Corporate Knights, Canada's magazine for clean capitalism, announced its 5th annual Sustainable Cities ranking this morning at a press conference at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ 2011 Sustainable Communities Conference in Victoria, B.C.

This year Western Canada proves to be the leader in urban sustainability, with Vancouver and Victoria tying for first place in the overall standings as Canada's most sustainable cities. Mayors from both cities participated in the press conference.

The 5th annual Corporate Knights Sustainable Cities Ranking recognizes Toronto, ON as first in the Big city group with a score of 69 % (out of 100 %), Vancouver, BC as first in the Medium city group, and Victoria, BC as first in the Small city group. Victoria and Vancouver tied for first place overall in the ranking, with a score of 71 %.

Victoria arrived victorious in the Small cities group in its first year in the ranking.  It’s the only city in the ranking that achieved a perfect score for both gender and visible minority representation on city council. Victoria also does well in economic security, with low average long-term household debt. The award-winning Dockside Green project is attempting greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality by connecting a biomass heating system to a hotel site.

Vancouver is making strides on its mission to becoming the greenest city in the world as the Medium city winner for a second straight year. The city's Neighbourhood Energy Utility provides 70 per cent of that area's yearly energy needs by turning sewage into heat. In early 2010, the city launched a residential solar hot water pilot program offering grants to cover half the installation cost of a system. Building codes now require all new one and two-unit dwellings to be "solar ready" for future installment.

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Canada's Most Sustainable Cities Rankings