LIVING

CITIES & TOWNS

Ontario has 445 towns and cities. Major destinations for newcomers are the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa – the capital of Canada – Hamilton, Windsor, London, and the region around Niagara Falls.

This section tells you about Ontario’s different communities and the unique lifestyles they feature.  It also provides information about Ontario’s regions, including northern Ontario cities like Sudbury.

Featured Region

The new Kingston newcomer website points you to information that can help you move there, get settled, and start your new life in the area. 

Discover more newcomer websites:

• Brantford - Brant
• Durham Region
• Kingston
• Lambton County
• The City of London
• Niagara Region
• North Bay
• The City of Ottawa
• Peel Region (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)
• Sault Ste. Marie
• Smiths Falls
• The City of Greater Sudbury
• Timmins
• The City of Toronto
• Waterloo Region
• The City of Windsor and the County of Essex
• York Region

Learn more:

About Ontario: Cities and Towns 

A complete list of all cities and towns in Ontario

City of Hamilton

Economic information about the cities and towns in Ontario

Profiles of the people in Ontario’s communities

Information on city governments in Ontario

Ontario road maps

A list of services for newcomers in Ontario by area

Go to the National Atlas of Canada online for maps and related information about Canada.

Ontario’s Regions

The Greater Toronto Area, located in southern Ontario, includes Canada's largest and most exciting city and the region stretching along the Lake Ontario shoreline. The Greater Toronto Area receives more than 80% of Ontario's immigrants.

Southwestern Ontario extends from the southernmost point of mainland Canada to the rocky beauty of the Bruce Peninsula. Its pleasures include renowned birding spots, limestone cliffs and the Grand River, world-class theatre at Canada's own Stratford Festival, and the cities of Guelph, London and Waterloo. Get more information about southwestern Ontario and learn about Windsor/Essex.

Niagara Falls and region, sheltered between two freshwater lakes - Lake Ontario and Lake Erie - has a micro-climate that now nourishes some of the world's great wine-producing grapes. It's also home to the theatre world's only Shaw Festival in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the mighty grandeur of Niagara Falls. Get more information about Niagara Falls and region.

Central Ontario's picturesque lakes, stunning inlets and rolling hills encompass the cottage country of Muskoka, the lake-filled land of the Kawartha Lakes Region and the rolling Haliburton Highlands. Take the time to visit with the friendly residents of Peterborough and Lindsay. Get more information about central Ontario.

Eastern Ontario is home to farm settlements, the historic Rideau Canal and the city of Kingston, nestled into the very spot where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Canada's capital city, Ottawa, is home to Canada's Parliament as well as museums, art galleries and shopping to satisfy the region's mix of francophone and anglophone residents. Get more information about eastern Ontario.

Northern Ontario is built on the Canadian Shield - the rocky remains of ancient mountain ranges and lakes sculpted by glaciers and centuries of erosion. Its rugged granite-hewn beauty is a delight to visitors and a source of Ontario's mineral wealth. Get more information about northern Ontario or learn about the City of Greater Sudbury.

To find out about the climate in Ontario, see our OntarioImmigration.ca Weather and Geography section.