Toronto and several other Canadian cities have been named among the best in the world, according to a new ranking.
Resonance Consultancy and Ipsos Research’s list of the World’s Best Cities in 2025 has been released, ranking the top 100 global cities “shaping tomorrow.”
The report looked at cities with over a million people, combining stats and user-generated data from platforms like Google, Tripadvisor and Instagram. The ranking considers various factors, including affordability, education and overall quality of life.
Three Canadian cities cracked the top 50, with Toronto ranking the highest in 15th place. Ontario’s capital placed high for its tree cover, or the measure of an urban area’s land that’s covered with vegetation that’s at least 16 feet in height, as well as its educational attainment.
“The construction boom has reshaped downtown, from revitalized cultural landmarks like Massey Hall to the new Renzo Piano-designed Ontario Court of Justice,” reads the report. “The addition of Love Park, with its heart-shaped pond, adds greenery to the city’s core.”
It also highlighted the upcoming Rogers Stadium, which will be the city’s largest outdoor concert venue, and the construction of Villiers Island, which is part of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project.
Following closely behind is Vancouver in 22nd place. It also stood out for its tree cover and educational attainment.
The reason for Vancouver’s ranking is based on a few other factors.
According to the list, “a panorama of ancient forests, totem poles, pan-Asian diaspora and hockey-loving hipsters makes Vancouver a coveted destination.”
The cons include an apparent lack of space in hotels and the ongoing ban on short-term rentals.
“In the midst of rising real estate prices, the city is facing another challenge: fewer hotel rooms — a direct result of the government converting hundreds of rooms into social housing during the pandemic and cracking down on Airbnb-only rentals (ostensibly to free up rental housing).”
The validity of that statement is highly debatable. City officials have been concerned about the hotel crunch for a long time, well before the pandemic.
Rounding out the top 50 is Montreal in 35th place, getting accolades for its educational attainment and its low poverty rate.
Resonance described it as Canada’s “laid-back second city (and North America’s most European).”
Canada’s capital city Ottawa just missed the top 50, placing 52nd for its tree cover and educational attainment. “The cosmopolitan capital of Canada has a reputation for brainpower that’s attracting the world,” reads the report.
Other major Canadian cities that made the list are Calgary in 54th and Edmonton in 65th place.
With files from Claire Fenton and Allison Stephen
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