Toronto just ranked among least liveable cities in Canada

When you think of the most desirable places to live in Canada, some of the bigger municipalities like Vancouver or Toronto may come to mind.

However, according to the 2024 Globe and Mail Canada’s Most Liveable Cities list, there a plenty of factors that go into determining where Canadians choose to reside.

The publication evaluated 448 communities across Canada with a population higher than 10,000.

It based its ranking on 50 variables in 10 categories: economy, housing, demographics, healthcare, safety, education, community, amenities, transportation and climate.

The Globe and Mail noted that categories it identified as more important for people, such as housing and healthcare, were given more weighted significance than others.

It also enhanced this year’s ranking by sending out a survey to readers, asking their thoughts on what was important to them when picking a place to live.

“The survey we conducted this year received more than 300 responses, and the weightings were carefully adjusted to better align with the results of this survey, which revealed, for example, that people care more about Amenities and less about Education than we had originally thought,” noted the outlet.

While it acknowledges that no city on the list is “perfect,” the ranking offers a “holistic view of the strengths of each community’s overall livability.”

So, what city topped the list as the most liveable city in Canada?

The title went to North Vancouver, B.C.

The city ranked highly for its access to nature, strong community, and amenities.

B.C. cities dominated the top 10 spots, with West Vancouver coming in second, followed by Victoria in third place, Pitt Meadows in the eighth and Penticton in the tenth spot.

As for Canada’s larger cities, Calgary also placed in the top 10, coming in seventh.

Vancouver was ranked 12th, and Toronto was placed much lower, at 82nd. Montreal was not mentioned in this year’s list.

Here is The Globe and Mail’s complete list of most liveable cities in Canada for 2024:

1. North Vancouver, B.C.

2. West Vancouver, B.C.

3. Victoria, B.C.

4. Winnipeg, MB

5. Regina, SK

6. Saskatoon, SK

7. Calgary, AB

8. Pitt Meadows, B.C.

9. Penticton, B.C.

10. Oakville, ON

11. Port Coquitlam, B.C.

12. Vancouver, B.C.

13. Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON

14. Delta, B.C.

15. New Westminster, B.C.

16. Ottawa, ON

17. Whitby, ON

18. Mont-Royal, QC

19. Erin, ON

20. Port Moody, B.C.

21. Guelph, ON

22. Saanich, B.C.

23. Langley, B.C.

24. Burlington, ON

25. St. Albert, AB

26. Kamloops, B.C.

27. Edmonton, AB

28. Vaughan, ON

29. Pickering, ON

30. Oak Bay, B.C.

31. Vernon, B.C.

32. Brandon, MB

33. Fredericton, NB

34. Westmount, QC

35. Woolwich, ON

36. Dieppe, NB

37. Coquitlam, B.C.

38. Boucherville, QC

39. Halifax, NS

40. Nanaimo, B.C.

41. Terrace, B.C.

42. Lethbridge, AB

43. Nelson, B.C.

44. White Rock, B.C.

45. Rosemère, QC

46. Québec, QC

47. Strathcona County, AB

48. Newmarket, ON

49. Moncton, NB

50. Colwood, B.C.

51. Maple Ridge, B.C.

52. Ajax, ON

53. Yellowknife, NWT

54. Charlottetown, P.E.I.

55. Whitehorse, YT

56. Hamilton, ON

57. Lévis, QC

58. La Prairie, QC

59. Okotoks, AB

60. Canmore, AB

61. North Cowichan, B.C.

62. Fort St. John, B.C.

63. Pelham, ON

64. Prince George, B.C.

65. Parksville, B.C.

66. Kingston, ON

67. North Dumfries, ON

68. Markham, ON

69. Laval, QC

70. Chilliwack, B.C.

71. Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC

72. Cranbrook, B.C.

73. Milton, ON

74. Abbotsford, B.C.

75. Centre Wellington, ON

76. Moose Jaw, SK

77. Lincoln, ON

78. Wood Buffalo, AB

79. Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC

80. Mission, B.C.

81. Comox, B.C.

82. Toronto, ON

83. Mississauga, ON

84. Surrey, B.C.

85. Halton Hills, ON

86. Sidney, B.C.

87. Guelph/Eramosa,ON

88. Squamish, B.C.

89. Central Saanich, B.C.

90. Longueuil, QC

91. Richmond, B.C.

92. Quispamsis, NB

93. Olds, AB

94. Chambly, QC

95. LaSalle, ON

96. Campbell River, B.C.

97. Tecumseh, ON

98. Richmond Hill, ON

99. St. John’s, NL

100. Rouyn-Noranda, QC