Originally the economy of the Dawson Creek Timber Supply Area was based on agriculture, but in the 1960s forestry became of major importance to the economy. However since the development of coal deposits near Tumbler Ridge in 1981, mining has become the largest basic component of the economy. As the northeast region is the only part of the province with productive oil and natural gas wells, exploration and production activities are also significant in the Dawson Creek Timber Supply Area
Figure 4 illustrates the total employment dependant on each income source in the Dawson Creek Timber Supply Area (SEA pages 9 and 10).
Figure 4.Total employment dependant on income sources
