Sarnia most liveble city; Windsor 23rd, Toronto 24th

[MBC]

Sarnia most livable; ALBERTA THINK-TANK RANKS CITIES IN ONTARIO

DAN McCAFFERY
Local News - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 @ 16:00

Sarnia is the most livable city in Ontario.

That's the conclusion of the Pembina Institute, an environmental and energy think-tank that has just released its 2007 Ontario Community Sustainability Report.

The document rates Sarnia number one among 27 urban areas across the province when it comes to the institute's 'livability index.'

The city finished in the middle of the pack in the report's other two categories. In economic vitality it ranked 17th while in terms of community sustainability, it was 14th.

"Some small-and-medium sized communities do very well in the livability index," the report says. "Sarnia emerges in first place on the basis of the availability of affordable housing, community centres and parks and recreational areas and relatively low crime and vehicle accident rates.
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In fact, among the various "livability indicators" mentioned in the report, Sarnia was listed as number one in terms of community centres per 1,000 people and number two when it comes to affordable housing. Only seven of the 27 communities had lower crime rates and just four had more parks and recreational areas per capita. Only one had fewer car crashes per capita.

The report's livability conclusions are being welcomed by community leaders.

"That's awesome," said Garry McDonald, president of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. "That's the way a lot of us feel. We sure know that when we do speak to new people, our quality of life is something they speak about."

Michelle Timmers, president of the local real estate board, said the findings don't surprise her. "Our average house price is $170,000," she said. "That seems like a lot to Sarnians, but in June the average Ontario price was $304,000 and the average price for Canada was $315,000."

When out-of-town clients come to the city, she stresses the quality of life, often taking them on tours of waterfront parks.

The institute says livability can help a city grow.

"Livability refers to the features of a community that attracts residents to it and that make it a pleasant, safe and healthy place to be," it says. "Livability is also increasingly linked to the economic health of the community in that corporate leaders want to locate in urban areas with a high quality of life, both for themselves and to attract the right kinds of employees."

The report adds, "Livability is enhanced by a strong sense of place, a dynamic community and an attractive environment that lends itself to active recreation and socializing.

"A livable community is one in which opportunities for healthy social and personal activities are maximized and stresses, such as crime and disease, are minimized."

Sarnia was judged to be far more livable than other southwestern Ontario cities. London, for example, ranks 22nd, while Windsor is 23rd.

Barrie was judged the least livable, finishing in 27th place. Toronto wasn't much better, coming in 24th.
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