FRASER RIVER PHOTO CONTEST PAGE A3
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
rev bowling hosts singles PAGE A15
VOL. 99 NO. 59
Quesnel bottoms out again in MoneySense report AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter After placing in the bottom 20 for best places to live, Mayor Mary Sjostrom invited the publication to check out the Gold Pan City for themselves. “Quesnel is a wonderful community which enjoys four seasons, diverse recreation and affordable housing opportunities,” Sjostrom said. In its annual report, MoneySense released the top 200 places to live in 2013. Quesnel took the 183 spot; for 2012 we sat at 172. The report looks at a number of factors, including crime rates, income, property taxes and weather. “When we were determining our eighth annual list of Best Places to Live in Canada, we looked at all the data we could find to name the communities that offer the best overall quality of life,” the MoneySense overview states. “We started with incomes and employment. After all, most people’s experience in a city is more positive when they have a high-paying job and the ability to get a new one if they so choose. “We looked at the price of housing, giving high scores to cities where home prices are affordable when compared with local salaries. “Weather was also key. Sure, some Canadians love cold weather, but most will agree that extra sunny days, days above zero and days without precipita-
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tion are nice to have. “Crime rates and access to medical treatment are also important factors, so we awarded points to communities with low rates of crime, good access to hospitals and high numbers of medical professionals.” Q-Town stats: Bike to work percentage, 0.82; Walk to work percentage, 4.37; Transit to work percentage, 0.49; Rainy days per year, 105.1; Days above 0°C a year, 183.8; Pop. change ‘11 to ‘12, 2.67 per cent; Jobless per cent, 11.01 Average house price, $184,213; Years to buy a home, 2.57; Average household income, $71,688; Average household net worth, $222,708; Crime rate per 100K, 22,269; Property tax rate, 1.92; Doctors per 1,000, 1.45; Percentage employed in arts and recreation, 0.75; New cars per family, 10.03 per cent; The city to take top spot is Calgary, Alt. sitting in last place is Lachute, Que. But regardless of stats and percentages, Sjostrom questions the release. “Close to 100 new business licenses were issued in 2012 showing the confidence of individuals to work and invest in Quesnel,” she said. “I think we are one of the best places in B.C. to live!”
12th Annual Quesnel & District Hospice Palliative Care Association
Hike for Hospice
1
$ 34
PM 40005365
Spring break Students were all over the community last week, having fun, learning new skills and enjoying their break from the books. For more spring break photos see Friday’s Observer. Autumn MacDonald photo
Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber M. Logie! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.
Quesnel the Beautiful
Sunday May 5, 2013
Registration: 12:00 p.m. Hike: 1:00 p.m. LeBourdais Park REGISTRATION - ADULTS $15 STUDENTS & SENIORS $5 CHILDREN UNDER 6 FREE
includes HST
gordperryphoto@shaw.ca
“your town in pictures” Available at Big Country Printers and from Gord Perry 250-992-8578