Toronto

Overview

Toronto is the largest city in Canada in the province of Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents in Toronto and over 5.7 million in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) it is the fifth-most populous municipality in North America, and the 46th most populous in the world.  Its cleanliness, friendliness, low crime rates and friendly diverse attitudes make it consistantly ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.

Toronto's population is cosmopolitan and international, reflecting its role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada. It is the world's most diverse city by percentage of non-Canadian-born residents, as about 49 per cent of the population were born outside of Canada.  Toronto is home to virtually all of the world's culture groups and is a city where more than 100 languages and dialects are spoken.

Coming with the human diversity is the more bazaar diversity of Toronto’s landscape – the city’s skyline has no one dominant architectural design  - instead it is a mix of period, styles and design.

Toronto is currently ranked 14th in the world with over 4 million tourist arrivals a year. Toronto's most prominent landmark is the CN Tower, which currently stands as the second tallest free-standing land structure in the world at 553 metres (1,815 ft).

The gay area of Toronto is known as Church Street, however in recent years it has become residential and moving further out of the city. The gay scene can be found dotted around Toronto.

Culture

Canada is renowned for being liberal and it doesn't stop the further West or East you go.

Well the least we can say is it is friendly - that's Canadian's for you full stop. In the gay areas you can certainly talk to anyone and everyone and you will get a helpful hand and smile.

Toronto is a true multi-cultural, global city.  It is a leader in not just the financial world, but also boasts art galleries, museums, performing arts, international cuisine and a thriving nightlife.

The scene is diverse and fresh, especially in recent years as it has been changing and moving.

Equality

In 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide with the approval of the Civil Marriage Act.

Court decisions, starting in 2003, had already legalized same-sex marriage in eight out of ten provinces and one of three territories, whose residents comprised about 90% of Canada's population. Before passage of the Act, more than 3,000 same-sex couples had already married in these areas.

Most legal benefits commonly associated with marriage had been extended to cohabiting same-sex couples since 1999.

Canada is an easy country to enjoy whoever you are and wherever you’re from.

Travel Information

Toronto boasts the third heaviest used mass transit system in North America, after New York and Mexico City.  With excellent bus, intermediate trains (Go Train), Subway systems and Street Cars it will get you most places in Toronto and around the GTA.  The Street Cars are excellent for bar hopping, shopping and getting you places anywhere in the core. 

The PATH is and underground walkway, consisting of over 28 km (17 miles) of walking, shopping, dining, services and entertainment.  It is considered one of the largest underground shopping centres in the world with approximately over 1,200 shops and services.  Many hotels, buildings, metro stations as well as major tourist attractions such as the CN Tower, SkyDome, Air Canada Centre are all linked via PATH.