What is the oldest city in Canada?

St. John's is the oldest English-founded settlement on the North American continent and the oldest city in Canada. It is the largest city and the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, found on the Avalon Peninsula. The St. John’s Metropolitan Area has a population of close to 197,000, making it the 20th largest metropolitan area in the country.

The name of the city is attributed to a Basque fishing town and to the feast day of John the Baptist. St. Johns started as a seasonal settlement while year-round settlement began in the 1620s. The city is believed to be the oldest surviving English-founded settlement in Canada and North America. It was preceded by the Bristol’s Hope colony, founded in Harbor Grace in 1618 and the Cuper’s Cove colony, founded in Cupids in 1610.

More Info: www.canadafaq.ca

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19 Comments

Bill Campbell

Your question did not ask the oldest “English based city?”. It asked, “the oldest city in Canada. If anyone knows their Canadian history, it is Quebec City. I only thought when Montreal was thrown in, maybe it was a trick question where Montreal had incorporated a day before Quebec City had.

Richard Mayer-Therrien

So wrong…Oldest city in Canada is Quebec City(1608). Jane is also right about all others dates

Michael M. Conroy

Wrong on both counts! Kerry Emond, it’s Cupers Cove

natalia

This is what you get, when you let anyone write the question without verifying the facts first. So wrong!!!! Quebec City is the oldest city in Canada, then Montreal, etc.

Kerry Emond

It's actually St John , New Brunswick. Not St John's , Newfoundland

dmc

The first was Quebec City..the 2nd, Montreal, the Third, St Johns

Cari G.

This q is just not correct on so many levels. Qcity is certainly the oldest, but not an option. St. John's was not incorporated as a city til 1921 and Newfoundland was not part of Canada at that point.. If the answer is correct, then the q is not properly worded,