Greater Sudbury Sits In Bottom Half Of Canada’s Best Communities & That’s Complete Hogwash

If you looked at the MacLean’s Magazines Canada’s Best Communities 2021 you would be hoping that Greater Sudbury was near the top. However, this isn’t the case and we are somewhat flabbergasted over this. 

MacLean’s Magazine uses a number of factors when determining which city will rank where on the list. These factors include affordability, population growth, taxes, crime, weather, health, amenities, community and internet access. 

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It is understandable that when you factor in some of these categories that our ranking will take a bit of a beating. Nonetheless is it the beating that we deserve? We disagree. 

Greater Sudbury is surrounded by lakes and beaches. We have a number of amenities that we have written about over the past year as well. 

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However, if you talk to most people on the street, which is something we will do when the lockdowns are done, you will find a tale of disenfranchised citizens who think we could have more and pay less in our city. 

It’s no secret that the infrastructure in Greater Sudbury is somewhat lacklustre and only a handful of politicians can make the case to contrary. So how did Greater Sudbury score on this list and why are we in the bottom half when so many people are so happy to call the Nickel City home?

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Also who in Northern Ontario beat us? Being the self proclaimed gateway to the North means we must know who beat us and why. The information below might give you an eye opener on what or how we can improve. 

Greater Sudbury

Rank: 

262 in Canada 

93 in Ontario

Notable Northern Ontario Cities That Ranked Higher:

Thunder Bay (254)

Sault Ste. Marie (211)

North Bay (253)

More about Greater Sudbury From MacLean’s

Population: 166,285

Average value of primary real estate: $301,003

Property tax as percent of average income: 1.7%

Provincial tax rate for average family: 44%

Weather Factors

Days per year with rain or snow: 166

Days per year above 0ºC: 186

Days per year above 20ºC: 95

Health, Safety and Community Factors

5-year average of Crime Severity Index in area covered by local police service*: 73

Doctors’ offices per 100,000 residents: 166

Number of household members able to do remote work or school on a single internet connection**: 14

*lower is better, national average = 73

**based on testing by Canadian Internet Registration authority. Number reflects capacity at the midpoint between the best and worst test results found in community. For more, see our methodology.