Pick a random city in Canada from 120 census municipalities: every one with 50,000 people or more in the 2021 Census, plus the capital and three largest of each province and territory. Iqaluit is as likely as Toronto.
Read the full guide
For a geography quiz or a road-trip game
Each card names the place and its province or territory, then its rank by population there and its 2021 Census count; a capital says so first. Choose a province or territory in the All of Canada dropdown: Ontario has 42 places on the list, Quebec 21 and British Columbia 20. For a quiz, press Hide all details and name the province's capital before you tap a card.
For a story setting
More filters adds Region, Size and Capitals. North keeps to the three territories, where Watson Lake, Yukon has 1,133 people. Names are in the census spelling, so Montréal and Québec carry their accents.
Tips
Victoria is the trap in a capitals round: British Columbia's capital is its 14th largest municipality.
A link ending in #province=ontario opens the page on Ontario's 42.
Questions and answers
What is the largest city in Canada?
Toronto, with 2,794,356 people in the 2021 Census, then Montréal with 1,762,949, Calgary with 1,306,784 and Ottawa with 1,017,449. Each count is for the municipality itself, not the metropolitan area around it.
What are the capital cities of Canada's provinces and territories?
St. John's, Charlottetown, Halifax, Fredericton, Québec, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton and Victoria for the provinces; Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit for the territories. Ottawa is the capital of Canada. Capitals, under More filters, draws only these 14.
Does the list include small towns?
A few. Below 50,000 people a place gets a card only as a capital or as one of the three largest municipalities of its province or territory, which is how Summerside, Prince Edward Island and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut come in.
Why do some cards say district municipality or hamlet?
That is the census's own word for the kind of municipality. Saanich and Langley in British Columbia are district municipalities, Halifax is a regional municipality, and Rankin Inlet and Arviat in Nunavut are hamlets.
Cape Breton, Nova ScotiaRegional municipality. 2nd largest in Nova Scotia by population. 93,694 people in the 2021 Census.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward IslandCapital of Prince Edward Island. Largest in the province by population. 38,809 people in the 2021 Census.
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador2nd largest in Newfoundland and Labrador by population. 27,168 people in the 2021 Census.
Fredericton, New BrunswickCapital of New Brunswick. 3rd largest in the province by population. 63,116 people in the 2021 Census.
Halifax, Nova ScotiaCapital of Nova Scotia. Regional municipality. Largest in the province by population. 439,819 people in the 2021 Census.
Lunenburg (municipal district), Nova ScotiaMunicipal district. 3rd largest in Nova Scotia by population. 25,545 people in the 2021 Census.
Moncton, New BrunswickLargest in New Brunswick by population. 79,470 people in the 2021 Census.
Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador3rd largest in Newfoundland and Labrador by population. 22,957 people in the 2021 Census.
Saint John, New Brunswick2nd largest in New Brunswick by population. 69,895 people in the 2021 Census.
St. John's, Newfoundland and LabradorCapital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Largest in the province by population. 110,525 people in the 2021 Census.
Stratford, Prince Edward Island3rd largest in Prince Edward Island by population. 10,927 people in the 2021 Census.
Summerside, Prince Edward Island2nd largest in Prince Edward Island by population. 16,001 people in the 2021 Census.
Show all 120 cities (108 more)
Central 63
Ajax, Ontario23rd largest in Ontario by population. 126,666 people in the 2021 Census.
Aurora, Ontario39th largest in Ontario by population. 62,057 people in the 2021 Census.
Barrie, Ontario16th largest in Ontario by population. 147,829 people in the 2021 Census.
Belleville, Ontario41st largest in Ontario by population. 55,071 people in the 2021 Census.
Blainville, Quebec18th largest in Quebec by population. 59,819 people in the 2021 Census.
Brampton, Ontario4th largest in Ontario by population. 656,480 people in the 2021 Census.
Brantford, Ontario26th largest in Ontario by population. 104,688 people in the 2021 Census.
Brossard, Quebec12th largest in Quebec by population. 91,525 people in the 2021 Census.
Burlington, Ontario13th largest in Ontario by population. 186,948 people in the 2021 Census.
Caledon, Ontario34th largest in Ontario by population. 76,581 people in the 2021 Census.
Cambridge, Ontario19th largest in Ontario by population. 138,479 people in the 2021 Census.
Châteauguay, Quebec21st largest in Quebec by population. 50,815 people in the 2021 Census.
Chatham-Kent, OntarioMunicipality. 27th largest in Ontario by population. 103,988 people in the 2021 Census.
Clarington, OntarioMunicipality. 28th largest in Ontario by population. 101,427 people in the 2021 Census.
Drummondville, Quebec15th largest in Quebec by population. 79,258 people in the 2021 Census.
Gatineau, Quebec4th largest in Quebec by population. 291,041 people in the 2021 Census.
Granby, Quebec16th largest in Quebec by population. 69,025 people in the 2021 Census.
Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury, Ontario15th largest in Ontario by population. 166,004 people in the 2021 Census.
Guelph, Ontario17th largest in Ontario by population. 143,740 people in the 2021 Census.
Halton Hills, Ontario38th largest in Ontario by population. 62,951 people in the 2021 Census.
Hamilton, Ontario5th largest in Ontario by population. 569,353 people in the 2021 Census.
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario33rd largest in Ontario by population. 79,247 people in the 2021 Census.
Kingston, Ontario22nd largest in Ontario by population. 132,485 people in the 2021 Census.
Kitchener, Ontario9th largest in Ontario by population. 256,885 people in the 2021 Census.
Laval, Quebec3rd largest in Quebec by population. 438,366 people in the 2021 Census.
Lévis, Quebec7th largest in Quebec by population. 149,683 people in the 2021 Census.
London, Ontario6th largest in Ontario by population. 422,324 people in the 2021 Census.
Longueuil, Quebec5th largest in Quebec by population. 254,483 people in the 2021 Census.
Markham, Ontario7th largest in Ontario by population. 338,503 people in the 2021 Census.
Mascouche, Quebec20th largest in Quebec by population. 51,183 people in the 2021 Census.
Milton, Ontario21st largest in Ontario by population. 132,979 people in the 2021 Census.
Mirabel, Quebec17th largest in Quebec by population. 61,108 people in the 2021 Census.
Mississauga, Ontario3rd largest in Ontario by population. 717,961 people in the 2021 Census.
Montréal, QuebecLargest in Quebec by population. 1,762,949 people in the 2021 Census.
Newmarket, Ontario31st largest in Ontario by population. 87,942 people in the 2021 Census.
Niagara Falls, Ontario30th largest in Ontario by population. 94,415 people in the 2021 Census.
Norfolk County, Ontario37th largest in Ontario by population. 67,490 people in the 2021 Census.
North Bay, Ontario42nd largest in Ontario by population. 52,662 people in the 2021 Census.
Oakville, Ontario11th largest in Ontario by population. 213,759 people in the 2021 Census.
Oshawa, Ontario14th largest in Ontario by population. 175,383 people in the 2021 Census.
Ottawa, OntarioCapital of Canada. 2nd largest in Ontario by population. 1,017,449 people in the 2021 Census.
Peterborough, Ontario32nd largest in Ontario by population. 83,651 people in the 2021 Census.
Pickering, Ontario29th largest in Ontario by population. 99,186 people in the 2021 Census.
Québec, QuebecCapital of Quebec. 2nd largest in the province by population. 549,459 people in the 2021 Census.
Repentigny, Quebec13th largest in Quebec by population. 86,100 people in the 2021 Census.
Richmond Hill, Ontario12th largest in Ontario by population. 202,022 people in the 2021 Census.
Saguenay, Quebec8th largest in Quebec by population. 144,723 people in the 2021 Census.
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec19th largest in Quebec by population. 57,239 people in the 2021 Census.
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec11th largest in Quebec by population. 97,873 people in the 2021 Census.
Saint-Jérôme, Quebec14th largest in Quebec by population. 80,213 people in the 2021 Census.
Sarnia, Ontario36th largest in Ontario by population. 72,047 people in the 2021 Census.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario35th largest in Ontario by population. 72,051 people in the 2021 Census.
Sherbrooke, Quebec6th largest in Quebec by population. 172,950 people in the 2021 Census.
St. Catharines, Ontario20th largest in Ontario by population. 136,803 people in the 2021 Census.
Terrebonne, Quebec10th largest in Quebec by population. 119,944 people in the 2021 Census.
Thunder Bay, Ontario25th largest in Ontario by population. 108,843 people in the 2021 Census.
Toronto, OntarioCapital of Ontario. Largest in the province by population. 2,794,356 people in the 2021 Census.
Trois-Rivières, Quebec9th largest in Quebec by population. 139,163 people in the 2021 Census.
Vaughan, Ontario8th largest in Ontario by population. 323,103 people in the 2021 Census.
Waterloo, Ontario24th largest in Ontario by population. 121,436 people in the 2021 Census.
Welland, Ontario40th largest in Ontario by population. 55,750 people in the 2021 Census.
Whitby, Ontario18th largest in Ontario by population. 138,501 people in the 2021 Census.
Windsor, Ontario10th largest in Ontario by population. 229,660 people in the 2021 Census.
Prairies 16
Airdrie, Alberta6th largest in Alberta by population. 74,100 people in the 2021 Census.
Brandon, Manitoba2nd largest in Manitoba by population. 51,313 people in the 2021 Census.
Calgary, AlbertaLargest in Alberta by population. 1,306,784 people in the 2021 Census.
Edmonton, AlbertaCapital of Alberta. 2nd largest in the province by population. 1,010,899 people in the 2021 Census.
Grande Prairie, Alberta9th largest in Alberta by population. 64,141 people in the 2021 Census.
Lethbridge, Alberta5th largest in Alberta by population. 98,406 people in the 2021 Census.
Medicine Hat, Alberta10th largest in Alberta by population. 63,271 people in the 2021 Census.
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan3rd largest in Saskatchewan by population. 37,756 people in the 2021 Census.
Red Deer, Alberta3rd largest in Alberta by population. 100,844 people in the 2021 Census.
Regina, SaskatchewanCapital of Saskatchewan. 2nd largest in the province by population. 226,404 people in the 2021 Census.
Saskatoon, SaskatchewanLargest in Saskatchewan by population. 266,141 people in the 2021 Census.
St. Albert, Alberta8th largest in Alberta by population. 68,232 people in the 2021 Census.
Steinbach, Manitoba3rd largest in Manitoba by population. 17,806 people in the 2021 Census.
Strathcona County, AlbertaSpecialized municipality. 4th largest in Alberta by population. 99,225 people in the 2021 Census.
Winnipeg, ManitobaCapital of Manitoba. Largest in the province by population. 749,607 people in the 2021 Census.
Wood Buffalo, AlbertaSpecialized municipality. 7th largest in Alberta by population. 72,326 people in the 2021 Census.
West Coast 20
Abbotsford, British Columbia5th largest in British Columbia by population. 153,524 people in the 2021 Census.
Burnaby, British Columbia3rd largest in British Columbia by population. 249,125 people in the 2021 Census.
Chilliwack, British Columbia13th largest in British Columbia by population. 93,203 people in the 2021 Census.
Coquitlam, British Columbia6th largest in British Columbia by population. 148,625 people in the 2021 Census.
Delta, British Columbia10th largest in British Columbia by population. 108,455 people in the 2021 Census.
Kamloops, British Columbia12th largest in British Columbia by population. 97,902 people in the 2021 Census.
Kelowna, British Columbia7th largest in British Columbia by population. 144,576 people in the 2021 Census.
Langley, British ColumbiaDistrict municipality. 8th largest in British Columbia by population. 132,603 people in the 2021 Census.
Maple Ridge, British Columbia15th largest in British Columbia by population. 90,990 people in the 2021 Census.
Nanaimo, British Columbia11th largest in British Columbia by population. 99,863 people in the 2021 Census.
New Westminster, British Columbia17th largest in British Columbia by population. 78,916 people in the 2021 Census.
North Vancouver (city), British Columbia20th largest in British Columbia by population. 58,120 people in the 2021 Census.
North Vancouver (district municipality), British ColumbiaDistrict municipality. 16th largest in British Columbia by population. 88,168 people in the 2021 Census.
Port Coquitlam, British Columbia19th largest in British Columbia by population. 61,498 people in the 2021 Census.
Prince George, British Columbia18th largest in British Columbia by population. 76,708 people in the 2021 Census.
Richmond, British Columbia4th largest in British Columbia by population. 209,937 people in the 2021 Census.
Saanich, British ColumbiaDistrict municipality. 9th largest in British Columbia by population. 117,735 people in the 2021 Census.
Surrey, British Columbia2nd largest in British Columbia by population. 568,322 people in the 2021 Census.
Vancouver, British ColumbiaLargest in British Columbia by population. 662,248 people in the 2021 Census.
Victoria, British ColumbiaCapital of British Columbia. 14th largest in the province by population. 91,867 people in the 2021 Census.
North 9
Arviat, NunavutHamlet. 3rd largest in Nunavut by population. 2,864 people in the 2021 Census.
Dawson, Yukon2nd largest in Yukon by population. 1,577 people in the 2021 Census.
Hay River, Northwest Territories2nd largest in the Northwest Territories by population. 3,169 people in the 2021 Census.
Inuvik, Northwest Territories3rd largest in the Northwest Territories by population. 3,137 people in the 2021 Census.
Iqaluit, NunavutCapital of Nunavut. Largest in the territory by population. 7,429 people in the 2021 Census.
Rankin Inlet, NunavutHamlet. 2nd largest in Nunavut by population. 2,975 people in the 2021 Census.
Watson Lake, Yukon5th largest in Yukon by population. 1,133 people in the 2021 Census.
Whitehorse, YukonCapital of Yukon. Largest in the territory by population. 28,201 people in the 2021 Census.
Yellowknife, Northwest TerritoriesCapital of the Northwest Territories. Largest in the territory by population. 20,340 people in the 2021 Census.
How this list was compiled: 120 rows picked by rule, not by hand, from Statistics Canada's 2021 Census of Population table 98-10-0002-01, Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities) (https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000201, downloaded as https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/tbl/csv/98100002-eng.zip and read 2026-10-01): every census subdivision with 50,000 people or more in the 2021 Census (103 of them), plus the three largest municipalities and the capital of each of the 10 provinces and 3 territories, so that all thirteen appear. Unorganized areas are not municipalities and are passed over, which matters only in Yukon. Adapted from Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0002-01, Population and dwelling counts: Canada and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2021 Census of Population. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product. The name is the census spelling (Montréal, Québec, Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury); the population is the 2021 Census count; the place inside the province or territory is the table's own province/territory population rank, which counts every census subdivision, so a row can come after an unorganized area or a reserve. The kind of municipality is the table's geographic area type (x.censusType) and is printed when it is not a city, a ville or a town: a district municipality, a regional municipality, a specialized municipality, a hamlet. Two pairs share a name and print the kind beside it: the city and the district municipality of North Vancouver, and Lunenburg, where the row is the municipal district of 25,545 people and not the town of the same name, which the table lists apart with 2,396 people. Provincial and territorial capitals are from the infobox of each province's and territory's English Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario and the twelve others, read 2026-10-01); Ottawa is marked as the capital of Canada from the Ontario article. The five regions are a common grouping and ours: Atlantic (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick), Central (Quebec, Ontario), Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta), West Coast (British Columbia) and North (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut). Licence: Adapted from Statistics Canada data under the Statistics Canada Open Licence (https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/reference/licence, read 2026-10-01); the wording of every line is ours.