About Toronto

From 1954 to 1998, the City of Toronto was one city within a larger federation of cities and municipalities called Metropolitan Toronto. When Metropolitan Toronto was amalgamated by the Ontario provincial government under Mike Harris to become one government, the City of Toronto was enlarged to include the former cities and municipalities of York, East York, North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough. All of these former cities or municipalities still maintain, in some ways, their own distinct identities; their names are still used by their residents.

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About Ontario

Ontario is a magnet for industry, the arts and science. The name “Ontario” comes from a native word, possibly “Onitariio” or “Kanadario”, loosely translated as “beautiful” or “sparkling” water or lake. Ontario is a study in contrasts.  The varied landscape includes the vast, rocky and mineral-rich Canadian Shield, which separates the fertile farmland in the south and the grassy lowlands of the north.  There are over 250,000 lakes in Ontario — they make up about one-third of the world’s fresh water.

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History

If you think that Toronto, like so many other North American cities, is a relatively young center, think again. More than 8,000 years ago, this spot on the northern shores of Lake Ontario was home to prehistoric humans hunting the dense woods for bears and elk. They were followed by a rich and diverse Iroquois culture spread across nearly 200 villages in the Toronto area alone. British and French fur traders and explorers arriving in the late 16th century changed the power balance in the region.

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By Car

Toronto is very easy to navigate, but can see heavy traffic, as would be expected of the largest city in the country.  The main streets are laid out in a rid, so you can find your way around fairly easily.  Parking is easy to find, unless you’re in the heart of downtown, when it becomes a little trickier and more expensive.  Toronto has good public transit, so you probably won’t need to take the car, but if you do, you should be able to navigate fine.

The 401 connects Toronto to Detroit and Montreal, about 4 hours and 5 and a half hours respectively.  The 400 runs north, and can be used to access all points west in Canada.  The QEW, 404, and 427 are some of the other major highways in the region.

Public Transportation

Toronto Transit Commission
1900 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario M4S 1Z2
(416) 393-4636
www.toronto.ca/ttc

The Toronto Transit Commission runs the public transportation system in the city, and does a very nice job of it.  Fare is currently $2.75, which includes transfers.  You can buy day passes that will allow you unlimited travel for the day, or weekly and monthly passes.

There are three subway lines, and streetcar and bus systems in place.  The TTC’s website has good information on routes and fares.  The areas surrounding Toronto also have transit systems, but there is no free transfer between systems.

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Air Transportation

Toronto Pearson International Airport
3111 Convair Drive
Toronto, Ontario L5P 1B2
(416) 776 -3000
www.gtaa.com

Toronto Pearson International is abou 17 miles west of downtown Toronto, accessible off highways 427 or 409.  It’s one of the busiest airports in the country, and has US preborder clearance, one of only 8 airports with that.

Car Rental
Avis Inc.
1-800-TRY-AVIS (1-800-879-2847)
www.avis.com

Terminal 1 – (905) 676-1032/33
Terminal 2 – (905) 676-1057
Terminal 3 – (905) 676-1034/35

Budget – (800) 561-5212

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Television

Rogers Cable

www.shoprogers.com

(888) 764-3771

Rogers Communications Inc. provides cable television, broadband Internet access, video retailing, digital PCS and cellular services across Canada. Some American broadcast stations are available on Canadian cable.

Radio

Newspapers

Toronto Star
One Yonge Street, Fifth Floor,
Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E6
(416) 869-4300
www.thestar.com

The Toronto Star is the main newspaper in Toronto, and has the highest circulation of any paper in Canada.  It’s editorial position leans to the left.

Toronto Sun
333 King Street East
Toronto, Ontario
www.torontosun.com

The Toronto Sun is a more conservative leaning paper that is published in a tabloid format.  It’s written a little more sensationally.

The Globe and Mail
www.theglobeandmail.com

The Globe and Mail is a national paper that is based in Toronto.

Tours

There are endless possibilities for walking tours in Toronto and, with so many neighborhoods marked by their own history and presence, it’s hard to know where to start. However, two definite must-see areas are the entertainment and financial districts, and the Old Town of York.

To get a sense of Toronto’s entertainment district, start at the corner of King and John. This area (stretching to Simcoe) is known as Mirvish Walkway or Mirvish Village, named after Ed Mirvish and his son, who have spent awesome amounts refurbishing the area, turning many of the theatres and restaurants into first-class establishments. Their most famous project, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, was saved from certain destruction and has become one of the city’s entertainment jewels.

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Sports

Football Toronto Argonauts
(416) 341-2700
www.argonauts.ca

The Argonauts are one of the oldest professional sports teams in North America, having been founded in 1873.  They play Canadian Football, and have won the Grey Cup championship 15 times, the most out of any team.

Baseball Bluejays
(416) 341-1000
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com

The Blue Jays were founded in 1977, and are currently the only MLB team in Canada.  They have two World Series Titles.

Hockey Maple Leafs
(416) 872-5000
www.mapleleafs.com

The Leafs are the most valuable team in the NHL, and de facto religion in Toronto.  The team was one of the original 6 that founded the league.

Basketball Raptors
www.nba.com/raptors/
(416) 366-DUNK

The Raptors were founded in 1995, and play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

Shopping

Queen’s Quay Terminal
207 Queens Quay W.
(416) 203-3269

An award-winning specialty retail centre with soaring spaces and an abundance of natural light on Lake Ontario’s waterfront. With more than 30 shops, restaurants and galleries, it provides much of the Harbourfront experience of dining, shopping and browsing. Also in the building, the Premiere Dance Theatre.

BCE Place
181 Bay St.
(416) 777-6480

The soaring glass and steel structure has received international acclaim for its design, particularly the Allen Lambert Galleria, conceived by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

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Taxes

Canada Revenue Agency
(800) 267-6999
www.cra-arc.gc.ca

Canada has a wide variety of social programs, and the money for them has to come from somewhere.  Canadian taxes are generally slightly higher in total than those in the US, though it’s broken down a little differently, because the Provinces are generally in charge of the specific social programs instead of the federal government.  As a Canadian resident, you are required to pay taxes here.  The Canada Revenue Agency’s website has many helpful tools to help you figure out what your tax liability is.

For the 2006 tax year, federal taxes are in five brackets that go up to 29% if you make more than C$118,285.  Ontario also levies income tax.  The rates can change each year, so it’s a good idea to go to a tax professional, especially one who is familiar with tax preparation for expatriates to ensure that all of you ducks are in a row with your taxes.  Generally, you must file your taxes by April 30^th for the previous year.

If you’re not a Canadian resident, you can get reimbursed on some of the sales tax you pay in the city, so if that’s the case, remember to keep your receipts.

US citizens’ income tax liabilities are based on worldwide income, so you’re still responsible to pay the IRS on income earned in Canada or other countries.  You do get an $80,000 dollar exemption on money you earn overseas, so the tax burden will be significantly lower.  You can also get foreign tax credit because of how much you’re paying in Canada.  The best move is to let a tax professional help you out with the paperwork.

Healthcare

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
47 Sheppard Avenue East, 4^th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M2N 7E7
(800) 387-5559
www.health.gov.on.ca

Canadian healthcare is a publicly funded system, but most services are still provided by private companies.  To take advantage of the Canadian healthcare, you must be a citizen or be lawfully admitted for permanent residence.  Medicare is the largest government program, and it’s actually an amalgamation of 10 provincial programs.  Each province is mainly in charge of its own healthcare system, in Ontario it’s the Ontario Health Insurance Plan that provides coverage.  Forms are available on the organization’s website, or you can get them at most doctor’s offices.

Most hospital and physician services are covered, but prescription drugs and dental care aren’t.  Many Canadians still maintain private health insurance to help pay for services that go uncovered by the public health system, like prescription drugs.  This is frequently part of a benefits package through your employer.

Currency

The dollar is Canada’s currency, which is divided into cents, just like in the US.  Often it is abbreviated C$ to distinguish it from other dollar currency. Some merchants in Vancouver will accept American currency, as will parking meters.  The exchange rate hovers around C$1.15 for US$1, or 86 US cents for each C$1.

Canadian Banknotes
Canadian notes are issued by the Bank of Canada, and come equipped with modern security features, like holograms, watermarks, and other technologies.  The also have Braille-like bumps on them to help the blind determine the note’s value.  Just like the US, a “buck” is slang for a dollar. Canadian banknotes incorporate a Braille-like feature, allowing the blind to determine the value of the note.  Canadian banknotes are currently issued in the following colors and denominations:

$5 is blue
$10 is purple
$20 is green
$50 is red
$100 is brown

Canadian Coins
Coins are minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, and feature Elizabeth II on one side, and usually wildlife on the other.  The $1 coin, for instance, has a loon on it, and is know as the “loonie.”  The mint issues coins in 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, and $2 denominations.

Work Permit

Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(888) 242-2100
www.cic.gc.ca

To work in Canada, you need to get a work permit, which is a written authorization to work in the country, normally for a specific amount of time. There are certain industries which are exempt from needing a work permit.  Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is in charge of the permits, which are then issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).  Your employer should take the first steps with HRSDC to get the process moving.

To get a permit, you must:
Have no criminal record
Be in good health
Not be deemed a security risk
Prove that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family

The documents you’ll need are:
Proof of identity in the form of a valid passport and two photos of you and your family members
Proof of employment in Canada, usually as a letter from your employer, and proof that you meet the job requirements for the position

You can apply as a family to get a work permit and have your spouse and children accompany you there, but they can’t work unless they fill out their own permit application.

Mail Delivery

Canada Post
(866) 607-6301
www.canadapost.ca

Canada Post is the Canadian postal service in charge of letter and package delivery in the country.  It delivers Monday through Friday.  Canada Post covers more area than any other postal service in the world.  Standard mail delivery throughout the country is four days.  First class mail will reach its destination in one day.  Addressing conventions for letters are the same as it is in the US.

As of the beginning of 2007, the price of postage for a standard letter is 52 cents.  Canada Post sells “permanent” postage, meaning that even if the cost of postage rises, the stamps purchased for 52 cents will still be sufficient to mail an envelope.

U.S. Consulate

US Consulate General Toronto
360 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S4
(416) 595-1700
http://toronto.usconsulate.gov

The US Consulate is open for American citizens Mon-Fri between 8 am and 12 pm.

Education

Community Colleges
Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 collegebound high-school graduates start their college education this way.

The second function of community colleges is to prepare students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available at four-year schools, like fashion design.

Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal attention is available.

Online Learning
Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution can be much less.

There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited online universities out there.

Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some programs require students to attend some campus classes or orientations, but many are delivered completely online. Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional.

Public vs. Private
Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention and often more prestige.

Universities
Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional size and some classes may taught by graduate students.

Upper Division
Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.

Colleges

Toronto Colleges
Centennial College
(416) 289-5000
80 Cowdray Court
Scarborough Ontario M1K 5E9

There are more than 80 diploma and certificate programs on a full-time and part-time basis in business, communication arts, community and consumer services, engineering technology, health and transportation.

George Brown College of Applied Arts & Technology
(416) 415-5000 or (800) 265-2002
P.O. Box 1015, Station B
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2T9

The college offers a wide range of programming – Business, Technology, Community Services and Health Sciences, Fashion and Creative Technology, Graphic Communications, Language Training, and Hospitality/Tourism.

Humber College of Applied Arts & Technology
(416) 675-3111
205 Humber College Boulevard
Toronto

Lakeshore Campus
(416) 675-5000
3199 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Toronto

Humber College offers 135 full-time diploma and certificate programs at the post secondary and post diploma levels as well as over 1,000 courses through Continuing Education.

Seneca College
(416) 491-5050
1750 Finch Avenue East
North York M2J 2X5.

Computer Studies, Communication Arts, Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry and our Centre of Professional Communications.

Sheridan College
(905) 845-9430
1430 Trafalgar Road Oakville
ON L6H 2L1

Davis Campus
(905) 459-7533
7899 McLaughlin Road Box
7500 Brampton
ON L6V 1G6

Animation, Arts & Design, Business, Community & Liberal Studies, Computing & Information Management, Science & Technology as well as a variety of courses which are offered through Cross-College General Education.

Ontario College of Art & Design
(416) 977-6000
100 McCaul Street
Toronto ON M5T 1W1

The Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) is one of only four accredited, independent, art and design universities in Canada, and is also the largest university devoted exclusively to the education of professional artists and designers.