What is this based on? It’s size? - Montreal and Vancouver would be closer to it in size if they annexed all the small outlying communities. It’s not the capital. What an odd statement.
There are lots of different facets of “Canada” - but it’s hard to think of a province more Canadian than Quebec. Hell, every tourist trap in every province flogs little bottles of “Canadian maple syrup” to represent “Canada” to people from away. But if you’re Canadian and care about maple syrup, you take care to get these big-ass tins from Quebec, 'cuz that’s the real deal. 
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Toronto is Canada’s most important city and it’s not unreasonable to use the population of a city as a general measure of it’s importance.
As per Wikipedia, Here are the metropolitan populations of:
Toronto 5.1 million
Montreal 3.6 million
Vancouver 2.1 million
Toronto’s got a pretty good lead, there.
But what about relation to GDP and locations of head offices? TO is still number one, but Calgary is quickly catching up and is in the number two spot right now, ahead of both Montreal and Van. Businesses are moving West, and a lot of our Canadian wealth comes from the Western provinces. I’d say that the most ‘important’ city in Canada is no longer TO, or won’t be for much longer.
My first thought was Vancouver, a city in which I’ve lived for years and really love. It has a fusion of multiple cultures, and is beautiful. My second thought was St. John’s, as it’s a li’l gem of history, and it’s one of the most not-American city in Canada.
That said, I’ve picked Montreal, as the fundamental bedrock on which the country was built is the sometimes uneasy partnership of Francophones and Anglophones in building a country that strives toward consensus and the greater good.
Nobody picked Moncton? 
C’mon, we have…um…well, we have…
OK, we have nothing. Go to Montreal or Quebec City. Beautiful cities IMO.
I picked Montreal because I felt that it’s a good compromise of several parts of Canada, but I think Ottawa would be the winner for people who aren’t interested in nightlife or Francophone culture.
Who the hell picked Regina? I mean, I live here, but it’s not exactly the city I’d pick to represent Canada. At least it’s not Winterpeg though. 
I picked Victoria, nice place, nice climate. We can ease them in…
Because foreign tourists just love to visit cities and walk down the streets with someone citing GDP and other economic data and pointing out the head offices of companies they aren’t familiar with. I know when I travel, that’s what I want to see! 
I’m not a Canadian, have been to St. Johns Newfoundland, don’t totally recomend it as a holiday destination.
But I totally recomend Vancouver, absalouty brilliant,went to the planetarium, the beach, the resteraunts, and it has some of the most beautiful women in the world.
Apart from that it had the Peruvian Pan Pipe Buskers who seem to follow me every where in the fucking world, I’m sure that they’re intelligence oficers from the Russian Federation.
Yes I’m pointing at you arsehole.
We were discussing importance in the quoted paragraph, not specifically things that are of interest to tourists. If we are just talking about interesting things to see and architecture in the city to be visited, I wouldn’t suggest TO then, either.
:dubious:
Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, Casa Loma, Yorkville, Yonge Street. That’s just to get you started for the first four or five days.
(I voted for Ottawa, by the way.)
Toronto is by far the largest city in size, compared by total metropolitan communities. Neither Montreal nor Vancouver are anywhere near it, even if they annexed all the surrounding communities.
Oh, I know, it just made me laugh. Kind of a funny reminder of what matters to residents isn’t necessarily what’s interesting to visitors!
Or food.
I’d rather spend a day of two in Vancouver than a week in Toronto.
I’ll give Ottawa credit for The Works, though. Then again, they’ve expanded and you can go to one in Kingston and London…oooh and Guelph. Guelph is a pretty town!
I like Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, and Halifax well enough… but I’d have to say that Montreal is the most “Canadian” city, based on the impressions of an American tourist.
Montreal is the closet major city to my home in northern Vermont - two hours away vs four for Boston and six for New York.
And a person visiting Boston would have visited New England , no longer typical of the rest of America, the south, the midwest and the west coast.
I see Quebec City somewhat like Boston as a political and cultural capital of a distinct region with a history that goes back before the formation of the country and having an instrumental hand in the formation of said country.
Quebec the province used to be called Lower Canada, and though I’ve never been there, I would expect to be stimulated way more by what it has to offer the tourist than any other city in Canada.
HongKongFooey:
Magnetic Hill is fun. And it’s a nice centralized location for exploring all of the maritime provinces.
(I’m not a Canadian, so I didn’t vote in the poll. But I’ve been to all 10 provinces.)
I couldn’t suggest any one city, but having driven across this country a few times, I could suggest a few drives:
Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City: Start in the business and financial capital of the country, where people still live downtown and neighbourhoods rule. In addition to Frank’s suggestions above, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the University of Toronto, and the Science Centre are worth a visit. Don’t forget pro sports (Maple Leafs and Blue Jays), and the arts scene at all the theatres and clubs.
Head east on the 401–go though Kingston and see the fortifications built for the War of 1812, when the Americans might have attacked at any time. Head for Montreal, with its cosmopolitan mix of French and English in a modern, vibrant city. Climb Mount Royal, or take a horse-and-carriage up there; enjoy some of the best deli food in Canada (before it closed, I always visited Ben’s for a Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich and a beer; but Schwartz’s is good too), and see sights like St. Joseph’s Oratory and McGill University. Or, attend a Canadiens hockey game. Then on to Quebec City via the A20, to visit the old city that might as well be in Europe: old buildings, twisty streets, and a joie de vivre you won’t find elsewhere.
Halifax-Sydney-St. John’s: Most of the convoys that supplied the UK in WWII started here, and the harbour shows you why–it is so well protected. Lots of great pubs and uniquely Maritime music; and handy to Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay, and Lunenburg, and other touristy places. Head north for Canso, and enter Cape Breton Island, which still isn’t sure if it’s a part of Canada or not–some Cape Bretoners still speak the Gaelic their ancestors brought from Scotland, and resent the building of the Canso Causeway. Head for Sydney and area, via the left-hand side of the Bras d’Or Lakes–don’t lose your lunch driving up and down the Cabot Trail or Kelly’s Mountain. Spend some time in the area–the coal mines of Glace Bay have been shut down and are now a tourist attraction; and Fortress Louisbourg is worth a visit.
Get the ferry to Newfoundland. If you can, get the North Sydney-Argentia ferry, which is an ocean voyage (and only 60 miles or so to St. John’s from Argentia); but if not, take the one to Port aux Basques, which means you have to drive 500 miles across the island to St. John’s–a scenic and interesting route in itself. Either way, in St. John’s, you’ll enjoy great seafood, plenty of history, and lots of places playing traditional Newfoundland music–indeed, one street is nothing but pubs.
Calgary-Kamloops-Vancouver-Victoria: Calgary has a lot to offer–enjoy the arty community of Kensington, or join in the fun on 17th Avenue when the Flames play and win. In summer, there is the Calgary Stampede, the Blues Fest on Prince’s Island, and Shakespeare-in-the-Park; and in winter, go ice skating on the lagoons of Bowness. Head west on Highway 1 into Banff, and you’re in the Rocky Mountains. Further west, and you’re in Lake Louise before heading for the Kicking Horse Pass and Yoho National Park. Watch a train loop over itself at the Spiral Tunnels, and if possible, drive to Takkakaw Falls. Continue west on Highway 1, with mountains always surrounding you.
Kamloops is a good stopping point after going through Revelstoke. From there, head for Vancouver via BC Highway 5 (the Coquilhalla Highway, the fast route) or the original Route 1 (more scenic, the slow route). Either will get you into Vancouver, where you’ll find a temperate climate, a thriving nightlife, and beautiful beaches and parks. And the Vancouver Canucks, for hockey. If you’re really feeling up to it, head to Tsawassen and take the ferry to Vancouver Island and the provincial capital of Victoria–a beautiful little city that I need to visit again soon.
See, I can’t name just one city! 