Our Town

Welcome to Ladysmith: where exceptional amenities, world-class municipal infrastructure, scenic trails, historic downtown character, and the beauty of Transfer Beach come together to create unparalleled charm along the 49th Parallel.

Located on spectacular Vancouver Island—just 88 kilometres (55 miles) north of Victoria and 23 kilometres (14 miles) south of Nanaimo—Ladysmith is a vibrant and growing seaside community (population 9,903 in 2024) that proudly maintains its small-town character and friendly community atmosphere.

Residents here take tremendous pride in preserving and celebrating the Town’s industrial heritage, while also respectfully acknowledging the more than 5,000 years of history of the land’s first residents, the Stz’uminus First Nation.

Whether it’s our vibrant downtown, breathtaking natural surroundings, beloved Transfer Beach, or countless events and festivals, including art shows and the Island-famous Festival of Lights, Ladysmith offers year-round experiences for everyone to enjoy.

Interesting Facts

From its early days to today, Ladysmith has a history worth sharing. Here are some fascinating facts about our community:

  • Ladysmith, South Africa—the town our Ladysmith is named after—was named for Juana María de los Dolores de León Smith, known as Lady Smith, the Spanish-born wife of Sir Harry Smith, British Governor of the Cape Colony and High Commissioner in South Africa from 1847 to 1852.
  • Several streets in Ladysmith are named after notable British military leaders, including Field Marshal Lord Roberts, Generals John French, Redvers Buller, Sir Charles Warren, Lieutenant-General Sir William Forbes Gatacre, Major General Lord Methuen, and Sir William Penn Symonds.
  • In 1947, Ladysmith resident Parker Williams, then 16, sparked the “Five Cent Candy-Bar War,” a nationwide protest over the increase of chocolate bar prices in Canada.
  • Pamela Anderson, award-winning actress and model, was born in Ladysmith on July 1, 1967.
  • Over its more than 100-year history, Aggie Hall has hosted performances by celebrities such as Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis.
  • The TV series Resident Alien was filmed in Ladysmith, with our town being used as a stand-in for the fictional community of Patience, Colorado.
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (2018) and Godzilla (2014) had scenes filmed in Ladysmith.
Provincial and Federal Politicians

Ladysmith residents are represented by both a federal Member of Parliament and a provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly.

Provincial Representative

Stephanie Higginson, MLA (Ladysmith–Oceanside)

Federal Representative

Tamara Kronis, MP (Nanaimo–Ladysmith)

Moving to Ladysmith

Moving to Ladysmith or thinking about moving here? Great. Our community has so much to offer.

Ladysmith is home to elementary and secondary schools, a community health centre, an RCMP detachment, a fire station, over 110 hectares of parks and open spaces, a heritage downtown filled with vibrant shops, and Transfer Beach.

Ladysmith offers a wealth of support services for residents of all ages, from infants to seniors. The Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA) is a lead agency in our community for connecting residents to the programs and services.

We’ve also put together a list below of other organizations in our community. These groups provide a wide range of programs and resources, helping residents connect, get support, and make the most of everything our community has to offer.

Arts on the Avenue Ladysmith Art Gallery
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce Ladysmith Days
Ladysmith Downtown Business Association Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF)
Ladysmith Festival of Lights Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary
Ladysmith Historical Society Ladysmith Little Theatre
Ladysmith & District Marine Rescue Society Ladysmith Seniors