When it comes to parenting, not all Canadian cities are created equal. We looked at our provincial capitals and cities with a population of over 80,000 to find you the most family-friendly communities in the country.

By Selena Ross

For day-to-day parenting, it's the little things that count. We ranked all 42 cities in each of the following 11 categories to judge their family appeal.

Transit: With kids in tow, parents need to get around with minimum hassle.

Median age: A young population is one measure of a kid-friendly city.

Infant mortality: The best benchmark for the overall health of a region.

Mat leave: An extra couple of weeks can make a difference to a new mom.

Daycare: Finding a spot can be a pain, but some parents have it easier.

Cost of food: Getting healthy food into the mouths of babes is a parent priority.

Mom groups: The more clubs for moms, the more welcoming the area for kids.

Intimate-partner violence: High rates of domestic abuse have far-reaching...