![Raising a family in a Canadian city](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/best-canadian-cities-to-raise-a-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Ranking the 42 Best Cities in Canada to Raise a Family
Sources: Statistics Canada, the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, city workers, city websites, municipalities, meetup.com. All information is from 2006, except for infant-mortality rates, which are a three-year average taken from 2005 to 2007.
What makes one Canadian city better than another when it comes to raising a family? Often times, it’s the little things that count. We ranked 42 Canadian cities in each of the following 11 categories to judge their family appeal.
Transit: With kids in tow, parents need to get around with minimum hassle.
Median age: A young population is one measure of a kid-friendly city.
Infant mortality: The best benchmark for the overall health of a region.
Mat leave: An extra couple of weeks can make a difference to a new mom.
Daycare: Finding a daycare spot can be a pain, but some parents have it easier.
Cost of food: Getting healthy food into the mouths of babes is a parent priority.
Mom groups: The more clubs and support groups for moms, the more welcoming the area for kids.
Intimate-partner violence: High rates of domestic abuse have far-reaching societal consequences.
Child and youth victims of crime: How dangerous will the streets be for your kids?
Libraries:Â Libraries are a good place to connect with others; and the closer by, the better.
Park space: Playing and picnics mean quality time for families.
Next card: The best cities in Canada to raise a family. Where does your city rank?
![St John's, Newfoundland](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/st-johns-newfoundland.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Cities #42 – 37
42. St. John’s, N.L. (above)
Population: 165,346
41. Lethbridge, Alta.
Population: 83,679Â
40. Whiterock, B.C.
Population: 82,368
39. Fredericton, N.B.
Population: 61,522
38. Kelowna, B.C.Â
Population: 141,767
37. Saskatoon, Sask.
Population: 222,035
Find out why Saskatoon is Canada’s next great culinary destination.
![Aurora borealis over Whitehorse, Yukon](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/whitehorse-yukon-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Cities #36 – 31
36. Nanaimo, B.C.
Population: 88,799
35. Whitehorse, Y.T. (above)
Population: 20,562
34. Red Deer, Alta.
Population: 90,207
33. Sudbury, Ont.
Population: 106,840
32. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.
Population: 83,053
31. Brantford, Ont.
Population: 93,650
![Legislative Assembly, Regina, Sask.](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/regina-saskatchewan-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Cities #30 – 26
30. Regina, Sask. (above)
Population: 192,756
29. St. Catharines – Niagara, Ont.
Population: 309,319
28. Saint John, N.B.
Population: 95,902
27. Chicoutimi – Jonquière, Que.
Population: 106,666
26. Thunder Bay, Ont.
Population: 102,222
Next, a newcomer to the Great White North reveals what he wishes he’d known before moving to Canada.
![Charlottetown, PEI](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/charlottetown-pei-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Cities #25 – 21
25. Winnipeg, Man.
Population: 671,551 (Check out these unforgettable things to do in Winnipeg.)
24. Barrie, Ont.
Population: 166,634
23. Victoria, B.C.
Population: 316,327
22. Yellowknife, N.W.T.
Population: 18,352
21. Charlottetown, P.E.I. (above)
Population: 42,602
![Vieux Quebec, Quebec City](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/quebec-city-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Cities #20 – 16
20. Edmonton, Alta.
Population: 960,015
19. Abbotsford, B.C.
Population: 149,855
18. Québec, Que. (above)
Population: 696,946
17. London, Ont.
Population: 366,191 (Would you believe London is also the pet-pampering capital of Canada?)
16. Trois-Rivières, Que.
Population: 126,460
![Public park, Halifax, N.S.](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/halifax-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Cities #15 – 11
15. Oshawa, Ont.
Population: 290,937
14. Halifax, N.S. (above)
Population: 297,943
13. Kingston, Ont.
Population: 117,787
12. Moncton, N.B.
Population: 107,086
11. Kitchener, Ont.
Population: 444,681
![Cute house in Vancouver, BC](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/vancouver-bc-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
Cities #10 – 6Â
10. Peterborough, Ont.
Population: 80,660
9. Hamilton, Ont.
Population: 670,580
 8. Toronto, Ont.Â
Population: 5,132,794Â
7. Vancouver, B.C. (above)
Population: 2,135,201
6. Montréal, Que.
Population: 3,407,963Â
Don’t miss our countdown of the top 10 must-see Montreal attractions.
![Windsor, Ont.](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/windsor-ontario-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
5. Windsor, Ont.
Population: 276,165
Median Age: 40
Why it’s great for families: Low cost of food, solid number of mom social groups, and among the lowest infant mortality rates in the country.
![Calgary, Alberta](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/calgary-alberta-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
4. CalgaryÂ
Population: 1,095,404
Median Age: 36
Why it’s great for families: Great access to park spaces and public transit, low violent crime rates, and one the youngest median ages in the country. Check out more amazing things to do in Calgary.
![Covered bridge in Guelph, Ontario](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/guelph-ontario-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
3. Guelph, Ont.
Population: 122,362
Median Age: 38
Why it’s great for families: Numerous mom groups, easy access to public transit, and among the lowest food costs in the country.
Psst—this is the province with the longest walk-in clinic wait times in Canada.
![Ottawa, Ontario](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ottawa-is-one-of-the-best-canadian-cities-to-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
2. Ottawa-Gatineau, Ont./Que.
Population: 933,596 Â
Median age: 39
Why it’s great for families: Easy access to libraries, the lowest violent crime rate in the country, and great public transit, with a fifth of the population taking buses to work. You can also enjoy these great day trips from Ottawa.
![Town Hall in Sherbrooke, Quebec](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/sherbrooke-quebec-best-cities-in-canada-raise-family.jpg?fit=700%2C525)
1. Sherbrooke, Que. – The Best City in Canada to Raise a Family
Population: 140,628
 Median Age: 40
Why it’s great for families: Some of the lowest rates of child and partner crime in the country, great access to mom groups and daycares, and Quebec’s generous 18-week maternity leave policy.