Oh, Canada. Canada has the highest literacy rate, the longest average lifespan, and the most highly educated population in the world. We also have free healthcare, and most of us sleep feeling safe if we neglect to lock our doors from time to time, enjoying a comparatively low rate of crime. But are some areas in Canada more glorious and free than others?
When it comes to your children, I know you are interested in the best of the best. So, if your thinking of starting a family and brainstorming possible cities to start out the child-adorned chapter of your life in, or if your looking for a city to start your family’s life in anew, or if your just self-lovingly and self-interestedly Canadian like the rest of us, grab your timmy’s and read on about those cities that, with glowing hearts, are seen to be rising above the others as some the best destinations for families in Canada.
1.Ottawa
Of all the cities on this list, Ottawa stands out as having the least negative points or drawbacks—and not just because we’re being politely Canadian to our Canadian capital. Clean, green, and anything but mean, Ottawa is a quiet but convincing contender for the best city in the country to raise kids. Ottawa scores high for cultural attractions and parks, and despite its reasonably sized population, still frequently rates as one of the safest places to live in Canada. Ontario is thought to provide some of the best health care in Canada, with shorter waiting lists and fewer childhood injuries. They also spend the second-highest amount per-child on childcare, second only to Quebec. One tiny area where Ottawa may fall behind other top spots is their, ahem, less than hyper-speed transit system, so, as long as you don’t mind driving, get that car down to Ottawa, turn on the radio, and enjoy the view.
2.Quebec City
A harmonious blend of old-worldly heritage and progressive thinking, Quebec City proudly preserves and encourages its cultural heritage, spending the highest amount per capita on its numerous parks, recreational areas, museums, and festivals. Though they may seem a little fascist in their “language laws” to other provinces, they are remarkably progressive in a lot of areas that really count for kids. They have the most progressive (and I would say the best) childcare system available in the country, offering refunds for up to 70% of childcare costs, and free dental care for children under the age of 10. The big difference between Quebec and other provinces is in their approach to maternity/paternity leave. Canada’s federal Employment Insurance Program entitles employees who meet minimum hours-worked requirements equal to 55% of the employee’s salary (up to a maximum of $413 per week), while, meanwhile, the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan entitles employees to benefits equal to 70% of weekly income (up to $767 per week). Quebecois fathers aren’t shy to take advantage of these benefits, and are 10 times more likely to take paternity leave for their children than men in any other province, making them very contemporary, metropolitan men indeed.
3.Victoria, BC
Victoria may now be crowned queen of the trendy BC cities attracting young families. It wasn’t so long ago that Vancouver dominated Canadian cities in both popularity and critical acclaim, but their obscenely high housing costs, as well as risen crime and pollution rates have been getting them bad press recently. Vancouver has now dropped to number 29 on MoneySense’s “Best Places to Live in Canada” list, while Victoria has skyrocketed to #2. While Victoria still has some of the highest real estate prices in Canada, Moneysense cites its steady job market and ease of biking and walking to work as balancing factors. Victoria is one of the most highly rated Canadian cities for childcare, and has the second-highest ratio of parks of people, next to Vancouver. Downsides to Victoria are its high poverty rates and somewhat weak sense of community spirit. Richmond is another city moving up in the line-up of “cool kids” of BC cities, recently reported by Stats Canada to have the longest life expectancy rates in all of Canada, living 83.4 years—almost 4 years longer than the national average. This is thought to be due to its low obesity and smoking rates, so if you are an ex-smoker who would feign see your child go down the same smoky path as you did in your past (or see yourself go down it again, for that matter), peers may be a good influence here! Richmond is also creeping up along with the other Lower Mainland “cool kids” of BC for high real estate prices, but both Victoria and Richmond are smaller cities with a more open job market and lower costs of living. Just wait for our Victoria moving companies and moving companies in Richmond to call you with their quotes—I would wage a guess that these would be notably lower than moving expenses in Vancouver.
This was just a quick trim off the “crème de la the double-double” of Canadian cities, and of course the best destination for your family depends on your personal situation, not on statistics. However, if I had to pick three Canadian cities that stand out like the three main points of the “Canadian maple leaf of child-rearing”, I’d pick these ones.
