Greater Toronto Area

Last updated

Greater Toronto Area
Toronto by Sentinel-2.jpg
Satellite image of the Greater Toronto Area from 2018
Greater toronto area map.svg
Canada Southern Ontario location map 2.png
Red pog.svg
Greater Toronto Area
Canada location map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Greater Toronto Area
Coordinates: 43°38′33″N79°23′14″W / 43.64250°N 79.38722°W / 43.64250; -79.38722
CountryCanada
Province Ontario
Area
  Land7,123.64 km2 (2,750.45 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
  Total6,711,985
  Density1,033.77/km2 (2,677.5/sq mi)
 Combined population of Halton, Peel, Toronto, York, Durham
GDP
  Toronto CMA CA$430.9 billion (2020) [1]
Time zone UTC−05:00 (EST)
  Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Postal code
L, M
Area code(s) 226, 249, 289, 416, 437, 519, 647, 705, 905, 365

The Greater Toronto Area, commonly referred to as the GTA, includes the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel, and York. In total, the region contains 25 urban, suburban, and rural municipalities. [2] [3] The Greater Toronto Area begins in Burlington in Halton Region to the west, and extends along Lake Ontario past downtown Toronto eastward to Clarington in Durham Region.

Contents

According to the 2021 census, the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) of Toronto has a total population of 6.202 million residents, making it the nation's largest, and the 6th-largest in North America. [4] However, the Greater Toronto Area, which is an economic area defined by the Government of Ontario, includes communities which are not included in the CMA as defined by Statistics Canada. Extrapolating the data for all 25 communities in the Greater Toronto Area from the 2021 Census, the total population for the economic region included 6,711,985 people.[ citation needed ]

The Greater Toronto Area is a part of several larger areas in Southern Ontario. The area is also combined with the city of Hamilton to form a conurbation known as the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). [5] [6] The GTHA combined with Niagara Region form the core of the Golden Horseshoe.

Etymology

The term "Greater Toronto" was first used in writing as early as the 1900s, although at the time, the term only referred to the old city of Toronto and its immediate townships and villages, which became Metropolitan Toronto in 1954 and became the current city of Toronto in 1998. [7] The use of the term involving the four surrounding regional municipalities came into formal use in the mid-1980s, after it was used in a widely discussed report on municipal governance restructuring in the region and was later made official as a provincial planning area. However, it did not come into everyday usage until the mid- to late 1990s.

In 2006, the term began to be supplanted in the field of spatial planning as provincial policy increasingly began to refer to either the "Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area" (GTHA) [lower-alpha 1] or the still-broader "Greater Golden Horseshoe". [9] The latter includes the Greater Toronto Area's satellite municipalities, such as Peterborough, Barrie, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Niagara Region. The GTA continues, however, to be in official use elsewhere in the Government of Ontario, such as the Ministry of Finance.

Census metropolitan area

A map of Toronto's Census Metropolitan Area, which contains a large portion of the GTA Toronto Location.png
A map of Toronto's Census Metropolitan Area, which contains a large portion of the GTA
Toronto is the central city of the Greater Toronto Area. Downtown from Ward's Island (11741021983).jpg
Toronto is the central city of the Greater Toronto Area.
Mississauga is the largest city in Peel Region, and the second-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. Sheridan mississauga.jpg
Mississauga is the largest city in Peel Region, and the second-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area.
Brampton, also in Peel Region, is the third largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. Brampton Square.jpg
Brampton, also in Peel Region, is the third largest city in the Greater Toronto Area.
Markham is the largest city in York Region, and the fourth largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. SpeedFeedbackRoadSign.jpg
Markham is the largest city in York Region, and the fourth largest city in the Greater Toronto Area.

Some municipalities considered part of the GTA are not within the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) which is smaller than the land area and population of the GTA planning area. For example, Oshawa is the centre of its own CMA, yet deemed part of the Greater Toronto Area, while other municipalities, such as New Tecumseth in southern Simcoe County and Mono Township in Dufferin County are included in the Toronto CMA but not in the GTA. [10] These different border configurations result in the GTA's population being higher than the Toronto CMA by nearly one-half million people, often leading to confusion amongst people when trying to sort out Toronto's urban population.

Other nearby urban areas, such as Hamilton, Barrie, St. Catharines-Niagara or Kitchener-Waterloo, are not part of the GTA or the Toronto CMA, but form their own CMAs near the GTA. [11] Ultimately, all the aforementioned places are part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe metropolitan region, an urban agglomeration, [12] which is the sixth most populous in North America. It is part of the Great Lakes megalopolis, containing an estimated 59 million people in 2011.

Municipalities in Greater Toronto Area and related CMAs
Census divisionCensus subdivisionIn GTAToronto CMAOshawa CMAHamilton CMA
Toronto Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Durham Region Ajax Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Clarington Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Brock Green check.svg
Oshawa Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Pickering Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Scugog Green check.svg
Uxbridge Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Whitby Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Halton Region Burlington Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Halton Hills Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Milton Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Oakville Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Peel Region Brampton Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Caledon Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Mississauga Green check.svgGreen check.svg
York Region Aurora Green check.svgGreen check.svg
East Gwillimbury Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Georgina Green check.svgGreen check.svg
King Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Markham Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Newmarket Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Richmond Hill Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Vaughan Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Whitchurch-Stouffville Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Dufferin County Mono Green check.svg
Orangeville Green check.svg
Simcoe County Bradford West Gwillimbury Green check.svg
New Tecumseth Green check.svg

Extended area

The term "Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area" (GTHA) refers to the GTA, and the city of Hamilton, located along the western border of the Greater Toronto Area. The term has been adopted by several organizations, including Metrolinx and the Ministry of Energy) [8] [5] due to growing commuter population in the combined region. The GTHA and the Regional Municipality of Niagara form the inner ring of the larger Greater Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration and secondary region of Ontario.

History

Early history

Historically the Greater Toronto Area was home to a number of First Nations who lived on the shore of Lake Ontario long before the first Europeans arrived in the region. At various times, the Neutral, [13] the Seneca, the Mohawk and the Huron nations were living in the vicinity. [14] The Mississaugas arrived in the late 17th or early 18th century, driving out the occupying Iroquois. [15] [16] While it is unclear as to who was the first European to reach the Toronto area, there is no question it occurred in the 17th century. [17]

By the 17th century, the area was a crucial point for travel, with the Humber and Rouge River providing a shortcut to Lake Simcoe and the upper Great Lakes. These routes were known as the Toronto Passage. The Short Portage - The Carrying Place, La Salle on the way over the Humber.jpg
By the 17th century, the area was a crucial point for travel, with the Humber and Rouge River providing a shortcut to Lake Simcoe and the upper Great Lakes. These routes were known as the Toronto Passage.

The area would later become very crucial for its series of trails and water routes that led from northern and western Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Known as the "Toronto Passage", it followed the Humber River, as an important overland shortcut between Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe and the upper Great Lakes. [18] For this reason the area, under French fur traders, became a major part of the North American fur trade. [17] The French would later establish three trading forts, Magasin Royal in the 1720s, although abandoned within the decade, Fort Toronto in 1750 and Fort Rouillé in 1751. During the Seven Years' War both forts were abandoned but Fort Toronto was later renovated. Fort Rouillé was burnt down after the Battle of Fort Niagara in 1759 by the French garrison during the French and Indian War. [17] [19]

The first large influx of European settlers to settle the region were the United Empire Loyalists arriving after the American Revolution, when various individuals petitioned the Crown for land in and around the Toronto area. [17] In 1787, the British negotiated the purchase of more than a quarter million acres (1,000 km2 [390 sq mi]) of land in the area of Toronto with the Mississaugas of New Credit. [20] York County, would later be created by Governor John Graves Simcoe in 1792, which would at its largest size, comprise all of what is now Halton Region, Toronto, Peel Region, York Region and parts of Durham Region. [21]

The GTA saw three American incursions during the War of 1812. The Town of York (present-day Toronto) was attacked by American forces at Battle of York, on April 27, 1813; and was subsequently occupied until May 8. [22] The second incursion occurred several months later, in July 1813, with two landings in the GTA. On July 29, American forces landed at Burlington Beach (present-day Burlington) in an attempt to dislodge British forces at the adjacent Burlington Heights. [23] However, finding the British forces too well-entrenched for any assault to be successful, the American naval force withdrew and proceeded east towards York. The American landings at York on July 31 went unopposed, with most of the soldiers garrisoned at York directed to defend Burlington Heights. [23] The third incursion occurred a year later, when an American naval squadron arrived outside of York's harbour on August 6, 1814. The squadron dispatched USS Lady of the Lake to enter the harbour in order to gauge the town's defences, where it briefly exchanged cannon fire with Fort York before withdrawing to rejoin the American squadron outside the harbour. American forces did not attempt a landing during this incursion, although remained outside York's harbour for three days before departing. [23]

In 1816, Wentworth County (which would later become the city of Hamilton) and Halton County were created from York County. [24] York County would later serve as the setting for the beginnings of the Upper Canada Rebellion with William Lyon Mackenzie's armed march from Holland Landing towards York Township on Yonge Street, eventually leading up to the battle at Montgomery's Tavern. [25] In 1851, Ontario County (present-day Durham Region) and Peel County were separated from York. [24] [26]

Although the original boundaries of York County encompassed nearly all of the GTA, by 1851, its boundaries had been reduced to the present-day City of Toronto and York Region as depicted on the 1871 map. YorkCountyOntario1880s.jpg
Although the original boundaries of York County encompassed nearly all of the GTA, by 1851, its boundaries had been reduced to the present-day City of Toronto and York Region as depicted on the 1871 map.

Since 1901

The idea towards a streamlined local government to control local infrastructure was made as early as 1907 by, William Findlay Maclean, a member of parliament and founder of The Toronto World , who called for the expansion of the government of the former City of Toronto in order to create a Greater Toronto. [7] The idea for a single government municipality would not be seriously explored until the late 1940s when planners decided the city needed to incorporate its immediate suburbs. However, due to strong opposition from suburban politicians, a compromise was struck, which resulted in the creation of Metropolitan Toronto. [27] In 1953, the portion of York County south of Steeles Avenue, a concession road which formed a common boundary between several townships across the width of the county, was severed from it and incorporated as the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. [28] With the concession of Metro Toronto, the offices of York County were moved from Toronto to Newmarket.

Originally, the membership in Metropolitan Toronto included the City of Toronto and five townships: East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York; as well as seven villages and towns, which became amalgamated into their surrounding townships in 1967. [29] The early Metro Toronto government debated over the annexation of surrounding townships of Markham, Pickering and Vaughan. Frederick Goldwin Gardiner, the first Metro Toronto Chairman, planned on the conversion of these townships into boroughs of the Metro Toronto government. [30] In 1971, the remaining areas of York County was replaced by the Ontario government with the Regional Municipality of York. [29] In 1974, Ontario and Durham Counties were reorganized to become the Regional Municipality of Durham; Pickering west of Rouge River was transferred to Scarborough at that time. Peel County became Peel Region in 1974 as well. In 1980, North York would be incorporated into a city, with York following suit in 1983 and Etobicoke and Scarborough in 1984, although still part of the Metropolitan Toronto municipal government. [29]

Satellite image of Toronto and Mississauga during the mid-1980s Toronto Landsat.jpg
Satellite image of Toronto and Mississauga during the mid-1980s

In 1992, the Ontario government passed legislation requiring Metropolitan Toronto to include the rest of the Greater Toronto Area into its planning. [31] Despite this however, there was fear different parts of the municipal system were working against one another. Because of this, Bob Rae, then the Premier of Ontario, appointed Anne Golden to head a GTA task force to govern the region's quality of life, competitiveness and governance. [32] During this time, the Metro Toronto government advocated to the task force the creation of a new GTA authority, which would be made up of 21 of the 30 existing municipalities in the GTA at the time. The proposal from Metro Toronto would have resulted in 15 new municipalities. The City of Mississauga argued consolidation should only take place in such a way the new municipalities would have a population between 400,000 and 800,000. [33] The Town of Markham had similarly advocated municipal consolidation in York Region, although it was opposed to complete consolidation into a single municipality. Municipal consolidation faced stiff opposition however from smaller communities such as Ajax, Milton, and the borough of East York. [34] The task force's recommendation to eliminate the Metro Toronto government, and consolidate its remaining municipalities into an enlarged City of Toronto was completed in 1997 and became official in 1998, under the Common Sense Revolution of the then premier, Mike Harris. [35] However, the task force's recommendation to create a GTA-tier municipality was not taken up by the Harris government, fearing a GTA-wide municipality would recreate the inter-municipal competitiveness that was believed to have impaired the former Metro Toronto government. [36]

Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario, was established to oversee public transit development across the Greater Toronto Area.

The Greater Toronto Area hosted the 2015 Pan American Games.

Geography

Detailed map of the Greater Toronto Area in 2022 GreaterTorontoArea2022OSM.png
Detailed map of the Greater Toronto Area in 2022
Rouge National Urban Park is an urban national park in the GTA. It includes parts of the municipalities of Markham, Pickering, Toronto, and Uxbridge. Pond at south end of Rouge 1.jpg
Rouge National Urban Park is an urban national park in the GTA. It includes parts of the municipalities of Markham, Pickering, Toronto, and Uxbridge.

The Greater Toronto Area covers an area of 7,125 km2 (2,751 sq mi). [37] The region itself is bordered by Lake Ontario to the south, Kawartha Lakes to the east, the Niagara Escarpment to the west, and Lake Simcoe to the north. The region creates a natural ecosystem known as the Greater Toronto Bioregion. The Greater Toronto Area forms part of the neck of the Ontario Peninsula.

Vast parts of the region remain farmland and forests, making it one of the distinctive features of the geography of the GTA. Most of the urban areas in the GTA hold large urban forest. For the most part designated as parkland, the ravines are largely undeveloped. Rouge Park is also one of the largest nature parks within the core of a metropolitan area. [38] Much of these areas also constitute the Toronto ravine system, which consists of deep and steep valleys, and a number of conservation areas in the region which are managed by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. [39] The Cheltenham Badlands in Caledon is an example of environmental degradation due to poor agricultural practice. The Scarborough Bluffs are part of the Glacial Lake Iroquois shoreline.

In 2005, the Government of Ontario also passed legislation to prevent urban development and sprawl on environmentally sensitive land in the Greater Toronto Area, known as the Greenbelt, many of these areas including protected sections of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Rouge Park and the Niagara Escarpment. [40] Nevertheless, low-density suburban developments continue to be built, some on or near ecologically sensitive and protected areas. The provincial government attempted to address this issue through the "Places to Grow" legislation passed in 2005, which emphasizes higher-density growth in existing urban centres over the next 25 years (i.e., until 2030). [41]

Climate

The climate of the Greater Toronto Area is classified as humid continental, according to the Köppen climate classification. Much of the Greater Toronto Area is under Köppen Dfb (warm summer subtype) zone, while Old Toronto (excluding the Toronto Islands) and some areas between there and Burlington to the southwest, are under the Köppen Dfa climate zone, the hot summer subtype. Precipitation averages 832 mm (32.8 in) annually, fairly distributed through the year but driest in later winter with higher average totals in the later summer. In winter, typical high temperatures will range from −5 to 3 °C (23 to 37 °F) and low temperatures from −12 to −5 °C (10 to 23 °F). Cold arctic outbreaks keep daytime highs below −10 °C (14 °F) for several days but this does not occur in every winter, while low temperatures sometimes drop below −18 °C (0 °F), accompanying wind chill makes this feel much colder. Annual snowfall averages between 80 and 150 cm (31 and 59 in) across the area. Mild and snow-free spells are also a feature of Toronto's winter, with temperatures surpassing 5 °C (41 °F) for several days, to occasionally above 15 °C (59 °F). Spring is short and often cool to mild, snow can sometimes fall well into April, rarely accumulating. The transition from spring into summer can be rapid. Summer is warm on average to hot and moderately humid with high temperatures usually between 24 and 31 °C (75 and 88 °F), while low temperatures average between 15 °C (59 °F) in the suburbs and 18 to 20 °C (64 to 68 °F) downtown and near the lake. Although fairly sunny, summers do feature occasional heavy, thundery showers. Heat wave conditions with temperatures between 32 and 35 °C (90 and 95 °F) are not uncommon but very rarely does the temperature exceed 38 °C (100 °F). Immediate lakeshore locations have generally lower average maximum temperatures but they can also experience hot conditions when offshore winds prevail. Normally in autumn it alternates between wet and dry with lengthy periods of mild and calm weather. Temperatures fall and windspeeds increase sharply in November and by December, cold and snowy weather are more common as the temperature average falls below 0 °C (32 °F).

Climate data

Climate data for Toronto (The Annex)
WMO ID: 71266; coordinates 43°40′N79°24′W / 43.667°N 79.400°W / 43.667; -79.400 (Toronto (The Annex)) ; elevation: 112.5 m (369 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1840–present [lower-alpha 2]
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high humidex 15.712.221.731.639.844.543.042.643.831.226.117.744.5
Record high °C (°F)16.1
(61.0)
19.1
(66.4)
26.7
(80.1)
32.2
(90.0)
34.4
(93.9)
36.7
(98.1)
40.6
(105.1)
38.9
(102.0)
37.8
(100.0)
30.8
(87.4)
23.9
(75.0)
19.9
(67.8)
40.6
(105.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−0.3
(31.5)
0.6
(33.1)
5.1
(41.2)
11.7
(53.1)
18.8
(65.8)
24.2
(75.6)
27.0
(80.6)
26.1
(79.0)
22.0
(71.6)
14.6
(58.3)
8.1
(46.6)
2.6
(36.7)
13.4
(56.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)−3.5
(25.7)
−2.7
(27.1)
1.7
(35.1)
7.8
(46.0)
14.5
(58.1)
19.8
(67.6)
22.5
(72.5)
21.9
(71.4)
17.9
(64.2)
11.2
(52.2)
5.2
(41.4)
−0.1
(31.8)
9.7
(49.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−6.7
(19.9)
−6
(21)
−1.8
(28.8)
3.9
(39.0)
10.0
(50.0)
15.3
(59.5)
18.1
(64.6)
17.7
(63.9)
13.8
(56.8)
7.7
(45.9)
2.3
(36.1)
−2.7
(27.1)
6.0
(42.8)
Record low °C (°F)−32.8
(−27.0)
−31.7
(−25.1)
−26.7
(−16.1)
−15.0
(5.0)
−3.9
(25.0)
−2.2
(28.0)
3.9
(39.0)
4.4
(39.9)
−2.2
(28.0)
−8.9
(16.0)
−20.6
(−5.1)
−30.0
(−22.0)
−32.8
(−27.0)
Record low wind chill −36.6−34.0−26.0−17.0−7.90.00.00.00.0−7.5−17.2−33.6−36.6
Average precipitation mm (inches)61.5
(2.42)
55.4
(2.18)
53.7
(2.11)
68.0
(2.68)
82.0
(3.23)
70.9
(2.79)
63.9
(2.52)
81.1
(3.19)
84.7
(3.33)
64.4
(2.54)
84.1
(3.31)
61.5
(2.42)
831.1
(32.72)
Average rainfall mm (inches)29.1
(1.15)
29.7
(1.17)
33.6
(1.32)
61.1
(2.41)
82.0
(3.23)
70.9
(2.79)
63.9
(2.52)
81.1
(3.19)
84.7
(3.33)
64.3
(2.53)
75.4
(2.97)
38.2
(1.50)
714.0
(28.11)
Average snowfall cm (inches)37.2
(14.6)
27.0
(10.6)
19.8
(7.8)
5.0
(2.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.0)
8.3
(3.3)
24.1
(9.5)
121.5
(47.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)15.411.612.612.612.711.010.410.211.111.713.013.2145.5
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)5.44.87.911.212.711.010.410.211.111.710.97.0114.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)12.08.76.52.20.00.00.00.00.00.083.18.440.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 85.9111.3161.0180.0227.7259.6279.6245.6194.4154.388.978.12,066.3
Percent possible sunshine 29.737.743.644.850.056.359.856.751.745.130.528.044.5
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (precipitation/rain/snow/sunshine 1981–2010, humidex and wind chill 1953–1969) [42] [43]
Climate data for Bowmanville Mostert (Clarington)
Climate ID: 6150830; coordinates 43°55′N78°40′W / 43.917°N 78.667°W / 43.917; -78.667 (Bowmanville Mostert) ; elevation 99.1 m (325 ft), 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)13.0
(55.4)
12.5
(54.5)
21.5
(70.7)
29.0
(84.2)
33.0
(91.4)
33.5
(92.3)
36.0
(96.8)
35.0
(95.0)
32.2
(90.0)
26.0
(78.8)
21.1
(70.0)
17.5
(63.5)
36.0
(96.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−1.4
(29.5)
0.0
(32.0)
4.3
(39.7)
11.3
(52.3)
18.0
(64.4)
23.1
(73.6)
25.8
(78.4)
24.8
(76.6)
20.4
(68.7)
13.7
(56.7)
7.2
(45.0)
1.6
(34.9)
12.4
(54.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)−5.6
(21.9)
−4.4
(24.1)
−0.2
(31.6)
6.4
(43.5)
12.4
(54.3)
17.5
(63.5)
20.0
(68.0)
19.2
(66.6)
15.0
(59.0)
8.7
(47.7)
3.4
(38.1)
−2.2
(28.0)
7.5
(45.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−9.9
(14.2)
−8.8
(16.2)
−4.6
(23.7)
1.5
(34.7)
6.8
(44.2)
11.8
(53.2)
14.3
(57.7)
13.5
(56.3)
9.5
(49.1)
3.6
(38.5)
−0.4
(31.3)
−6.0
(21.2)
2.6
(36.7)
Record low °C (°F)−34.0
(−29.2)
−30.0
(−22.0)
−26.0
(−14.8)
−14.4
(6.1)
−5.0
(23.0)
−1.0
(30.2)
2.8
(37.0)
−0.5
(31.1)
−3.3
(26.1)
−8.3
(17.1)
−17.8
(0.0)
−34.5
(−30.1)
−34.5
(−30.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)63.1
(2.48)
50.5
(1.99)
55.0
(2.17)
70.6
(2.78)
75.9
(2.99)
83.8
(3.30)
63.2
(2.49)
78.1
(3.07)
98.7
(3.89)
70.8
(2.79)
88.6
(3.49)
68.1
(2.68)
866.5
(34.11)
Average rainfall mm (inches)32.2
(1.27)
32.8
(1.29)
41.0
(1.61)
68.0
(2.68)
75.9
(2.99)
83.8
(3.30)
63.2
(2.49)
78.1
(3.07)
98.7
(3.89)
70.6
(2.78)
83.1
(3.27)
46.1
(1.81)
773.3
(30.44)
Average snowfall cm (inches)31.0
(12.2)
17.7
(7.0)
14.1
(5.6)
2.6
(1.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.0)
5.6
(2.2)
22.0
(8.7)
93.1
(36.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)12.510.811.212.512.212.010.411.513.013.014.313.0146.4
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)5.55.38.011.812.212.010.411.513.013.012.77.4122.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)7.86.34.01.10.00.00.00.00.00.12.16.527.9
Source: Environment Canada [44]
Climate data for Oshawa WCPC
Climate ID: 6155878; coordinates 43°52′N78°50′W / 43.867°N 78.833°W / 43.867; -78.833 (Oshawa WCPC) , elevation: 83.8 m (275 ft); 1981−2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)14.0
(57.2)
11.5
(52.7)
23.5
(74.3)
29.5
(85.1)
32.0
(89.6)
34.5
(94.1)
36.5
(97.7)
36.0
(96.8)
31.5
(88.7)
24.4
(75.9)
21.1
(70.0)
16.5
(61.7)
36.5
(97.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−1.1
(30.0)
0.1
(32.2)
4.2
(39.6)
10.8
(51.4)
16.9
(62.4)
22.3
(72.1)
25.1
(77.2)
24.3
(75.7)
20.2
(68.4)
13.3
(55.9)
7.4
(45.3)
2.1
(35.8)
12.1
(53.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)−4.8
(23.4)
−3.6
(25.5)
0.4
(32.7)
6.6
(43.9)
12.3
(54.1)
17.6
(63.7)
20.6
(69.1)
20.0
(68.0)
15.9
(60.6)
9.5
(49.1)
4.2
(39.6)
−1.2
(29.8)
8.1
(46.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−8.5
(16.7)
−7.3
(18.9)
−3.5
(25.7)
2.5
(36.5)
7.7
(45.9)
12.9
(55.2)
15.9
(60.6)
15.6
(60.1)
11.7
(53.1)
5.6
(42.1)
1.0
(33.8)
−4.4
(24.1)
4.1
(39.4)
Record low °C (°F)−30.5
(−22.9)
−27
(−17)
−24
(−11)
−13.3
(8.1)
−2.8
(27.0)
1.1
(34.0)
6.0
(42.8)
3.0
(37.4)
−0.6
(30.9)
−7.8
(18.0)
−13
(9)
−29
(−20)
−30.5
(−22.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)65.6
(2.58)
56.6
(2.23)
54.2
(2.13)
72.7
(2.86)
78.9
(3.11)
73.9
(2.91)
73.1
(2.88)
77.4
(3.05)
94.0
(3.70)
70.1
(2.76)
84.8
(3.34)
70.7
(2.78)
871.9
(34.33)
Average rainfall mm (inches)30.0
(1.18)
31.7
(1.25)
40.7
(1.60)
70.6
(2.78)
78.9
(3.11)
73.9
(2.91)
73.1
(2.88)
77.4
(3.05)
94.0
(3.70)
70.0
(2.76)
80.0
(3.15)
45.8
(1.80)
766.1
(30.16)
Average snowfall cm (inches)35.6
(14.0)
24.9
(9.8)
13.5
(5.3)
2.0
(0.8)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.0)
4.7
(1.9)
24.9
(9.8)
105.8
(41.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)13.610.411.012.812.810.810.611.212.113.514.412.6145.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)5.75.07.912.412.810.810.611.212.113.413.37.5122.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)8.76.33.80.850.00.00.00.00.00.081.85.927.5
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [45]
Climate data for Burlington TS
Climate ID: 6151064; coordinates 43°20′N79°50′W / 43.333°N 79.833°W / 43.333; -79.833 (Burlington TS) , elevation: 99.1 m (325 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1866–present [note 1]
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)18.4
(65.1)
17.9
(64.2)
27.2
(81.0)
32.0
(89.6)
36.1
(97.0)
38.9
(102.0)
41.1
(106.0)
38.3
(100.9)
37.8
(100.0)
31.1
(88.0)
26.7
(80.1)
22.0
(71.6)
41.1
(106.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−0.6
(30.9)
0.8
(33.4)
5.2
(41.4)
12.4
(54.3)
19.4
(66.9)
25.0
(77.0)
28.0
(82.4)
26.7
(80.1)
21.8
(71.2)
15.1
(59.2)
8.0
(46.4)
2.4
(36.3)
13.7
(56.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)−4.4
(24.1)
−3.2
(26.2)
1.0
(33.8)
7.5
(45.5)
13.9
(57.0)
19.4
(66.9)
22.5
(72.5)
21.4
(70.5)
16.9
(62.4)
10.4
(50.7)
4.4
(39.9)
−1
(30)
9.1
(48.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−8.1
(17.4)
−7.1
(19.2)
−3.3
(26.1)
2.6
(36.7)
8.3
(46.9)
13.8
(56.8)
16.9
(62.4)
16.1
(61.0)
11.9
(53.4)
5.7
(42.3)
0.7
(33.3)
−4.3
(24.3)
4.4
(39.9)
Record low °C (°F)−30.6
(−23.1)
−29.4
(−20.9)
−27.2
(−17.0)
−14.4
(6.1)
−7.2
(19.0)
0.0
(32.0)
1.1
(34.0)
1.7
(35.1)
−3.9
(25.0)
−11.1
(12.0)
−22.8
(−9.0)
−27.8
(−18.0)
−30.6
(−23.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)66.0
(2.60)
54.5
(2.15)
61.6
(2.43)
70.6
(2.78)
81.0
(3.19)
69.1
(2.72)
75.3
(2.96)
82.0
(3.23)
83.1
(3.27)
71.9
(2.83)
84.9
(3.34)
63.0
(2.48)
863.1
(33.98)
Average rainfall mm (inches)31.8
(1.25)
33.0
(1.30)
44.7
(1.76)
68.2
(2.69)
81.0
(3.19)
69.1
(2.72)
75.3
(2.96)
82.0
(3.23)
83.1
(3.27)
71.9
(2.83)
79.7
(3.14)
43.5
(1.71)
763.3
(30.05)
Average snowfall cm (inches)34.2
(13.5)
21.5
(8.5)
16.9
(6.7)
2.4
(0.9)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
5.3
(2.1)
19.5
(7.7)
99.9
(39.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)12.49.611.012.511.810.910.110.210.910.713.911.9135.8
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)4.94.58.011.711.810.910.110.210.910.712.77.7113.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)8.16.03.60.840.00.00.00.00.00.01.65.425.5
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [46] [47]
Climate data for Georgetown WWTP (Halton Hills)
Climate ID: 6152695; coordinates 43°28′34″N79°52′45″W / 43.47611°N 79.87917°W / 43.47611; -79.87917 (Georgetown WWTP) ; elevation: 221 m (725 ft); 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)17.0
(62.6)
15.5
(59.9)
25.0
(77.0)
31.5
(88.7)
34.5
(94.1)
36.0
(96.8)
37.0
(98.6)
36.5
(97.7)
35.5
(95.9)
29.5
(85.1)
22.0
(71.6)
20.5
(68.9)
37.0
(98.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−1.7
(28.9)
−0.2
(31.6)
4.6
(40.3)
12.1
(53.8)
19.1
(66.4)
24.4
(75.9)
26.9
(80.4)
25.8
(78.4)
21.4
(70.5)
14.3
(57.7)
7.3
(45.1)
1.1
(34.0)
12.9
(55.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)−6.3
(20.7)
−5.2
(22.6)
−0.9
(30.4)
6.0
(42.8)
12.3
(54.1)
17.4
(63.3)
20.0
(68.0)
19.0
(66.2)
14.8
(58.6)
8.4
(47.1)
2.8
(37.0)
−2.9
(26.8)
7.1
(44.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−10.9
(12.4)
−10.2
(13.6)
−6.4
(20.5)
−0.2
(31.6)
5.3
(41.5)
10.4
(50.7)
13.0
(55.4)
12.1
(53.8)
8.1
(46.6)
2.4
(36.3)
−1.7
(28.9)
−6.9
(19.6)
1.3
(34.3)
Record low °C (°F)−33.0
(−27.4)
−31.5
(−24.7)
−28.0
(−18.4)
−13.0
(8.6)
−5.0
(23.0)
−0.5
(31.1)
3.0
(37.4)
0.0
(32.0)
−4.0
(24.8)
−8.5
(16.7)
−15.5
(4.1)
−29.5
(−21.1)
−33.0
(−27.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)67.8
(2.67)
60.0
(2.36)
57.2
(2.25)
76.5
(3.01)
79.3
(3.12)
74.8
(2.94)
73.5
(2.89)
79.3
(3.12)
86.2
(3.39)
68.3
(2.69)
88.5
(3.48)
65.9
(2.59)
877.4
(34.54)
Average rainfall mm (inches)29.7
(1.17)
28.4
(1.12)
35.2
(1.39)
71.3
(2.81)
79.0
(3.11)
74.8
(2.94)
73.5
(2.89)
79.3
(3.12)
86.2
(3.39)
67.8
(2.67)
79.9
(3.15)
36.4
(1.43)
741.5
(29.19)
Average snowfall cm (inches)38.1
(15.0)
31.7
(12.5)
22.1
(8.7)
5.2
(2.0)
0.3
(0.1)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.5
(0.2)
8.6
(3.4)
29.5
(11.6)
135.9
(53.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)12.69.410.612.411.911.210.610.611.712.313.312.3138.9
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)4.14.16.411.611.811.210.610.611.712.211.46.5112.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)9.46.24.81.40.040.00.00.00.00.272.56.931.5
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [48]
Climate data for Oakville Southeast WPCP
Climate ID: 615N745; coordinates 43°29′N79°38′W / 43.483°N 79.633°W / 43.483; -79.633 (Oakville Southeast WPCP) ; elevation: 86.9 m (285 ft); 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)13.9
(57.0)
15.6
(60.1)
27.5
(81.5)
32.0
(89.6)
33.0
(91.4)
38.0
(100.4)
37.0
(98.6)
37.5
(99.5)
35.0
(95.0)
28.9
(84.0)
23.3
(73.9)
22.0
(71.6)
38.0
(100.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−0.4
(31.3)
0.6
(33.1)
4.7
(40.5)
11.3
(52.3)
17.9
(64.2)
23.2
(73.8)
26.3
(79.3)
25.2
(77.4)
20.9
(69.6)
14.3
(57.7)
8.3
(46.9)
2.8
(37.0)
12.9
(55.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)−4.7
(23.5)
−3.9
(25.0)
0.1
(32.2)
6.4
(43.5)
12.3
(54.1)
17.7
(63.9)
20.9
(69.6)
20.1
(68.2)
15.6
(60.1)
9.3
(48.7)
4.0
(39.2)
−1.3
(29.7)
8.1
(46.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−8.9
(16.0)
−8.3
(17.1)
−4.5
(23.9)
1.5
(34.7)
6.8
(44.2)
12.1
(53.8)
15.4
(59.7)
15.0
(59.0)
10.2
(50.4)
4.3
(39.7)
−0.2
(31.6)
−5.5
(22.1)
3.2
(37.8)
Record low °C (°F)−30.0
(−22.0)
−25.0
(−13.0)
−22.0
(−7.6)
−14.4
(6.1)
−3.3
(26.1)
1.1
(34.0)
7.0
(44.6)
3.0
(37.4)
−1.7
(28.9)
−7.0
(19.4)
−14.0
(6.8)
−27.0
(−16.6)
−30.0
(−22.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)59.8
(2.35)
46.7
(1.84)
54.4
(2.14)
65.2
(2.57)
73.9
(2.91)
71.0
(2.80)
75.8
(2.98)
78.3
(3.08)
73.5
(2.89)
70.0
(2.76)
79.3
(3.12)
58.8
(2.31)
806.7
(31.76)
Average rainfall mm (inches)31.5
(1.24)
30.7
(1.21)
37.2
(1.46)
63.1
(2.48)
73.9
(2.91)
71.0
(2.80)
75.8
(2.98)
78.3
(3.08)
73.5
(2.89)
70.0
(2.76)
76.8
(3.02)
43.9
(1.73)
725.6
(28.57)
Average snowfall cm (inches)28.3
(11.1)
16.1
(6.3)
17.2
(6.8)
2.1
(0.8)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
2.5
(1.0)
14.9
(5.9)
81.0
(31.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)9.67.29.011.110.410.38.89.810.210.411.19.7117.6
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)4.43.86.410.610.410.38.89.810.210.410.66.8102.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)5.63.73.20.70.00.00.00.00.00.01.03.417.6
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [49]
Climate data for Lester B. Pearson International Airport (Brampton and North Mississauga)
WMO ID: 71624; coordinates 43°40′38″N79°37′50″W / 43.67722°N 79.63056°W / 43.67722; -79.63056 (Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport) , elevation: 173.4 m (569 ft), 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high humidex 19.018.329.637.942.645.650.346.648.039.128.623.950.3
Record high °C (°F)17.6
(63.7)
17.7
(63.9)
26.0
(78.8)
31.1
(88.0)
34.4
(93.9)
36.7
(98.1)
37.9
(100.2)
38.3
(100.9)
36.7
(98.1)
31.8
(89.2)
25.1
(77.2)
20.0
(68.0)
38.3
(100.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−1.5
(29.3)
−0.4
(31.3)
4.6
(40.3)
12.2
(54.0)
18.8
(65.8)
24.2
(75.6)
27.1
(80.8)
26.0
(78.8)
21.6
(70.9)
14.3
(57.7)
7.6
(45.7)
1.4
(34.5)
13.0
(55.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)−5.5
(22.1)
−4.5
(23.9)
0.1
(32.2)
7.1
(44.8)
13.1
(55.6)
18.6
(65.5)
21.5
(70.7)
20.6
(69.1)
16.2
(61.2)
9.5
(49.1)
3.7
(38.7)
−2.2
(28.0)
8.2
(46.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−9.4
(15.1)
−8.7
(16.3)
−4.5
(23.9)
1.9
(35.4)
7.4
(45.3)
13.0
(55.4)
15.8
(60.4)
15.1
(59.2)
10.8
(51.4)
4.6
(40.3)
−0.2
(31.6)
−5.8
(21.6)
3.3
(37.9)
Record low °C (°F)−31.3
(−24.3)
−31.1
(−24.0)
−28.9
(−20.0)
−17.2
(1.0)
−5.6
(21.9)
0.6
(33.1)
3.9
(39.0)
1.1
(34.0)
−3.9
(25.0)
−8.3
(17.1)
−18.3
(−0.9)
−31.1
(−24.0)
−31.3
(−24.3)
Record low wind chill −44.7−38.9−36.2−25.4−9.50.00.00.0−8.0−13.5−25.4−38.5−44.7
Average precipitation mm (inches)51.8
(2.04)
47.7
(1.88)
49.8
(1.96)
68.5
(2.70)
74.3
(2.93)
71.5
(2.81)
75.7
(2.98)
78.1
(3.07)
74.5
(2.93)
61.1
(2.41)
75.1
(2.96)
57.9
(2.28)
785.9
(30.94)
Average rainfall mm (inches)25.1
(0.99)
24.3
(0.96)
32.6
(1.28)
63.0
(2.48)
74.3
(2.93)
71.5
(2.81)
75.7
(2.98)
78.1
(3.07)
74.5
(2.93)
60.6
(2.39)
68.0
(2.68)
34.0
(1.34)
681.6
(26.83)
Average snowfall cm (inches)29.5
(11.6)
24.0
(9.4)
17.7
(7.0)
4.5
(1.8)
0.02
(0.01)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.4
(0.2)
7.5
(3.0)
24.9
(9.8)
108.5
(42.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)15.111.612.412.512.510.810.410.210.512.113.214.8145.9
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)5.44.67.411.312.510.810.410.210.512.011.07.1113.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)12.19.46.82.40.030.00.00.00.00.33.410.044.4
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00)72.068.461.454.453.554.953.355.858.562.169.272.561.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 79.7112.2159.4204.4228.2249.7294.4274.5215.7163.794.286.22,161.4
Percent possible sunshine 27.638.043.250.850.154.163.063.457.447.832.030.946.5
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57]
Climate data for Albion Field Centre (Albion Township and Caledon)
Climate ID: 6150103; coordinates 43°55′N79°50′W / 43.917°N 79.833°W / 43.917; -79.833 (Albion Field Centre)) ; elevation: 281.9 m (925 ft); 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)12.0
(53.6)
14.5
(58.1)
24.5
(76.1)
30.0
(86.0)
33.0
(91.4)
34.5
(94.1)
36.1
(97.0)
35.0
(95.0)
34.4
(93.9)
30.6
(87.1)
22.2
(72.0)
19.5
(67.1)
36.1
(97.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−2.8
(27.0)
−1.4
(29.5)
3.7
(38.7)
11.6
(52.9)
18.8
(65.8)
23.7
(74.7)
26.3
(79.3)
25.1
(77.2)
19.9
(67.8)
13.2
(55.8)
5.8
(42.4)
−0.3
(31.5)
12.0
(53.6)
Daily mean °C (°F)−7.0
(19.4)
−5.9
(21.4)
−1.4
(29.5)
6.1
(43.0)
12.4
(54.3)
17.3
(63.1)
19.9
(67.8)
19.1
(66.4)
14.3
(57.7)
8.1
(46.6)
2.1
(35.8)
−3.9
(25.0)
6.7
(44.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−11.2
(11.8)
−10.4
(13.3)
−6.6
(20.1)
0.5
(32.9)
5.9
(42.6)
10.9
(51.6)
13.5
(56.3)
13.0
(55.4)
8.6
(47.5)
2.9
(37.2)
−1.7
(28.9)
−7.4
(18.7)
1.5
(34.7)
Record low °C (°F)−36.5
(−33.7)
−35.0
(−31.0)
−31.5
(−24.7)
−21.1
(−6.0)
−6.1
(21.0)
−1.5
(29.3)
1.7
(35.1)
−0.5
(31.1)
−5.0
(23.0)
−11.5
(11.3)
−19.0
(−2.2)
−32.0
(−25.6)
−36.5
(−33.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)60.4
(2.38)
50.2
(1.98)
50.3
(1.98)
67.0
(2.64)
76.1
(3.00)
75.5
(2.97)
81.8
(3.22)
77.4
(3.05)
75.0
(2.95)
68.3
(2.69)
81.7
(3.22)
57.7
(2.27)
821.5
(32.34)
Average rainfall mm (inches)24.0
(0.94)
22.2
(0.87)
27.3
(1.07)
63.0
(2.48)
76.1
(3.00)
75.5
(2.97)
81.8
(3.22)
77.4
(3.05)
75.0
(2.95)
64.9
(2.56)
67.8
(2.67)
25.9
(1.02)
681.0
(26.81)
Average snowfall cm (inches)36.4
(14.3)
28.0
(11.0)
23.0
(9.1)
4.0
(1.6)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
3.4
(1.3)
13.8
(5.4)
31.9
(12.6)
140.5
(55.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)12.49.49.610.810.310.29.09.810.811.312.19.8125.5
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)3.33.65.29.910.310.29.09.810.811.29.33.796.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)9.86.45.31.40.10.00.00.00.00.64.06.834.3
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [58]
Climate data for Markham (Buttonville at Toronto Buttonville Airport)
WMO ID: 71639; coordinates 43°51′44″N79°22′12″W / 43.86222°N 79.37000°W / 43.86222; -79.37000 (Toronto Buttonville Airport) ; elevation: 198.1 m (650 ft); 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high humidex 16.014.429.235.741.044.650.947.443.637.824.920.650.9
Record high °C (°F)14.9
(58.8)
14.9
(58.8)
26.0
(78.8)
31.7
(89.1)
34.6
(94.3)
36.6
(97.9)
37.2
(99.0)
37.8
(100.0)
34.4
(93.9)
31.0
(87.8)
22.1
(71.8)
18.0
(64.4)
37.8
(100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−1.5
(29.3)
−0.9
(30.4)
4.5
(40.1)
12.1
(53.8)
19.1
(66.4)
24.6
(76.3)
27.1
(80.8)
26.0
(78.8)
21.5
(70.7)
14.1
(57.4)
7.2
(45.0)
0.9
(33.6)
12.9
(55.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)−5.8
(21.6)
−5.6
(21.9)
−0.4
(31.3)
6.7
(44.1)
13.0
(55.4)
18.6
(65.5)
21.2
(70.2)
20.2
(68.4)
15.7
(60.3)
8.9
(48.0)
3.1
(37.6)
−2.9
(26.8)
7.7
(45.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−10.1
(13.8)
−10.2
(13.6)
−5.3
(22.5)
1.2
(34.2)
6.8
(44.2)
12.6
(54.7)
15.2
(59.4)
14.3
(57.7)
9.9
(49.8)
3.6
(38.5)
−1.1
(30.0)
−6.8
(19.8)
2.5
(36.5)
Record low °C (°F)−35.2
(−31.4)
−25.7
(−14.3)
−25.6
(−14.1)
−10.1
(13.8)
−2.1
(28.2)
1.9
(35.4)
6.9
(44.4)
4.2
(39.6)
−2.0
(28.4)
−7.4
(18.7)
−15.0
(5.0)
−26.0
(−14.8)
−35.2
(−31.4)
Record low wind chill −42.6−37.4−35.6−18.6−4.40.00.00.0−4.2−8.8−23.9−36.6−42.6
Average precipitation mm (inches)62.1
(2.44)
50.5
(1.99)
53.2
(2.09)
74.1
(2.92)
79.6
(3.13)
82.8
(3.26)
79.0
(3.11)
76.2
(3.00)
81.8
(3.22)
68.0
(2.68)
80.0
(3.15)
65.7
(2.59)
852.9
(33.58)
Average rainfall mm (inches)26.0
(1.02)
22.9
(0.90)
33.6
(1.32)
66.7
(2.63)
79.5
(3.13)
82.8
(3.26)
78.8
(3.10)
76.2
(3.00)
81.8
(3.22)
66.7
(2.63)
68.3
(2.69)
34.2
(1.35)
717.4
(28.24)
Average snowfall cm (inches)38.9
(15.3)
29.9
(11.8)
19.3
(7.6)
7.5
(3.0)
0.1
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.6
(0.2)
12.1
(4.8)
34.2
(13.5)
142.6
(56.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)16.712.912.012.312.011.811.29.910.813.214.515.3152.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)5.83.86.710.812.011.811.29.910.813.011.36.6113.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)13.410.87.02.90.130.00.00.00.00.484.710.850.2
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST)69.664.057.852.952.353.953.455.959.262.468.971.160.1
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [59]
Climate data for Richmond Hill
Climate ID: 6157012; coordinates 43°52′38″N79°26′52″W / 43.87722°N 79.44778°W / 43.87722; -79.44778 (Richmond Hill) ; elevation: 240 m (790 ft); 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)14.5
(58.1)
14.5
(58.1)
25.5
(77.9)
31.0
(87.8)
34.5
(94.1)
35.0
(95.0)
37.0
(98.6)
37.0
(98.6)
34.4
(93.9)
29.4
(84.9)
23.3
(73.9)
20.0
(68.0)
37.0
(98.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−2.2
(28.0)
−0.6
(30.9)
4.4
(39.9)
12.1
(53.8)
19.0
(66.2)
24.2
(75.6)
26.8
(80.2)
25.6
(78.1)
20.9
(69.6)
13.7
(56.7)
6.7
(44.1)
0.8
(33.4)
12.6
(54.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)−6.2
(20.8)
−4.9
(23.2)
−0.3
(31.5)
6.9
(44.4)
13.3
(55.9)
18.7
(65.7)
21.4
(70.5)
20.3
(68.5)
15.9
(60.6)
9.1
(48.4)
3.1
(37.6)
−2.7
(27.1)
7.9
(46.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−10.2
(13.6)
−9.1
(15.6)
−5
(23)
1.7
(35.1)
7.7
(45.9)
13.1
(55.6)
15.9
(60.6)
15.1
(59.2)
10.8
(51.4)
4.5
(40.1)
−0.5
(31.1)
−6.1
(21.0)
3.2
(37.8)
Record low °C (°F)−32.5
(−26.5)
−29
(−20)
−27
(−17)
−15
(5)
−5.6
(21.9)
0.6
(33.1)
4.4
(39.9)
3.0
(37.4)
−3.3
(26.1)
−7.8
(18.0)
−15.5
(4.1)
−30
(−22)
−32.5
(−26.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches)62.3
(2.45)
58.0
(2.28)
58.8
(2.31)
70.1
(2.76)
81.6
(3.21)
80.2
(3.16)
83.5
(3.29)
89.2
(3.51)
88.4
(3.48)
69.1
(2.72)
87.2
(3.43)
66.8
(2.63)
895.2
(35.24)
Average rainfall mm (inches)25.2
(0.99)
26.3
(1.04)
33.6
(1.32)
62.5
(2.46)
81.5
(3.21)
80.2
(3.16)
83.5
(3.29)
89.2
(3.51)
88.4
(3.48)
67.6
(2.66)
73.5
(2.89)
33.1
(1.30)
744.6
(29.31)
Average snowfall cm (inches)37.1
(14.6)
31.7
(12.5)
25.2
(9.9)
7.6
(3.0)
0.1
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.5
(0.6)
13.7
(5.4)
33.7
(13.3)
150.6
(59.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)18.313.914.413.613.611.911.311.212.413.415.216.2165.2
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)4.94.37.411.713.611.911.311.212.413.311.47.0120.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)15.311.39.03.20.120.00.00.00.00.625.311.656.5
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [60]
Climate data for Stouffville
Climate ID: 6158084; coordinates 43°58′N79°15′W / 43.967°N 79.250°W / 43.967; -79.250 (Stouffville) ; elevation: 266.7 m (875 ft), 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)11.0
(51.8)
13.5
(56.3)
23.0
(73.4)
30.5
(86.9)
32.0
(89.6)
34.0
(93.2)
35.5
(95.9)
36.5
(97.7)
32.8
(91.0)
25.5
(77.9)
22.8
(73.0)
18.0
(64.4)
36.5
(97.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−3.2
(26.2)
−2.4
(27.7)
3.1
(37.6)
11.1
(52.0)
18.5
(65.3)
23.1
(73.6)
26.2
(79.2)
24.7
(76.5)
19.9
(67.8)
12.8
(55.0)
6.0
(42.8)
−0.6
(30.9)
11.6
(52.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−11.6
(11.1)
−10.9
(12.4)
−5.7
(21.7)
1.2
(34.2)
7.4
(45.3)
11.8
(53.2)
14.8
(58.6)
14
(57)
9.6
(49.3)
3.5
(38.3)
−1.0
(30.2)
−7.7
(18.1)
2.1
(35.8)
Record low °C (°F)−35.5
(−31.9)
−28.3
(−18.9)
−28.0
(−18.4)
−17.0
(1.4)
−3.3
(26.1)
0.0
(32.0)
7.0
(44.6)
2.5
(36.5)
−2.0
(28.4)
−7.2
(19.0)
−15.0
(5.0)
−31.5
(−24.7)
−35.5
(−31.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)52.8
(2.08)
53.5
(2.11)
62.8
(2.47)
65.5
(2.58)
81.2
(3.20)
73.3
(2.89)
75.8
(2.98)
99.3
(3.91)
79.2
(3.12)
81.2
(3.20)
78.5
(3.09)
65.6
(2.58)
868.6
(34.20)
Average rainfall mm (inches)17.9
(0.70)
23.3
(0.92)
43.5
(1.71)
60.5
(2.38)
81.1
(3.19)
73.3
(2.89)
75.8
(2.98)
99.3
(3.91)
79.2
(3.12)
80.6
(3.17)
70.3
(2.77)
33.0
(1.30)
737.7
(29.04)
Average snowfall cm (inches)34.9
(13.7)
30.2
(11.9)
19.3
(7.6)
5.0
(2.0)
0.1
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.6
(0.2)
8.2
(3.2)
32.7
(12.9)
131.0
(51.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)11.010.310.110.811.010.79.210.810.413.012.612.3131.9
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)2.93.16.29.811.010.79.210.810.413.010.75.1102.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)8.47.74.71.20.10.00.00.00.00.22.68.333.1
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [61]
Climate data for Woodbridge (Vaughan)
Climate ID: 6159575; coordinates 43°47′N79°36′W / 43.783°N 79.600°W / 43.783; -79.600 (Woodbridge) ; elevation: 164 m (538 ft); 1981–2010 normals
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)17.0
(62.6)
15.5
(59.9)
26.5
(79.7)
31.5
(88.7)
33.0
(91.4)
36.0
(96.8)
39.0
(102.2)
37.2
(99.0)
36.1
(97.0)
30.6
(87.1)
25.0
(77.0)
19.5
(67.1)
39.0
(102.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)−2.5
(27.5)
−0.5
(31.1)
4.3
(39.7)
12.0
(53.6)
18.8
(65.8)
24.1
(75.4)
26.9
(80.4)
25.4
(77.7)
20.9
(69.6)
13.9
(57.0)
6.9
(44.4)
0.8
(33.4)
12.6
(54.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)−6.6
(20.1)
−4.8
(23.4)
−0.4
(31.3)
6.6
(43.9)
12.9
(55.2)
18.1
(64.6)
20.8
(69.4)
19.6
(67.3)
15.4
(59.7)
9.0
(48.2)
3.1
(37.6)
−2.8
(27.0)
7.6
(45.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−10.7
(12.7)
−9.2
(15.4)
−5.2
(22.6)
1.2
(34.2)
6.8
(44.2)
12.0
(53.6)
14.7
(58.5)
13.8
(56.8)
9.8
(49.6)
4.0
(39.2)
−0.8
(30.6)
−6.4
(20.5)
2.5
(36.5)
Record low °C (°F)−34.5
(−30.1)
−30.0
(−22.0)
−29.4
(−20.9)
−17.2
(1.0)
−6.7
(19.9)
−1.7
(28.9)
2.8
(37.0)
−0.6
(30.9)
−5.0
(23.0)
−11.7
(10.9)
−18.3
(−0.9)
−30.0
(−22.0)
−34.5
(−30.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)50.3
(1.98)
44.2
(1.74)
49.2
(1.94)
63.3
(2.49)
79.1
(3.11)
76.3
(3.00)
70.4
(2.77)
80.4
(3.17)
84.6
(3.33)
66.5
(2.62)
78.3
(3.08)
57.4
(2.26)
799.8
(31.49)
Average rainfall mm (inches)20.4
(0.80)
23.2
(0.91)
31.4
(1.24)
59.6
(2.35)
79.1
(3.11)
76.3
(3.00)
70.4
(2.77)
80.4
(3.17)
84.6
(3.33)
66.0
(2.60)
71.1
(2.80)
34.6
(1.36)
697.0
(27.44)
Average snowfall cm (inches)29.9
(11.8)
21.1
(8.3)
17.8
(7.0)
3.7
(1.5)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.45
(0.18)
7.2
(2.8)
22.8
(9.0)
102.8
(40.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)13.510.310.711.812.010.89.59.610.612.713.112.8137.4
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)4.24.46.410.712.010.89.59.610.612.611.16.5108.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)10.26.85.11.50.00.00.00.00.00.233.07.534.3
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada [62]

Economy

The Greater Toronto Area is a commercial, distribution, financial and economic centre, being the second largest financial centre in North America. [63] The region generates about a fifth of Canada's GDP and is home to 40 per cent of Canada's business headquarters. [64] [65] The economies of the municipalities in Greater Toronto are largely intertwined. [66] The work force is made up of approximately 2.9 million people and more than 100,000 companies [67] The Greater Toronto Area produces nearly 20 percent of the entire nation's GDP with $323 billion, and from 1992 to 2002, experienced an average GDP growth rate of 4.0 percent and a job creation rate of 2.4 percent (compared to the national average GDP growth rate of 3% and job creation rate of 1.6%). [64] [68] Greater Toronto has the largest regional economy in Canada, with its GDP surpassing the province of Quebec in 2015.[ citation needed ]

A worker at Oakville Assembly installs a battery on a Ford Flex. In 2010, the automotive industry accounted for roughly 10 per cent of Greater Toronto's GDP. Oakville Assembly.jpg
A worker at Oakville Assembly installs a battery on a Ford Flex. In 2010, the automotive industry accounted for roughly 10 per cent of Greater Toronto's GDP.

In 2010, over 51% of the labour force in the Greater Toronto Area is employed in the service sector, with 19% in the manufacturing, 17% of the labour force employed in wholesale & retail trade, 8% of the labour force involved in transportation, communication and utilities, and 5% of the workforce is involved in construction. [69] Despite the fact the service industry makes up only 51% of Greater Toronto's workforce, over 72% of the region's GDP is generated by service industries. [64]

The largest industry in the Greater Toronto Area is the financial services in the province, accounting for an estimated 25% of the region's GDP. [64] Notably, the five largest banks in Canada all have their operational headquarters in Toronto's Financial District. [70] Toronto is also home to the headquarters of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Standard and Poor TSX Composite Index and offices of the TSX Venture Exchange. [70] The TMX Group, the owners and operators of TSX Exchanges as well as the Montreal Exchange, are also headquartered in Toronto. The TSX and the TSX Venture Exchange represent 3,369 companies, including more than half of the world's publicly traded mining companies. [70]

Markham also attracted the highest concentration of high tech companies in Canada, and because of it, has positioned itself as Canada's High-Tech Capital. [71] The Greater Toronto Area is the second largest automotive centre in North America (after Detroit). Currently,[ when? ] General Motors, Ford and Chrysler run six assembly plants in the area, with Honda and Toyota having assembly plants just outside the GTA. General Motors, Ford, Honda, KIA, Mazda, Suzuki, Nissan, Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Subaru, Volvo, BMW, and Mitsubishi have chosen the Greater Toronto Area for their Canadian headquarters. [72] Magna International, the world's most diversified car supplier, [73] also has its headquarters in Aurora. [74] The automobile industry within the region accounts for roughly 10% of the region's GDP. [64]

Agriculture

A farm in Caledon. There were 3,707 farms in the Greater Toronto Area according to the 2006 census. Caledon Ontario.jpg
A farm in Caledon. There were 3,707 farms in the Greater Toronto Area according to the 2006 census.

While it was once the most dominant industry for residents in the Greater Toronto Area, agriculture now occupies a small percentage of the population, but still a large part of land in the surrounding four regional municipalities. Census data from 2006 has shown there are 3,707 census farms in the GTA, down 4.2% from 2001 and covering 274,363 ha (677,970 acres). [75] Almost every community in the GTA is currently experiencing a decrease in the acreage of farmland, with Mississauga seeing the most significant. The only communities in the GTA that are experiencing a growth in the acreage of farmland are Aurora, Georgina, Newmarket, Oshawa, Richmond Hill and Scugog, with Markham experiencing neither any growth nor decline. [76] Most of the GTA's farmland is in Durham Region, with 55% of their total land area being farmland. This is followed by York Region with 41% of their lands being farmland, Peel Region with 34%, and Halton Region with 41%. [76] Toronto's remaining farmland is completely within Rouge Park in the Rouge Valley. The average size of the farm in the GTA (74 ha [183 acres]) is much lower than the farms in the rest of Ontario (averaging 94 ha [233 acres]). This has been attributed to the shift of farm types in the GTA from the traditional livestock and cash crop farms (requiring an extensive land base), towards more intensive enterprises including greenhouse, floriculture, nursery, vegetable, fruit, sheep and goats. [75]

The most numerous farm types in the GTA are miscellaneous specialty farms (including horse and pony, sheep and lamb, and other livestock specialty), followed by cattle, grain and oilseed, dairy and field crop farms. [76] Although the output of dairy production has dropped with farms from within the GTA, dairy has remained the most productive sector in the agricultural industry by annual gross farm receipts. [76] Despite the decreased amount of farmland around the region, farm capital value increased from $5.2 billion in 1996 to $6.1 billion in 2001, making the average farm capital value in the GTA continued to be the highest in the province. [76]

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station of the Toronto subway. The expansion of Line 1 Yonge-University in 2017 resulted in the first stations built outside the City of Toronto's limits. VMC Station Platform.jpg
The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station of the Toronto subway. The expansion of Line 1 Yonge–University in 2017 resulted in the first stations built outside the City of Toronto's limits.

There are a number of public transportation operators within the Greater Toronto Area, providing services within their jurisdictions. While these operators are largely independent, provisions are being made to integrate them under Metrolinx, which manages transportation planning including public transport in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. [77] GO Transit, which merged with Metrolinx during the late 2000s, is Ontario's only intra-regional public transit service, linking the communities in the GTA and the city of Hamilton, as well as the rest of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. [78] Implementation of a 'Presto card' by Metrolinx has created a common means for all fare payments and allows for seamless connection between these and other transit operators. [79]

Public transit operators in the GTA include [80] Brampton Transit, Burlington Transit, Durham Region Transit, GO Transit, Milton Transit, MiWay (serving Mississauga), Oakville Transit, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and York Region Transit. The TTC operates the Toronto subway system, which runs in Toronto and in Vaughan, the latter of which began to be served by the system in December 2017 with an extension of Line 1 to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station on Highway 7 at Jane Street.

Highway 401 serves as a major roadway in the Greater Toronto Area. Average Afternoon on Highway 401.jpg
Highway 401 serves as a major roadway in the Greater Toronto Area.

The GTA also consists of a number of King's Highways and supplemented by municipal expressways. One of the principal highways in the GTA, Highway 401, is also the longest in Ontario and is also one of the busiest highways in the world. [81] Notably, a segment of the highway passing through the GTA is North America's busiest highway. [82] The GTA is laced with a number of limited-access highways including the 400-series highways. These include: [83]

Note: "York", "Peel", "Durham" and "Halton" here refer to the regional municipalities.

The Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga is the GTA's primary airport, and ranks among the world's busiest airports. YYZ Aerial.jpg
The Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga is the GTA's primary airport, and ranks among the world's busiest airports.

The main airport serving the GTA is Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, which is Canada's largest [84] and busiest airport. It processed over 47 million passengers in 2017 and nearly 50 million passengers in 2018. [85] [86] Toronto Pearson International Airport is operated by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport in nearby Hamilton also handles international flights handles some discount flights and charters and acts as an alternative to Pearson. The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the Toronto Islands near downtown is used for civil aviation, air ambulance traffic and regional scheduled airlines (it handled nearly two million passengers in 2012). [87] [88] There are also a number of smaller airports scattered throughout the GTA. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) uses YTO as a code for multiple airports in the area, including those without passenger service. [89]

The Greater Toronto Airport Authority has also placed a tentative proposal to develop a new airport in Pickering (which also extends over into Markham and Uxbridge). [90] As the GTAA predicts Toronto Pearson would be unable to be the sole provider for the bulk of Toronto's commercial air traffic in the next 20 years from the report's publication in 2004 (i.e. in 2024), they believe a new airport in Pickering would address the need for a regional/reliever airport east of Toronto Pearson, as well as complement the airport in Hamilton, Ontario. [91] The GTAA also stated the new airport would create more opportunities for economic development in the eastern region of the Greater Toronto Area. [91]

The region also has significant maritime infrastructure being on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system. The Port of Oshawa and Port of Toronto handle between 2 and 4 million tonnes of cargo annually. The Port of Toronto also has an International Marine Passenger Terminal, which had 12,000 cruise passengers in 2019.

Communication

The Greater Toronto Area is served by seven distinct telephone area codes. Before 1993, the GTA used the 416 area code. In a 1993 zone split, Metropolitan Toronto retained the 416 code, while the other municipalities of the Greater Toronto Area were assigned the new area code 905. [92] This division by area code has become part of the local culture to the point where local media refer to something inside Toronto as "the 416" and outside of Toronto as "the 905". [93] For example, the Raptors 905 basketball team in the NBA G League is named after the area code the team represents. Though for the most part, the use of the area 905 as shorthand for the suburban areas outside Toronto city limits was correct, it is not entirely true as some portions of Durham and York Regions use the 705 area code. [94] Furthermore, there are areas, such as Hamilton, the Regional Municipality of Niagara and Port Hope (in Northumberland County) that use the 905 area code, but are not part of the GTA. [94] The unincorporated community of Acton (in Halton Hills), is the only community in the GTA that uses the 519 area code, which covers most of Southwestern Ontario. [95] [96]

To meet the increased demand for phone numbers, two overlay area codes were introduced in 2001. Area code 647 (supplementing the 416 area code) [97] was introduced in March 2001 and area code 289 (supplementing the 905 area code) was introduced in July 2001. [98] Some individuals within the 905 area code region may have to dial long distance to reach each other; although residents of Mississauga and Hamilton share the same area code (905), an individual from Toronto, for example, would have to dial "1" to reach Hamilton, but not to reach Mississauga. Ten-digit telephone dialling, including the area code for local calls, is required throughout the GTA. [98] In March 2013, two additional area codes were introduced to the GTA: area code 437 in Toronto and area code 365 in the area served by 905 and 289. [99]

Government

Since the 2015 election, the Greater Toronto Area has been represented by 58 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons of Canada. Forty-six Members of the Provincial Parliament also represent the GTA in the Ontario Legislature. Five Senators from Ontario have also designated themselves as representatives of certain areas in the GTA in the Canadian Senate. [100]

Federal politics

Federally, the Conservatives, Liberals, and the New Democrats (NDP) all hold several electoral districts in the GTA. The City of Toronto has often been supportive of the Liberal Party. Traditionally, Liberal support is strongest in Downtown Toronto, while Conservative support is stronger in the surrounding communities outside Toronto. The NDP also has a strong base within the GTA. [101] The Greater Toronto Area has the ability to influence election results and determine the governing party in Canada, due in part to its large population and riding count. [102]

From 1993 to 2011, a centre-right party failed to win a single seat in the former Metro Toronto. In the 2011 election, however, a surge in NDP support combined with a collapse in Liberal support allowed the Conservatives to win eight seats in Toronto itself, and another 24 in the suburbs. Toronto's political leanings now appeared to mirror those of surrounding communities that leaned toward the Conservatives.

The election of 2011 showed Liberal support, based on votes in the GTA, had collapsed from 43.7% to 30.6%, giving the Liberals only 14.9% of the local seats in the House of Commons. However, the support of the Conservatives and NDP increased accordingly, with the Conservatives increasing their vote share from 31.5% to 42.2% (and capturing 68.1% of the GTA seats) and the NDP increasing from 14.6% to 23.2% of the vote and 17% of the local Federal ridings.

In the 2015 federal election, the Liberals regained their dominance of the GTA after suffering devastating losses there four years earlier. They defeated a number of prominent incumbents from both the NDP and the Conservatives. The Liberals took all of Toronto itself. They also took back almost all of the suburban ridings they had lost in 2011. Both the NDP and the Conservatives suffered heavily as their support collapsed in the inner city and the suburbs respectively. Only a few Conservatives held onto their seats in the outer ring of the GTA, while the NDP failed to elect any MPs in this area. [103] The 2019 and 2021 federal elections have similar results.

Provincial politics

Ontario Legislative Building in Downtown Toronto Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto, South view 20170417 1.jpg
Ontario Legislative Building in Downtown Toronto

Toronto is the capital of Ontario with the Ontario Legislative Building, often metonymically known as Queen's Park after the street and park surrounding it, being located in Downtown Toronto. Most of the provincial government offices are also located in downtown Toronto.

On the provincial level of government, the Ontario Progressive Conservatives, Ontario Liberals, and the Ontario New Democrats all hold electoral districts in the GTA. [104] While the GTA provided a strong base of support for the Progressive Conservative government between 1995 and 2003, the Ontario Liberal Party achieved a major victory in the GTA during the 2003 election and has enjoyed strong support from the region ever since. [105] In the 2011 election, the Liberals won 33 of the 44 available seats in the GTA, allowing Premier Dalton McGuinty to hold onto a minority government. The 2014 election under McGuinty's successor, Kathleen Wynne, was an even bigger electoral landslide for the Liberals, as they won 38 seats in the region. They even took a number of ridings in territory that had voted PC for decades, like Durham, Burlington, Newmarket-Aurora and Halton. The PCs hold no seats in Peel Region, and only one seat in each of the Halton, York, and Durham regions. While the NDP has been weak in the GTA since the 1995 election, they have seen some successes in Brampton and Durham Region, where they hold one seat each.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario has not won a riding in the city of Toronto during a general election from 1999 to 2018. [106] On the other end of the spectrum, the NDP saw major losses in Toronto during the 2014 election, and only hold two seats in the city. This is no longer the case since the 2018 provincial election, as the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP made significant gains at the expense of the Liberals and this continues to hold true in the 2022 provincial election.

Municipal politics

In 2011, 244 politicians govern the Greater Toronto Area below the provincial and federal levels, holding offices in cities, towns, and regional municipalities. [107] Unusual for a large North American urban agglomeration, the GTA has very few agencies with powers that can cross boundaries. Attempts to create an interregional organization have been made, such as the Province of Ontario's Office of the Greater Toronto Area (OGTA) in 1988 [108] and the Greater Toronto Services Board (GTSB) in 1998, [109] [110] but have failed due to a lack of real authority in these agencies. [110] [111]

Consequently, there are few interregional public authorities: Metrolinx, an agency of the provincial government, manages the GTA-wide GO Transit system, [112] while the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority manages some of the GTA's watersheds and natural areas. [113] Notably, there is no organization with broad powers as in other Canadian cities, such as the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and Metro Vancouver Regional District.

Demographics

Population

Greater Toronto Area [lower-alpha 3] population history
YearPop.±%
2001 5,081,826    
2006 5,555,912+9.3%
2011 6,054,196+9.0%
2016 6,417,516+6.0%
2021 6,712,341+4.6%
Source: Statistics Canada

According to the latest census data from 2021 from Statistics Canada, the population of this area is 6,712,341. Population growth studies have projected the City of Toronto's population in 2031 to be 3,000,000 and the Greater Toronto Area's population to be 7,450,000, [114] while the Ontario Ministry of Finance states it could reach 7.7 million by 2025. [115] Statistics Canada identified in 2001 that four major urban regions in Canada exhibited a cluster pattern of concentrated population growth among which included the Greater Golden Horseshoe Census Region, which includes all of the Greater Toronto Area (which includes Oshawa), as well as other Southern Ontario cities including Hamilton, Guelph, Barrie, and the cities in Niagara Region and Waterloo Region. Combined, the Greater Golden Horseshoe has a population of 9,765,188 in 2021, containing over 20 per cent of Canada's population.

NamePopulation in 2021 Land areaDensityLocation
Province of Ontario [116] 14,223,942892,411.76 km2 (344,562.11 sq mi)15.9 km2 (6.1 sq mi) 49°15′00″N84°30′00″W / 49.25000°N 84.50000°W / 49.25000; -84.50000 (Ontario) [117]
City of Toronto [118] 2,794,356631.10 km2 (243.67 sq mi)4,427.8 km2 (1,709.6 sq mi) 43°44′30″N79°22′24″W / 43.74167°N 79.37333°W / 43.74167; -79.37333 (City of Toronto) [119]
Regional Municipality of Durham [120] 696,9922,521.11 km2 (973.41 sq mi)276.5 km2 (106.8 sq mi) 44°04′32″N78°56′16″W / 44.07556°N 78.93778°W / 44.07556; -78.93778 (Regional Municipality of Durham) [121]
Regional Municipality of Peel [122] 1,451,0221,247.45 km2 (481.64 sq mi)1,163.2 km2 (449.1 sq mi) 43°45′10″N79°47′33″W / 43.75278°N 79.79250°W / 43.75278; -79.79250 (Regional Municipality of Peel) [123]
Regional Municipality of York [124] 1,173,3341,758.27 km2 (678.87 sq mi)667.3 km2 (257.6 sq mi) 44°00′08″N79°28′20″W / 44.00222°N 79.47222°W / 44.00222; -79.47222 (Regional Municipality of York) [125]
Regional Municipality of Halton [126] 596,637965.71 km2 (372.86 sq mi)617.8 km2 (238.5 sq mi) 43°30′30″N79°53′16″W / 43.50833°N 79.88778°W / 43.50833; -79.88778 (Regional Municipality of Halton) [127]
Greater Toronto Area6,712,3417,123.64 km2 (2,750.45 sq mi)942.4 km2 (363.9 sq mi) 43°38′33″N79°23′14″W / 43.64250°N 79.38722°W / 43.64250; -79.38722 (Greater Toronto Area)

Ethnicity

Statistics Canada found in 2006, there were 31,910 Indigenous people living in the Greater Toronto Area, which represented 2.7 per cent of all Indigenous peoples in Canada and 13.2 per cent of those in Ontario. [128] Most of them, however, are not registered with the Indian reserves within the Greater Toronto Area, the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

Panethnic groups in the Greater Toronto Area [lower-alpha 3] (2001−2021)
Panethnic group20212016201120062001
Pop. %Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
European [lower-alpha 4] 2,961,5453,195,6953,288,3453,258,7703,277,970
South Asian 1,224,890994,865847,435694,405481,265
East Asian [lower-alpha 5] 789,180732,740621,570568,585474,905
Black 521,610465,295413,155366,290319,125
Southeast Asian [lower-alpha 6] 394,800345,865327,445246,040188,915
Middle Eastern [lower-alpha 7] 299,910236,170176,310132,61097,790
Latin American 161,460136,950120,695101,71577,375
Indigenous 55,91556,09043,82531,91023,950
Other/multiracial [lower-alpha 8] 237,800182,075147,565110,345102,055
Total responses6,647,1006,345,7255,986,3105,510,7105,043,355
Total population6,712,3416,417,5166,054,1965,555,9125,081,826
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses
2021 census sources: [129] [130] [131] [132] [133]
2016 census sources: [134] [135] [136] [137] [138]
2011 census sources: [139] [140] [141] [142] [143]
2006 census sources: [144] [145] [146] [147] [148]
2001 census sources: [149] [150] [151] [152] [153]

Immigration

The Toronto CMA also has the largest proportions of foreign-born residents (46 per cent) as a share of the total population out of all metropolitan areas in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Toronto region is also unusually diverse in the composition of its ethnicities. The four largest foreign-born populations of Toronto only constitute 15% of the total foreign-born population. This is opposed to the four largest foreign-born populations of other metropolitan areas such as New York and London, where they make up 25% of their respective foreign-born populations. [65]

Education

Education in the Greater Toronto Area is managed by the provincial Ministry of Education, who manages preschool, elementary and secondary education, while the provincial Ministry of Colleges and Universities administers laws relating to tertiary education, including colleges, universities, and vocational schools. [154] [155]

Primary and secondary education

There are presently twelve public English first language school boards, and two French first language school boards operating within the GTA. Seven of these school boards operate secular schools, whereas the other seven operate separate schools; the seven separate school boards in the Greater Toronto Area all serve the Roman Catholic faith. In addition to public schools, there are also a number of private schools that operate within Greater Toronto.

Three of these GTA-based public school boards also manage institutions outside Greater Toronto, the two French first language school boards, based in Toronto, as well as the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB). Conversely, English first language public schools in Clarington, a municipality within Durham Region, are managed by school boards based outside the GTA.

Public school boards in the Greater Toronto Area
RegionDurham RegionHalton RegionPeel RegionCity of TorontoYork Region
English secular Durham District School Board
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board [lower-alpha 9]
Halton District School Board Peel District School Board Toronto District School Board York Region District School Board
English separate Durham Catholic District School Board
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board [lower-alpha 9]
Halton Catholic District School Board Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board [lower-alpha 10] Toronto Catholic District School Board York Catholic District School Board
French secular Conseil scolaire Viamonde
French separate Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir

Post-secondary education

Colleges

The Greater Toronto Area is also home to six publicly funded colleges [156] that have campuses spread in and around the metropolitan area. The six publicly funded colleges based in the Greater Toronto include:

Another publicly funded college, Collège Boréal, also maintains a satellite campus in Toronto. However, Collège Boréal's main campus, and administration, is based outside the GTA, in Greater Sudbury. In addition to publicly funded colleges, there are also a number of private career colleges spread throughout the Greater Toronto Area. [157]

Universities

The University of Toronto, which was established in 1827, is the largest higher education institution in Canada. Building shown is 1 Spadina Crescent before renovation in the late 2010s. 1spadinacres.jpg
The University of Toronto, which was established in 1827, is the largest higher education institution in Canada. Building shown is 1 Spadina Crescent before renovation in the late 2010s.

The Greater Toronto Area is home to six publicly funded universities. Universities based within Greater Toronto include: [158]

Three publicly funded universities based outside of the GTA operate satellite campuses within the GTA, including the Hamilton-based McMaster University, Peterborough-based Trent University, and the Guelph-based University of Guelph. The McMaster's DeGroote School of Business operates the Ron Joyce Centre in Burlington; [159] Trent University operates a satellite campus in Oshawa, referred to as Trent in Oshawa; [160] The University of Guelph operates an affiliated institution alongside Humber College, the University of Guelph-Humber, in Toronto. [161]

There also are eleven private religious universities spread throughout the GTA. [162]

See also

Notes

  1. Long term records have been recorded at various climate stations in or nearby Burlington since 1866

Footnotes

  1. Adopters include the regional transportation planning body Metrolinx, [8] the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure [5] and the Regional Municipality of Halton. [6]
  2. Maximum and minimum temperature data at The Annex was recorded by human observers from March 1840 to June 2003 under the station name "TORONTO". From July 2003 to present, climate data has been recorded by an automatic weather station under the name "TORONTO CITY". [42]
  3. 1 2 Combined population of Toronto, Peel Region, York Region, Durham Region and Halton Region.
  4. Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  5. Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  6. Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  7. Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  8. Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
  9. 1 2 The school board is based outside the GTA, although it operates schools in Clarington, a municipality in Durham Region. In addition to Clarington, the school board also operates institutions in the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Northumberland County, and parts of Hastings County.
  10. In addition to Peel Region, the school board oversees schools in Dufferin County.
  11. In addition to the Greater Toronto Area, Durham College also operates a campus in Cobourg, and Port Hope, two municipalities situated outside Greater Toronto Area.
  12. In addition to the Greater Toronto Area, Humber College also operates a campus in Orangeville, a municipality situated outside the Greater Toronto Area.
  13. In addition to the Greater Toronto Area, Seneca College also operates a campus in Peterborough, a municipality situated outside Greater Toronto Area.
  14. The Université de l'Ontario français was formally established in April 2018, although it is not expected to accept its first cohort of full-time students until 2021.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brampton</span> City in Ontario, Canada founded 1853

Brampton is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is a lower-tier municipality within Peel Region. The city has a population of 656,480 as of the 2021 Census, making it the ninth most populous municipality in Canada and the third most populous city in the Greater Golden Horseshoe urban area, behind Toronto and Mississauga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississauga</span> City in Ontario, Canada

Mississauga, historically known as Toronto Township, is a Canadian city in the province of Ontario, situated on the western shore of Lake Ontario in the Regional Municipality of Peel, adjoining the western border of Toronto. With a population of 717,961 as of 2021, Mississauga is the seventh-most populous municipality in Canada, third-most in Ontario, and second-most in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) after Toronto itself. However, for the first time in its history, the city's population declined according to the 2021 census, from a 2016 population of 721,599 to 717,961, a 0.5 per cent decrease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oakville, Ontario</span> Town in Ontario, Canada

Oakville is a town in Halton Region, Ontario, Canada. It is located on Lake Ontario between Toronto and Hamilton. At its 2021 census population of 213,759, it is Ontario's largest town. Oakville is part of the Greater Toronto Area, one of the most densely populated areas of Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitby, Ontario</span> Town in Ontario, Canada

Whitby is a town in Durham Region. Whitby is located in Southern Ontario east of Ajax and west of Oshawa, on the north shore of Lake Ontario and is home to the headquarters of Durham Region. It had a population of 138,501 at the 2021 census. It is approximately 45 km (28 mi) east of Toronto, and it is known as a commuter suburb in the Greater Toronto Area. While the southern portion of Whitby is predominantly urban and an economic hub, the northern part of the municipality is more rural and includes the communities of Ashburn, Brooklin, Myrtle, Myrtle Station, and Macedonian Village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarington</span> Municipality in Ontario, Canada

Clarington is a lower-tier municipality in the Regional Municipality of Durham in Ontario, Canada. It was incorporated in 1973 as the town of Newcastle with the merging of the town of Bowmanville, the Village of Newcastle and the townships of Clarke and Darlington, and was established on January 1 1974. In 1993, the town was renamed Clarington, a portmanteau of the names of the two former townships. Darlington today is largely suburban, while Clarke remains largely rural. Bowmanville is the largest community in the municipality and is the home of the municipal offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Municipality of York</span> Regional municipality in Ontario, Canada

The Regional Municipality of York, also called York Region, is a regional municipality in Southern Ontario, Canada, between Lake Simcoe and Toronto. The region was established after the passing of then Bill 102, An Act to Establish The Regional Municipality of York, in 1970. It replaced the former York County in 1971, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area and the inner ring of the Golden Horseshoe. The regional government is headquartered in Newmarket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Municipality of Durham</span> Regional municipality in Ontario, Canada

The Regional Municipality of Durham, informally referred to as Durham Region, is a regional municipality in Southern Ontario, Canada. Located east of Toronto and the Regional Municipality of York, Durham forms the east-end of the Greater Toronto Area and part of the Golden Horseshoe region. It has an area of approximately 2,500 km2 (970 sq mi). The regional government is headquartered in Whitby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Horseshoe</span> Secondary region in Ontario, Canada

The Golden Horseshoe is a secondary region of Southern Ontario, Canada, which lies at the western end of Lake Ontario, with outer boundaries stretching south to Lake Erie and north to Lake Scugog, Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. The region is the most densely populated and industrialized in Canada. Based on the 2021 census, with a population of 7,759,635 people in its core and 9,765,188 in its greater area, the Golden Horseshoe accounts for over 20 percent of the population of Canada and more than 54 percent of Ontario's population. It is part of the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor, itself part of the Great Lakes megalopolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Municipality of Peel</span> Upper-tier regional municipality in Ontario, Canada

The Regional Municipality of Peel is a regional municipality in the Greater Toronto Area, Southern Ontario, Canada. It consists of three municipalities to the west and northwest of the city of Toronto: the cities of Mississauga and Brampton, and the town of Caledon, each of which spans its full east–west width. The regional seat is in Brampton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Municipality of Niagara</span> Regional municipality in Ontario, Canada

The Regional Municipality of Niagara, also colloquially known as the Niagara Region or Region of Niagara, is a regional municipality comprising twelve municipalities of Southern Ontario, Canada. The regional seat is in Thorold. It is the southern end of the Golden Horseshoe, the largest megalopolis in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halton Hills</span> Town in Ontario, Canada

Halton Hills is a town in the Regional Municipality of Halton, located in the northwestern end of the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada with a population of 62,951 (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Municipality of Halton</span> Regional municipality in Ontario, Canada

The Regional Municipality of Halton, or Halton Region, is a regional municipality in Ontario, Canada, located in the Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario. It comprises the city of Burlington and the towns of Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills. Policing in the Region is provided by the Halton Regional Police Service. The regional council's headquarters are located in Oakville. Burlington, Oakville, and Milton are largely urban and suburban, while Halton Hills is more rural.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dufferin County</span> County in Ontario, Canada

Dufferin County is a county and census division located in Central Ontario, Canada. The county seat is Orangeville, and the current Warden is Wade Mills. The current chief administrative officer is Sonya Pritchard. Dufferin covers an area of 1,486.31 square kilometres (573.87 sq mi), and its population was 61,735 at the time of the 2016 Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Filipino Canadians</span> Ethnic group

Filipino Canadians are Canadians of Filipino descent. Filipino Canadians are the second largest subgroup of the overseas Filipinos, surpassed only by the United States, and one of the fastest-growing groups in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington—Halton Hills (federal electoral district)</span> Federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada

Wellington—Halton Hills is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 2004.

The demographics of Toronto, Ontario, Canada make Toronto one of the most multicultural and multiracial cities in the world. In 2021, 57.0 percent of the residents of the metropolitan area belonged to a visible minority group, compared with 51.4 percent in 2016, and 13.6 percent in 1981. Toronto also has established ethnic neighbourhoods such as the multiple Chinatowns, Corso Italia, Little Italy, Little India, Greektown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Jamaica, Little Portugal, Little Malta, Roncesvalles (Polish), and Bloor West Village (Ukrainian), all of which celebrate the city's multiculturalism. Data from the suburban municipalities are also included for some metrics as most of these municipalities are part of the Toronto CMA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Ontario</span>

Ontario, one of the 13 provinces and territories of Canada, is located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province by a large margin, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all Canadians, and is the second-largest province in total area. Ontario is fourth-largest in total area when the territories of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are included. It is home to the nation's capital city, Ottawa, and the nation's most populous city, Toronto.

Pakistani Canadian refers to the community in Canada of Pakistani heritage or descent. It can also refer to people who hold dual Pakistani and Canadian citizenship. Categorically, Pakistani Canadians comprise a subgroup of South Asian Canadians which is a further subgroup of Asian Canadians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area</span> Conurbation in Ontario, Canada

The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is a contiguous urban region that is composed of some of the largest cities and metropolitan areas by population in the Canadian province of Ontario. The GTHA consists of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the city of Hamilton. The GTA is Canada's most populous metropolitan area that includes the city of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Halton, Peel, York, and Durham. The GTHA forms the core of a larger urban agglomeration known as the Golden Horseshoe.

The Greeks of Toronto comprises Greek immigrants and their descendants living in Toronto, Canada.

References

  1. "Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0468-01 Gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices, by census metropolitan area (CMA) (x 1,000,000)". Statistics Canada.
  2. OECD "OECD Territorial Reviews OECD Territorial Reviews: Toronto, Canada 2009" OECD Publishing, ISBN   92-64-07940-8 p37
  3. "Greater Toronto Area" (PDF). Ontario Creates. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  4. 2021 Census - Toronto Metropolitan area (Report). Ottawa: Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Places to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe" (PDF). Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. 2006. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 6, 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Amendment No. 38 to the Regional Plan (2006)". Regional Municipality of Halton. December 16, 2009. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  7. 1 2 Solomon, Lawrence "Toronto sprawls: a history." University of Toronto Press; 1 edition, ISBN   0-7727-8618-6 p3
  8. 1 2 "About Us". Metrolinx Website. Metrolinx. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  9. "Planning for Growth" (PDF). Understanding the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 6, 2011.
  10. "Greater Toronto Area and Toronto CMA Map". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  11. "Population of census metropolitan areas (2006 Census boundaries)". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  12. "2006 Census: Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006: Subprovincial population dynamics". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on April 8, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  13. Chris J. Ellis; Neal Ferris, eds. (1990). The Archaeology Of Southern Ontario To A.D. 1650. London Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society. pp. 410–411. ISBN   0-919350-13-5.
  14. "First Peoples, 9000 BCE to 1600 CE". Toronto Culture – Exploring Toronto's past. City of Toronto. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  15. The Ojibwa-Iroquois War: The War the Five Nations Did Not Win. Leroy V. Eid. Ethnohistory, Vol. 26, No. 4 (Autumn, 1979), Duke University Press,pp. 297–324
  16. Schmalz, Peter S., The Ojibwa of Southern Ontario. University of Toronto Press. ISBN   0-8020-2736-9. pp 21–22
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Natives and Newcomers, 1600–1793". Toronto Culture – Exploring Toronto's past. City of Toronto. 2009. Archived from the original on March 6, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  18. "The Toronto Carrying-place". Nature Conservancy of Canada. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  19. Rayburn, Alan (September 18, 2007). "The real story of how Toronto got its name". Mapping Services. Natural Resources Canada. Archived from the original on December 9, 2011.
  20. Missisaugas of the New Credit CURRENT LAND CLAIMS Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  21. Ontario's Districts – 1798 Archived February 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved on February 6, 2010.
  22. "A Provincial Centre, 1793–1851". Toronto Culture – Exploring Toronto's past. City of Toronto. 2009. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  23. 1 2 3 Benn, Carl (1993). History Fort York, 1794–1993. Dundurn. pp. 68–73. ISBN   1-4597-1376-1.
  24. 1 2 Archives of Ontario (February 28, 2010). "18th and 19th century Ontario Counties and Corresponding Districts". Queen's Printer for Ontario. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010.
  25. Robert M. Stamp (1991). "The Road to Rebellion". Tories and Reformers. Town of Richmond Hill Public Library. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  26. Archives of Ontario (February 28, 2010). "Ontario's Districts – 1851". The Evolution of the District and County System 1788–1899. Queen's Printer for Ontario. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011.
  27. Solomon, Lawrence "Toronto sprawls: a history." University of Toronto Press; 1 edition, ISBN   0-7727-8618-6 p3-8
  28. Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Act Archived January 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved on February 6, 2010.
  29. 1 2 3 Archives of Ontario (February 28, 2010). "Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto and the Regional Municipality of York". Queen's Printer for Ontario. Archived from the original on June 19, 2009.
  30. Rose, Albert "Governing metropolitan Toronto: a social and political analysis, 1953–1971" Institute of Governmental Studies; University of California Press; 1st edition, ISBN   0-520-02041-3 p.107, 166
  31. Fletcher, Thomas Hobbs "From Love Canal to environmental justice: the politics of hazardous waste on the Canada-U.S. border" University of Toronto Press, ISBN   1-55111-434-8 p28
  32. Sanction, Andrew "Merger mania: the assault on local government" McGill-Queen's Press, ISBN   0-7735-2163-1 p.114
  33. Sanction, Andrew "Merger mania: the assault on local government" McGill-Queen's Press, ISBN   0-7735-2163-1 p.115
  34. Sanction, Andrew "Merger mania: the assault on local government" McGill-Queen's Press, ISBN   0-7735-2163-1 p.116
  35. City of Toronto Act, 1997 Archived October 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved on February 6, 2010.
  36. Sanction, Andrew "Merger mania: the assault on local government" McGill-Queen's Press, ISBN   0-7735-2163-1 p.121
  37. Population and land area figures for Toronto and the regional municipalities come from the 2006 Canadian census: Archived September 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine .
  38. About Us Archived October 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Rouge National Urban Park. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  39. Jurisdiction and Participating Municipalities Archived January 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  40. "Greenbelt Plan Area Archived August 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine ," Greenbelt Protection. (Retrieved February 7, 2010.)
  41. "4 Million More People, But Without the Sprawl [ permanent dead link ]," Toronto Star. (Retrieved February 7, 2010.)
  42. 1 2 "Toronto (City)". 1991 to 2020 Canadian Climate Normals. Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 18, 2023. Climate ID: 6158350. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  43. "Toronto". 1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals. Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 18, 2023. Climate ID: 6158350. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  44. "Bowmanville Mostert". Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  45. "Oshawa WPCP". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  46. "Burlington TS". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada . Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  47. "Long Term Climate Extremes for Burlington Area (Virtual Station ID: VSON95V)". Daily climate records (LTCE). Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  48. "Georgetown WWTP". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada . Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  49. "Oakville Southeast WPCP". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  50. "Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport". 1981-2010 Canadian Climate Normals. Environment and Climate Change Canada . Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  51. "Daily Data Report for July 2011". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  52. "Daily Data Report for February 2017". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  53. "Daily Data Report for March 2012". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  54. "Hourly Data Report for February 20, 2018". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  55. "Hourly Data Report for June 30, 2018". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  56. "Daily Data Report for October 2019". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  57. "Daily Data Report for November 2022". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  58. "Albion Field Centre". 1981-2010 Canadian Climate Normals. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  59. "Toronto Buttonville Airport". Canadian Climate Normals 1981−2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  60. "Richmond Hill, Ontario". 1981–2010 Canadian Climate Normals. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  61. "Stouffville WPCP". Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  62. "Woodbridge, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  63. "Toronto's key industry clusters: Financial services". City of Toronto. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  64. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Greater Toronto Area (GTA): Canada's Primary Economic Locomotive in Need of Repairs Archived January 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine ," TD Financial. (Retrieved February 7, 2010.)
  65. 1 2 OECD "OECD Territorial Reviews OECD Territorial Reviews: Toronto, Canada 2009" OECD Publishing, ISBN   92-64-07940-8 p35
  66. Lu, Vanessa (March 16, 2010). "Should Toronto go it alone?". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  67. Archived October 27, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  68. Top 10 Reasons for Investing in the GTA Archived March 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  69. Labour Force Archived April 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  70. 1 2 3 Financial Services Archived February 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Greater Toronto Marketing Services. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  71. Markham's High-Tech Companies in The Branham Top 300 Canadian IT Companies Archived June 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Town of Markham. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  72. Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing Archived February 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  73. About Magna Archived November 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , Magna International. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  74. Contact Us Archived November 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , Magna International. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  75. 1 2 GTA Agricultural Profile Archived March 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Action Committee. Retrieved on February 12, 2010.
  76. 1 2 3 4 5 "GREATER TORONTO AREA AGRICULTURAL PROFILE UPDATE Archived February 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine ," Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Action Committee. (Retrieved February 12, 2010.)
  77. The Big Move Archived April 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Metrolinx. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  78. What Is GO? Archived April 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , GO Transit. Retrieved on March 2, 2010.
  79. About PRESTO Archived July 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  80. Public Transportation Archived March 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance. Retrieved on March 2, 2010.
  81. "Ontario government investing $401 million to upgrade Highway 401". Ministry of Transportation. August 6, 2002. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved March 18, 2007. Highway 401 is the world's busiest highway in the world and a vital link in Ontario's transportation infrastructure that carries more than 400,000 vehicles per day through Toronto.
  82. Highway 401 Archived March 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine , Cameron Bevers. Retrieved on February 22, 2010.
  83. "Southern Ontario Road Maps Map 3" (PDF). Ministry of Transportation. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  84. GTAA – Toronto Pearson today, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. Retrieved on March 4, 2010.
  85. "Celebrating 40 Million Passengers". Toronto Pearson Airport. Archived from the original on December 27, 2015.
  86. Passenger Statistics 2008 [ permanent dead link ], Greater Toronto Airports Authority. Retrieved on March 4, 2010.
  87. "Tenant List". PortsToronto. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  88. "Toronto Island airport set new passenger record last year". Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  89. Toronto City Code
  90. Byers, Jim (September 6, 2007). "Pickering airport idea revived". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  91. 1 2 Pickering Airport Draft Plan Report Originally published 2004 Archived November 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , GTAA Pickering Project. (Retrieved January 29, 2010.)
  92. "Area Why are some 905 numbers long distance while others aren't? And what's with this 647 business?". Toronto Life. Archived from the original on November 11, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  93. "Toronto Cultural Tips". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on March 9, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  94. 1 2 "Area Code Map for Toronto". WhitePages Inc. Archived from the original on March 4, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  95. "CO Code Status". Canadian Numbering Administration Consortium. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  96. "CO Code Status". Canadian Numbering Administration Consortium. Archived from the original on April 2, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  97. Toronto to get extra area code Archived June 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , CBC News. Retrieved on February 7, 2010.
  98. 1 2 "Order CRTC 2001-840". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  99. Telecommunications Alliance | New area codes for the Greater Toronto Area Archived September 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Newswire.ca. Retrieved on July 26, 2013.
  100. "Senators in Alphabetical Order". Senate of Canada. Archived from the original on February 17, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  101. "Tories struggle in Toronto's Liberal strongholds". CTV News . Archived from the original on October 21, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  102. Ditchburn, Jennifer; Jones, Allison (October 12, 2015). "Election 2015: Why the Greater Toronto Area boils down to a few distinct fights". CTV News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  103. Rider, David. "Red wave rolls over the GTA". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  104. "Ontario Votes 2007 – Regional results". Canada: CBC. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  105. "Liberals surge in Toronto, 905 ridings". Canada: CBC. October 11, 2007. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2010.
  106. "GTA Liberal ridings shut out vote-hungry Tories". Canada: CBC. October 7, 2011. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  107. Lorinc, John. "How Toronto Lost Its Groove, and why the rest of Canada should resist the temptation to cheer" Archived November 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , The Walrus , Toronto, November 2011. Retrieved on November 20, 2011.
  108. Sancton, Andrew "Merger Mania" McGill-Queen's Press, ISBN   0-7735-2163-1 p113
  109. Lu, Vanessa (July 15, 2009). "GTA needs economic 'war cabinet'". The Toronto Star. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  110. 1 2 e/?search=browseRepealed&context= Greater Toronto Services Board Act, 1998, Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved on February 22, 2010.
  111. Rao, Nirmala (2007). Cities in transition: growth, change and governance in six metropolitan areas. p. 65. ISBN   9780415329019. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  112. "Metrolinx – About Us". Metrolinx. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  113. "About: TRCA". Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  114. "Toward 2025: Assessing Ontario's Long-Term Outlook" (PDF). Ministry of Finance (Ontario). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  115. "Toward 2025: Assessing Ontario's Long-Term Outlook". Ministry of Finance (Ontario). 2005. Archived from the original on May 14, 2007. Retrieved May 23, 2007.
  116. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (January 15, 2001). "Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  117. "Ontario". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  118. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (February 9, 2022). "Data table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Toronto, Census division (CDR) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  119. "City of Toronto". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  120. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (February 9, 2022). "Data table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Durham, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  121. "Regional Municipality of Durham". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  122. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (February 9, 2022). "Data table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Peel, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  123. "Regional Municipality of Peel". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  124. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (February 9, 2022). "Data table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - York, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  125. "Regional Municipality of York". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  126. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (February 9, 2022). "Data table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Halton, Regional municipality (RM) [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  127. "Regional Municipality of Halton". Geographical Names Data Base . Natural Resources Canada.
  128. "Toronto's racial diversity". City of Toronto. February 22, 2010. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010.
  129. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Toronto, City (C) Ontario [Census subdivision]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  130. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Peel, Regional municipality (RM) Ontario [Census division]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  131. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population York, Regional municipality (RM) Ontario [Census division]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  132. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Durham, Regional municipality (RM) Ontario [Census division]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  133. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 26, 2022). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Halton, Regional municipality (RM) Ontario [Census division]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  134. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 27, 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census Toronto, City [Census subdivision], Ontario and Toronto, Census division [Census division], Ontario [Province]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  135. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 27, 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census Peel, Regional municipality [Census division], Ontario and Ontario [Province]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  136. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 27, 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census York, Regional municipality [Census division], Ontario and Ontario [Province]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  137. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 27, 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census Durham, Regional municipality [Census division], Ontario and Ontario [Province]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  138. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (October 27, 2021). "Census Profile, 2016 Census Halton, Regional municipality [Census division], Ontario and Ontario [Province]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  139. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (November 27, 2015). "NHS Profile, Toronto, C, Ontario, 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  140. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (November 27, 2015). "NHS Profile, Peel, RM, Ontario, 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  141. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (November 27, 2015). "NHS Profile, York, RM, Ontario, 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  142. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (November 27, 2015). "NHS Profile, Durham, RM, Ontario, 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  143. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (November 27, 2015). "NHS Profile, Halton, RM, Ontario, 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  144. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (August 20, 2019). "2006 Community Profiles Toronto Ontario (City)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  145. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (August 20, 2019). "2006 Community Profiles Peel Ontario (Regional municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  146. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (August 20, 2019). "2006 Community Profiles York Ontario (Regional municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  147. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (August 20, 2019). "2006 Community Profiles Durham Ontario (Regional municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  148. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (August 20, 2019). "2006 Community Profiles Halton Ontario (Regional municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  149. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (July 2, 2019). "2001 Community Profiles Toronto Ontario (City)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  150. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (July 2, 2019). "2001 Community Profiles Peel Regional Municipality Ontario (Regional Municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  151. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (July 2, 2019). "2001 Community Profiles York Regional Municipality Ontario (Regional Municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  152. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (July 2, 2019). "2001 Community Profiles Durham Regional Municipality Ontario (Regional Municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  153. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (July 2, 2019). "2001 Community Profiles Halton Regional Municipality Ontario (Regional Municipality)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  154. Ministry of Education, Ontario (2010). "About the Ministry". Government of Ontario. Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  155. Ministry of Training, Colleges; Universities, Ontario (2010). "Welcome to TCU". Government of Ontario. Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2010. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  156. "Getting to Know Ontario's Colleges". Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. Find a College. Queen's Printer, Ontario. January 1, 2010. Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  157. "Private Career Colleges (PCC)". Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. Queen's Printer, Ontario. November 18, 2007. Archived from the original on February 24, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  158. "Getting to Know Ontario's Universities". Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. Finding a University. Queen's Printer, Ontario. April 24, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  159. Office of Public Relations, McMaster University (June 17, 2009). "Celebrating expansion into Burlington". McMaster Daily News. McMaster University. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  160. Trent University (2010). "The Trent Difference in Oshawa". Trent University. Archived from the original on December 25, 2010.
  161. University of Guelph and Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (2005). "bout the University of Guelph-Humber". University of Guelph-Humber. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  162. "Privately Funded Ontario Institutions with Degree-Granting Authority". Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. Queen's Printer, Ontario. March 16, 2007. Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.