Victoria ranked best small city in Canada in new report
B.C.'s capital has been named the best small city in Canada, according to a new report by bestcities.org.
The report highlighted Victoria's natural amenities, like parks and viewpoints, economic opportunities for remote workers, and food and beverage industries as main reasons why the city topped the list.
Victoria beat out Kelowna, in second place, and Kingston, Ont., in third place to claim the top spot.
Two other Vancouver Island communities made the top 25 list for 2022, including Nanaimo in 20th place and Saanich in 23rd.
METHODOLOGY
The report used Resonance Consultancy to rank the top 25 small cities in Canada.
The ranking used six different metrics, with Victoria ranking first place in the "product" and "programming" categories.
Product refers to a city's infrastructure and attractions, with Resonance citing Victoria's relatively robust airport, growing bike network, and local universities as enticing reasons to visit the city.
In fact, Victoria was considered the second-most educated small city in the country, according to Resonance.
Downtown Victoria is pictured. (CTV News)
Meanwhile, Victoria scored high in the programming category with its reputation for having the most restaurants per capita in Canada, and "one of the highest number of breweries per capita," according to the report.
"This is where craft brewing in Canada was born," says the website.
The City of Gardens also ranked second highest in the "Place" category for its ample parks and scenic views of the coast and nearby mountains.
LOCAL SHORTFALLS
While Victoria scored relatively low for its overall weather, due to its high number of rainy days per year, Resonance pointed out that the city has one of the mildest climates in Canada, with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing in the winters and generally remaining in the 20s during the summer.
What was of greater concern, however, was cost of living in the city. Rent and overall affordability for young people was a notable low point for the city's ranking.
"Average house prices of well over a million dollars—combined with skyrocketing rents and resistance to rezoning—are kryptonite to sustainable population and talent growth," reads the report.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.