Kitimat

Kitimat stands as one of Canada’s most ambitious planned industrial communities, carved from wilderness in the 1950s to house workers for Alcan’s aluminum smelter. This purpose-built town showcases mid-century urban planning at its finest, with curved streets designed to follow natural contours and neighborhoods organized around the principle that no one should walk more than half a mile to reach community amenities.

The town’s economic foundation rests on heavy industry, particularly aluminum production and the emerging LNG sector. Rio Tinto’s modernized smelter continues as a major employer, while the LNG Canada project represents the largest private investment in Canadian history. This industrial backbone creates well-paying jobs that support median household incomes of $103,000, though the 9.4% unemployment rate reflects the boom-and-bust nature of resource-dependent communities.

Kitimat’s location at the head of Douglas Channel provides deep-water port access that’s rare on BC’s mountainous coast. The surrounding wilderness offers world-class fishing for salmon and steelhead, with the nearby Kitimat River system drawing anglers from across North America. Winter brings some of the most reliable skiing in the province at Shames Mountain, just 45 minutes away.

The housing market reflects the town’s industrial character, with nearly 65% of homes being single-detached houses built to accommodate families drawn by resource sector employment. Property values remain relatively stable due to consistent industrial demand, though the market can be sensitive to major project cycles.

For mortgage brokers working with clients in resource industries or those seeking opportunities in BC’s emerging LNG sector, Tekamar offers lending solutions up to 60% LTV in Kitimat. Our equity-based approach works well for borrowers whose income patterns don’t fit traditional lending models, including shift workers, contractors, and those transitioning between major projects in the region’s evolving industrial landscape.