Nelson, British Columbia

Nelson sits on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake in BC's West Kootenay region. The City of Nelson runs more services than most towns its size: its own electrical utility (Nelson Hydro), its own municipal police force (the Nelson Police Department), a fibre internet utility, water and sewer, tagged-bag garbage and blue-bin recycling pickup, Nelson Fire and Rescue, the cemetery and a city campground. The Regional District of Central Kootenay runs the Nelson and District Community Complex (pool and arena), the transfer station and recycling depot, the regional emergency notification system and rural services around the city. Many things people think of as "city" matters, like marriage licences, health cards and driver's licences, are provincial.