Toronto this year ranked fourth in the Economist Intelligence Unit's annual livability, alongside its domestic neighbours Vancouver and Calgary, which ranked 3rd and 5th respective.

The key, according to the city's chief city planner, Jennifer Keesmaat is immigration, neighbourliness and an ever-improving transport system.

And as for Brexit, if any place in the world can empathise it's Canada. In a 1995 referendum voters in Quebec rejected a separation from Canada to form a sovereign state.

"The notion that we are better apart than we are together has been part of our national dialogue," says Keesmaat.

Does she feel Brexit gives Toronto a global economic advantage?

Travelling on the first leg of the North American investment mission with the Department of International Trade, Estates Gazette caught up with Keesmaat in Toronto to find out.

By Rebecca Kent