Last Updated On 27 November 2023, 11:52 AM EST (Toronto Time)
Victoria, in British Columbia, is ranked number 1 in the new list of 100 most livable cities in Canada for 2023, released by the Globe and Mail.
Data from 439 cities in Canada with populations greater than 10,000 people were studied.
These rankings are based on the economy, housing, demographics, health care, safety, education, community, amenities, transportation, and climate.
The data was rescaled for each variable to give scores ranging from 0 to 1, based on each city’s ranking position.
For example, Vancouver was the second-most walkable community with a score of 0.998, while Thunder Bay was number 186 with a score of 0.578.
Certain areas, such as economy and housing, were given higher weight since they are more important for individuals choosing a place to reside in and were weighted more heavily than comparatively less important categories, such as climate and amenities.
The same methodology was used for factors within each category; for example, proximity to grocery stores was given more weight than proximity to libraries, recognizing that the former had a higher impact on an average person’s quality of life.
This article enlists
20 Most Livable Cities in Canada
Six of the top 10 most livable cities in Canada are in British Columbia.
Winnipeg in Manitoba, Regina in Saskatchewan, and Burlington in Ontario are ranked numbers 3, 4, and 5.
| City | Province |
|---|---|
| Victoria | British Columbia |
| North Vancouver | British Columbia |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba |
| Regina | Saskatchewan |
| Burlington | Ontario |
| West Vancouver | British Columbia |
| Saanich | British Columbia |
| Calgary | Alberta |
| Pitt Meadows | British Columbia |
| Oak Bay | British Columbia |
| Mont-Royal | Quebec |
| Saskatoon | Saskatchewan |
| Canmore | Alberta |
| Vancouver | British Columbia |
| Langley | British Columbia |
| Westmount | Quebec |
| Port Coquitlam | British Columbia |
| New Westminster | British Columbia |
| Fort St. John | British Columbia |
| Maple Ridge | British Columbia |
20 Most Livable Cities in Ontario
Only one city from Ontario made it to the top 20 most livable cities for 2023, while Canadian capital Ottawa is ranked at number 24.
The largest city in Canada, Toronto, is ranked at number 64 among the country’s most livable cities.
| Overall Rank | City |
| 5 | Burlington |
| 24 | Ottawa |
| 26 | Pickering |
| 29 | Oakville |
| 33 | Vaughan |
| 39 | Hamilton |
| 41 | Guelph |
| 47 | Tecumseh |
| 48 | Lincoln |
| 50 | Markham |
| 54 | Norwich |
| 55 | Wellesley |
| 56 | Waterloo |
| 59 | Woolwich |
| 64 | Toronto |
| 70 | Mapleton |
| 76 | Centre Wellington |
| 79 | Whitchurch-Stouffville |
| 81 | North Perth |
| 83 | Newmarket |
20 Most Livable Cities in British Columbia
12 of the top 20 most livable cities in Canada are in ‘Beautiful’ British Columbia.
| Overall Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria |
| 2 | North Vancouver |
| 6 | West Vancouver |
| 7 | Saanich |
| 9 | Pitt Meadows |
| 10 | Oak Bay |
| 14 | Vancouver |
| 15 | Langley |
| 17 | Port Coquitlam |
| 18 | New Westminster |
| 19 | Fort St. John |
| 20 | Maple Ridge |
| 21 | Squamish |
| 23 | Delta |
| 25 | Colwood |
| 28 | Penticton |
| 32 | Parksville |
| 35 | Prince George |
| 37 | Abbotsford |
| 38 | Cranbrook |
20 Most Livable Cities in Quebec
Mont-Royal and Westmount are among the top 20 most livable cities in Quebec for 2023.
| Overall Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 11 | Mont-Royal |
| 16 | Westmount |
| 30 | Rosemère |
| 44 | Québec |
| 49 | Lévis |
| 57 | Laval |
| 58 | Gatineau |
| 62 | La Prairie |
| 74 | Longueuil |
| 78 | Boucherville |
| 94 | Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville |
| 97 | Kirkland |
| >100 | Sherbrooke |
| >100 | Côte-Saint-Luc |
| >100 | Beaconsfield |
| >100 | Saint-Hyacinthe |
| >100 | Repentigny |
| >100 | Saint-Lambert |
| >100 | Rivière-du-Loup |
| >100 | Sainte-Marie |
20 Most Livable Cities in Alberta
Calgary and Canmore are among the top 20 most livable cities in Canada with provincial capital, Edmonton ranked at number 27.
| Overall Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 8 | Calgary |
| 13 | Canmore |
| 27 | Edmonton |
| 31 | St. Albert |
| 36 | Lethbridge |
| 46 | Strathcona County |
| 51 | Wood Buffalo |
| 52 | Olds |
| 65 | Okotoks |
| 91 | Lacombe |
| 96 | Cochrane |
| 98 | Red Deer |
| >100 | Lethbridge County |
| >100 | Lloydminster |
| >100 | Camrose |
| >100 | Spruce Grove |
| >100 | Fort Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Grande Prairie |
| >100 | Strathmore |
| >100 | Cold Lake |
20 Most Livable Cities in Prairies
3 cities from the Prairies made up the 20 most livable cities in Canada, with a total of 6 cities being ranked in the 100 most livable cities in the region.
| Overall Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 3 | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| 4 | Regina, Saskatchewan |
| 12 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
| 22 | Brandon, Manitoba |
| 69 | East St. Paul, Manitoba |
| 73 | Yorkton, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Lloydminster, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Prince Albert, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Swift Current, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Weyburn, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | North Battleford, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Martensville, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Warman, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Estevan, Saskatchewan |
| >100 | Selkirk, Manitoba |
| >100 | Portage la Prairie, Manitoba |
| >100 | Steinbach, Manitoba |
| >100 | Thompson, Manitoba |
| >100 | St. Andrews, Manitoba |
20 Most Livable Cities in Atlantic Canada
Only two cities (both from New Brunswick) made it to the 100 most livable cities in Canada this year.
| Overall Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 43 | Fredericton, New Brunswick |
| 60 | Dieppe, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| >100 | Moncton, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Quispamsis, New Brunswick |
| >100 | St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| >100 | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island |
| >100 | Rothesay, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Saint John, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Edmundston, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| >100 | Miramichi, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Riverview, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Stratford, Prince Edward Island |
| >100 | Bathurst, New Brunswick |
| >100 | Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| >100 | Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador |
| >100 | Summerside, Prince Edward Island |
| >100 | Colchester, Subd. B, Nova Scotia |
| >100 | Truro, Nova Scotia |
What are the characteristics of a livable city in Canada?
A livable city in Canada typically exhibits the following characteristics:
1. Accessible and Efficient Transportation: Well-connected public transportation systems, bike-friendly infrastructure, and minimal traffic congestion
2. Affordable Housing: Reasonably priced housing options that are accessible to a wide range of residents
3. Quality Healthcare Facilities: Access to high-quality healthcare services and well-equipped medical facilities
4. Safety and Security: low crime rates and a strong emphasis on public safety
5. Clean Environment: Adequate waste management systems, clean air, and clean water sources
6. Education and Cultural Opportunities: A range of educational institutions and diverse cultural experiences
7. Recreation and Open Spaces: Ample parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities for outdoor activities
8. Employment Opportunities: A diverse and thriving job market with opportunities for various industries
9. Social Services: accessible social services and support systems for residents in need.
10. Community Engagement: Vibrant community initiatives, events, and opportunities for residents to participate and engage
Please note that these characteristics may vary from city to city and are subjective to individual preferences.
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100 most livable cities in canada,