One would have to go far back into modern history to see a time when Edmonton was just another Canadian provincial backwater.
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/oilers-break-multiple-nhl-records-with-win
It's been since at least the early 1960s that Edmonton knew it wasn't going be be just another northern backwater town like Prince-George. Indeed, PG has yet to reach 100K, while the Edmonton_Metropolitan_Region has 1.5 million people.
https://globalnews.ca/news/10542696/edmonton-oilers-fans-playoffs-2024/
Of course Edmonton has very cold winters, in contrast to mild Victoria. Yet, Edmonton is a growing mighty northern capital, while temperate Victoria remains as stunted BC provincial backwater.
