Toronto ranked throughout the high 20 in a brand new record of 100 finest cities to stay, go to and put money into, in 2026. 4 different Canadian cities additionally made it to the record.
The findings come from the 2026 World’s Greatest Cities Report, backed by data-driven evaluation from Resonance Consultancy, a British-Columbia-based advertising consultancy that makes a speciality of branding and advertising for cities, communities and locations.
The Canadian cities and their rankings
| Canadian metropolis | 2026 rating |
| Toronto | 17 |
| Vancouver | 41 |
| Montreal | 46 |
| Ottawa | 73 |
| Calgary | 85 |
Methodology
Resonance ranks principal cities (which have a inhabitants over 1 million) utilizing a “Place Energy” rating that blends exhausting stats with resident/customer sentiment, organized underneath three pillars—Livability, Lovability and Prosperity.
Livability seems to be on the perceived high quality of pure and constructed environments. Lovability seems to be at vibrancy by way of tradition, eating and nightlife. Prosperity consider the foundations that allow financial development and the attraction of expertise.
The High 100 cities have been decided utilizing a mix of core statistics and user-generated knowledge from on-line sources corresponding to Google, Instagram, and TikTok to measure high quality of place.
Toronto
Town really dropped two spots from final yr’s record the place it ranked within the fifteenth place.
Nonetheless, this yr’s record highlighted its development, highly-educated inhabitants and multiculturalism as some causes for its place within the seventeenth place – forward of cities corresponding to Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Melbourne, Bangkok and Osaka.
Vancouver
Ranked forty first this yr, Vancouver is profiled as a “attractive and sensible” metropolis whose expertise magnetism is powered by high tier air high quality, unbelievable universities, and new developments.
Montreal
At forty sixth, Montreal is credited with accelerating international buzz—due to its city initiatives, pedestrian-only predominant streets, robust universities, and rising innovation hubs.
Ottawa
Inserting 73rd, Ottawa has been credited as “quietly however decisively” reinventing itself and “asserting its personal cosmopolitan edge.”
The rising downtown area, recent investments in AI and tech, and academic institutions add to the lure.
Calgary
Calgary ranks eighty fifth on the 2026 record, highlighted for youthful demographics fueling tech and inventive development.
Up-coming city developments and a “robust price-to-income” affordability are additionally massive elements in serving to Calgary obtain this rating.
Canada not too long ago unveiled its immigration targets for 2026
Immigration known as out for 2 of the 5 Canadian cities within the 2026 World’s Greatest Cities report: Toronto is described as “Canada’s smart gateway for immigration,” with momentum that “retains the town among the many planet’s most coveted for immigrants,” with a majority of residents born exterior Canada; Ottawa is famous for a “quarter of residents born overseas,” with development “reflecting each rising immigration and a desire for central, transit-connected neighbourhoods.”
Final week, Canada launched its Immigration Ranges Plan 2026-2028, unveiling plans to welcome 380,000 everlasting residents in 2026. The federal government plans to allocate 64% of the upcoming yr’s PR admissions to financial immigration.
The newest Immigration Ranges Plan additionally elevated provincial immigration by 66% as in comparison with the earlier yr’s goal.
Serious about transferring to Canada?
Categorical Entry is the primary pathway to everlasting residence for expert newcomers. It manages three federal packages: the Federal Expert Employee Program (FSWP), Canadian Expertise Class (CEC) and Federal Expert Trades Program (FSTP).
Potential candidates should first assess whether or not they meet the minimal standards for one of many packages above.
Eligible candidates can then enter the pool by creating an internet profile with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and obtain a Complete Rating System (CRS) rating.
The CRS assigns factors for core human capital elements — work expertise, language proficiency, training, and extra.
IRCC holds attracts from the pool and points Invites to Apply (ITAs) to top-ranked candidates. The upper your CRS, the higher your probabilities of receiving an ITA for everlasting residence.
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