Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier dons a top hat to encourage people to vote for the city to be included in the new Canadian edition of Monopoly. (CBC)

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier donned a top hat and bow tie to kick off a campaign to land the city as Monopoly's hottest property.

Hasbro is releasing a new Canadian edition of Monopoly and allowing the public to vote on which 22 cities or towns will be featured in the board game.

Online voting at monopolyvote.ca began on Monday on a shortlist of 65 municipalities. People can also nominate wildcard communities that haven't been mentioned.

The city that receives the most votes will be placed in the Boardwalk spot, the most valuable property in the board game.

Bronconnier, dressed as Mr. Monopoly who serves as the mascot of Monopoly, said he believes Calgary deserves Boardwalk.

"In international and national surveys, Calgary has been named the city with the highest quality of life and economic potential, safest city and cleanest city. Now's our chance to snap up the prime real estate on one of the most popular games in the world," said Bronconnier.

He encouraged Calgarians to vote early and often to support their city.

"The No. 1 real estate is up for grabs, and it won't cost you anything other than a few keystrokes," he said.

Mayors of other cities in the running have also started campaigns to push their communities to the top. The contest ends Feb. 7.

In a 2008 international competition, three Canadian cities earned places on Monopoly's World Edition board, with Montreal landing Boardwalk.