Ladysmith
Ladysmith (population: 7,538) sits on a hillside overlooking the Strait of Georgia. At its base is a harbour so rich in shellfish it supports three oyster companies and a multi-restaurant event called “Oysterfeast” each May. Established as a shipping port at the turn of the century, it has retained – and lovingly maintained – many of its early buildings. In fact, preserving and enhancing public spaces is something of a Ladysmith speciality: it has won a Main Street Canada award for downtown revitalization; received a “Five Bloom” rating (with special mention for heritage conservation) in the national Communities in Bloom competition; and was named “One of the 10 Prettiest Towns in Canada” by Harrowsmith Country Magazine.