Cities & Towns

Ontario has 444 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.

Discover Ontario's different communities and their unique lifestyles

Northern
Ontario

Eastern Ontario

Southwestern Ontario Central Ontario

South Central Ontario Greater Toronto

The Greater Toronto Area

Located in southern Ontario, this area includes the City of Toronto, 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.

Visit the following municipal immigration portals to find information to help you settle in the:

City of Toronto
Durham Region
Halton Region
Peel Region (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon)
York Region

Southwestern Ontario

This region extends from the southernmost point of mainland Canada to the rocky beauty of the Bruce Peninsula, host of one of Canada's National Park. Its pleasures include renowned birding spots, limestone cliffs and the Grand River as well as world-class theatre at Canada's own Stratford Festival.

Visit the following municipal municipal immigration portals to find information to help you settle in the:

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South Central Ontario

South Central Ontario - sheltered between two freshwater lakes - Lake Ontario and Lake Erie - includes the Niagara region that has a micro-climate and 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.

Visit the following municipal immigration portals to find information to help you settle in the:

Central Ontario

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. It's also home of thriving cities.

Visit the following municipal immigration portals to find information to help you settle in the:

Eastern Ontario

The eastern part of the province 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.

Visit the following municipal immigration portals to find information to help you settle in the:

Northern 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.

Visit the following municipal immigration portals to find information to help you settle in the:

Ontario’s tap water is among the best protected in the world. You can have confidence our tap water is safe to drink. Visit Drinking Water Ontario for more information. To find out how to become a water or waste water operator contact the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office.

Learn more:

About Ontario: Cities and Towns

A complete list of all cities and towns in Ontario

The municipalities member of the Francophone Association of municipalities of Ontario (AFMO)

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 website for maps and related information about Canada.

See our Weather and Geography section to find out more about the climate in Ontario.

Will there be anyone to assist me when I arrive?

Make sure you prepare well before you arrive and that you have all of the documents you need. Try to arrange for a friend or a family member to meet you at the airport so that you get all of the help you need. Know that you can always use the Services Near Me directory to locate services and programs available in your community.
Where can I find information about my new community?

Visit our Cities and Towns section for municipal information or use the Services Near Me directory to locate services and programs available in your community. You can also contact your municipality for information on recreational activities in your area.
How do I apply for a Social Insurance Number?

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number required for temporary and permanent residents to work legally in Canada and to access government programs and benefits. You can apply for a SIN at a Service Canada office. Make sure you bring with you the required documents and a completed application form.
Where can I get a health card?

If you are eligible, you can obtain a health card from a Service Ontario centre. You will need to fill out an application form and take it with you along with additional documents when you apply for a health card.
How can I find a doctor?

You can find a doctor by searching the directory of doctors in Ontario. You may also use you local telephone directory to find a doctor in your community.
Where can I find a hospital?

You can find a listing of hospitals in Ontario on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Does the Ontario Government offer health insurance to immigrants?

Permanent residents, temporary workers, convention refugees and other specific groups may receive coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) three months after arriving in Ontario. Apply for public health insurance as soon as you arrive in order to ensure you are covered after your first three months. Find more information on OHIP eligibility and health care in Canada.
Where can I learn about Ontario's education system?

Find information about the school system and academic programs in Ontario.
Where can I go to improve my English?

Basic English language assessment and instruction for adults is available in Ontario. School boards also deliver English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for children and non-credit programs for adults. Use our language class wizard to find an English language training program near you.
How do I become a Canadian citizen?

The requirements and applications are available from the Government of Canada.