Canada's Cities Need More Creativity, Says Richard Florida

"Canada's two biggest mega-regions - basically, the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal corridor and the West Coast - clearly put the country in the global game. Yet they pale in comparison with the world's largest mega-regions and cities, such as Greater Tokyo, Greater London or the powerhouse that stretches from Amsterdam to Antwerp and Brussels.

This country has done a reasonably good job of accommodating global talent, but it will have to do even better. To succeed, its cities must become destinations for the world's best and brightest. They must ensure that newcomers can use all of their skills and talents to contribute to the nation's economic prosperity.

This means greater diversity in the urban centres, and many more families living in the cores. It means more social dynamism and a real sense of equality at street level."