Maybe try travelling within your country Marcus Gee. Like, maybe Vancouver?
Botanical gardens? ✅
Parks? ✅
Waterfront paths? ✅
Arts scene? ✅¹
Beaches? ✅
Self-cleaning public toilets? ✅

I don’t know if Toronto has self-cleaning public toilets, but it’s really got some nice waterfront walks and amazing neighbourhoods. It also literally has a neighbourhood called “Beaches”. Sorry if it’s not white sand beaches on the ocean though.

Climate might have something to do with the high number of Botanical gardens in Australia and New Zealand. Did you go there in winter, Marcus? Have you tried growing orchids outside in Toronto in February? You know what Toronto has instead? The Path. I don’t see that in Australia, unless you count Coober Pedy (I don’t blame you if you do though, to be fair.)

Actually, Marcus Gee of The Globe and Mail, why don’t you get away from your keyboard and step out the door in your own city before going all the way across the country. You might discover it has more than you think.

¹fine arts for sure, performing arts could use some improvement. Toronto has both in spades though.