Vancouver has topped a national poll as the best city in Canada, and as the favourite choice for Canadians as a vacation destination.  The Angus Reid poll found other cities have their strong points: Montreal is the best place to eat, drink and shop in, Toronto is good for taking in a baseball game and a museum, and Calgary is a job-hunter’s paradise.

Vancouver was ranked the best city in Canada with 13 per cent of the votes; best city to live in, with 14 per cent; and favourite city to vacation in, with 23 per cent.

The poll results list Montreal as the second-best city to live in (11 per cent).

Calgary was chosen the employment capital of Canada, with 36 per cent of Canadians surveyed picking Cowtown as the best city in which to find a job.

Toronto showed strong numbers in three areas: best city for sports and recreation (23 per cent), best city for arts and culture (23 per cent), and best city in which to do business (37 per cent).

Montreal was a favourite in three leisure-related categories: nightlife (41 per cent), eating out (31 per cent) and shopping (30 per cent).

Charlottetown was No. 1 in the category of safest city (18 per cent).

It was also tied with Quebec City for “best sense of community” (both 11 per cent).

These last two categories had a strong regional split, with residents of each province picking a local city as their top candidate.

3 Aug 2007