How London Measures Up:
Rankings & Performance Reports

London Ranked 10th Smartest City in Canada

London is one of Canada's smartest cities, according to Macleans magazine's smartest cities survey for 2010. In its annual rankings, London has moved up to 10th place out of more than 4,500 Canadian cities and communities. Also tied for 10th with an overall score of 81 points are Toronto, Hamilton and Winnipeg. Last year London was ranked 19th.

The rankings are based on the Canadian Council on Learning's (CCL) 26 measures which form the Composite Learning Index (CLI). The measures are grouped into four pillars of learning, a framework originally developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and include learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be. The measures include data on formal education, graduation rates, number of vocational schools within driving distance, how many people volunteer, how many are active in clubs, as well as per capita spending on books, museums, art galleries and sports and recreation.

Next Generation Consulting
2009-2010 Canada Version

Next Cities? are places with the assets and amenities that attract and keep a young, educated workforce. They are hotspots because they nurture the attributes and attitudes the next generation values.

Next Generation Consulting group these attributes into seven indexes: Vitality, Earning, Learning, After Hours, Around Town, Cost of Lifestyle and Social Capital.

London ranks ninth in the Canada Version of  "Next City hotspots."

London has consistently ranked among the top cities as one of the place to live in Canada. MoneySense Magazine released its 2011 "Best Places to Live" rankings with London in the 14th position out of 180 communities across Canada. We rank 4th among Ontario cities after Ottawa-Gatineau, Burlington and Kingston.

In order to determine the rankings, MoneySense rates communities on more than 20 different factors most likely to affect residents' long-term happiness - for example, the chances of landing a good job, affording a nice home, and having access to high-quality medical care.

The City of London received the highest possible rating - Aaa - from Moody's Investors Service. An independent source for credit ratings, research and risk analysis, operating internationally, An independent source for credit ratings, research and risk analysis, operating internationally. A prudent, conservative approach to fiscal planning - including debt management and building of reserves - were among the reasons for the top rating cited in Moody's report issued 2010.

BMA Management Consulting

Produced annually by the consulting firm BMA, this report encompasses economic and demographic characteristics such community  public safety needs and demands for capital improvements and social services.

The results presented show a comparison to the overall survey average of 83 Ontario municipalities as well as a comparison to the average within the geographic location. Also available is the consultant's 2009 London Report.

Developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Quality of Life Reporting System (QOLRS) measures, monitors and reports on the quality of life in Canadian urban municipalities using data from a variety of national and municipal sources.

The QOLRS is a member-based initiative whose participants represent 23 communities in seven provinces.The FCM reporting system marks the first time that municipal governments in Canada have worked together to develop a policy and planning system on a national scale for quality of life issues ranging from income, shelter and necessities to social change and the urban environment.

Top Five Awards
- Best Economic Potential
- Most Cost Effective

Foreign Direct Investment (fDi)

Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) in its 2007/2008 rankings identified London as being "'Top Ten - Overall" in its "Cities of the Future" awards based on research indicators such as regional economic performance, location costs, quality of life, transport, IT infrastructure, business regulation, tax and human resources.

London also received two "Top five" fDi awards - "Best Economic Potential" and "Most Cost Effective." These rankings were earned in the grouping of North American cities with a population between 100,000 and 500,000.

The services considered in terms of spending efficiency range  range from police and fire protection  to libraries, sports facilities and social housing. Compared to the OMBI median, 75 per cent (15 of 20) service areas ranked on par or above the median of peer municipalities.  Compared to the City of London 2010 results, 70 per cent (14 of 20) service areas performed consistently or better than the previous year.