Collingwood has dropped from the leader board on the Maclean's list of Canada’s Best Communities, falling from 22nd in 2019 to 89th in 2021.
The game changed this year, however, with Maclean's altering the criteria that qualify what is “best” about a community.
“Assuming remote work is here to stay, we ranked the same 415 communities across the country as we did the previous year, but with an eye toward great living for people who don’t have to worry about finding a job within commuting distance,” states the Maclean's overview for the 2021 list. “The question of where to live when you can work from anywhere is exactly what Maclean’s set out to answer with its post-pandemic version of our Best Communities ranking.”
The ranking eliminated unemployment rates and incomes, and focused more on affordable housing and internet access. As a result, Atlantic Canadian communities did better in the 2021 list.
“Halifax took the number one spot thanks to its affordable housing prices that come with all the benefits of city living: excellent health care, top-notch internet access and a wide variety of bars and restaurants,” stated Maclean's.
The 2021 list considers the following:
- Housing affordability
- Population growth
- Taxes
- Crime
- Weather
- Access to health care
- Amenities
- Community engagement
- Reliable internet connection (new this year)
The list has eliminated its categories for incomes and unemployment rates, distance to post-secondary institutions, and commuting methods.
In 2019, Collingwood scored high on the categories that are now eliminated, with commuting stats being one of the town’s top three attributes.
Also in the top three was culture and community because 2.3 per cent of the population of Collingwood was, at the time, employed in arts and recreation.
This year, however, Collingwood’s three highest-scoring features according to the Maclean’s ranking were internet access, population growth, and access to health care.
Internet quality was measured using testing data from Canadian Internet Registration Authority and quantified by indicating the number of household members able to do remote work or school on a single internet connection. In Collingwood, that number is 31.
Maclean’s also reported there are 48 doctors offices per 100,000 residents (or 4.8 per 10,000).
Collingwood is still a leading community in Simcoe County though, with only New Tecumseth ranked higher at 77.
Midland ranked at 98, Barrie ranked at 107, Wasaga Beach ranked at 136, Orillia at 271, and Bradford West Gwillimbury at 306. Clearview and Tiny Township were the lowest-ranked communities from Simcoe County at 365 and 373 respectively.
The Town of The Blue Mountains wasn't on the list, but neighbouring Meaford was ranked at 260 and Grey Highlands was ranked at 392.
The top-ranked Ontario town was St. Thomas, which was third on the list.
You can view the full ranking here.
