Fort McMurray, AB, Tops List of Most Romantic Cities

The most romantic city in Canada is in northeastern Alberta

Alberta’s Athabasca oilsands may not strike you as a likely site for the romance capital of Canada, but Amazon Canada has ranked Fort McMurray first in its annual list of the most romantic cities in Canada according to consumer habits.

The list is based on the sales of romance novels and relationship advice books, romantic comedies, jewellery, and “sexual wellness” products in cities with populations over 20,000. It appears the company didn’t mind that Fort McMurray isn’t technically a municipality, but an urban service area in the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Fort McMurray took the top spot this year after Victoria had held it for the past seven consecutive years.

Toronto followed in second place, Ottawa in sixth, and Calgary in 12th. Montreal didn’t even make the list, while smaller, less-populated municipalities such as North York, ON, and Burlington, ON, did.

Western Canada also appears to be more romantic than the rest of Canada, at least based on consumer habits, with 12 of the top 20 cities in British Columbia or Alberta; 14 cities made the list for the first time, perhaps a sign of Amazon’s increasing popularity across Canada.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Fort McMurray, TripAdvisor lists as top attractions the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Boomtown Casino, New York Fries in the Peter Pond Mall, and MacDonald Island Park, which offers an indoor water park, climbing wall, skating rink, and hot tubs.

Here’s Amazon’s Top Ten:

1. Fort McMurray, AB
2. Toronto
3. Yellowknife
4. Bonnyville, AB
5. North York, ON
6. Ottawa
7. Grande Prairie, AB
8. Burlington, ON
9. Kelowna, BC
10. Victoria

Photo: iStock/yorkfoto.