Calgary, Ottawa and Edmonton are in fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, behind Phoenix, Arizona. In total, 11 of the top 20 cities on the list are in Canada.
To arrive at these results, researchers Diana Petramala and Hannah Chan Smyth of the Center for Urban Planning Research at Ryerson University analyzed the most recent data from Statistics Canada as well as those from the United States Census Bureau for the period of 12 months ending July 1, 2019.
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America’s largest cities – New York, Los Angeles and Chicago – have seen their populations decline.
The data shows that New York City lost almost as many people as Toronto gained. During the period analyzed, the population of the Queen City increased by 45,742 people, while that of the American metropolis decreased by 53,264.
According to the Ryerson study, New York City was the one, among the Canadian and American cities analyzed, that experienced the largest decline in population last year.
Photo : Christina Toth
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Comparing metropolitan areas, the Greater Toronto Area fell from second in 2017-18 to first in 2018-19, overtaking the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington region. The population of the Canadian metropolis increased by 127,575 residents last year, about 10,000 more than the increase in the Dallas area.
Montreal, for its part, ranked sixth, with a net increase of 65,205 residents. Greater Vancouver, which saw its population increase by 39,045 people, is in 12th place.
Immigration still strong
The population boom in major Canadian cities is almost entirely attributable to immigration, according to the study. And experts believe the COVID-19 pandemic should not derail that trend.
In the long run, these cities remain attractive. Toronto remains well positioned to attract workers after crisis
, says researcher Diana Petramala.
Frenchman Jean Remy Bena moved to Toronto in February, just before the pandemic hit.
The last few months have not been easy at all. Between my job search and housing, it was a bit of a fog for me.
Yet it is the employment prospects and business opportunities that motivated the graphic designer to settle in the Queen City. It is a nerve center between Canada and the United States. I really like dynamic cities where things move
, he said.
Jean Remy Bena left Paris to settle in Toronto this year.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Philippe de Montigny
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Toronto lawyer Joël Étienne says the immigration cases he deals with held up during the health crisis. The calls and enthusiasm for immigration to Canada have not been affected at all, on the contrary
, he said.
You have a whole host of people who have been disillusioned with their own countries over COVID-19.
Architect and urban planner Éric Turcotte says that some Canadian cities, such as Toronto, will however have to adjust to underinvestment in housing, infrastructure and public transport. You don’t just have to spread out, you really need well-structured growth
, he said.
Éric Turcotte, architect and urban planner at Urban Strategies in Toronto.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Pierre-Olivier Bernatchez
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He adds that the lack of parks and green spaces is all the more glaring during the health crisis, as Torontonians try to take advantage of the good weather while maintaining physical distancing.
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