1. Location, how many are accessible in your location and what are their hours.
2. Online functionality. In this day and age consumers are choosing to do a lot of bank online.
3. Products. What is the bank offering? For instance, are they offering free student chequing or savings accounts.
4. Cost. Are the banks fees acceptable? What are their fees for ATM use etc.
5. Satisfaction. What is the general consumer satisfaction with the institution?
This is a good summary video of what you, as a consumer, should be considering when contemplating which bank to become a customer at. 

Figure out which features matter to you to avoid paying for features that are not used. Does the bank offer services that are convenient for you? Do you typically do all your banking online? Do you want the ease of electronically depositing cheques etc? Understanding how you bank will help you minimize fees for features you will not use. When you understand your banking habits you will be able to find an account that suits you the best.
This is a good video that assists you in determining what kind of services are important to you as a customer based on your banking habits.
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Want to save even more money? Forego some banking conveniences and choose a no-frills bank account with an online bank.  Choosing a smaller bank can give you the option of no fee online accounts, a savings of at least $120.00 per year and there is no minimum balance required. Many also offer kick-back reward points to use at grocery stores.
This helps explain that they are banks that offer no fee accounts but do not provide full service banking such as larger banks.
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This website goes through questions and gives insight on types of bank accounts, what you need to open a bank account and how to shop for an account. Choosing the right plan and bank can be frustrating. It also gives ways to reduce your service fees and what discounts can be applied for students and seniors.  I think combining this knowledge with the account selector tool are great tools to be taken advantage of.

http://bankingquestions.cba.ca/the-right-bank-account-for-you/

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has created an account selector tool, that is user friendly, in assisting consumers find out which account would be more useful. This tool compares features for different banks and the accounts the offer, including interest rates, monthly fees, transaction fees and services. Find the account that best suits your needs.

 http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/Eng/resources/toolsCalculators/Pages/BankingT-OutilsIn.aspx

Canadians are tending to choose more convenient ways to bank. People are choosing mobile or online banking because it is faster and offers more flexibility rather than having to physically go into a branch. Not all banks offer mobile banking to the present date, but for some this is a major convenience if they  have late work hours.

http://www.cba.ca/en/media-room/50-backgrounders-on-banking-issues/125-technology-and-banking

In Canada there are over 80 banks that offer over access to over 18,000 ATM'a, branches open 7 days a week and evenings and offer a wide variety of services.

This chart shows fees of the top banks in Canada. Finding the right account for a consumer can take a lot of time and research.