Canadian car ownership and commuting patterns are increasingly shaped by geography, with new data from car-sharing platform Turo highlighting a widening gap between major urban markets.
The analysis identifies Toronto as the least car-dependent large city in Canada, while Calgary ranks as the most reliant on personal vehicles. The findings reflect how density, infrastructure and commuting patterns are influencing transportation behaviour across regions.
According to the data, 39 per cent of Toronto commuters travel to work by car, compared with 51 per cent in Calgary and 28 per cent in Montreal. Vancouver sits between those markets, with 41 per cent of commuters relying on a personal vehicle.
Ownership levels show a similar divide. Calgary leads with 93 per cent of residents reporting they own or lease a vehicle, followed by Edmonton at 91 per cent. Toronto trails at 74 per cent, reflecting greater access to transit and alternative transportation options.
The report also highlights differences in usage. In Calgary, 73 per cent of residents say they drive daily, compared with 63 per cent in Toronto and 59 per cent in Montreal. Turo says this reflects how urban form and commuting distances continue to drive vehicle reliance in less dense markets.
Cost is also playing a role. Canadians spend an average of $5,497 annually on vehicle ownership, according to Turo, prompting some consumers in urban centres to consider alternatives such as car sharing.
Despite these differences, vehicle ownership remains central to daily life for most Canadians, particularly outside dense urban cores, underscoring the continued importance of the personal vehicle across much of the country.
