North Vancouver. Canada’s Most Livable City, Two Years Running.

North Vancouver was named Canada’s most livable city for the second year in a row, in the Globe and Mail’s large city category.

Awards like this can feel abstract, so it helps to ground them. The ranking looks at a broad set of measures across categories like economy, housing, demographics, healthcare, safety, education, transportation, and public amenities.  

Why the North Shore ranks well

Most people who live here already know the answer in their bones.

It’s access to nature, and the fact that nature is not “a weekend trip.” It’s part of daily life. It’s walkable neighbourhoods where errands and community spaces can be part of a normal day. And it’s public places that feel alive, like the Shipyards, along with parks, recreation, and local shopping areas that make the city feel connected.  

These things come from long-term investments, thoughtful design, and a lot of community effort.

The part worth sitting with

This recognition is worth celebrating. It also raises the bar.  

Livability isn’t a trophy you win once and then keep forever. It’s something you maintain. That means making deliberate choices and continuing to work together across the community.  

And the balancing act gets harder as a place becomes more desirable.

To stay genuinely liveable, we need to hold multiple truths at once:

• Growth is coming, and we should shape it rather than be surprised by it

• Affordability matters, or “liveable” becomes exclusive

• Infrastructure and accessibility need to keep pace with change

• Sustainability is not optional, it’s part of resilience and quality of life

A simple question to end on

If we want North Vancouver to remain a place where people can truly thrive, what do we protect as non-negotiable. And what do we improve next.