About Toronto
It's been called "a city that works." As the capital of Ontario and Canada's largest city (population exceeds 5 million), Toronto has become a dynamic cosmopolitan hub known for entertainment, culture, sports, high fashion and big business. It's the financial centre of Canada, and boasts more than 20,000 retail stores and restaurants. Yet for such a large city it's miraculously clean, safe and friendly. Tourists are drawn to the charm of the Lake Ontario waterfront district, the high-rise splendor of popular Yonge Street, and the trendy shops and quaint cafés along College and Queen Streets. The city also has a flourishing music and performing arts scene, with a wide variety of shows every night of the week.
Keys to the City
Facts & Fundamentals
In 2006, the number of people living inside city limits was about 2.5 million; across greater Toronto, the population approached 5.5 million, with nearly 43% of that comprised of "visible minorities." Toronto is second only to Miami among cities worldwide with the highest population of foreign-born residents. It's the largest city in Canada and the fifth largest in North America.
Holidays & Business Hours
Most offices maintain Monday-Friday hours, usually 9am-5pm. Retail businesses generally open from about 10am-9pm Monday-Saturday, and Noon-5pm on Sunday.
| New Year's Day |
January 1 |
| Good Friday |
Friday before Easter |
| Easter Sunday |
Varies |
| Victoria Day |
Monday on or before May 24 |
| Canada Day |
July 1 |
| Labour Day |
1st Monday in September |
| Thanksgiving |
2nd Monday in October |
| Christmas |
December 25 |
| Boxing Day |
December 26 |
|
If a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, it may be observed the previous Friday or following Monday. Many businesses close for Simcoe Day (1st Monday in August), and some may close for Remembrance Day (November 11).
Coming & Going
Toronto Pearson International Airport
www.gtaa.com/
3111 Convair Drive
Toronto AMF, Ontario - Canada - L5P 1B2
Phone: (416) 776-3000, 1-866-207-1690 (Toll Free)
Located in Mississauga, 27 km (17 miles) from downtown Toronto. There are numerous public transportation options when traveling from Pearson to downtown Toronto. Taxis and rental cars are also readily available. Parking rates are CAD3 every 20 minutes up to a daily maximum of CAD28.
Toronto City Centre Airport
http://www.torontoport.com/airport_location_access.asp?id=27
Phone: 416-203-6942
Fax: 416-203-6741
Located at the western end of the Toronto islands, with regular daytime ferry service into the downtown area. The airport is used mainly by commuter and private flights.
Toronto / Buttonville Municipal Airport
http://www.torontoairways.com/
2833 16th Ave
Box 100
Markham, ON L3R 0P8
Phone 1: 905-477-8100
Phone 2:416-324-2898
Fax: 905-477-8053
Located 29 km north of downtown Toronto; operated by Toronto Airways Ltd. Public transportation provided by York Region Transit.
Making Your Way
Toronto has the third largest public transportation system in North America, after New York City and Mexico City. GO Transit (Government of Ontario) operates an extensive network of seven rail lines and numerous bus routes. TTC (City of Toronto) operates a subway system as well as busses and streetcars.
Toronto has a system of underground walkways, called PATH, that connect about 50 downtown buildings. Along the way there are 27 km (16 miles) of shops (about 1200 in all), making it the largest underground shopping arcade in the world. It also connects to five subway stations, a railway terminal and twenty parking garages.
News & Views
Toronto Star – daily
http://www.thestar.com/
Phone: 416-367-2000
Toronto Sun – daily
http://www.torontosun.com/
Phone: 416-947-2222
The Globe and Mail – national daily (HQ in Toronto)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Phone: 416-585-5000
National Post – national daily (HQ in Toronto)
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/index.html
Phone: 416-383-2300
Toronto Life - alternative monthly
http://www.torontolife.com/
Fax: 416-861-1169
EYE WEEKLY – alternative weekly
http://www.eyeweekly.com/
Phone: 416-933-3433
NOW – alternative weekly
http://www.nowtoronto.com/
Phone: 416-364-1300
Xtra! – gay bi-weekly magazine
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto.aspx
Phone: 416-925-6665
Fab – gay bi-weekly magazine
http://www.fabmagazine.com/
Phone: 416-925-6665
Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) – television (HQ in Toronto)
http://www.cbc.ca/
Phone: 1-866-306-4636 (Toll Free)
CTV – television (HQ in Toronto)
http://www.ctv.ca/
Phone: 416-384-5000
Getting Your Bearings
Toronto Convention and Visitors Association
P.O. Box 126
207 Queens Quay West
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 1A7 Canada
Phone 1: 416-203-2600
Phone 2: 1-800-499-2514 (Toll Free)
Fax: 416-203-6753
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm
Email: toronto@torcvb.com
http://www.torontotourism.com/
Necessities - Post Offices
Stamps are available at most convenience and drug stores, as well as the front desks of most hotels. Canada Post counters are situated in most shopping centers and malls.
Common Courtesies
Tipping for services rendered is customary. The standard tip is 15%, more for exemplary service (this includes restaurant servers, taxi drivers, etc).
Weather
Toronto has a humid continental climate (warm, humid summers; cold winters). Its location near Lake Ontario means the city is sometimes subject to lake effect snow. The wettest months are May and September. The warmest are July and August; coldest are January and February. The average snowfall is about 52 inches annually.
Thursday:
Saturday:
