Calgary drivers who occasionally are left in traffic jams on Deerfoot and Glenmore trails may be surprised to hear their city is the top eco-city on a list compiled by human resources specialist Mercer.
The company produces a "quality of living" ranking list for cities across the globe each year. It conducts the ranking to help governments and multinational companies set compensation for employees when placing them on international assignments.
While Calgary was 28th on the overall "quality of living" list behind other Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Ottawa, it moved to the head of the group in the eco-city measure contained in the report. That measure is based on its water potability, water availability, waste removal, sewage systems, air pollution and traffic congestion.
"Calgarians can be justifiably proud that the world recognizes the quality of Calgary's water and waste-management systems," said Dave Day, the city's director of environmental management.
from Western investor September 2010
