TORONTO -- Bachelor Brad Smith pledged his heart to nurse Bianka Kamber in an emotional televised marriage proposal that left both in tears.

The first-ever edition of The Bachelor Canada wrapped Wednesday with the beefy former football player handing a sparkling engagement ring to the 28-year-old from Mississauga, Ont.

In doing so, he bid farewell to 24-year-old administrative assistant Whitney Lee, who floundered after meeting Smith's family in the finale despite appearing to be the front-runner for most of the series.

"B, this is by far the easiest decision I've ever had to make," Smith said as he got down on one knee with the picturesque Barbados coastline behind him.

The proposal followed intense dates for both women in Smith's hometown of Hudson, Que., where members of his family grilled each of them about their intentions.

Kamber emerged over more than two dozen other contenders including a shapely Playboy bunny from Vancouver and a bubbly blond pastor from Sylvan Lake, Alta.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 23, 2012 D2