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{{Canadian City|
[[he:ויקיפדיה:Open proxy detection]]
Reference Name=City of {{PAGENAME}}, Ontario|
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Header Format=Flag and Coat of Arms|
This page is used to automatically report edits by open proxies. See [[Wikipedia:Open proxy detection/Explanation|here]] for further explanation.
Motto=Diversity Our Strength|
Latitude Longitude=|
CCMapSource=coor br|d1=43|m1=41|d2=79|m2=38|EP=|
Elevation=76|
Time zone=EST|
Postal Code=M|
Population description=
- Total (2004) <br>
- Metropolitan <br>
- Cdn. [[Census division|CD]] Rank:<br>
- Cdn. Mun. Rank:|
Population=
2,518,772<br>
5,203,686<br>
Ranked 1st<br>
[[List of the 100 largest cities in Canada|Ranked 1st]]|
Population Density=3939.4|
Area=<small>East to West: 43 [[1 E3 m|km]]<br>North to South: 21 [[1 E3 m|km]]<br></small>641|
City Mayor=[[David Miller]]|
Governing Body=[[Toronto City Council]]
<tr><td>City Manager</td><td>[[Shirley Hoy]]
<tr><td align = center colspan = 2>[[Canadian House of Commons|MP]]s </td></tr><tr><td align = center colspan = 2>[[Jean Augustine]], [[Carolyn Bennett]], [[Sarmite Bulte]], [[John Cannis]], [[Roy Cullen]], [[Ken Dryden]], [[John Godfrey]], [[Bill Graham (politician)|Bill Graham]], [[Tony Ianno]], [[Jim Karygiannis]], [[Jack Layton]], [[Derek Lee]], [[John McKay (politician)|John McKay]], [[Dan McTeague]], [[Maria Minna]], [[Jim Peterson]], [[Yasmin Ratansi]], [[Judy Sgro]], [[Mario Silva]], [[Alan Tonks]], [[Joe Volpe]], [[Tom Wappel]], [[Borys Wrzesnewskyj]]
<tr><td align = center colspan = 2>[[Canadian Senate|Senators]] </td></tr><tr><td align = center colspan = 2>[[Anne Cools]], [[Art Eggleton]], [[Jerry Grafstein]], [[Vivienne Poy]], [[Nancy Ruth]], [[Peter Stollery]]
</tr></td><tr><td align = center colspan = 2>[[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]]s</td></tr> <tr><td align = center colspan = 2>[[Lorenzo Berardinetti]], [[Laurel Broten]], [[Michael Bryant (politician)|Michael Bryant]], [[Donna Cansfield]], [[David Caplan]], [[Mary Anne V. Chambers]], [[Marilyn Churley]], [[Mike Colle]], [[Joseph Cordiano]], [[Alvin Curling]], [[Brad Duguid]], [[Gerard Kennedy]], [[Monte Kwinter]], [[Rosario Marchese]], [[Gerry Phillips]], [[Michael D. Prue]], [[Shafiq Qaadri]], [[Tony Ruprecht]], [[Mario Sergio]], [[George Smitherman]], [[Kathleen O. Wynne]], [[David Zimmer]] </td></tr>|
website=[http://www.toronto.ca/ City of Toronto]|
Census Year=2001|
Extra references=None|
}}
----
'''Toronto''' is [[Canada]]'s largest city and the [[Provinces of Canada|provincial]] capital of [[Ontario]]. Toronto's population is 2,518,772 ([[2004]] [[Statistics Canada]] estimate); that of the [[Greater Toronto Area]] (GTA) is 5,203,686 (2004). Residents of Toronto are termed ''Torontonians'' (in French: ''torontois''). Toronto is part of the [[Golden Horseshoe]] region of Ontario, a densely populated region of around 7 million people. Approximately 23% of the Canadian population live within the Golden Horseshoe region, and about one-sixth of all Canadian jobs lie within the city limits.
{|class="prettytable"
==Overview==
!date!!colspan=2|IP-address!!country!!type!!in db since!!first confirmed!!last confirmed
Known as the "economic engine of Canada", Toronto is considered a major [[world city]], exerting significant regional, national, and global influence. Toronto is Canada's financial centre as well as one of the country's most important cultural, and health sciences centres. It has one of the most diversified economies in North America with the largest concentration of head offices in a variety of fields, the highest concentration of cultural workers and institutions, and the largest arts community in Canada. Indeed, in January 2005, it was designated by the federal government as one of Canada's cultural capitals. It is one of the safest cities to live in North America; its crime rate is lower than that of any major U.S. metropolitan area and is one of the lowest in Canada as well. It is ranked as the safest large metropolitan area in North America by Places Rated Almanac.
{{BLIP1|06:08, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|82|235.148.113|FR|3|5‑7‑2007|5‑7‑2007|17‑7‑2007|}}
{{BLIP1|06:07, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|168|167.71.131|BW||13‑11‑2006|||}}
The current mayor of Toronto is [[David Miller]]. The previous and first mayor for the amalgamated city was [[Mel Lastman]]. The last mayor for the old City of Toronto was [[Barbara Hall]].
{{BLIP1|06:05, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|203|144.188.7|TH||13‑11‑2006|||}}
{{BLIP1|05:19, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|61|18.170.42|HK|2|12‑5‑2007|12‑5‑2007|25‑5‑2007|}}
==Demographics==
{{BLIP1|05:17, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|193|188.105.230|BH||12‑5‑2007|||}}
Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with 1 in 3 or about (36%) comprised of visible minorities, meaning that 63% of the population is of [[Europe|European]] origin, chiefly of [[Britain|British]], [[Irish people|Irish]], [[France|French]], [[Italian-Canadian|Italian]], and [[Portuguese Canadians|Portuguese]] descent. [[Chinese Canadian|Chinese]] and [[Indo-Canadian|East Indians]] are each about 10% of the population. Half of all [[Black Canadian|Black Canadians]] live in Toronto, and they constitute around 8.3% of the population. Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken here, and over one third of Toronto residents speak a language other than English at home.
{{BLIP1|05:15, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|137|132.3.7|SG|2|16‑5‑2007|16‑5‑2007|27‑5‑2007|}}
{{BLIP1|05:05, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|77|181.83.81|??|3|17‑7‑2007|17‑7‑2007||}}
{{BLIP1|04:59, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|82|194.62.230|BH|2|24‑5‑2007|24‑5‑2007||}}
43 per cent of Toronto's population (1,051,125 people) reported themselves as being part of a visible minority, up from 37 per cent (882,330) in 1996.
{{BLIP1|04:48, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|24|244.248.40|CA|1|17‑6‑2007|17‑6‑2007|17‑7‑2007|}}
The top four visible minority groups in Toronto were:
{{BLIP1|04:07, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|83|100.212.188|GB|1|15‑7‑2007|15‑7‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
Chinese at 259,710 or 10.6 per cent of the population, South Asian at 253,920 or 10.3 per cent, Blacks at 204,075 or 8.3 percent, Filipino at 86,460 or 3.5 per cent.
{{BLIP1|04:05, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|69|31.131.42|US|3|17‑7‑2007|17‑7‑2007||}}
Forty-nine per cent of Toronto's population was born outside of Canada, up from 48 per cent in 1996; of North American cities with a million plus population, only Miami (with its large Hispanic population) has a greater percentage of foreign born.
{{BLIP1|04:03, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|130|194.13.105|AU||18‑11‑2006|||}}
New immigrants to Toronto since 1991 number 516,635, representing 21 per cent of the population.
{{BLIP1|04:01, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|222|151.211.93|JP|1|10‑7‑2007|10‑7‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
Fully one in five Toronto residents arrived in this country during the 1990s.
{{BLIP1|03:42, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|217|16.68.173|MK|1|20‑6‑2007|20‑6‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
One in four children between 5 and 16 in the City of Toronto are new immigrants having arrived between 1991 and 2001
{{BLIP1|02:48, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|69|137.142.237|US|1|16‑6‑2007|16‑6‑2007|15‑7‑2007|}}
while the City of Toronto had 48.7 per cent of the GTA's population
{{BLIP1|02:39, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|82|194.62.230|BH|2|24‑5‑2007|24‑5‑2007||}}
{{BLIP1|02:39, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|217|16.68.173|MK|1|20‑6‑2007|20‑6‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
In 2001, Toronto was home to:
{{BLIP1|02:22, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|24|244.248.40|CA|1|17‑6‑2007|17‑6‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
57.8 per cent of all GTA immigrants (1,214,625)
{{BLIP1|01:48, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|218|189.215.179|HK|2|20‑12‑2006|7‑12‑2006|20‑12‑2006|}}
64.4 per cent of all new immigrants that arrived in the GTA during the 1990s (516,635)
{{BLIP1|01:38, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|130|194.13.104|AU||18‑11‑2006|||}}
60.4 per cent of all GTA residents identified as belonging to a visible minority (1,051,125)
{{BLIP1|01:22, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|87|101.240.6|SA|2|4‑3‑2007|4‑3‑2007|8‑7‑2007|}}
{{BLIP1|00:28, 17 July 2007 (UTC)|66|29.115.37|US|4|6‑5‑2007|6‑5‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
Toronto has 79 ethnic publications.
{{BLIP1|23:38, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|67|15.42.61|US|3|15‑7‑2007|15‑7‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
{{BLIP1|23:32, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|72|46.130.23|US|4|20‑6‑2007|20‑6‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
Almost 20% of the population is under 14 years of age, whereas those who are over 65 constitute 11.2% of the population. Population growth yearly is 1.9% a year. [[Roman Catholicism]] is the largest faith in the city, following by the [[Anglican]] Church, but the city has well established [[Muslim]], [[Hindu]], [[Jewish]], [[Buddhist]], and [[Sikh]] communities.
{{BLIP1|22:51, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|200|238.76.131|BR|1|25‑6‑2007|25‑6‑2007|15‑7‑2007|*}}
{{BLIP1|22:45, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|83|100.212.188|GB|1|15‑7‑2007|15‑7‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
While [[English language|English]] is the predominant language, [[Statistics Canada]] reports that there are significant populations of others, such as [[Chinese language|Chinese]] and [[Italian language|Italian]]. Fewer than 2% of Torontonians claim [[French language|French]] (Canada's other official language) as their mother tongue.
{{BLIP1|22:29, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|216|135.39.146|US||26‑6‑2007|||}}
{{BLIP1|21:59, 16 July 2007 (UTC)||233.800|50.273|199|24}}
Toronto has a population density of 3,939.4 residents per km<sup>2</sup>. Its total land area is 629.91 km<sup>2</sup>. Toronto's population grew 4.0% between 1996 and 2001.
{{BLIP1|21:51, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|212|116.219.12|SA|2|12‑4‑2007|12‑4‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
{{BLIP1|21:34, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|130|233.243.229|FI|2|13‑1‑2007|13‑1‑2007||}}
==Geography and climate==
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<center>
{{BLIP1|20:55, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|148|87.1.172|US||18‑6‑2007|||}}
[[Image:TorontoSkyline.jpg|thumb|none|500px|<center>Toronto's urban skyline from its harbour</center>]]
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</center><br style="clear:both" />
{{BLIP1|20:34, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|67|149.41.37|US|1|5‑11‑2006|8‑12‑2006||}}
The City of Toronto covers an area of 641 km² (247 square miles) and is bounded by [[Lake Ontario]] to the south, [[Etobicoke Creek]] and [[Ontario provincial highway 427|Highway 427]] to the west, Steeles Avenue to the north, and the [[Rouge River]] to the east.
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The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) extends beyond the city boundaries and includes the regional municipalities of [[Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario|Halton]], [[Peel Regional Municipality, Ontario|Peel]], [[York Regional Municipality, Ontario|York]] and [[Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario|Durham]].
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The GTA is part of a larger, natural ecosystem known as the [[Greater Toronto Bioregion]]. This ecosystem is bounded by Lake Ontario, the [[Niagara Escarpment]], and the [[Oak Ridges Moraine]], and includes several watersheds that drain into Lake Ontario. It is also the northern extent of the [[Carolinian forest]] zone.
{{BLIP1|20:13, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|80|58.205.36|ES||7‑11‑2006|||}}
{{BLIP1|19:55, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|202|64.220.99|HK|1|28‑6‑2007|28‑6‑2007|15‑7‑2007|}}
Toronto's climate is moderated by [[Lake Ontario]]; its climate is among the mildest in Canada east of the Rocky Mountain range. It receives less snowfall during the winter than some other Canadian cities (but more than [[Winnipeg]] or [[Regina, SK|Regina]] ), and mild periods occur throughout the winter so total snow accumulation over the course of the winter is usually significantly lower due to regular melting. However, recent years have shown a trend towards varying winter weather. During the winter months, daytime high temperatures average just a few degrees below freezing (although residents usually endure two or three cold snaps each year). A typical snowfall during the winter will be no more than 10 cm (4 inches).
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Summer high temperatures typically range from 25-32°C (77-90°F), though temperatures as high as 36°C (97°F), and sometimes higher, are not unexpected. Such "heat waves" generally last no more than a couple of days, and are usually coupled with high humidity and [[smog]]. On [[June 14]], [[2005]], with summer still approaching, Toronto recorded its 21st "smog warning" of the year, surpassing the previous annual record of 20, set in [[2001]].
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{{BLIP1|19:27, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|212|38.144.51|JO||26‑5‑2007|||}}
Toronto experiences four distinct and noticeable seasons, sometimes reaching -25°C in the winter, and 37°C in the summer.
{{BLIP1|19:10, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|80|58.205.36|ES||7‑11‑2006|||}}
{{BLIP1|18:58, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|212|62.97.20|SA|2|16‑7‑2007|16‑7‑2007||}}
==History==
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{{BLIP1|18:43, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|47|230.0.45|CA||9‑5‑2007|||}}
[[Image:Oldtorontoarms.jpg]]
{{BLIP1|18:21, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|67|86.221.27|US|1|29‑12‑2006|11‑1‑2007||}}
''Former arms of Toronto''
{{BLIP1|18:11, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|64|250.228.106|US|4|6‑7‑2007|6‑7‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
{{BLIP1|17:59, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|84|19.186.238|DE|3|15‑7‑2007|15‑7‑2007|15‑7‑2007|}}
===Pre-European period===
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Located on the northern shore of [[Lake Ontario]], Toronto was originally a term of indeterminate geographical ___location, designating the approximate area of the future city of Toronto on maps dating to the late [[17th century|17th]] and early [[18th century]]. Eventually the name was anchored to the mouth of the [[Humber River, Toronto|Humber River]], the end of the [[Toronto Carrying-Place Trail]] portage route from [[Georgian Bay]]; this is where the city of Toronto is located today.
{{BLIP1|17:33, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|74|86.11.229|??|4|15‑6‑2007|15‑6‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
{{BLIP1|16:54, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|213|216.199.53|FI|1|13‑11‑2006|13‑12‑2006||}}
The source and meaning of the name remains a matter of debate. Most common definitions claim that the origin is the [[Huron]] word ''toran-ten'' for "meeting place". However, it is much more likely that the term is from the [[Mohawk language|Mohawk]] word ''tkaronto'' meaning "where there are trees standing in the water," a reference to a specific ___location at the northern end of what is now [[Lake Simcoe]], then known as "Lake Toronto". The portage route up the Humber River eventually leads past this well-known landmark. As the portage route grew in use, the name became more widely used and was eventually attached to a [[New France|French]] trading fort just inland from Lake Ontario on the Humber. [http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/education/toronto_e.php]
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{{BLIP1|16:26, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|216|20.1.211|US||22‑12‑2006|||}}
Part of this confusion can be attributed to the succession of peoples who lived in the area during the 18th century: Huron, [[Senecas]], [[Iroquois]], and [[Mississaugas]] (the latter having lent their name to Toronto's modern-day western suburb). Until the beginning of [[British Empire|British]] colonization there were no permanent settlements, though both native peoples and the French did try, including the construction of another small fort near the mouth of the Humber, currently buried on the grounds of the [[Canadian National Exhibition]].
{{BLIP1|16:12, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|67|86.221.27|US|1|29‑12‑2006|11‑1‑2007||}}
{{BLIP1|14:57, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|213|140.17.109|IT|2|23‑6‑2007|23‑6‑2007|3‑7‑2007|}}
===European settlement===
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European settlement in central Canada was quite limited before [[1788]], amounting to only a few families, but it began growing quickly in the aftermath of the [[American Revolution]]. The French established a trading fort, [[Fort Rouillé]], on the current Exhibition Grounds around 1750, but it was abandoned in 1759. [[United Empire Loyalists]], American colonists who refused to accept being divorced from the United Kingdom, or who felt unwelcome in the new republic, fled the US to the unsettled lands north of [[Lake Erie]] and [[Lake Ontario]]; some had fought in the British army and were paid with land in the region. In 1788, the British negotiated the purchase of more than a quarter million acres (1,000 km²) of land in the area of Toronto. The site was then chosen by Governor [[John Graves Simcoe]] on [[July 29]], [[1793]] as the new capital of the newly organized province of [[Upper Canada]], moving from [[Newark, Ontario|Newark]] (now [[Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario]]) on [[February 1]], [[1796]].
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Specifically the town, then known as '''[[York, Upper Canada|York]]''', was built inland from the [[Toronto Islands]], a chain of small islands leading into a marsh (long since drained away) at their eastern end, with an opening at the western end. This formed a natural protected harbour, one that was defended with the construction of Fort York at the entrance on what was then a high point on the water's edge with a small river on the inland side (Garrison Creek). The town proper was formed closer to the eastern end of the harbour, near what is now Parliament Street.
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{{BLIP1|14:30, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|64|128.36.79|US||20‑2‑2007|||}}
Governor Simcoe was concerned with opening military communications between the settlements in the southwest of Upper Canada (notably Newark), and those to the east ([[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]], then points east to the border with [[Lower Canada]]). Dundas Street was the western route, leading to the town of the same name near [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], but then continued west instead of southeast towards Niagara, and today it ends near the US border at [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]]. Kingston Road today forms the basis of the major Toronto-Montreal route. A third route, [[Yonge Street]], was opened northward to Lake Toronto (later renamed [[Lake Simcoe]]) and cut in three years. Yonge Street now forms the dividing line between east and west in Toronto, and is sometimes called "the longest street in the world" as it snakes its way for 1,896 kilometres (1,178 miles) to [[Rainy River, Ontario|Rainy River]], on the [[Minnesota]] border. Today, all these roads mentioned are still in use.
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In [[1813]], as part of the [[War of 1812]], York was attacked and partially burned. It was in retaliation for this that British forces attacked [[Washington, DC]], the next year. [[Fort York]] was lightly manned at the time, and realizing that a defence was impossible, the troops retreated and set fire to the magazine. It exploded as the US forces were entering the fort, leaving a big crater in the ground (that no longer exists), and many US soldiers were killed in the explosion. After the US forces left a new and much stronger fort was constructed several hundred yards to the west of the original position. Another American attack in 1814 was defeated with ease, the landing force never being able to approach the shoreline. (Due to [[Land reclamation|landfill]] this newer fort now lies hundreds of metres inland and largely hidden behind the [[Gardiner Expressway]].)
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In [[1834]], the town reverted to the name Toronto to distinguish it from about a dozen other localities in the province (including the county in which Toronto was situated), and this was the name under which the city was incorporated on [[March 6]] of that year, with [[William Lyon Mackenzie]] as its first mayor. Toronto was the site of the key events of the [[Upper Canada Rebellion]] in [[1837]].
{{BLIP1|13:20, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|203|158.37.122|AU|3|16‑7‑2007|16‑7‑2007||}}
{{BLIP1|13:15, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|85|25.148.242|DE|2|19‑6‑2007|19‑6‑2007||}}
The [[Irish potato famine]] of [[1846]]–[[1849]] brought a large numbers of [[Irish diaspora|Irish]] into the city. [[Protestant]] Irish immigrants were generally welcomed by the existing Scottish and English population, and soon occupied important positions in business, education and politics. The [[Orange Order]] became a dominant force in Toronto society, so much so that the [[1920s]] Toronto was called the "Belfast of Canada", and the order's influence only diminished in the [[1940s]]. [http://www.ulster-scots.co.uk/docs/orange/originscanada.htm] In contrast, Irish [[Catholics]] arriving in Toronto faced widespread intolerance and severe discrimination, both social and legislative. The Irish population essentially defined the Catholic population until 1890, when German and French Catholics were welcomed to the city by the Irish, but the Irish proportion still remained 90% of the Catholic population. However, various powerful initiatives such as the foundation of [[University of St. Michael's College|St. Michael's College]] in 1852 (where [[Marshall McLuhan]] was to hold the chair of English until his death in 1980), three hospitals, and the most significant charitable organization in the city (The[[ Society of St. Vincent de Paul]]) by Irish Catholic groups strengthened the Irish identity, transforming the Irish presence in the city into one of influence and power. [http://collections.ic.gc.ca/magic/mt38.html]
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===Growth===
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[[Image:Toronto 1894large.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Map of Toronto in 1894]]
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[[image:toronto-bloorviaduct.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Bloor Viaduct]]
{{BLIP1|12:06, 16 July 2007 (UTC)|66|197.176.115|RU|3|14‑6‑2007|14‑6‑2007|16‑7‑2007|}}
Toronto grew rapidly in the late 19th century, the population increasing from 30,000 in 1851 to 56,000 in 1871 and 181,000 in 1891. Modern amenities came to Toronto, including an extensive [[streetcar]] network in the city (still operational) plus long-distance [[railway|railways]] and [[radial railway|radial lines]]. One radial line ran mostly along Yonge Street for about 80 km to Lake Simcoe, and allowed daytrips to its beaches. At the time Toronto's own beaches were far too polluted to use, a side effect of dumping garbage directly in the lake. The [[Grand Trunk Railway]] and the [[Great Northern Railway (US)|Great Northern Railway]] joined in the building of the first [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]] in the downtown area.
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A large section of the downtown was destroyed in the [[1904 Toronto fire]], but it was quickly rebuilt.
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As the city grew it became naturally bounded by the [[Humber River, Toronto|Humber River]] to the west, and the [[Don River, Toronto|Don River]] to the east. Several smaller rivers and creeks in the downtown area were routed into culverts and sewers and the land filled in above them, including both [[Garrison Creek]] and [[Taddle Creek]], the latter running through the [[University of Toronto]]. At the time they were being used as open sewers, and were becoming a serious health problem.
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The Don River has an especially deep ravine, cutting off the east at most points north of the lakeshore. This was addressed in 1919 with the construction of the Prince Edward Viaduct, better known today as the [[Bloor Street Viaduct]], linking Bloor Street on the western side of the ravine with Danforth Avenue on the east. The designer, Edmund Burke, fought long and hard to have a lower deck added to the bridge for trains, a cost the city was not willing to provide for. Nevertheless he finally got his way, and thereby saved the city millions of dollars when the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC) subway started using the deck in 1966. The Prince Edward Viaduct represented a turning point in Toronto's history. Now linked to what were formerly separate towns, Toronto "filled out" in the first half of the 20th century, becoming a single larger city.
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===Immigrants===
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During the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century, the [[Irish diaspora|Irish]] immigrants who had followed the [[British Empire|British]] to Toronto were followed by many other immigrant groups: first Italians, and Jews from various parts of Eastern Europe; later Chinese, Russians, Poles, and many other eastern Europeans, By the latter half of the 20th century, refugees and immigrants from many other parts of the world were the major source of immigration. [http://www.frommers.com/destinations/toronto/0034020044.html] The large numbers of new Canadians helped Toronto's population swell to over one million by 1951, and double again to over two million, by 1971. [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=J1SEC626334]
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A continuous influx of newcomers from Atlantic Canada and large numbers of immigrants from around the world have contributed to the steady growth of Toronto and its surroundings since the Second World War. Today, Toronto is the main destination for new immigrants to Canada.
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An exile subculture developed, which often centred around the vibrant music and performing arts flourshing so well in what was then called 'hogtown' (referring to its earlier centre as an abattoir centre at the railhead).
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===Recent history===
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In [[2001]], Toronto finished second to [[Beijing]] in [[International Olympic Committee]] voting to be the host city of the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].
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In [[2002]], Toronto hosted the [[World Youth Day]] 2002 and the late [[Pope John Paul II]]. The municipal government's two largest unions, Locals 79 and 416 of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) went on strike a few weeks before the scheduled event, meaning that services such as libraries, day care, parks programs, and other important services were not available. Since city workers also pick up garbage and recycling, city parks were piled high with trash; some parks were designated official dump sites for the duration of the strike, while others were used as illegal dumps. The Ontario government tabled back-to-work legislation to end the strike, so the city was back to normal before World Youth Day started.
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In [[2003]], Toronto was hit by the [[SARS]] epidemic. Although the disease was primarily confined to hospitals and health-care workers, tourism in Toronto significantly suffered because of media reports. To help recover the losses the city suffered in industries and tourism, the city held a "[[Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto|SARS Benefit Concert]]," colloquially called 'SARSStock,' headlined by [[The Rolling Stones]] and featuring many famous bands such as [[ACDC|AC/DC]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[The Guess Who]], [[Justin Timberlake]]. The concert attracted some 450,000 people, making it one of the ten largest concerts in history. The city was also affected by the [[2003 North America blackout]]. The results were chaotic, with the city grinding to a halt, people partying and talking to their neighbours in the streets, and power not being restored for more than 12 hours in many cases, and in some areas for three days.
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In the [[Toronto municipal election, 2003|2003 municipal election]], [[David Miller]] was elected to replace Mel Lastman as mayor, after running a successful campaign which included the promise to cancel a proposed fixed link to the Toronto Island Airport.
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In [[2004]], Toronto balanced its budget for the first time in years. This came from a GST exemption for cities, modest property tax increases, and bailouts from higher level governments.
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According to a [[United Nations]] report, Toronto has the second-highest proportion of immigrants in the world, after [[Miami, Florida]]. Almost half of Toronto's residents were born outside Canada. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/07/16/migrants040716.html] The resulting cultural diversity is reflected in the numerous ethnic neighbourhoods of the city. The proliferation of shops and restaurants derived from cultures around the world makes the city one of the most exciting places in the world to visit. Moreover, the relative tranquility that mediates between such diverse populations is a testament to the perceived tolerant character of Canadian society.
==Government==
Torontonians elect representatives to the federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government. 22 Members of Parliament (MPs) representing Toronto sit in the House of Commons in Ottawa, and another 22 Members of Ontario's Provincial Parliament (MPPs) sit in the Legislative Assembly in Queen's Park, located in Toronto. Being Ontario's capital, many provincial offices are located in the city.
Toronto's local government consists of 44 elected councillors (representing around 55,000 people each), who along with the mayor, make up the [[Toronto City Council]]. Toronto elects a new government every three years, in November. The City of Toronto represents the fifth largest municipal government in North America, and has an operating budget of $6.4 billion CDN.
[[Image:Oldcityhall.jpg|thumb|left|275px|[[Old City Hall (Toronto)|Old City Hall]]]]
The current municipal government is rooted in the creation of the Municipality of [[Metropolitan Toronto]] (known more popularly as "Metro") in [[1954]]. This new regional government, which encompassed the smaller communities of [[East York, Ontario|East York]], [[Etobicoke]], [[Forest Hill, Ontario|Forest Hill]], [[Leaside, Ontario|Leaside]], [[Long Branch, Ontario|Long Branch]], [[Mimico, Ontario|Mimico]], [[New Toronto, Ontario|New Toronto]], [[North York]], [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], [[Swansea, Ontario|Swansea]], Toronto, [[Weston, Ontario|Weston]], and [[York, Ontario|York]], was created in light of the need for more coordination of city services. The postwar boom resulted in suburbanization, and it was felt that a coordinated land use planning strategy, as well as shared services, would be more efficient.
These thirteen townships, villages and cities continued to exist independently of the regional government, and continued to provide some local services to their residents. Gradually, the Metro goverment began taking over management of services that crossed municipal boundaries, most notably highways, water, and public transit.
[[image:toronto-cityhall.jpg|thumb|right|275px|[[Toronto City Hall]]]]
On [[January 1]], [[1967]], several of the smaller municipalities were amalgamated with larger ones, reducing their number to six. Forest Hill and Swansea became part of Toronto; Long Branch, Mimico, and New Toronto joined Etobicoke; Weston merged with York; and Leaside amalgamated with East York.
This arrangement lasted until [[1998]], when the regional level of government was abolished and the six municipalities (Toronto, [[Etobicoke]], [[North York]], [[East York]], [[York, Ontario|York]], and [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]]) were amalgamated into a single municipality or "[[megacity]]". Many people criticized this change, which came on top of a massive "downloading" of provincial services to the municipal level, with little to no new revenue available. A plebiscite indicated that a majority of the citizens of Toronto opposed amalgamation, but criticisms were raised about the leading nature of the question asked. However, in Canada (and Ontario), plebiscites are not legally binding. The [[Ontario|Province of Ontario]] under Premier [[Mike Harris]] had the power to ignore the result and did so. [[Mel Lastman]], the long-time mayor of [[North York]] before the amalgamation, was the first mayor of the new "megacity" of Toronto.
At this point the definition of Toronto itself came into some doubt. In the [[Toronto municipal election, 2003|2000 municipal elections]], over 88% of those voting did so for a mayor that had discussed forming a new [[Province of Toronto]] - the second-place finisher [[Tooker Gomberg]] (8%) strongly favoured this move, while Mel Lastman (80%) also voiced his support. His statements were far more likely an attack on the provincial government, rather than a serious proposal, however, and after winning the election he did nothing to advance this idea. The notion was also favoured by urban activist [[Jane Jacobs]]. In all probability such a separation is legally difficult or impossible - under the [[Canadian constitution]] the municipalities have no actual power; they are just permitted to make use of provincial authority.
This of course was one of the main problems that had concerned the activists - a number of groups, including the [[Ontario Coalition Against Poverty]], advocated an extended campaign of grassroots resistance to Ontario's government. This led to what was portrayed in the mainstream media as Toronto's first large-scale 'riot' in the summer of [[2000]] - a confrontation with violent police in front of the provincial legislature - as well as several other events and demonstrations in [[2001]]. Prominent federal politicians including [[Paul Martin]] and later [[Jack Layton]] ([[New Democratic Party]] (NDP) leader and for 20 years a [[Toronto City Council]]lor) began promising a "new deal for cities", and large banks began issuing papers on it. As of July 2005, signs point to some degree of awareness towards the problems facing the city by the two senior levels of governments, though willingness to address them remains uncertain.
Politically, Toronto is a very liberal city by [[North America]]n standards. It is a stronghold for the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] both federally and provincially, except in the downtown area where the NDP is strong. The [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservatives]] have no Toronto members in either the federal or provincial legislatures, and were not even close in most ridings. While [[labour unions]] have considerable influence, they are generally not the catalyst for the liberal nature of Toronto; the high immigrant population and the strength of activist groups are the main reasons. Toronto is the core of support for liberal causes like [[same-sex marriage]] and [[gun control]] in Ontario (and Canada), which puts it at odds sometimes with the rural areas which are far more conservative.
==Economy==
[[Image:TD Centre.JPG|thumb|275px|right|The [[Toronto-Dominion Centre]]]]
Toronto is a port of entry, as well as being an important commercial, financial, and industrial hub. It is the banking and stock exchange centre of the country, and is Canada's primary wholesale and distribution point. Its importance as a port increased after the opening of the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]]. Ontario's wealth of raw materials and [[hydroelectric]] power have made Toronto into a primary centre of industry. The city and its surrounding area produces more than half of Canada's manufactured goods.
Until the [[1970s]], Toronto was the second largest city in Canada, after [[Montreal]]. The economic growth of Toronto was greatly stimulated by the development of the auto industry and of large mineral resources in its hinterland, and by the completion in [[1959]] of the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]] which allowed ships access to the [[Great Lakes]] from the Atlantic Ocean. Further growth in the Toronto area is often attributed to the rise of [[Quebec sovereignty movement|Quebec Separatism]], though the extent of its influence is still contested by some, who argue that its effect was exaggerated by the English media. During the 1970s, the [[Parti libéral du Québec|Quebec Liberal Party]] and the [[Parti Québécois]] enacted a series of [[Charter of the French Language|French-language laws]], which were designed to force companies to do business only in French. This legislation was perceived as unfavourable towards English-language businesses (especially Multinationals, whose markets extended far beyond Quebec's borders) and English-speaking Montrealers, and most of the former and many of the latter relocated to Toronto where French is not necessary for business. In Montreal, this migration is often referred to as the Exodus.
In recent years, Toronto has become one of the centres of Canada's [[film industry]], along with [[Vancouver]], due to the lower cost of producing films and television shows in Canada. The city's streets and landmarks can be seen in a variety of different films, mimicking the streets of major American cities such as [[Chicago, Illinois]] and [[New York City]], [[New York]].
As the business and financial capital for the country, Toronto houses the [[Toronto Stock Exchange]], the fourth largest [[stock exchange]] in [[North America]] by value traded and ninth in the world. The Toronto Stock Exchange Group has led North American exchanges by being the first to trade electronically and the first to become listed publicly. The Toronto financial industry is based on [[Bay Street]], the city's equivalent to [[Wall Street]] in New York City.
A number of major corporations are based in the city, as prominent and diverse as the [[Hudson's Bay Company]], [[TD Canada Trust]], [[Celestica]], [[Four Seasons Hotels]], [[Rogers Communications]], [[MDS Inc.]] and many others. Numerous other companies are based in the [[Greater Toronto Area]] outside of the city limits [[Nortel]], [[IBM]] Canada, and [[Magna International]].
The city of Toronto's GDP is $109 billion and if it were it's own<br> country it would be ranked 42nd' on the list of highest GDP's.
==Education==
[[Image:UT_University_College.JPG|right|thumb|275px|[[University College, University of Toronto|University College]], at the [[University of Toronto]]]]
Toronto is home to a number of educational institutions, including the largest university in Canada, the [[University of Toronto]], which has a student population of more than 60,000 across three campuses (one downtown, one in [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], and another in [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]]).
The city is also home to an officially bilingual university, [[Glendon College]] at [[York University]]. It is unique in Canada, in that it is the only educational institution where ''all'' students receive education in both English and French. Canada's other bilingual postsecondary institutions educate students in one language ''or'' the other. Glendon is the only school where ''all'' students must take classes in both languages. York University, in turn, being the third largest university in Canada, has a student population of more than 50,000 students across two campuses [[North York, Ontario]] and [[Glendon College]]. Ryerson University is situated in the downtown core.
The city’s [[Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto)|Royal Conservatory of Music]] and its associated Glenn Gould Professional School are internationally-recognized centres for musical training.
Toronto is also home to the highly respected [[Ontario College of Art and Design]], the fourth-largest [[art school]] in North America.
In addition to these, Toronto also has four post-secondary [[community college]]s—[[Seneca College]], [[Humber College]], [[Centennial College]], and [[George Brown College]]—scattered across 29 campuses. Recently, Toronto's community colleges have begun either offering their own [[bachelor's degree]] programmes or operating joint degree programmes with neighbouring universities.
Toronto also has several private and independent schools, at the secondary and post-secondary levels. These include the [[International Academy of Design and Technology]] and [[Tyndale University College and Seminary]]. There are also specialty schools such as the Ontario Science Centre Science School.
The [[Toronto Public Library]] is among the largest public library systems in the world.
== Tourism promotion ==
In the week of June 19, 2005, Toronto announced a new logo to try to define the City of Toronto on an international level. When its image was devastated by the SARS outbreak in 2003, the city launched a campaign to try attract both tourists and development to the city. The end result, after a $4 million investment, was the advertising slogan, "Toronto Unlimited". [Image:http://torontounlimited.ca/images/logo-large.gif]
==Transport==
===Railways===
[[Image:Union_Station,_Toronto.jpg|thumb|275px|The main entrance of Union Station.]]
Toronto is served by intercity [[VIA Rail]], [[Ontario Northland]], and [[Amtrak]] trains through [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]], a grand [[neoclassicism|neoclassical]] structure in the heart of the city's downtown, which is shared with [[GO Transit]]'s commuter trains.
===Highways===
''See also'': [[List of Toronto, Ontario roads]]
Although Toronto does not have as extensive a [[highway]] system as its American counterparts, there are a number of freeways that serve the city and the Greater Toronto Area. Forming part of Toronto's [[Municipal expressways in Toronto|municipal expressway]] system, the [[Don Valley Parkway]] (or colloquially, the DVP) connects the city's eastern and northern suburbs to downtown, while the [[Gardiner Expressway]] (or colloquially, "the Gardiner") connects its western suburbs to the downtown core. Extending northward from the Don Valley Parkway is [[Ontario provincial highway 404|Highway 404]], towards [[Markham, Ontario|Markham]], [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]], [[Aurora, Ontario|Aurora]], and [[Newmarket, Ontario|Newmarket]]. Extending westward from the Gardiner Expressway is the [[Queen Elizabeth Way]] (often called the QEW), which heads towards [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara]], and [[Buffalo, New York]].
[[Ontario provincial highway 401|Highway 401]] (or simply, "the 401") acts as a by-pass of downtown Toronto, and is one of the most congested highways in North America. It connects to [[Ontario provincial highway 427|Highway 427]] (an important connector highway, leading into downtown Toronto), [[Ontario provincial highway 400|Highway 400]] (towards [[Barrie, Ontario|Barrie]] and Ontario's "cottage country"), [[Allen Road]], and [[Ontario provincial highway 409|Highway 409]] (a connector route to [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]]).
[[Highway 407 (Ontario)|Highway 407 ETR]] does not operate within Toronto proper, but is a major highway in the [[Greater Toronto Area]] acting as a secondary by-pass around the northern end of Toronto. It is an electronic toll road with no physical toll booths, instead depending on [[Automatic number plate recognition|automatic recognition of license plates]] or [[Electronic toll collection|electronic toll collection]].
===Public transport===
[[Image:Dundas-streetcar-and-ago-as-seen-from-near-deconism.jpg|thumb|275px|A TTC [[Toronto Streetcar System|streetcar]] near the [[Art Gallery of Ontario]].]]
Within the city, the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC) operates an extensive system of [[subway]]s, [[bus]]es, and [[tram|streetcar]]s. Toronto has a relatively simple [[Toronto Subway and RT|subway/RT]] system (known locally as simply "the subway"). Composed of the [[Yonge-University-Spadina (TTC)|Yonge-University-Spadina]], [[Bloor-Danforth (TTC)|Bloor-Danforth]], [[Sheppard (TTC)|Sheppard]], and [[Scarborough RT]] lines, the subways run along principal streets and connect Toronto's outlying areas with its downtown core. Almost all of the city's bus routes connect to subway/RT stations, allowing for free transfers between them.
Toronto's [[Toronto Streetcar System|streetcars]] are one of its most distinctive features, as it is the only North American city that still has a large streetcar system that uses mostly in-street operation. Serving a network of eleven different routes, the streetcars operate primarily in the downtown core, though some streetcars do operate outside of that area. All of the city's streetcar lines connect with the subway system.
Interregional [[commuter train]] and [[bus]] service is provided by [[GO Transit]]. GO trains and buses connect the city to the rest of the Greater Toronto Area.
===Airports===
''Main article:'' [[List of airports in the Greater Toronto Area]]
Toronto's primary airport is [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]] (YYZ), located just outside the city's borders in neighbouring [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]]. It is the fourth-largest international airport in North America and is the world's largest originator of air traffic into the United States.
The city also has a smaller commercial airport, the [[Toronto City Centre Airport]] (YTZ). Situated on the Toronto Islands, the City Centre Airport is primarily a general aviation airport, but Air Canada Jazz does operate commercial flights, in recent years the destinations served from YTZ have been reduced and currently [[Ottawa]] is the only desination for commercial flights. It is connected to the mainland by a short ferry that is free to airline passengers.
The [[Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport|Hamilton International Airport]] is an alternate, relief airport to Pearson, but not in the GTA. Situated in [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], 85 km (53 miles) west of Toronto, it is also a terminus for [[low-cost carrier]], [[charter airline]], and [[courier]] traffic.
There are a number of general aviation airports in and around the city, including [[Toronto/Buttonville Municipal Airport|Buttonville Municipal Airport]], [[Toronto/Markham Airport|Markham Airport]], [[Oshawa Airport]], [[Brampton Airport]], and [[Burlington Airpark]].
===Other===
Passenger ferry service to the Toronto Islands is provided by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. Ferries run year-round from the Toronto Ferry Docks at the foot of Bay Street to Hanlan's Point, Centre Island, and Ward's Island.
A high-speed passenger/vehicle [[ferry]] service across Lake Ontario to [[Rochester, New York]] was launched on [[June 17]], [[2004]], using the vessel ''[[Spirit of Ontario I]]''. The service was marketed using the name "The Breeze", however it was suspended after operating 11 weeks when the company ran into financial difficulties. The vessel was subsequently purchased in a bankruptcy sale by Rochester Ferry Company LLC, a subsidiary of the City of Rochester, and the vessel returned to service June 30, 2005, operated by [[Bay Ferries Great Lakes Limited]], using the marketing term "The Cat".
Seaboard Flights operated a hydrofoil service between Toronto and the Niagara Region. The service has since ceased to operate.
==Landmarks==
[[image:skydome-sm.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Overhead view of Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome), with the roof closed, as seen from the CN Tower]]
[[Image:Torontoatnight.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Night view of the city, as seen from the observation deck of the [[CN Tower]]]]
Perhaps Toronto's most famous landmark is the [[CN Tower]], a 553 meter (1815 feet) steel and concrete transmission tower, the tallest free-standing land structure in the world. Directly west of it is the [[Rogers Centre]] (formerly SkyDome), the world's first sporting arena to feature a fully retractable roof. It is currently home to the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] and the [[Toronto Argonauts]].
The [[Air Canada Centre]] is the home of the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], the [[Toronto Raptors]], and the [[Toronto Rock]]. It was originally built to replace the legendary [[Maple Leaf Gardens]]. The [[Ricoh Coliseum]] is home to the [[Toronto Marlies]].
Toronto's [[Toronto City Hall|City Hall]] is one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. Built to replace its predecessor — now known simply as [[Old City Hall (Toronto)|Old City Hall]] — its [[Modernism|modernist]] style still impresses today. Directly in front of City Hall is [[Nathan Phillips Square]], a public space that frequently houses concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers' market, and other public events. It is also the site of a reflecting pool that, during the winter, becomes a popular skating rink. [[Dundas Square]], nearby, is the city's newest and flashiest public square, located across the street from the [[Eaton Centre]], a large and popular [[shopping mall]].
[[Queen's Park, Toronto|Queen's Park]] is a historic scenic park and public space surrounding [[Ontario]]'s [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|Legislative Assembly]].
The city has a world-renowned museum, the [[Royal Ontario Museum]] (frequently referred to as "the ROM"), and one of North America's largest art galleries, the [[Art Gallery of Ontario]] (also known as the "AGO").
[[Exhibition Place]] is the home of the [[Canadian National Exhibition]] (the CNE or "the Ex"), an annual event that takes place in August. Nearby [[Ontario Place]] is a popular amusement park on the waterfront.
The [[Toronto Islands]] form part of the largest car-free urban community in North America. Accessible by ferry, "the Islands" include a public park and a children's amusement park, [[Centreville]]. The Islands are also home to the [[Toronto City Centre Airport]].
[[Casa Loma]], a castle overlooking downtown Toronto, is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.
Other popular attractions include the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], the [[Ontario Science Centre]], the [[Leslie Street Spit]], and the city's oldest cathedrals, the Roman Catholic [[St. Michael's Cathedral (Toronto)|St. Michael's Cathedral]] and the Anglican [[St. James' Cathedral (Toronto)|St. James' Cathedral]], both on Church Street.
==Performing arts==
Toronto is home to a vibrant live theatre scene, where such companies as [[Soulpepper]], the [[Canadian Stage]], and [[Tarragon (theater)|Tarragon]] produce plays. As well, many Broadway theatrical hits originated in Toronto, such as ''[[Show Boat]]'' and ''[[Ragtime (musical)|Ragtime]]''.
Toronto is the third largest centre for [[English language]] theatre in the world, behind [[New York City]] and [[London]]. Venues for theatre include the [[Canon Theatre]] (formerly Pantages Theatre and Pantages Cinema), the [[Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres]], the [[Princess of Wales Theatre]], the [[Royal Alexandra Theatre]], the Poor Alex Theatre, and the [[Harbourfront Centre]]. The quality of theatre in Toronto is of a high standard, and some critics have called Toronto's theatre scene only second to [[London]], [[England]]. However, this is still debated.
Musical venues in Toronto include the Toronto Centre for the Arts in [[North York]]; [[Roy Thomson Hall]], home to [[Toronto Symphony Orchestra]] (TSO); and [[Massey Hall]].
The [[National Ballet of Canada]] is based in Toronto and performs at the [[Hummingbird Centre]] and formerly at the [[Walter Carsen Centre]]. It will move to the [[Four Seasons Centre]] in 2006.
As Canada's largest city and the main centre of its recording industry, Toronto is also home to many Canadian [[pop music|pop]], [[Rock and roll|rock]], and [[hip hop]] artists. This includes both musicians native to Toronto and those who have moved to Toronto from other towns and cities. The live music scene in Toronto is centred primarily in the [[Queen Street West]] area, part of what is known as the Entertainment District, although not all of Toronto's music venues are in this neighbourhood. More established acts play at venues such as [[Lee's Palace]], The Opera House, [[Horseshoe Tavern|The Horseshoe Tavern]], [[Mod Club Theatre|The Mod Club]], The Phoenix Concert Theatre, and Kool Haus (formerly known as the Warehouse).
Major concert tours by stars are usually booked into larger venues such as [[Air Canada Centre]], [[Hummingbird Centre]], the [[Rogers Centre]] and the [[Molson Amphitheatre]] at [[Ontario Place]].
==Literature==
The Greater Toronto Area is the home of [http://hardy-boys.com/bg/15/bg_15_3.html Brian McFarlane] (renowned hockey commentator), son of Leslie McFarlane, the first author of the [http://www.hardy-boys.com Hardy Boys] book series. It is and has been home to many of Canada's best known authors, including [[Margaret Atwood]], [[Michael Ondaatje]] and the late [[Robertson Davies]]. [[Ernest Hemingway]] spent his early years reporting for the Toronto Star in the 1920's, while his friend Morely Callaghan was a Toronto native. Both of Canada's ostensibly national newspapers (the National Post and the Globe and Mail) are based out of Toronto, and the city is thus home to a large number of Canada's journalists and writers.
==Events==
Toronto plays host to a variety of different events year-round. At the end of June annually, Toronto hosts one of the world's largest [[Gay Pride Week|Gay Pride]] celebrations. In July, [[Caribana]], the largest Caribbean festival in North America, attracts more than one million celebrants for the concerts, the food, the King and Queen of the Bands competition, and the very popular Caribana parade. The [[Molson Indy]] is also held in Toronto every year in July. In September, Hollywood celebrities, actors, writers, directors, and producers from around the world descend on the city for the [[Toronto International Film Festival]].
==City issues==
===Crime===
Although crime (including violent crime) in Toronto has been steadily decreasing over the past decade, concern over gun and gang related crimes has come to the attention of the media. While Toronto's homicide rates are extremely low compared to many cities in the United States of America (in 1999, Toronto had 1.3 homicides per 100,000 compared to [[Houston]]'s 13.4, [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]]'s 23.3, and [[Washington, DC]]'s 45.5 [http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/quality_of_life/safety.htm]) and Toronto has lower crime rates than most cities in Canada, there are many calls to take action to prevent what is seen as a slide towards a potential increase in crime. American gang experts have been brought in and increased funding for programs in troubled neighbourhoods have been recently initiated.
===Homelessness===
Toronto is also struggling to come to grips with a nagging homeless problem which has ebbed and flowed throughout the years. Many programs and responsibilities have been recently downloaded to the city from the provincial and federal governments, with many arguing that the city must come up with new ways to raise revenue to fund these new responsibilities.
===Public transit===
Toronto has an extensive [[public transit]] system, the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] (TTC), but transit advocates argue that the system has been grossly underfunded in recent years. Recently, higher level governments have indicated they are prepared to fund the system further, so this situation may change.
===The Toronto waterfront===
For decades, the lack of development of the [[Toronto waterfront]] has been a major issue. The central core of the city is separated from the waterfront by an elevated highway, the [[Gardiner Expressway]]. Many contend that a series of condominium towers built along the waterfront in the 1990s and 2000s contribute to this separation. Parts of the formerly industrial area is now vacant and awaiting redevelopment. In 2004, hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent by the province of [[Ontario]] to encourage further development. Currently a movie studio is being built on the site of the R.L. Hearn Power Plant.
===Computer leasing inquiry===
A dominant issue in Toronto's municipal politics in recent years has been the [[Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry]], which has been investigating allegations of impropriety involving computer contracts between the city and [[MFP Financial Services]].
===Garbage===
Another important issue is the city's garbage. Throughout the [[1990s]], there was extensive controversy around a proposal to ship Toronto's garbage to the [[Adams Mine]], an abandoned [[open pit mining|open pit mine]] in [[Northern Ontario]]. Currently Toronto's trash is shipped to [[Michigan]], but concerns with the border and opposition from residents in Michigan has promoted the need to look for alternate sites or expand the recycling program. Besides the [[blue box recycling bin]] (plastic and metal) and [[grey box]] (paper) programs, the city has instituted a [[green bin program]] to recover compostable materials. Its use began in [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]] and [[Etobicoke, Ontario|Etobicoke]] and has since been expanded to the rest of the city except the former City of North York, which will participate in 2005.
The green bin program has come under criticism by watchgroups since instituted due to its cost, which is three times per tonne more to operate than currently shipping to Michigan.
<!-- Background info on the inefficiency of the green bin program: http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/city_performance/pdf/2003_mpmp_results_relative_pf_jan05.pdf !-->
===Greenbelt===
In March 2005, the provincial government unveiled the boundaries of a [[greenbelt]] around the Greater Toronto Area, a 7,200-square-kilometre area stretching from [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]] to [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]]. The greenbelt is designed to curb [[urban sprawl]] and to preserve valuable farmland surrounding the city. The decision remains controversial, as farmers and other critics say that the "development embargo" being placed on such lands forces down the value of farmland within the greenbelt, without providing just compensation to its owners. Many cities have implemented growth boundaries of some kind, including [[Ottawa]], [[Portland, Oregon]], [[Frankfurt|Frankfurt, Germany]], and [[London|London, England]], as a method of restricting urban growth.
===Provincehood Movement===
Over the last several years a growing number of Torontonians feel the region's best interests would be served if Toronto became a Province. Though this issue has come up from time to time over the last 30 years, it is in the last 15 years that the movement has grown the most. At one point former Mayor [[Mel Lastman]] made the comment that a Province of Toronto might be in the city's best interest. Despite it being a joke, a number of people took the idea seriously including a group who started an organization to pitch the idea of Provincehood.[http://www.provinceoftoronto.ca] The primary reason for the movement, say most supporters, is a concern over the amount of revenue Toronto puts in to both the federal and provincial governments in way of tax dollars as well as revenue from water deals regarding [[Lake Ontario]] and how little the city gets in return. Award winning Canadian author [[Pierre Berton]] was also a strong advocate of the movement.
==Neighbourhoods==
[[image:church-wellesley.jpg|thumb|275px|right|[[Church and Wellesley]], Toronto's [[gay village]]]]
''Main article:'' [[List of neighbourhoods in Toronto]]
Toronto has over 200 neighbourhoods within its borders, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the "city of neighbourhoods."
Before [[1998]], Toronto was a much smaller municipality and formed part of [[Metropolitan Toronto]]. When the city amalgamated that year, Toronto grew to encompass the former municipalities of [[York, Ontario|York]], [[East York, Ontario|East York]], [[North York, Ontario|North York]], [[Etobicoke, Ontario|Etobicoke]], and [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]]. Each of these former municipalities still maintains, to a certain degree, their own distinct identities, and the names of these municipalities are still used by their residents. The municipality that existed as Toronto before the merger is sometimes called the "old" City of Toronto or the Central District.
The "old" city of Toronto is, by far, the most populous and dense part of the city. It is also the business centre of the city.
The "inner ring" suburbs of [[York, Ontario|York]] and [[East York, Ontario|East York]] are older, predominantly middle-class areas, and are highly ethnically diverse. Much of the housing stock in these areas consists of old post-war single-family houses and high-rises.
The "outer ring" suburbs of [[Etobicoke, Ontario|Etobicoke]], [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], and [[North York, Ontario|North York]] are much more [[suburb]]an in nature.
==Toronto's "905" suburbs==
Before [[1993]], the telephone [[area code]] 416 included the entire [[Golden Horseshoe]] region from [[Clarington]] to [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]]. The area code was then split, with Metropolitan Toronto (now Toronto) alone remaining in 416, while the rest of the area became 905. In informal usage in Toronto, "905" quickly began to be used as shorthand for the belt of suburbs and [[exurb]]s surrounding the city, but not for places like Niagara Falls or [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]]. Toronto itself may similarly be referred to as "416". (Subsequently both area codes 416 and 905 were [[overlay plan|overlaid]] with new codes, 647 and 289 respectively, but popular usage has not been affected by this.)
The major "905" suburbs or exurbs surrounding Toronto are:
[[image:Toronto_Landsat.jpg|thumbnail|275px|A simulated colour image of Toronto, taken by [[Landsat 7]]]]
===West===
====[[Peel Regional Municipality]]====
* [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]]
* [[Brampton, Ontario|Brampton]]
* [[Caledon, Ontario|Caledon]]
====[[Halton Regional Municipality]]====
* [[Oakville, Ontario|Oakville]]
* [[Milton, Ontario|Milton]]
* [[Burlington, Ontario|Burlington]]
* [[Halton Hills, Ontario|Halton Hills]]
===North===
====[[York Regional Municipality]]====
* [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]]
* [[Markham, Ontario|Markham]]
* [[Vaughan, Ontario|Vaughan]]
* [[Aurora, Ontario|Aurora]]
* [[Newmarket, Ontario|Newmarket]]
===East===
====[[Durham Regional Municipality]]====
* [[Pickering, Ontario|Pickering]]
* [[Ajax, Ontario|Ajax]]
* [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]]
* [[Oshawa, Ontario|Oshawa]]
* [[Clarington, Ontario|Clarington]]
For more information on the suburbs of Toronto, see [[Greater Toronto Area]].
==Nicknames==
Toronto's nicknames include:
* T.O. (from Toronto, Ontario - pronounced Tee-Oh)
* T-dot (short for "t-dot o-dot")
* The Big Smoke (a nickname it shares with many other cities)
* Hogtown (referring to the city's growing livestock trading and farmers' markets during the 19th century)
* [[Methodist Rome]] (late nineteenth and early twentieth century)
* Toronto the Good (from its history as a bastion of Victorian morality from the nineteenth century through the 1950s)
* Hollywood North (a nickname it shares with [[Vancouver]])
* Queen City
* Muddy York
* The 4-1-6
* The Centre of the Universe (often derogatory)
* The Capital of [[Hockey]]
==Pronunciation of "Toronto"==
The stress is on the second syllable.
Locals sometimes pronounce the city's name as "Toronno" or "Tronno", "Tronto", "Toranna", "Taranna", "Chrono" ('ch' as in chime, not as in chrome), "Chranna" or even "Terawhnna" ({{Audio|en-CA Toronto (contracted).ogg|listen to an example}}). However, this is merely a reflection of the varieties of [[Canadian English|Canadian pronunciation]] and does not represent a unique pronunciation for the city name itself.
For instance, many Canadians pronounce the number "ninety nine" as something between "9-D-9" and "9-E-9", whereas many Britons or East Indians will distinctly pronounce "9-T-9". Thus while it is natural that many Canadians will say "Toronno", speakers whose dialects pronounce the "T" distinctly in words like "ninety nine" should do likewise when pronouncing "Toronto". In each case, the speaker merely pronounces "Toronto" in the way that is most natural in his or her dialect.
Even for Canadian speakers it is never outright incorrect to pronounce distinctly the second ''t'' in Toronto, and some local people do so. However, pronouncing it "Tor-on-toe" (with equal stress on each syllable) in casual speech is usually seen as a sign of someone who is not a native of the city.
{{Commons|Toronto, Ontario}}
==See also==
*[[Metropolitan Toronto]]
*[[List of Torontonians]]
*[[List of Toronto mayors]]
*[[Toronto City Council]]
*[[1976 Summer Paralympics]]
*[[List of hospitals in Toronto]]
*[[List of sports teams in Toronto]]
*[[List of malls in Toronto]]
*[[List of educational institutions in Toronto]]
*[[List of media outlets in Toronto]]
*[[List of neighbourhoods in Toronto]]
*[[List of attractions in Toronto]]
*[[List of parks in Toronto]]
*[[List of annual events in Toronto]]
*[[List of Toronto's 10 tallest skyscrapers]]
*[[List of sister cities of Toronto]]
==External links==
* [http://www.toronto.ca City of Toronto Official Website]
* [http://www.torontotourism.com/ Tourism Toronto]
* [http://www.goodoldtoronto.com The Good Ol' Toronto] A travel and tourism guide to the city.
* [http://www.toronto.com Toronto.com] A complete guide to restaurants, events, hotels, entertainment and every business in Toronto and its suburbs
* [http://www.dine.to Dine.TO] Toronto restaurants guide
* [http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/ www.cbc.ca/toronto] Local news from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBC CBC]
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Toronto Toronto travel guide at Wikitravel]
* [http://www.trailcanada.com/canada-guides/toronto.asp Travel guide to Toronto]
* [http://www.trailcanada.com/photos/toronto.asp Photos of Toronto]
* [http://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/education/toronto_e.php The real story of how Toronto got its name] at Canadian Geographical Names
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Toronto,Ontario&spn=0.590515,0.879593&t=k&hl=en Zoomable satellite picture of Toronto]
* [http://toronto.ontariotenants.ca Toronto Tenants Associations Information and Apartments for Rent]
* [http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/AtlasMapping/index.aspx?zoom=366.104491¢erx=-79.386506¢ery=43.670077&layers=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 Atlas map, Toronto]
* [http://www.torontoneighbourhoods.net/ Toronto Neighbourhoods]
* [http://toronto.wikicities.com/wiki/Main_Page Toronto Wiki at wikicities.com]
{{wikitravel}}
{{mapquest|country=canada|city=toronto|zip=|address=|text=Toronto}}
<table width = 75% border = 2 align="center">
<tr><td width = 35% align="center"></td>
<td width = 30% align="center">'''North:''' [[Vaughan, Ontario|Vaughan]], [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]], [[Markham, Ontario|Markham]]</td>
<td width = 35% align="center"><tr>
<td width = 10% align="center">'''West:''' [[Brampton, Ontario|Brampton]], [[Mississauga, Ontario|Mississauga]]</td>
<td width = 35% align="center">'''Toronto'''</td>
<td width = 30% align="center">'''East:''' [[Pickering, Ontario|Pickering]], [[Oshawa, Ontario|Oshawa]]</td>
<tr><td width = 35% align="center">
<td width = 30% align="center">'''South:''' ''[[Lake Ontario]]''</td>
<td width = 35% align="center">
</table>
{{Canada capitals}}
{{Ontario}}
[[Category:Coastal cities]]
[[Category:Toronto| ]]
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