If you've been noticing hordes of plain Janes and dime store Romeos diluting the city's singles scene, it turns out you're not alone.

Ottawa has been bestowed the dubious distinction of "least sexy" city in Canada by FastLife.ca, which claims to be the country's largest speed-dating service.

Most city residents were surprised, and more than a little offended, to learn their fair city ranked at the bottom of the list, with an "embarrassing" 40% score.

Even more surprising is the fact that Montreal, usually perceived to be on the cutting edge of style, fashion and all things sexy, ranked only slightly above the nation's capital with a 42% score.

SURPRISING

And perhaps most surprising of all, said some local residents, is the selection of Winnipeg as Canada's sexiest city.

"I've never heard that before," said model Danielle Empey, 20. "I would have thought a more urban centre like Toronto or Montreal would be the sexiest."

As for Ottawa's spot in the basement, Empey said she's not totally surprised.

"In my opinion, I don't think it is, but I have heard that a lot," she said.

Others didn't take the news so well.

"Frankly, I find it more than a little insulting," said Justine Cleroux, 27, sipping suds at the Royal Oak in the Glebe. "I'd like to see the science behind their study."

EIGHT MINUTES

The FastLife study based its results on the popularity of speed daters from different cities. Daters rank candidates with a "Yes" or "No" vote after spending eight minutes with their prospective life partner.

FastLife also floats the theory that since 48% of Ottawa residents work in governmental, social science or tech positions, "it's reasonable to suppose that those who stay in Ottawa lead a rather regimented life, which might dampen the sexiness of any city."

Despite the fact that Ottawa was ranked so low, individual neighbourhoods such as the Glebe, Riverview and Sandy Hill ranked considerably higher.

The least sexy neighbourhood in Ottawa -- and in the country -- according to the study, is Vanier.

"For a city like Ottawa, the nation's capital, come on. We should be able to go out there and choose and refuse men," said Carline, a stylist at a Vanier salon. "It's not possible here. The market is lean in Ottawa."

But for Junior Timothy, things are looking up.

"I have to say, a guy like myself, I like to keep my hair up-to-date every two weeks, and there's a lot of people like that in Ottawa, so I do believe Ottawa does have the sexy still."