Kelowna Tops List of Canada’s Greenest Cities, Encouraging Sustainable Living

In response to the climate issue, Canadian communities are taking significant initiatives to fight environmental difficulties by introducing sustainable solutions. Municipalities are supporting lower-carbon means of transportation while improving air quality by emphasising walkability, bike lanes, and greenspaces.

The Re/Max company recently performed a research in cooperation with GreaterTorontoHomePros.com to find the greenest cities in Canada. The research used a 10-point scale to assess 29 communities across the country, taking into account aspects like walkability, parks, greenspaces, hiking trails, and air quality in relation to their respective populations.

Kelowna, British Columbia, leads the group with a score of 70.63 out of 100. The city’s natural splendour, with trails and forests nearby, was important in achieving its top rank. Furthermore, Kelowna’s commitment to constructing pedestrian and bicycle pathways contributed to its excellent rating. Lethbridge, Alberta, located in the province’s south, comes in second with a score of 66.39. The city’s wealth of parks, which account for 23.3 percent of its total area, helped it climb the rankings. Despite having a lower walkability score, Lethbridge excelled in bicycle infrastructure and hiking routes, demonstrating its dedication to sustainable outdoor activities.

Fredericton, New Brunswick, took third place with a score of 65.40, owing mostly to its pedestrian-friendly environment. Despite the presence of hills, the city was rated “excellent” for bikers. Furthermore, its extensive network of hiking paths and 21 hectares of parks per 1,000 inhabitants improved air quality, edging out North Vancouver.

North Vancouver comes in fourth place with a decent score of 63.02. This city’s ranking is due to its 168 hiking paths and 17 nature and animal trips. Furthermore, the area’s six community gardens and urban farms proved a dedication to green spaces. Despite having the second-largest population among the top ten cities, Halifax rounds out the top five. The city’s emphasis on public transit contributed to the city having a good air quality index. Furthermore, urban farms, gardens, hiking paths, and various parks contributed significantly to Halifax’s total score.

As wildfires in Canada continue to wreak havoc on millions of acres and the global climate problem worsens, recognising communities that excel at sustainability becomes increasingly crucial. These top-ranking cities serve as models for others to follow, paving the way for a greener and more ecologically conscious Canada in the future.