Pulp mills in Prince George, B.C., have contributed to the city's poor air-quality readings. (Pachapg.ca)

Two B.C. cabinet ministers are coming to the defence of the city of Prince George, which a Vancouver radio website calls "the armpit of B.C."

Radio station CFMI, known as Classic Rock 101, is giving away tickets to see Elton John in Prince George in July.

But the station's contest website page calls the city "the armpit of B.C.'s Interior, where the key economic driver is welfare, and toothbrush sales don't exist."

Prince George has long been criticized for its poor air quality, due partly to local pulp mills that can generate unpleasant odours.

Transportation Minister Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount, said she doesn't see the humour in the radio station's scornful description.

"I think it's absolutely shameful," said Bond. "Nothing could be further from the truth. It's a physically beautiful place to live. And yes, we are a resource-based economy."

Forests Minister Pat Bell, the Prince George-Mackenzie MLA, agrees with Bond.

"I'm sure it's all intended as good humour. But certainly [it's] a little insulting."

Both Bond and Bell say the station's radio hosts should come to Prince George for a personal tour before passing judgment on the city.

With files from the CBC's Sarah Towle