Is Vancouver really Canada’s most livable city?

Matthew Coutts

If this doesn't incite a sudden rendition of O Canada, then almost nothing will.

Three Canadian cities have been ranked among the most livable cities in the world, maintaining their positive positions on the influential list released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary were named third, fourth and fifth on the EIU's Global Liveability Report.

[ Y! Finance: Vancouver the most expensive city to live in Canada ]

The trio ranked behind only Melbourne and Vienna – the top five has remained unchanged for the past three years. Before that, Vancouver had been considered the most livable city in the world.

The report ranks 140 cities from around the world and scores them in five categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

Vancouver's top-Canadian rank was secured thanks in part to perfect scores in health care, culture and education.

Here are the EIU's Top 10 and their overall rankings (out of 100):

  1. Melbourne, Australia: 97.5

  2. Vienna, Austria: 97.4

  3. Vancouver, Canada: 97.3

  4. Toronto, Canada: 97.2

  5. Calgary, Canada: 96.6

  6. Adelaide, Australia: 96.6

  7. Sydney, Australia: 96.1

  8. Helsinki, Finland: 96.0

  9. Perth, Australia: 95.9

  10. Auckland, New Zealand: 95.7

Despite the fact that Vancouver outscored Toronto by 0.1 points, the rankings are bound to incite a bout of civic pride.

So we ask: Is Vancouver really Canada's most livable city? And how do you think your home town should rank?