What is Canada's First City ? (Globe and Mail)

From The Globe and Mail:

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Quebec. Big festivities are planned.

But this week surfaced a claim by the mayor of St. John's, Newfoundland (Andy Wells) that his city was the oldest in Canada, not Quebec City.

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Minister Clyde Jackman added that "St. John's has long been recognized by historians as the oldest city in Canada and we are proud of this historical designation." He noted that Europeans began to settle around the harbour of St. John's by 1583.

Also see "WHICH CAME FIRST?" complied by the Globe and Mail staff.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080118.wquebec18/BNStory/National/home