The Globe and Mail Ranks Canada’s Most Desirable Cities for Newcomers

The Globe and Mail’s recent study delves into the most desirable Canadian cities for newcomers, focusing on ease of integration, access to basic amenities, and affordable housing. Targeting individuals who have arrived in Canada within the past five years, the study sheds light on the top picks for newcomer settlement.

Methodology and Findings:

The Globe analyzed 439 cities across Canada, each with a population exceeding 10,000. Their evaluation involved 43 variables across 10 crucial categories for relocation:

• Economy: Job market, income levels, tax rates, overall economic stability
• Housing: Affordability, accessibility for seniors, average primary real estate value, property tax, household dwelling expenditure, seniors’ housing per capita
• Demographics: Population growth stability, diversity, cultural richness, a diversity indicator index based on mother tongue, first/second-generation immigrants, and visible minorities
• Healthcare: Accessibility, quality of services, resident health perception, proportion of population receiving immediate care within three days, proportion with a regular healthcare provider
• Safety: Crime rate, resident confidence in public safety, likelihood of crime rate compared to the national average
• Education: Educational qualifications of the community, availability of schools, universities, and other educational institutions
• Community: Social engagement venues, community events, volunteer opportunities, sense of belonging and connectivity (West Vancouver and Coldstream scored highest with 74% feeling a sense of belonging)
• Amenities: Recreational facilities, entertainment options, shopping centres, leisure opportunities (including cannabis stores, gyms, movie theatres, proximity to childcare, groceries, libraries, and parks)
• Transportation: Public transit system, accessibility, ease of getting around (North Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Victoria were the most walkable cities)
• Climate: Extreme weather conditions, seasonal variations (Winnipeg and Regina had the most days with temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius)

Top-Ranked Cities:

1. Pitt Meadows, BC
2. Victoria, BC
3. Winnipeg, MB
4. North Vancouver, BC
5. Saanich, BC
6. Wellesley, ON
7. Burlington, ON
8. Regina, SK
9. Delta, BC
10. Maple Ridge, BC

Key Takeaways:

• The study identified housing as a top priority for newcomers, resulting in higher weightage for this category in the ranking.
• While no city scored perfectly, the ranking provides a comprehensive overview of each city’s strengths and overall livability.
• Certain cities emerged as leaders across specific categories:
  • Economy: Oak Bay, Colwood, Norwich, Middlesex Centre, and Port Coquitlam had unemployment rates below 6%.
  • Healthcare: Over 88% of the population in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and North Vancouver had a regular healthcare provider.
  • Safety: Wellesley had the lowest likelihood of crime rate compared to the national average.
  • Transportation: North Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Victoria were the most walkable cities.

Skynet Immigration offers valuable insights for newcomers seeking a desirable Canadian city to settle in. By considering their individual priorities and aligning them with the strengths of each city, newcomers can make an informed decision about their future home in Canada.