical distribution operations, a large wood products manufacturer, and a thermal electric generating station. Light industry, home-based business, and crafts and cultural businesses are also common in Port Moody, along with a growing health and social services sector. Port Moody is well-known for its number of craft breweries, many of which happen to be conveniently located on the same street, which is known as Brewer's Row.[19]

Port Moody's economic development focus in recent years has been on the arts and culture sector, including the development of a new Port Moody identity as the “City of the Arts.” An estimated 6% of employment in Port Moody is in arts and culture sector, which is one of the highest concentrations of arts and culture employment in the region.[19]

In 2008, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business highlighted Port Moody as the most fiscally responsible of British Columbia's 28 largest cities.

Largest employers

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In 2014, Port Moody's single largest employer was Eagle Ridge Hospital, with 927 employees, followed by the City of Port Moody (686 employees) and School District 43 (525 employees).[19]

Media

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In addition to Vancouver-based media outlets, Port Moody is served by the Tri-City News community newspaper. Local FM radio station CKPM-FM is based in Port Moody and serves the Tri-Cities (and beyond) at 98.7 MHz.

Transportation

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Inlet Centre SkyTrain station

As part of Metro Vancouver, Port Moody is connected to the TransLink public transit system by way of numerous bus routes. It also has the first station on the West Coast Express commuter rail line outside downtown Vancouver. The Millennium Line's Evergreen Extension, part of TransLink's SkyTrain system, links Port Moody with Coquitlam to the east and Burnaby and Vancouver in the west. In August 2018, U-bicycle launched a dockless bicycle sharing system in the city.[20] Additionally, Modo has five vehicles located in Port Moody available for carsharing.[21] As of June 2019, seven Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations were located in Port Moody, with the capacity for 14 vehicles.[22][23]

Sports

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Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Port Moody Panthers Ice hockey Port Moody Recreation Complex arena
1999
0

Arts

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On 16 June 2004, Port Moody was officially trademarked as the “City of the Arts.” Historically, Port Moody was a destination for artists because of its low rent, scenery and ambient lighting. Today, it is home to annual festivals, arts groups and diverse facilities that help foster a creative community.

The Port Moody Arts Centre offers a number of fine arts and photography classes for residents of all ages and has three diverse art galleries that feature a number of constantly changing works. The PoMo Museum hosts a wide assortment of artifacts from Port Moody's past and has restored a heritage train venosta for tours. Arts Connect is an organization that connects artists from the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody), and hosts regular artists’ circles. Artists can find studio space in Port Moody at 2709 Esplanade, with open house tours taking place every year in April.

Festivals held in Port Moody include the Canadian Film Festival (February), the Festival of the Arts (September), Rotary Ribfest (July) Search for The Perfect Pint (May) Summer Sundays Concerts, Golden Spike Days (July), the Wearable Art Awards (annually) and the CP Rail Holiday Train (December). Port Moody is also home to the Inlet Theatre, an intimate 200-seat venue.

Service clubs include the Rotary Club of Port Moody. It is responsible for community events that include the Annual RibFest and Search for the Perfect Pint.

Recreation

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Rocky Point Park

Port Moody is home to Rocky Point Park. At 3.8 hectares (9.4 acres) in size, the park has hiking trails, a newly renovated spray park, a skate park, a bike trials park, a playground, a picnic shelter, a boat launch and a recreational pier. Home to Golden Spike Days, the park is a summer destination.

Bert Flinn Park encompasses 138 hectares (340 acres) of largely undeveloped parkland on former industrial lands. Used by mountain bikers, and with an extensive unmarked trail system along old logging roadbeds, the park also has an off-leash dog walk.

Old Orchard Park is another destination in Port Moody. At about 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres) in size, it is directly across the inlet from Rocky Point Park and is the northern end of Shoreline Trail. It has a sandy beach, picnic shelter with barbecues and an adventure playground in a quiet park setting. Old Orchard Hall is also located here and is used for weddings and other special events.

Freedom of the City

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The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the City of Port Moody:[24]

Individuals

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  • Leonard A. Elsdon: 4 January 1971.
  • Herbert C. "Bert" Flinn: 31 March 1980.
  • William A. "Bill" Johnstone: 10 September 1982.
  • Andrew Peller: 10 September 1982.
  • Norman Wild: 3 September 1985.
  • Judith D. Forst: 27 November 1992.
  • Al and Nellie Sholund: 13 June 1998.
  • David Driscoll: 29 May 1999.
  • Ann C. Hulbert: 2003.
  • Arthur "Art" Wilkinson: 2003.
  • Dr. Elaine Golds: 2007.
  • Ronald "Ron" Curties: 2011.
  • Dr. Mary Anne Cooper: 2011.
  • Penelope “Ann” Kitching: 2 December 2013.
  • Gerry Nuttall: 16 June 2018.
  • Robert Simons: 17 April 2024

Military units

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See also

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Port Moody welcome sign

Notes

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  1. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  3. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  4. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.

References

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  1. ^ "CivicInfo BC | Municipality: Port Moody (City)". www.civicinfo.bc.ca. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b "2022 Election Results after October 27, 2022 Judicial Recount" (PDF). City of Port Moody. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  4. ^ Services, Ministry of Citizens'. "Population Estimates - Province of British Columbia". www2.gov.bc.ca. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  5. ^ Akrigg, G.P.V.; Akrigg, Helen B. (1986), British Columbia Place Names (3rd, 1997 ed.), Vancouver: UBC Press, p. 212, ISBN 0-7748-0636-2
  6. ^ "Port Moody". National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials. National Defence Canada. 16 April 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada". Environment and Climate Change Canada. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 17 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  8. ^ a b Statistics Canada (10 January 2006). "Port Moody Community Profile", Community Highlights, Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  9. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Port Moody, City [Census subdivision], British Columbia and British Columbia [Province]". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". Statistics Canada. 26 October 2022. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  11. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 October 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  12. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (27 November 2015). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  13. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (20 August 2019). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  14. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2 July 2019). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  15. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (8 February 2012). "Census subdivision of Port Moody, CY (British Columbia) - Census Subdivisions - Focus on Geography Series - Census 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  16. ^ "District Map of Schools - School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)". www.sd43.bc.ca. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Port Moody Arm of Burrard Inlet". Port Moody Ecological Society. Archived from the original on 19 June 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  18. ^ "Pesticide Free Naturally". www.portmoody.ca. 2008. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  19. ^ a b c City of Port Moody (2008). "2005 Statistical Economic Profile" Archived 19 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Labour Force, Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  20. ^ Lau, Lucy (31 July 2018). "Dockless bike-sharing coming to Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, and Richmond this summer". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Car Map". Modo. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Electric Vehicle Charging Stations". City of Port Moody. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  23. ^ "PlugShare Map". Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  24. ^ "Freedom of the City Award". Port Moody City Council. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
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