CANADA - PROFILE

Profiles of Canadian Cities

VANCOUVER

If you are seeking a sophisticated urban center surrounded by spectacular beauty and outdoor pursuits, then Vancouver is for you. Safe, clean, friendly, scenic, lively and multicultural -- these are just a few reasons why Vancouver is a great city to call home. It is arguably the most upscale English-speaking city in Canada. Vancouver's Downtown/West End boasts the largest concentration of high-rise condominium/ apartment buildings in Canada; it is second only to Manhattan, N.Y. in North America.

The City of Vancouver, located on the southwest coast of Canada in the province of British Columbia, is less than an hour away from the American border (about 3 hours' driving distance from Seattle, U.S., and the home of major corporations such as Boeing and Microsoft). As one of the fastest growing cities in North America, primarily due to immigration, Vancouver's population has reached 2 million. Its strategic location makes it attractive to an immigrant entrepreneur who wishes to expand his/her Canadian business and penetrate the U.S. market, perhaps by establishing a branch in Seattle. Surrounded by water and coastal mountains, Vancouver has been grouped with Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro as cities with the most beautiful physical settings. Within a few minutes from the downtown core, you can enjoy activities such as a walk amongst the Cedar trees in Stanley Park, skiing on the North Shore, or a stroll along the beach. You can ski, swim, and play golf in the same day. Vancouver boasts one of the mildest climates in Canada with temperatures rarely dipping below zero. However, the range of coastal mountains provides for spectacular snow and skiing anywhere from a 20-minute to two-hour drive out of downtown Vancouver. One such highlight is the world-renowned ski-resort town of Whistler, whose mountains boast the largest area of skiable terrain in North America.
Vancouver has the second-highest concentration of immigrants in Canada; 35% of Vancouverites are immigrants. It is the number one destination of Business immigrants from abroad, as well as immigrants from other provinces within Canada. The result of a recent survey by the Angus Reid Group confirms the popularity of Vancouver among Canadians. Among the employed people in Canada's three largest cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver), 38% ranked Vancouver as their first-choice city (out of 12 Canadian cities) in which to live and work. In fact, the number of people preferring Vancouver is about twice that favouring Toronto, the second most popular location. The survey further indicates that about 85% of the Vancouverites would not accept a matching job offer in another city, whereas in Toronto and Montreal, 59% and 54% respectively would quit their present jobs for an equivalent position in another city.

Population

Vancouver is a diverse city with its population coming from more than 60 ethnic backgrounds. Also known as the Gateway to the Pacific, it is not surprising that Vancouver's largest number of immigrants have come from Asia. The city's multicultural flair is celebrated with various festivals, gardens, restaurants and eclectic neighbourhoods.

Business and Economy

While serving as a host to several headquarters of BC's natural resource industries such as forestry, fishing, mining and natural gas, Vancouver's largest industries are tourism and services. Vancouver is Canada's top tourist destination and an increasingly favoured site for holding major conventions. In fact, in 1997, Vancouver hosted the APEC meeting for the leaders of the economies in the Pacific Rim. Vancouver is only one of two cities in North America with four "5-Diamond" top luxury hotels. One of Vancouver's fastest growing industries is the High Tech sector, with hundreds of fast-growing firms, promising to employ more individuals in the near future than all the traditional resource-based industries combined. Moreover, Vancouver is only third to Los Angeles and New York as a North American film and TV production center. The terrain, mother nature and architecture are so varied that TV and movie companies are able to film in Vancouver, shots that portray different parts of the world as diverse as China, Hong Kong, Turkey, Vietnam and the vineyards of France.
On the other hand, Vancouver has been designated as a Center for International Banking and International Arbitration. As a result of incentives provided by the provincial government, several international shipping companies have moved their head offices to Vancouver. In addition, Vancouver boasts a substantial number of reputable engineering, architecture, and consulting firms whose services are highly sought-after by clients around the world. Vancouver is also known for its innovative Stock Exchange, which serves as a major vehicle for raising venture capital.
Manufacturing in B.C. is still largely resource-based, but is being gradually diversified by high-tech and computer-based industries related to telecommunications and the aerospace and sub-sea industries. British Columbia has the most balanced export market of all Canada's provinces, with the United States, Japan, the European Union and the Pacific Rim countries as its clientele.

Educational Institutions

Vancouver is home to the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, two of the most prestigious post-secondary institutions in Canada offering a wide variety of programs and specializations. For more career-oriented programs, a number of colleges offer technical and trade diplomas or certificates. The government in British Columbia is the only provincial government that has frozen tuition fees for the past years, making B.C. institutions more affordable to attend.

Income & Cost of living

The average household (family) income in Ottawa-Hull Region in 1998 was C$55,699. However, Vancouver is the most expensive city in Canada, especially for those interested in purchasing a house. An average house in Vancouver costs about C $257,626.
A Bachelor Studio rents for C $500-$750, a one-bedroom apartment for $600-$900, and a two-bedroom apartment for $700-$1100, three-bedroom apartment for $800- $1200, depending on the neighbourhood and the floor (if you want to live on the 25th floor, expect to pay much more than someone who lives on the first floor of the same building). Food costs and public transit fares are reasonable. The average single adult individual needs approximately $900 a month to live in Vancouver.

Attractions

There are plenty of outdoor and cultural activities available in Vancouver. Take a stroll or cycle around Canada's largest Municipal Park -- Stanley Park -- enjoy Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden, hike or take the skyride up Grouse mountain, or stroll along the many beaches. UBC's Museum of Anthropology is a major attraction, hosting artifacts and masterpieces from cultures around the world. Artist Bill Reid's spectacular carvings are a mainstay of the exhibit. A few of the many festivals in Vancouver include the International Film Festival, the Fringe Festival, the Writer's Festival, Illuminaries Festival of Lights, the Symphony of Lights fireworks display, and Dragon Boat races. Other attractions include the Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, the Aquarium, Gastown, North America's second largest Chinatown, and several shopping centers. Sports fans would be delighted to watch live basketball and hockey games played by first-class teams such as NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies and the NHL's Vancouver Canucks.

CALGARY

Calgary is a city of many qualities and characteristics. True to its western roots, the city is renowned for the hospitality and friendliness of its citizens and hosts the annual Calgary Stampede. Calgary is also emerging as a great city for business and investment, with the number of large corporate head offices also increasing. Its distinction of hosting the 1988 Winter Olympic Games has left a lasting legacy of athletic facilities, restaurants and important tourism in this growing city. Calgary encompasses the best of two options: it is a safe, medium-sized city with tremendous economic potential. Located in south-west Alberta, Calgary is in close proximity to the U.S. and British Columbia borders, the Rocky Mountains, and such ski resorts as Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise.
Calgary's glorious attributes are not going unnoticed: it was ranked by Chatelaine magazine as having the second most desirable quality of life of all Canadian metropolitan areas. A Swiss company, the Corporate Resources Group, ranked Calgary as having the 12th highest quality of living among the 118 largest cities in the world. According to a 1995 study by KPMG Management Consulting, Calgary has the second lowest overall cost of doing business among 7 Canadian and 7 U.S. locations.

Population

The city of Calgary has a population of approximately 860,000, and this number is increasing rapidly as Calgary sees the arrival of even more migrants from other areas of Canada.

Climate

Calgary boasts a fairly moderate prairie climate thanks to its location at about 51 latitude. Each season is distinct, with warm summers and mildly cold winters. The average summer temperature is 22.7 degrees Celsius, with the average winter temperature at -8.9 degrees Celsius. Precipitation levels (either in rain or snow) are not extreme at around 423.8 mm yearly; this level is enough to ensure good crops. Chinooks are pleasant weather-related phenomena in Calgary. These are warm, dry winds that descend from the eastern slopes of the Rockies and can raise the temperature by more than 34 degrees Celsius in one winter day -- a surprising and welcome change.

Economy & Business

Climate Calgary is the business capital of Alberta and hosts more head offices for Canada's top 700 companies than any other Canadian city, except Toronto. Companies are attracted to Calgary because of the fiscally conservative and pro-business attitude of the city and provincial governments. Alberta is the only province that imposes no provincial sales tax. The marginal income tax rates for individuals and corporations in Alberta are the lowest in Canada. Traditionally, the Calgary business community has been dominated by the Natural Resources sector, particularly oil (petroleum), natural gas and coal. This is not surprising, since Alberta, known as Canada's "energy province," has more than 80 percent of the country's reserves of conventional crude oil, over 90 percent of its natural gas, and all of its oil-sands reserves. However, the city's economy has experienced dramatic changes in the past few years. Calgary's location, well-educated work force and entrepreneurial savvy have created new opportunities in high technology, manufacturing, retail trade and tourism. This diversification will ensure a stable future for the Calgary economy.
The service sector accounts for more than 60 per cent of Alberta's gross domestic product. More than two-thirds of Alberta's employment is found in such industries as business and financial services, transportation, retail trade, health and education services and tourism.
Alberta has one of the world's most productive agricultural economies, producing about 20 percent of the value of Canada's annual output. Other important industries include food and beverage processing, petrochemicals and plastics, forest products, metals and machinery and refineries. An increasing range of industrial products -- including aerospace and transportation equipment, as well as industrial and specialty chemicals -- is also being manufactured in Alberta.
Several business sectors are currently being targeted in Calgary for further development; these include Advanced Technology, Aerospace, Film Industry, Food Processing, Manufacturing, and Tourism.

Some statistics about Calgary's workforce:

58% of all adults in Calgary have received post secondary education, the highest concentration in Canadian metropolitan centers. Meanwhile, over 31% of Calgary's adult population is enrolled in some form of advanced education or training.

Calgary has the highest labour force productivity rates in Canada, measured by Gross Domestic Product per person at $30,756 per capita, 35% above the Canadian average.

Calgary has the highest labour force participation rates among Canadian metropolitan areas. Also, the youngest labour force in Canada with an average age of 32 years.

Attractions

Every summer, Calgary hosts the annual Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, a week-long celebration of western culture complete with cowboys, broncos, and an entertaining rodeo show. In addition, there are numerous other festivals and events interspersed throughout the year, from Blues festivals to NHL hockey and Canadian football games. Other sites of interest in the city include the Calgary Zoo, Prehistoric Park and Botanical Gardens, Alberta Science Center, and the Olympic park that hosted the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. The area just outside of Calgary permits a number of outdoor, recreational activities: golf, horseback riding, mountain biking and kayaking in the Rockies are just a few of the things to do there.

Cost of Living

In 1998, The average household (family) income in Calgary was C$59,996, among the highest in Canada, surpassing Montreal`s $46,174. Whereas, the average selling price for a single family dwelling in Calgary was approximately C$160,000 in 1999.

The city's average rental rates for apartments/houses are as follows in C$:

WINNIPEG

Winnipeg is a prairie city with all the amenities of an urban center. Located only 300 kilometers from the geographical center of North America, it is a core Canadian city for many reasons. It is characterized by the friendliness of its inhabitants, its cultural diversity, and its clear expanse of blue skies.

Located at the fork of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in south-east Manitoba, Winnipeg is the city of rivers with over 100 km of waterways throughout it.

Population

A medium-sized city, Winnipeg has an urban population of 670,000, which is half the population of the province of Manitoba.

Climate

Winnipeg generally has hot, dry sunny days in the summer, with average temperatures around 25/26 degrees Celsius in July and August. Winters, meanwhile, are cold, but are often sunny and dry. The winter temperature is -12/-13 degrees Celsius in December/January. Winnipeg boasts the most hours of sunshine in Canada, with 2,300 hours annually.

Business and Economy

The city that began as a Hudson's Bay Trading post in 1870 still maintains its centrality in transport and trade. Winnipeg, with its central location in Canada and proximity to the U.S. border, is an active economic city. True to its prairie location, there are many agricultural industries in and around Winnipeg. However, the economy is becoming increasingly technology based, as a number of firms and institutions are exploring such fields as medical research and health technology. Additionally, Winnipeg houses western Canada's largest aerospace center and is the information technology capital of the mid-west.
To promote the growth and development of key technologies and industries in Winnipeg and throughout the province, the Manitoba government has established the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. This program will facilitate the promotion and recruitment of skilled workers who will contribute to the economic progress of the province by participating in various targeted fields and occupations.

Attractions

Renowned for being the home of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Canada's internationally acclaimed ballet company, Winnipeg also houses the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and various museums and theatres. It boasts hundreds of diverse restaurants, and a lively arts and entertainment scene.
Winnipeg also plays host to a number of world-class festivals throughout the year: these include summer jazz festivals, fringe festivals, children's festivals, and folk festivals. Folklorama is the city's biggest summer event, a two week celebration of world-class folk musicians, performers and cultures.
The Museum of Man and Nature is housed in Winnipeg, as well as a Planetarium, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Children's Gallery, and the Police Museum. As well, the Royal Canadian Mint is located just outside the city, where all two billion Canadian coins are produced yearly!
Winnipeg is a great place for outdoor recreation, thanks especially to its sunny weather. The city boasts over 850 parks and 23 golf courses within its limits. One of the largest and most popular city parks is the Assiniboine Park, with a Zoo, conservatory, and small art gallery.
The city is located only 1 hour away from Lake Winnipeg and from a number of beaches and cottage towns and areas. These beaches are greatly renowned for their white sandy covers; Grand Beach is known as one of North America's top ten beaches. The proximity to many lakes and beaches is welcome and appreciated on hot Winnipeg summer days.

Income & Cost of Living

In 1998, the average household (family) income in Winnipeg was C$47,663, surpassing Montreal`s C$46,174. The cost of living in Manitoba is one of the lowest among major Canadian cities. The average single-family house price in 1999 was C$ 82,700.

TORONTO

As Canada's largest urban region, Toronto is a bustling cosmopolitan center that is also the world's most multicultural city. Several studies rank Toronto as one of the cities with the best quality of life. Located on Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, Toronto is optimally situated, in terms of scenery.

Climate

Toronto's four distinct seasons enhance its appeal, with average temperatures ranging from negative 6.7 degrees Celsius in January to 20.6 degrees in July.

Population

Toronto is Canada's largest city with a population of about 4.7 million in its metropolitan area. Toronto is a city where people of different ethnic and economic backgrounds live side-by-side in neighbourhoods and communities. By maintaining high quality housing, day care, schools, social services and policing, the downtown core remains vital, strong and safe.

Economy

The Greater Toronto Area houses the largest concentration of economic activity in Canada, with 40% of the headquarters of Canada's thousand largest companies. Interestingly, if Canadian firms were included in the Fortune 500 survey of industrials, Toronto, with 37 headquarters of companies with over $600 million in annual revenue, would have more Fortune 500 members than any other North American city. The economy of Toronto is the largest and most diverse of any urban region in Canada. As the financial and industrial center of the country, it leads the nation in manufacturing, retail sales and other economic indicators. Approximately 40% of the leading businesses in Canada have their head offices in Toronto and it acts as a center for the banking, insurance, investment and other related financial services industries in the country.
Research and development are also prominent activities in the city. Numerous universities and research and development centers serve as incubators for new products and processes. This keeps the region at the forefront of new technologies in telecommunications, medicine, biotechnology and information processing. Creativity-intensive industries including media, fashion, architecture, product design, culture, entertainment, film and tourism are central to the emerging economy and to the international presence of Toronto.
Toronto has a diverse and dynamic economy that is dominated by the business/ financial services, manufacturing, retail & wholesale trade and transportation sectors. The service sector employs more than half of Toronto's work force; overall, the 75,000 businesses of the city of Toronto employ more than 1.2 million people. Knowledge-intensive industries and a strong retail sector estimated at about $211 billion or 14% of total Canadian sales have generated employment growth.

Educational Institutions

A variety of prestigious private schools exist in Toronto, as well as diverse public schools offering special programs. The University of Toronto is the largest in the country and one of the most prestigious universities in Canada. Three Universities and six colleges accommodate close to 500,000 students in Toronto.

Attractions

Tourist sites include the CN Tower (the world's largest free-standing structure), Skydome (a sport and concert stadium with a retractable roof), the Science Center, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Planetarium, and hundreds of shops along Yonge Street (the longest street in the world). After London and New York, Toronto is the third leading international center for English language theatre. For sports fans, Toronto is home to the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, the NBA's Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the CFL's Toronto Argonauts.
For excursions outside the city, the number one tourist destination, without any doubt, is Niagara Falls, located within 90 minutes from Toronto, along the U.S./Canada border.

Income & Cost of Living

In 1998, the average household (family) income in Toronto was C$61,028, the second highest among Canadian cities, slightly less that in Ottawa. The average selling price for a single family dwelling in Toronto was approximately C$215,000 in 1999.

Apartment rents per month are as follows:

OTTAWA

Climate

Ottawa has distinct seasons with relatively cold winters and hot summers, especially in July and August.

Business and Economy

Due to its position as the capital of Canada and seat of the federal government, Ottawa has traditionally enjoyed a stable economy and significant growth. This, in turn, has fostered a supportive business environment for the region's commercial, industrial, retail, hospitality and government-related industries. Over the years, the region's economy has become more diversified to include a thriving and dynamic community of private-sector firms. The Ottawa area serves as headquarters for many national corporations, especially in the field of advanced technology.
Widely known as "Silicon Valley North", the Ottawa area is home to more than 1000 companies specializing in advanced technology, with the new start-ups swelling by 20 per cent a year, employing over 70,000 advanced-technology professionals. In particular, Ottawa is a center for advanced research and development in the fields of telecommunications, software, space science and environmental technology. In fact, 75 per cent of all telecommunications research and development in Canada is conducted in Ottawa, making this one of the world's top five sites for this type of highly specialized work. Moreover, more than 18,000 residents work in the health and life-sciences fields, boosting the region's national and international stature in this area.
Tourism also plays a significant role, contributing annually in excess of $1 billion into Ottawa's economy and employing 20,000 people. Almost six million people, including business travellers, visit Ottawa region annually, spending more than $840 million per year. In terms of national associations, more than 1,000 of them operate in this region, with some 350 of them headquartered there. The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper, has ranked the Ottawa area as one of the top five business centers in Canada. And with a regional economy worth $32 billion, the National Capital -- only a day's drive from a market of 100 million people -- has clearly thrived as a vibrant place for business.
Today, Ottawa boasts over 25,000 business firms (Canada's highest percentage increase in the number of top 500 companies) and several national and international venture capital firms. The number of publicly-traded companies with head offices in Ottawa has doubled in the past five years. Half of the patents issued in Ontario go to Ottawa area firms. The Ottawa Region has one of the most highly educated and skilled workforces in Canada, with a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, Ottawa prides itself for having the highest percentage of university educated people among Canadian cities. Furthermore, more than four in 10 workers in Ottawa occupy managerial and professional positions.

Educational Institutions

Due to the bilingual nature of the region, Ottawa offers numerous educational options. The University of Ottawa is Canada's largest bilingual university in Canada, where students have the option of attending classes taught in either English or French. While Carleton University, Saint Paul University and the University of Quebec (Hull) excel in many academic fields. Two colleges are located in Ontario side of the region, Algonquin College and La Cité Collégiale. Similarly, another 2 colleges lie in Quebec's side, Collége de l'Outaouais and Heritage College.

Attractions

The Ottawa residents enjoy several parks and historic sites in the vicinity, where biking, cross-country skiing and hiking are popular. In winter, Ottawa plays host to one of Canada's largest and most famous festivals, Winterlude. Festival activities include musical shows, figure skating, snow-sculpting and ice-carving competitions. Running through downtown Ottawa, the Rideau Canal stretches 7.8 km. In winter, it is transformed into the world's longest open-air skating rink. In addition to Rideau Canal, Ottawa is blessed with Rideau River that adds to diversity in scenery and water activities in Ottawa. Spring-time brings the Tulip Festival to Ottawa, while the International Jazz Festival is a summer highlight.
Meanwhile, museums abound in Ottawa: it is home to the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Aviation Museum, as well as numerous others. The National Arts Center, Canada's largest performing arts complex, is located near Parliament Hill.

Income & Cost of living

In 1998, the average household (family) income in Ottawa-Hull Region was C$61,930, the highest among Canadian cities, surpassing even Toronto. The average selling price of houses/condominiums in Ontario's side of Ottawa Region was approximately C$147,295 in 1999, compared to only C$82,802 in Quebec's side. Apartment rents in Ontario's side are as follows: (a) Bachelor apartments: C$500-$750, (b) One-bedroom apartments: C$600-$900, (c) Two-bedroom apartments: C$700-$1000, (d) Three-bedroom apartments: C$ 800- $1100. Apartment rents in Quebec's side are significantly lower. Be aware that the vacancy rate of Ottawa apartments is currently 0.7% , one of the lowest in Canada.

MONTRÉAL

"Montreal has something of American luxury, the sagacity of London, the briskness of New York, the gaiety of Europe."
British writer V.S. Pritchett in 1964

"Life there is vibrant, explosive and dazzling. Montreal, or the electric city."
- French writer Michel Tournier in 1975

Montréal is the oldest major city in Canada, having been founded in 1642 by Paul de Chomedey. Montréal is located on the Ile de Montréal where the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers meet. Due to its setting on these rivers, Montréal has long been an important port and center for trade and manufacturing. With a predominantly French-speaking population, Montréal is a cosmopolitan city known for its art and culture.

Population

Over 3.4 million people reside in the metropolitan area of Montréal, and approximately 1.2 million in the city itself. Since the end of World War II, well in excess of 650 000 immigrants from over 80 countries have moved to Québec, particularly to the city of Montréal. Large communities of Greeks, Italians, Jews, Arabs, Haitians and people from various Francophone countries characterize it. Montréal is truly a multicultural city in a bilingual setting. In the city, 65 percent of the population claim to be Francophone, and the remainder either Anglophone or others.

Climate

Montréal has four definite seasons with cold, snowy winters and hot, sunny summers. Autumn in Montréal is exceptionally beautiful, with the maple leaves and other deciduous trees changing colour to paint the city vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, brown and green.

Business and Economy

Highly industrialized and quite diversified, Québec's economy is strong and full of promise. The province has abundant natural resources and energy, along with well-developed agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. Québec's dynamic business sector has seized on the economic potential of the province and produces a wide variety of top quality products for export, such as air traffic control equipment, software, subway trains, helicopters, compact discs, air purifiers and toys.
Montréal played an important role in the economic development of the country because of its inland port and trading posts. Today, Montréal is Canada's leading container port. As the province's commercial capital, Montréal has developed competitive industries in space and aeronautics, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, energy and transportation.

Educational Institutions

Due to its history, Québec's public education system has been divided into English Protestant schools and French Catholic schools. The school system has evolved to accommodate the diversity of the province, making the religious classes optional. The Quebec government discourages enrollment in English schools in order to preserve French as the dominant language. It should be noted that the Quebec government forces children of permanent residents to enroll in French public schools, unless they choose to enroll in private English schools; however, once they become Canadian citizens, they are allowed to attend English public schools. After primary and secondary school, the Quebecois go through CEGEP for two to three years to complete a diploma, or move on to university.
Montréal is home to Canada's oldest university: McGill. This university continues to rank among the top Canadian universities. Other post-secondary institutions in Montréal include Concordia University, L'Université de Montréal, L'Université de Québec a Montréal, L'école Polytechnique, L'école des Hautes-études, and L'école de Technologie-Superieures.

Attractions

As the second-largest Francophone center in the world after Paris, Montréal is renowned for its arts and cultural activities. It boasts a wide array of art galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas, and concert halls. Annual events such as the International Jazz Festival and the International Film Festival add an extra flavor to the city's joie de vivre reputation. The city has a few large municipal parks and over 400 churches including the Basilica Notre Dame and the Cathedral of Montréal.
Montreal still retains the legacy of the 1976 Olympic Games; the Olympic Stadium, Montréal Tower, and Sports Center are lasting landmarks. Furthermore, the campus of McGill University is an interesting and beautiful place to explore, as it is located at the foot of Mont Royal.

Income & Cost of Living

In 1998, the average household (family) income in Montréal was C$46,174. Whereas the average selling price for a single family dwelling in Montréal is approximately C $118,240.

HALIFAX

Located in the Maritime province of Nova Scotia, Halifax is the easternmost of Canada's major cities. Founded in 1749, more than 100 years prior to the founding of many other Canadian cities, Halifax is a heritage city with historic sites and properties. It is also tied to its harbour roots and closeness to the ocean. Due to Nova Scotia's size and location, the sea is never more than 35 minutes away, anywhere in the province. The Canadian maritime region, as exemplified by Halifax, is very similar in its natural environment and mood to the adjacent New England region of the U.S.
Halifax serves as not only the capital of Nova Scotia, but also as the business and cultural center for the Atlantic provinces.

Population

The Halifax Regional municipality, comprised of the cities of Halifax and Dartmouth, had a population of 345,000 in 1996.

Climate

The Atlantic climate in Halifax is temperate and moderate. Average winter temperatures are -4.6 degrees Celsius (January), while average summer temperatures are 17.5 degrees Celsius (August).

Business and Economy

Halifax's economy is diversifying and is expanding its traditional fishing and maritime base with ventures in research and technology. Some of the core industries being explored in Halifax include research in oceanography and other environmental issues, biomedicine, telecommunications, and software development.
Nova Scotia has an active and growing environmental sector. Nova Scotia's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and some of the world's finest fish and shellfish habitats, has allowed Nova Scotians to capitalize on research in ocean sciences, environmental engineering and aquaculture. Nova Scotia's location on the eastern seaboard makes it a natural choice for businesses marketing to the northeastern United States, to Europe and to the rest of Canada.
In telecommunications and software development, there are significant opportunities. Nova Scotia employs more than 6,000 people working at more than 100 companies in the telecommunications, marine communications, and computer hardware and software production industries. Local industry revenues in 1997 were over $800 million, and are growing rapidly. Indeed, the growth rate for telecommunication-related businesses in Nova Scotia averages 20% a year. This promise also holds true for the aerospace industry: the Nova Scotia Aerospace sector includes about 40 companies, and currently employs more than 2,500. Current industry sales are about $377 million, with exports representing 65% of this total.
Due to its centrality within Eastern Atlantic Canada, Halifax is a regional center for many corporations and other businesses. More than 40 teleservice centers have set up operations in the province, serving regional, national and international markets including AT&T Canada, Scotiabank and Sears.

Educational Institutions

Halifax has a number of established and influential educational institutions in its vicinity. Additionally, the city of Halifax and the province of Nova Scotia boast the highest ratio of universities relative to the population in North America.
Some of Halifax's major educational centers include Dalhousie University (one of the most prestigious Canadian universities), Saint Mary's University, Mount Saint Vincent University, University of King's College, Technical University of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and various Nova Scotia Community Colleges.

Attractions

Annually, Halifax hosts the Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Atlantic Theatre Festival. Other festive summer celebrations include those for Canada Day and Halifax Natal Day, both of which feature parades, street parties, entertainment, concerts, and fireworks.
Some of Halifax's most interesting museums and galleries include: the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. Impressive structures include the City Hall with its impressive sample of Victorian architecture and the Government House that has been the home of the Lieutenant-governor since 1807.
Finally, for those with bacchanalian urges, the Brewery Market offers a variety of boutiques, pubs, and restaurants. The city also boasts numerous parks with walking trails and picnic spots. Due to its proximity to the ocean, there are many opportunities for sailing, fishing, and visiting the beach. There are also many golf courses in the Halifax area.

Income & Cost of Living

In 1998, the average household (family) income in Halifax was C$49,102, surpassing Montreal`s C$46,174. The average selling price for a single family dwelling in Halifax was approximately C$119,240 in 1999.