People & Places
Live and work in Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and is officially Canada’s largest city. The city is part of an area known as the ‘Golden Horseshoe’.
Toronto is home to around one quarter of Canada's population and one sixth of the country's jobs. All in all the city houses around two and a half million people and as such is a constant hub of activity and excitement, writes Ben Lewis.
Just as you would expect in any truly global, modern metropolis, Torontonians – as the residents are known – are a multicultural mix of people renowned for their friendly outlook on life.
Toronto is the nation's financial centre and economic focal point as well as being one of the country's most significant centres for art, culture and health sciences. The city is serviced by the Pearson International Airport and receives just under 30 million visitors annually. Access to the city centre is made easy by an impressive public transport system. Within the city itself an extensive system of of subways, buses and streetcars are operated for a flat fare, regardless of the distance that needs to be travelled. Residents also spend a lot of time on their bicycles thanks to Toronto's bicycle-friendly layout and government-encouraged cycle culture.
The city's main attractions include the CN tower and its observation deck. Standing at an impressive half a kilometre in height it is the tallest free-standing land structure in the world. Once you have reached the top, the glass bottom of the observation deck can be a little unnerving at first but it is a liberating experience once you pluck up the courage to step out onto it. The nearby Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Bluejays Major League Baseball team and is the first stadium in the world to feature a fully retractable roof. Just across the road, the Air Canada centre is home to Toronto Raptors basketball team and the legendary Toronto Maple Leafs ice hockey team. The Toronto City Hall is another of Toronto's distinctive landmarks and, thanks to its modernist design, has often appeared in Hollywood films when a futuristic building has been required. The square directly in front of the Hall known as Nathan Phillips Square is home to a weekly farmers' market and regularly serves as a public space for celebrations, concerts and art displays.
Possibly the most rewarding of the city's attractions are the Toronto islands, which are veritable playgrounds with plenty of activities to keep people of all ages interested. A short ferry ride will take you to this car-free environment with park facilities, frisby-golf (a game which involves throwing a frisby around a course into chain nets), an amusement park amenities and lovely sandy beaches. Also popular is the Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Zoo and the Ontario Science Centre, which offer a great day out and will certainly keep the kids entertained.
Shopping in Toronto can be a real adventure with its large number of underground shopping areas such as the Eaton Centre that will keep you out of the cold in the winter. The Bloor and Bay Street area of the city is where you will find the exclusive boutiques and speciality toy stores but the main fashion district is located to the north of the city centre near Chinatown.
For a more practical spending spree, St Lawrence market provides locally grown, fresh produce and in the summer months has a large open air section so you can feel the sun on your face as you stock up for that organic diet.
When it comes to the time for that big night out on the tiles you have been looking forward to, you will be glad to hear that along with a plethora of pubs and clubs the city is home to loads of live music venues that will cater for any taste. If its classical music, ballet, theatre or opera that your into then you will probably find yourself at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Canon Theatre or the Four Seasons Centre. On the other hand, if you are into your indie, rock or hip hop music you will most likely find yourself cruising the Queen Street West area in the entertainment district and frequenting places such as Lee's Palace, The Horseshoe Tavern, The Mod Club, The Phoenix Concert Theatre, and Kool Haus. However, major concerts tend to be held in larger venues such as the Molson Amphitheatre at Ontario Place.
When it comes to big events Toronto regularly plays host to a wide range all year round. In the summer months the city hosts Gay Pride celebrations, the largest Caribbean festival in North America and the Toronto International Film Festival, which, according to a some sources, will soon surpass Cannes as the number one film festival in the world.
Read articles about other Candian destinations:
Keeping warm in Winnipeg
Discovering British Columbia
Search EmiLinks for other Toronto related sites
Register for your FREE emigration starter pack
Subscribe to Emigrate Canada newspaper