There is nothing wrong with being a bedroom community, within reasonable limits.  Vancouver Island has been a home to retirees for generations, they essentially constitute an industry of their own.  The same CAN be true for your "rich internationals."  Spending money that was generated earlier, or elsewhere, or both, still represents activity in the bedroom/retirement area.  But the Vancouver situation is different - the financial gap between the newcomers/local workers is much larger, some (not all, but a lot) of the newcomers try very hard to avoid paying local/provincial/national tax, and they may or may not speak the language.  If they come here according to the immigration rules, pay taxes, follow the law, etc., fine.  It would be great if they started businesses or funded the growth of existing businesses.   But much of that is not the case now.