Toronto

Toronto is Canada's largest city and the provincial capital of Ontario. Toronto's population is 2,518,772 (Statistics Canada, 2004); that of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is 5,203,686 (Statistics Canada, 2004). Residents of Toronto are called Torontonians (in French: torontois). The city is part of the Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario--a densely populated region of around 7 million people. Approximately 23% of the Canadian population live within the Golden Horseshoe region, and about one-sixth of all Canadian jobs lie within the city limits.

Economy

Toronto is a port of entry, as well as being an important commercial, financial, and industrial hub. It is the banking and stock exchange centre of the country, and is Canada's primary wholesale and distribution point. Its importance as a port increased after the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Ontario's wealth of raw materials and hydroelectric power have made Toronto into a primary centre of industry. The city and its surrounding area produces more than half of Canada's manufactured goods.

Related Topics:
St. Lawrence Seaway - Hydroelectric

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Until the 1970s, Toronto was the second largest city in Canada, after Montreal. The economic growth of Toronto was greatly stimulated by the development of the auto industry and of large mineral resources in its hinterland, and by the completion in 1959 of the St. Lawrence Seaway which allowed ships access to the Great Lakes from the Atlantic Ocean. Further growth in the Toronto area is often attributed to the rise of Quebec Separatism, though the extent of its influence is still contested by some, who argue that its effect was exaggerated by the English media. During the 1970s, the Quebec Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois enacted a series of French-language laws, which were perceived as unfavourable towards English-language businesses (especially Multinationals, whose markets extended far beyond Quebec's borders) and English-speaking Montrealers, and most of the former and many of the latter relocated to Toronto where French is not necessary for business. In Montreal, this migration is often referred to as the Exodus.

Related Topics:
1970s - Montreal - 1959 - St. Lawrence Seaway - Great Lakes - Quebec Separatism - Quebec Liberal Party - Parti Québécois - French-language laws

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In recent years, Toronto has become one of the centres of Canada's film industry, along with Vancouver, due to the lower cost of producing films and television shows in Canada. The city's streets and landmarks can be seen in a variety of different films, mimicking the streets of major American cities such as Chicago and New York.

Related Topics:
Film industry - Vancouver - Chicago - New York

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As the business and financial capital for the country, Toronto houses the Toronto Stock Exchange, the fourth largest stock exchange in North America by value traded and ninth in the world. The Toronto Stock Exchange Group has led North American exchanges by being the first to trade electronically and the first to become listed publicly. The Toronto financial industry is based on Bay Street, the city's equivalent to Wall Street in New York.

Related Topics:
Toronto Stock Exchange - Stock exchange - North America - Bay Street - Wall Street

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A number of major corporations are based in the city, including the Hudson's Bay Company, TD Canada Trust, Celestica, Four Seasons Hotels, Rogers Communications, MDS Inc. and many others. Numerous other companies are based in the Greater Toronto Area outside of the city limits, such as Nortel, IBM Canada, and Magna International.

Related Topics:
Hudson's Bay Company - TD Canada Trust - Celestica - Four Seasons Hotels - Rogers Communications - MDS Inc. - Greater Toronto Area - Nortel - IBM - Magna International

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The City of Toronto's GDP is $225 billion and Metropolitan Toronto's GDP is $305 billion, making it one of the richest cities on earth.

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