in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 2, 20 18 | 66 FridaytoMonday, LabourDayWeekend Aug. 31- Sept. 03, 2018 • Spencer Smith Park • CanadasLargestRibfest.com 19 RIBBERS • OVER 30 MUSICAL ACTS • KIDS ZONE • CRAFTERS • FREE ADMISSION OVER30 MUSICAL ACTS Burlington Lakeshore A Fundraising Initiative ofA Fundraising Initiative of 16 Y INTERNATIONAL CENTRE 6900 AIRPORT RD DOORS OPEN 11 AM - 6:30 PM FASHION SHOWS 1.30 & 4.30 PM 416.716.5793 / 416.876.9779 SEPT 16SUNDA Y S AV E T H E D AT E 2 1 S T A N N U A L SHOW SUHAAG North America's Largest South Asian Bridal Fashion Event& for New Canadians, thirdfor New Canadians, thirdf best place to retire and fifth best place to raise a family," wrote Claire Brownell in the MoneySense article. "It's certainly not the cheapest city in the coun- try, but it has attracted a growing and increasingly diverse population because of its many strong points." The magazine looked at 10 categories in making its decision including: wealth and economy, affordability, population growth, taxes, commute, crime, weather, access to health care, ame- nities and culture. The economic factors in- cluded Oakville's unem- ployment rate of 5.7 per cent, its average household income of $161,540, its aver- age value of primary real estate of $1.2 million, its property tax rate of three per cent, its average annual property tax bill of $5,269 and its average rent for a two-bedroom apartment of $1,456. The magazine also noted that two per cent of Oak- ville's population walks to work while 8.27 per cent takes transit to work. The article noted the town is home to 220 doctors' offices, 91 family doctors and that the crime rate per 100,000 is 2,133. It also pointed out that 2.4 per cent of Oakville's population is employed in arts and recreation. "Oakville scored high in a broad range of the areas examined by the Best Plac- es to Live ranking, placing in the top 25 per cent of all cities in six out of 10 catego- ries. Oakville residents en- joy access to Toronto's strong job market while maintaining the benefits of a smaller suburb," wrote Brownell. "People from all walks of life have taken notice. Over the past 10 years, the per- centage of visible minori- ties in Oakville has in- creased from 18 per cent to 31 per cent according to the census. (Oakville Mayor Rob) Burton says about 45 per cent of Halton region's low-income population lives in Oakville. And not every house is a $65 million lakefront mega-mansion, with families priced out of Toronto flocking to new, relatively affordable town- houses and other high-den- sity developments." The data recognized Oakville as being in the top 25 per cent of all cities in the criteria of wealth and econ- omy, demographics, crime, weather (top 10 per cent), health and amenities, but not in the areas of afford- ability, taxes, commute or culture and community. The town was also ranked the Best Place to Live for New Canadians 2018 due to its access to edu- cation, a good job market and its family-friendly envi- ronment. The article listed Oak- ville as the 35th most lin- guistically diverse city in the country, with about 30 per cent of residents speak- ing a language other than English or French. News of Oakville's high ranking was well received by Oakville Mayor Rob Bur- ton. "Our town has made sig- nificant progress since adopting the vision to be the most livable town in Cana- da in 2007. We have been control-We have been control-W ling growth to only what fits, investing in facilities tofits, investing in facilities tof help residents lead healthy, active and engaged life- styles, keeping our finances healthy and protecting our built and natural heritage resources - our green spac- es," he said. "It is with extreme pride that council and I witness the recognition of our town on the national stage. Being named the No. 1 Best Place to Live in Canada by Mon- eySense Magazine is an ho- nour we - residents, town staff and council - have tru- ly earned together as a com- munity. It is an affirmation of our collective efforts over the years." Oakville was ranked 15th on this list in 2017 and has been ranked among the top 20 best places to live in Canada for the past five years. A list of features the magazine noted Oakville is home to included: lakefront mega-mansions, Appleby College and Glen Abbey Golf Club. NEWS TOWN ALSO RANKED BEST PLACE TO LIVE FOR NEW CANADIANS Continue form Page 3 "Our data-driven analysis pegs Oakville as not only the best place to live overall, but the best place for New Canadians, third best place to retire and fifth best place to raise a family." Claire Brownell, MoneySense Magazine