Two of Canada’s major cities, Toronto and Vancouver, have been recognized in a global ranking that evaluates cities on their ability to attract people, capital, and enterprises. The Global Power City Index (GPCI), published by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies in Japan, measures the appeal of cities based on six key factors: economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environment, and accessibility. Toronto outranks Vancouver on this list of the world’s most desirable cities, securing the 26th position, while Vancouver holds the 36th spot.

Global Power City Index (GPCI)

The GPCI takes a comprehensive approach to evaluate the strength and potential of cities. It allows us to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and challenges in a rapidly changing world, providing valuable insights beyond just a ranking. The cities are scored across six categories which are further divided into 72 sub-categories, leading to a maximum possible score of 2,700 points. London, Tokyo, and New York occupy the top three spots, showcasing their global attractiveness.

Toronto’s Performance

Toronto, Canada’s most populous city, holds the 26th position in the GPCI. While it scored well in economy, ranking 14th with a score of 251.6, it has room for improvement in areas such as cultural interaction and accessibility. The city’s cultural interaction, which considers factors like trendsetting potential, tourism resources, cultural facilities, visitor amenities, and international interaction, scored 86.1 out of 500. The city’s accessibility, impacted by traffic congestion and bike-friendliness, scored 140.2 out of 400 points.

Vancouver’s Performance

Vancouver, on the other hand, is ranked 36th on the GPCI. The city scored particularly well in the environment category, reflecting its robust environmental management, urban greenery, and biodiversity. However, its accessibility remains a challenge, scoring just 118.6 out of 400 points. This assessment considers factors like ease of access for international visitors, airport capacity, inner-city transportation, and overall transport comfort, including commute times, traffic, and bike-friendliness.

These rankings provide a roadmap for these cities, highlighting areas for improvement and helping them enhance their appeal to residents, visitors, and businesses. Addressing these issues can make Toronto and Vancouver even more attractive destinations, further solidifying Canada’s position on the global stage.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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