One doesn’t need to visit Canada to know that the country has a high standard of living. It’s one of the best places to live in the world. But like all countries, Canada has some bad places too. So, what’re the worst places to live in Canada.
The worst places to live in Canada get that tag because they have one quality or another that makes them uncomfortable or even dangerous for residents. They include Port Alberni, Miramichi, Sarnia, North Battleford, Thompson, St. John, Iqaluit, and Dolbeau-Mistassini. But they aren’t completely bad.
Regardless of the blemishes of these cities, some of them are still quite livable, But their negative qualities mean they aren’t advisable for those planning to relocate, and if you move there, you should be prepared. This article examines some of the worst places to live in Canada.
The Worst Places to Live in Canada
Beautiful and friendly Canada has places that aren’t so exciting to live in. here are some of those places.
1. Quesnel, BC
Quesnel is the most dangerous city in British Columbia with a Crime Severity Index (CSI) of 292.
The crime rate here is 372% above the national average and violent crimes are more than double the national average. But property crimes are the most prevalent in this city.
With just over 10,000 people living here, one would expect Quesnel to be a quaint and peaceful city, but it’s not beyond the crime rate, employment conditions in Quesnel aren’t exactly excellent.
But at least the cost of living is commensurate.
2. Miramichi, NB
Miramichi isn’t the most welcoming place to live, especially for outsiders.
It has several homophobic residents who have exhibited their discrimination in public on many occasions.
When the city placed rainbow stamps at the city hall to support the LGBT community, many stamps were defaced or removed.
Beyond its discrimination towards the LGBT community and outsiders, Miramichi is a good place with a livability score of 69/100.
3. Sarnia, ON
Sarnia hosts a notable selection of factories, all of which contribute greatly to the pollution in the city.
In addition, the Chemical Valley is a major part of this city that contains several chemical plants, which represents significant environmental concerns for residents.
Even though the city has been making efforts to reduce pollution, it’s still significant enough to represent a major problem both in the short-term and long term.
According to recent research, children who grew up in Sarnia are at higher risk of developing asthma due to their exposure to the air in the city.
4. North Battleford, SK
North Battleford is the second most dangerous city in Canada.
That sums up why it’s one of the worst places to live in the country and why you should think twice about moving there.
Its crime severity index is the highest in the country at 385.
Moreover, crime is increasing here, with the total crime rate being 495% above the national average, while property crimes and violent crimes are 503% and 495% higher, respectively.
5. Dolbeau-Mistassini, QC
Lack of amenities, pollution, poor employment conditions, and below-average schools are some reasons this city is a bad place to live.
For example, the paper mill is one of the major industries in the city, but it’s also a major producer of pollution.
In addition, the stench from the paper mill could be too strong at times, making it uncomfortable for those who aren’t used to it.
6. St. John’s, NF
St.John is on this list for only one reason, its dreary weather.
The city has one of the worst weather in Canada, with only the summer months of July and August being comfortable.
Every other month is cold or foggy or wet.
For about 167 days of the year, the weather here is around 0 °C. It has an average of 66 days a year when the temperature doesn’t rise above 0 °C.
Rain and fog are also quite common. So, unless you enjoy dull weather that has you staying indoors for most days, St. John’s might not be the place for you.
Beyond the bad weather, the city is quite okay with nothing exceptional about it.
It has a livability score of 64, with its biggest positives being the cost of living and amenities.
7. Thompson, MB
There are two major reasons to think twice about living in Thompson.
Its crime rates and harsh winters. The city is the most dangerous place in Canada, largely because of its violent crime rates.
It has a total crime rate that is 865% higher than the Canadian average.
Violent crimes and property crimes are also 978% and 828% above the national average.
It’s not just your safety that you have to be concerned about if you decide to stay in Thompson, MB.
The winter is another challenge you’ll have to grapple with.
Temperature can drop to as low as –29.3 °C during the coldest months.
Snow starts falling as early as October, and you can expect rain to fall even in the coldest months of the year.
Considering these factors with its average livability of 63/100, Thompson isn’t just worth the trouble.
8. Iqaluit, NU
There’s almost no reason anyone would want to move to this city. Even though it’s the capital city of Nunavut, it’s isolated from other Canadian cities, which means the only way to reach the city is by air. Beyond that, the cost of living here is also high, with the food price being costlier compared to other parts of Canada. Finally, despite its remoteness.
These factors, coupled with below-average employment conditions and schools, as well as average amenities, give it a livability rating of 42/100.
But that’s not all. The winter here is perhaps the biggest reason not to move here. The only month, when it doesn’t snow in Iqaluit is July.
You can expect snow every other month with temperatures dropping as low as –30.9 °C. There are even days without sunlight here.
In Conclusion
There are several wonderful places in Canada for you to stay. But some places have negative qualities that make them less preferable. However, the list isn’t exhaustive, and even the places on this list still have a few positive features.