edmonton/alberta/canada
edmonton.com
a city in full force As the proud capital of Alberta, Edmonton is industrious and vibrant, powerful and cultural; we’re a cosmopolitan centre of over one million people rich in energy and enthusiasm.
It’s a place of balance and opportunity, from the amazing educational facilities to great professional sports teams to its appreciation of the arts. David Aplin Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
We have all the convenience and choice of a big city with the feeling of small town friendliness. Canada’s Festival City offers incredible arts and culture, a vast river valley and a host of year-round celebrations. But we’re more than just fun; we’re the place where you can build your life and your career. We’re a city ready to welcome you home.
DID YOU KNOW?
The birth of modern day Edmonton was in 1794 when the Hudson’s Bay Company established a fur trading post nearby on the mighty North Saskatchewan River. It was named after the Edmonton, U.K hometown of Sir James Winter Lake, then director of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
A Diverse City We have one of the most attractive investment climates in the country. Being at the geographic core of Canada’s economic future, few economies have prospects as bright as northern Alberta. As the research and industrial powerhouse of the province, Edmonton stands tall as one of the country’s most dynamic and prosperous urban centres. This strong economy has created an environment where residents thrive in their careers and quality of life.
Edmonton has a 26% higher per capita income than the national average. Edmonton is Canada’s leader in energy exploration, refining, petrochemicals and environmental stewardship. We are also one of the leading centres in education, research, technology and health services. There are growth opportunities in nearly every sector of our economy, for you, your spouse and your growing family.
I was struck by the friendliness of Edmontonians. It still amazes me that strangers chat with one another at bus stops and line-ups at the grocery store. David Long, moved from England. Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
A smart City We’re a city that believes anything is possible. Edmonton is a pioneer in creating boundaryless school zoning for publicly funded K-12 school systems. Today, parents and students get to pick their schools based on specialization, including Catholic, francophone, multi-lingual, sports, arts, academic and private. Each has its own unique and innovative educational programs to suit a variety of needs. Because of this, many people consider Edmonton to have the best public school system in North America. It’s where knowledge and curiosity are able to shine.
Edmonton Public has a reputation for being one of the best school boards in the country – and one of the largest. Jay Palter, moved from Toronto Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
Our post-secondary sector is comprised of more than 10 institutions, including the University of Alberta, one of Canada’s top universities. As Alberta’s flagship university, it has more than 37,000 students, including more than 5,500 graduate students and 300 postdoctoral fellows. It has received more 3M excellence in teaching awards than any other University in North America. Boasting the highest number
of Excellence Research Chairs of any Canadian university, Edmonton has become home to five of the world’s top researchers in the areas of engineering, medicine, dentistry, earth sciences and virology. The University of Alberta is also the second largest research institution in the country – with more than $500 million a year in funding – and is on track to be among the top 20 in the world by 2020.
International recognition for excellence in education.
We’re also home to MacEwan University, one of Western Canada’s top schools for studies in the arts, science, nursing, child and youth care, and commerce. It serves more than 40,000 learners annually, and provides student-centred education with small classes and individualized instruction. The Northern Alberta Institute Technology is another Edmonton post-secondary leader, being the largest apprenticeship training school in the country.
DID YOU KNOW?
Five University of Alberta faculty members have been elected to the Royal Society of London, a prestigious academy based out of the U.K. that is dedicated to promoting excellence in science.
The University of Alberta is the second largest research institution in the country.
A Healthy City Edmonton is well known for world-class medical facilities funded through public health care. Access to health care is guaranteed for Albertans, and Edmontonians have free access to top general and specialized care for women, children, injury rehabilitation and cardiac patients. The University of Alberta Hospital is one of the country’s leading clinical, research and teaching hospitals. The Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute provides some of the highest quality of cardiovascular care, research, and is advancing the frontiers of heart health in North America .
I truly believe I couldn’t have done the work I’ve done anywhere else. Dr. Gary Lopaschuk, scientific director of the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
The 1.25 million ft2 Edmonton Clinic is set to be a state-of-the-art facility, transforming the way health care is delivered and taught. It will create a new model for outpatient care, health sciences, professional education and disciplinary research. Our Stollery Children’s Hospital is Western Canada’s referral centre for pediatric cardiac surgery and is the national leader in organ transplantation, with a referral base of more than 1.7 million.
DID YOU KNOW?
Dr. Paul Armstrong, a professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta and senior cardiologist at the University of Alberta Hospital, was awarded the Prix Galien Canada award of excellence for his outstanding contributions to Canadian pharmaceutical research. Armstrong is doing pioneering research on new drugs that can be used to treat heart attacks.
Recognized for global excellence in various areas of medicine.
A cultural City There’s nowhere else in the world that does summer like Edmonton; 17 hours of daylight, a different festival every weekend and the energy of a million people who want to soak it all in. We hold over 30 annual festivals like the world’s second largest fringe theatre festival, Canada’s oldest street performers festival, the internationally renowned Edmonton Folk Music Festival and the Edmonton Heritage Festival. It’s why we’re known as Canada’s Festival City. Our summer weather allows for endless activities, and with average temperatures in the mid to high 20°C, you won’t have to wait for nice weather to check them out.
My family’s first summer experiencing the festivals had been like an extended holiday. Michael King, moved from Ireland Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
While our summer festivals can’t be beat, Edmonton thrives in winter, too. In the sunny, cooler months, we celebrate music, theatre, arts, sports, film, culture and our northern spirit. Being home to the National Hockey League’s (NHL) legendary Oilers, Edmonton is also well known as one of Canada’s top sports cities, cheering on the Canadian Football League (CFL) Eskimos, National Lacrosse League (NLL) Rush and the North American Baseball League (NAL) Capitals - Edmonton’s professional baseball team.
IN THE PICTURE
Annie Dugan, co-founder of Firefly Theatre & Circus Society was invited to perform at the Opening Gala for the Alberta Folklife Festival, at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.
From grand venues to grassroots arts. Our local galleries and theatres are consistently brimming with people, making it clear that Edmontonians crave creativity. Our arts community thrives with world premieres, major Broadway productions and has earned its status as a preferred destination for many of Canada’s finest writers, actors and directors.
Music legend John Prine calls Edmonton Folk Festival the best in the world! North of the river, our Downtown Arts District is home to many of the city’s festivals and includes the Winspear Centre, home of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Citadel Theatre, and the Art Gallery of Alberta – a crown jewel of Canadian architecture. Further west, the tree-lined boulevards of 124th Street house the Edmonton Gallery Walk – the first of its kind in Canada – that allows residents to discover original Canadian art in seven galleries all within walking distance. Crossing the river to the south, the University district and Old Strathcona is where you’ll find the Theatre District, The Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium and many live music venues and heritage movie theatres. From classical ballets to unplugged underground scenes, and internationally acclaimed improv to Shakespeare in the park, Edmonton has an eclectic and passionate arts scene.
IN THE PICTURE
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival occurs in downtown Gallagher Park with the main stage on the hill creating a natural amphitheatre for music lovers. At night Edmonton’s skyline provides a beautiful backdrop while festival-goers light candles on the hill – some musicians have called this “the beautiful stars on the hill”.
A neighbourly City We’re proud to have pioneered Canada’s first community league in 1971 and this spirit continues to this day with our communities acting as vibrant hubs of activity. As the fastest growing multicultural city in Canada, we’re welcoming and go out of our way to support our new residents and new Canadian citizens. Our neighbourhoods are proud of their broad mix of over 50 international cultures and over 500 places of worship.
The warmth of the people in this city is unparalleled. Riki Roy, moved from Tanzania. Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
From family-friendly neighbourhoods to upscale downtown living, Edmonton has a variety of living options with an unmatched quality of life. With Canada’s highest per capita disposable income, lowest taxes, and reasonable home prices, Edmonton allows people to buy their dream home at a younger age than average. For the city dwellers, our downtown core has a variety of high-rise condos or lofts to settle into and houses our Arts and Warehouse districts. You’ll find eclectic and high-end shopping and dining options that cater to those looking for something different. Edmonton’s nightlife also comes alive here, and with the proposed expansion of a new entertainment/arena district, it’s set to get even better.
DID YOU KNOW?
Your dream of affording a home in or near downtown is a reality in Edmonton. Explore some the city’s most popular central neighbourhoods such as Strathearn, Rossdale, Grandin, Riverdale, and Oliver.
Radiating from the core, and close to the university, are many historic neighbourhoods in the Glenora and Oliver areas that are filled with beautiful brick houses and awe-inspiring mansions. Many specialty shops and local-fare niche restaurants cater to this area. While, further east is Old Strathcona – one of Canada’s top five shopping districts and home to the popular year-round farmer’s market. At night, it doubles as the place for trendy nightspots and down-to-earth pubs.
Easy to live. Easy to love. Not far from the classic neighbourhoods are the mature suburbs like Strathearn that hold many single-family homes and locally owned businesses. Think Mom n Pop shops, community centres and family owned restaurants. With a focus on wholesome, quiet living, new suburban neighbourhoods have been appearing in the city’s south Terwillegar area – the perfect location for brand new homes and growing families. All within minutes from ravines, trails, outlet stores, chain restaurants, and large grocery stores. There are also suburbs developing in the city’s west end, which is where you’ll also find our world-famous West Edmonton Mall – forty-eight city blocks of waterpark, amusement park, casino, restaurants and shopping.
edmonton is ranked as one of the america’s top 10 major cities for its quality of life.
A green City As North America’s largest urban parkland, Edmonton’s River Valley is 22 times larger than New York’s Central Park with 150 km of trails for walks, bike rides, picnics, bird watching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and more. Edmonton has plenty of space to play for year-round outdoor adventure. As a strong urban centre, Edmonton is committed to keeping this beautiful landscape at its core. We’re proud to be at the forefront of alternative energy in bio-fuels, solar, wind, geothermal and carbon capture and storage.
As we pound along the pavement it’s easy to forget that you are in a city. Victoria Elliot Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
We’re also a global leader in recycling. Our no-sorting Blue Bag and Blue Bin programs and our waste drop-off Eco Stations makes recycling easy for residents, and has led to almost 90% of residential waste avoiding the dump. We’re dedicated to conserving our natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cleaner air and a pristine environment are promises Edmonton wants to keep for our residents now – and in the future.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our vast river valley is home to hundreds of plant and animal species, so don’t be surprised if you spot moose, beavers or even snowy owls in the city.
one of canada’s most sustainable cities.
A connected City Edmonton is one of the easiest cities to get around in. We’re built on a grid system with strategically placed freeways and highways for quick access to various parts of the city. For those looking for public transportation, Edmonton Transit System (ETS) covers more than 180 routes, including a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system, which can get you anywhere from the city’s southwest and northeast within minutes.
Being home earlier each day added up to a lot more time each year our family could spend together. Dr. Gary Lopaschuk Courtesy of Edmonton Stories
Being connected also means you won’t be stuck in the same place for long. Often dubbed the Northern Gateway, Edmonton connects residents to the quintessential northern Canadian landscapes: sprawling mountains, sparkling lakes and wide wildlife parks. Edmonton’s ideal location means that heading to the mountains or lazy days at the lake can become a regular weekend.
DID YOU KNOW?
As a new pilot service, Edmonton Transit System riders can now send a text message to 31100 and get bus schedule information sent directly to their mobile phones in seconds. Edmonton International Airport is one of the fastest growing and largest major Canadian airports.
Edmonton boasts Canada’s shortest commutes.
edmonton.com