The City of Regina has been revealed as the source of some very mysterious advertisements that appeared throughout the Calgary area recently.

Vague, unbranded enticements were posted on public transport and on billboards, with such messages as 'Goodbye gridlock. Hello home for dinner" and "Goodbye heavy debt. Hello disposable income". Adorned with aspirational images, these eye-catching banners and posters certainly drew the attention of their target audience. Once the buzz had built momentum, the truth behind the captivating adverts was revealed, and the City of Regina came clean as the originators of the curious teasers.

The 'Hello Regina' campaign has been designed to target disaffected Calgarians, by inviting them to up-sticks and head east. As a fast-growing city, with a low unemployment rate and highly rated quality of life, the Saskatchewan capital is hoping to woo those who once headed for Calgary in search of work, and a good level of income. Their simple message is: Regina's booming, why not come here?

For many years, Saskatchewans fled the province in search of quality jobs, seriously lacking at home. According to some reports, as many as a quarter of a million of these economic migrants headed for Calgary. Now Regina's trying to lure them back, with promises of cheaper housing, career opportunities and a less intensely urban lifestyle.

But, how do Calgary's residents feel about this unashamed attempt to poach a percentage of its population? Will young professionals really wish to give up their trendy downtown condos or suburban family-orientated communities, within striking distance of the Rockies, for a drab and barren prairie landscape? What about those endlessly freezing winters? Would you think about relocating to Regina? What are your opinions on the city's attempts to lure a workforce from Calgary?

Written by the Justin Havre Writing Team

Sources: The Globe and Mail, Yahoo News, Hello Regina

Pic from Wikipedia