Independent city (Canada)

An independent city is a type of unitary authority in the Canadian Republic, defined as a city with a population of at least 300,000 which is not part of any county. Unlike the majority of unitary authorities (regional districts and municipal districts), independent cities each have their own municipal police department and provide all local government services which in county areas are split between the county and the constituent municipalities, and which in district areas (the areas outside county areas containing regional and municipal districts) are handled only partially by local government, with many services provided by the respective provincial government.

Independent cities constitute some of the country's largest cities (like Toronto and Montreal, the two most populous cities in Canada); regional and municipal districts, on the other hand, account for the least populated areas of a province (the district areas), where a regional district consists of wide expanses of natural areas (like forests) and farmland interspersed with small towns, villages and hamlets, while municipal districts constitute the larger towns and cities spread about a district area between the regional districts.

Ottawa, the Canadian federal capital, is often considered an independent city, as it is a single contiguous municipality which is not part of any county, and its municipal government provides all services that an any independent city government. However, as Ottawa is situated outside the boundaries of any province (where the distinction applies), it is not officially an independent city. It is, however, a ceremonial county, which is essentially a symbolic status.