Sault Ste. Marie, Canada

Capital City

With a population of just 73,368, Sault Ste. Marie is a sleepy northern outpost where jobs are scarce and the long, snowy winters are a persistent headache. While the city boasts alternative energy ambitions and touts itself as a transportation hub, the reality is a regional economy that has struggled since the decline of the steel and forestry industries. Bureaucracy is a constant challenge, with the city council's 1990 resolution declaring English the sole official language sparking national controversy. Still, the scenic setting on the St. Mary's River and the lively cultural scene may appeal to those seeking a slower pace of life in northern Ontario.