B.C.'s "Second City" | News

[Rusty Gull]

After Vancouver, what is BC's second city?

[mr.x]

Definetely Victoria, followed by Kelowna.

[ryanr]

Victoria, no doubt.

Surrey doesnt really count...Abbotsford should be included instead.

[Wonderwall]

Vancouver is BC's second city—after the capital.

[Rusty Gull]

Vancouver is BC's second city—after the capital.

Does that mean New York City should take second-banana status to Albany?:banana2:

[KevD]

It depends in what area we're talking... Victoria is second in population (outside of the lower mainland), it's also the capital of BC. Kelowna on the other hand is a huge tourist city with a rapidly fast growing economy and the 10th busiest international airport in Canada. It too is growing. I think I would go with Victoria though. Kelowna would be the third.

[Cobalt]

Victoria as a second, followed by Kelowna then Abbotsford. Surrey is essentially part of Vancouver.

[Rhino]

1 Vancouver
2 Victoria
3 Kelowna
4 Kamloops
5 Abbotsford

[Nutterbug]

If you're talking numbers, Surrey.

If you're talking character, Victoria.

[KevD]

Who voted Kamloops? Come on... hahaha.

[nova9]

I said Victoria as the second city based on its tourist draw (recognition as a destination) and for its political importance as the provincial capitol and not just because it's outside the Lower Mainland. Even if it was, I'd put it ahead of Surrey.

With Surrey, I hesitate to put it high in any ranking outside of population or growth because, with no offense at all, I don't see it as a city. Is there a large Surrey identity that is not just a cliche or stereotype amongst its citizens? I don't live there so I can't see it but I'd prejudge that they would probably say they're from Vancouver when travelling and not Surrey (and not just for simple geographics sakes).

[worldwide]

no mang its 100 mile house

[Rhino]

I tend to group the intire GVR into one city , maybe I shouldnt but what ever.

[Rhino]

p.s. I dont know who voted Kamloops . lol .

[Franky]

I've never been to Victoria, despite having lived in BC almost all of my life and having travelled to many countries. Abbotsford isn't really that nice, plus it smells like manure. So Kelowna has my vote.

[samsonyuen]

Definitely Victoria.

[spongeg]

isn't surrey bigger than Victoria?

its weird how vancouver is - some people see it as one big mero others see it has a bunch of different cities

[nova9]

I don't view the designation of 'Second City' as something to do with size or population. Second city 'status', IMO, has more to do with stature and impact and even relevance. Thus, like I stated in a former post up, Victoria has got to be the other city in British Columbia.

[spongeg]

yeah - i see Victoria has the second city - i have always seen the GVRD as one big city

[worldwide]

thats cause it is. at least as far as langley and scridge

[algonquin]

Certainly Victoria. I was in Kelowna a few weeks ago, and I hate to say it, but I was terribly dissapointed with the city itself. The surrounding area was very beautiful though.

What about Prince Rupert? Ok, obviously not a contender, though at one point it was destined to rival Vancouver as a port city. Those dreams sunk when the city's founder (and the manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway)perished on the Titanic.

If luck had prevailed, I'd bet that PR would at least be larger than Victoria now.

[Cobalt]

I never really figured out why Prince Rupert hasn't had larger growth. Like Vancouver it's on the coast, it has a rail connection, and the climate is relatively the same just a bit cooler. Hopefully now with the port expansion things will get going up there.

[ssiguy2]

^ Might have something to due with the fact that it rains almost every day no matter what the season.

[Trey]

i think its victoria. im not even gonna bother with listing off any other cities that follow it because im really not too sure what order that would be.

[in'sauga]

uh Victoria...obvi