I live in a city in Alberta that ten years ago had just over 39K people but today stands at over 76K. We lost much of the charm, lost many family owned businesses to corporate stores, local restaurants to chains.

Owen Sound is special because people know their neighbours and interact with them. You see them and talk to them when you go to Zehrs and places like that.You have places like Jazzmyns, Boot and Blade, Shortys and Channings where you can go and the staff know who you are and what you like to eat.

Most of your city council can walk down the street and know everyone they pass by name.Sure it'd be good to have more industry for improved employment - everyone wants that no matter the size of the place. But you have new development that is sustainable. With large population growth, it's not infills that make of the new properties, it's building on every green space they can find for new house or a new commercial building.

So I'd take quaint and charming Owen Sound at 22K over a new and different 35K Owen Sound any day.

My opinion comes from living that kind of change.

Pete Lewis, Airdrie, Alberta (Canada's fastest growing city)