Readers of The Huffington Post Canada responded in the hundreds to our hypothetical question: If you had to choose a new capital city for Canada, what would it be and why?
We took all your suggestions, compiled the gallery below and opened it up to a vote. Next week, we'll put the top eight finalists into a national face-off. So far, it looks like one of the contenders will be Halifax. Readers made a strong case for Halifax, the largest city in the Atlantic provinces and the capital of Nova Scotia. See below.
Agree? Disagree? VOTE NOW on our top reader picks. Just 'Like' the cities in the gallery below if you want to see them in the finals:
VOTE: New Capital Of Canada
WHY HALIFAX?
"History, culture, people, ocean and harbourfront." — Jenn, Nova Scotia
"Halifax embodies what it means to be Canadian because it embraces multiculturalism in a way that most others fail to. Halifax has a thriving music scene, incredible art and outstanding universities. The city is beautiful and full of warm, funny people." — Unnamed, Alberta
"Because it has history and beautiful nature and is right by the ocean. Perfect view of waterways and is Canada's playground." — Abigail, Nova Scotia
It had all the firsts: First government, first newspaper, first public school, first zoo in North America." — Unnamed, Nova Scotia
"Down East needs the jobs, we are bilingual, we have some of the most beautiful country in Canada. Now what we need is for the rest of the world to realize that we are part of Canada and not the forgotten provinces." — Barb, New Brunswick