Politics & Governance / Public Policy / Urban Planning & Governance

Why Canadians Pay More to Live in These Cities: Quality of Life vs. Productivity

David Albouy, Fernando Leibovici, Casey Warman

Based on the NBER working paper by David Albouy, Fernando Leibovici, and Casey Warman, this video breaks down the real economic trade-offs behind Canada's most desirable cities. Using the Rosen-Roback framework, it reveals why Victoria tops quality of life rankings while Toronto leads in productivity, and how Vancouver emerges as the overall winner. You'll discover that climate and culture matter more than you think, and that big city amenities—not natural resources—drive Canadian preferences. No academic jargon, just the surprising facts that explain why some cities are worth the high rent.