Why We Like Living in Edmonton

Edmonton is a  humane, and civilized city because:

• Our river valley - that of the North Saskatchewan - is  the largest continuous urban parkland, and we are the most forested city,  in North America. 

• Our population is the fifth most ethnically diverse in Canada.

• We have called ourselves "City of Champions" and it is our people who are the champions - we are home to the largest volunteer organization on the continent, the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues.

•  Edmontonians consistently rate the Edmonton Public Library as one of the best public services they receive for their tax dollars.

• We are world leaders in environmental responsibility.  We recycle 15% of household waste, compost 50%,  and 40% of the rest is sent to the landfill.  Read more...

• Our public schools are among the best:  "For more than a decade, education reformers have admired the achievements of the Edmonton Public Schools in Canada, and school districts across the United States have attempted to replicate Edmonton’s success with school-site decision making."  Read more...

• Our university, the University of Alberta, is one of the top ranked universities in Canada in a variety of areas and is celebrating its centenary in 2008. 

• We brought the first Fringe Theatre Festival to the continent.  It remains the largest and arguably the best.

• We have the best folk music festival in the world.

• Edmontonians are enthusiastic supporters of  professional sports teams.  Both the football team, the Edmonton Eskimos, and the hockey team, the Edmonton Oilers, have impressive championship records.  We also have a wide variety of sports organizations in which to participate.

• We have hosted numerous international sporting events, most recently the World Junior AAA Baseball Championships.

• One of our fabulous concert halls, the Winspear Centre, is as acoustically perfect as possible.  Performers consider it a privilege to perform there.

• We have the largest regional theatre in Canada and more theatres per capita than any other city on the continent

And, yes indeed...

• We do  have the largest shopping mall in North America.