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October 12, 2014

Best Cities for Canadians with Disabilities

You may have seen this map, which looks like where Canadians go after Christmas, but in fact is something quite different.

And the article:

Ranking Names Best Cities For People With Disabilities

The US survey considers 23 variables.  Can we do something simpler for Canada?  Here's what I came up with.  A bit of a dog's breakfast of data, but probably not far off:

  • Population:  Bigger is surely better, with more access to jobs and teaching hospitals
  • Population Density:  Compactness means services are handier, transportation networks closer
  • Provincial Disability Rates:  If people with disabilities are already there, services must already be in place
  • Seniors:  Ditto people over 65
  • Receiving Adequate Care: Ditto
  • Cost of Living:  Cheaper is better (2002 = 100)
  • Income Gap - difference between median incomes for people with disabilities and median family incomes for CMAs - smaller is better, but Wow! Look at those numbers!

CMAs are ranked on the 7 variables, ranks are averaged, and then ranked again.  So all variables are given equal weight

Most of the variables in the US survey are at least indirectly accounted for except:

  • Climate - This is Canada.  Geez.
  • Health insurance - ditto


Here's the map, dozen best in green, dozen worst in red.  Vancouver is best.  Halifax, where I live is tied for 8th.  Edmonton is worst.



And a table to play with.  Click a header to sort.

Here are the data sources:


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