[Razor]

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

How many of these cities actually gain from being near a larger neighbour though? There might be some population spillover from commuters in search of cheaper housing, but at the same time they're also competing for jobs, amenities, attractions, etc.

A place the size of Hamilton is certainly worse off than its peer cities, for example. If it weren't in Toronto's shadow it'd likely offer a level of urban accoutrements closer to those of Quebec City and Winnipeg. Or in Ottawa's case, might it have say, better nightlife options if Montreal weren't an easy weekend trip away?

If anything it's the bigger city that has more to gain from the relationship, by virtue of having a larger pool of people within its hinterland to draw from.

That's a very fair and valid point..it shows the ying and yang of that relationship.