Toronto is a clean, safe, cosmopolitan city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational, and cultural facilities. Toronto is the home of five professional sports teams and the third largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, behind New York and London. Toronto is the world's most ethnically diverse city, and is home to more than 100 ethnic communities. Toronto is also the business centre of Canada.
The population of the census metropolitan area of Toronto is 6,202,225 (2021 census) and is one of the largest regions in North America. Toronto lies on the shore of Lake Ontario, the easternmost of the Great Lakes. Toronto is ideally located for operations with a world-wide focus. The city is 1.5 hours by air to cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Hartford, Boston, and Chicago, with direct flights available to most major world cities.
The City of Toronto has a population of over 2,794,356 (2021 census).
Local Council
The Toronto City Council is the Governing body of the City of Toronto. Members represent wards throughout the city and are known as councilors.
To contact Toronto’s City Hall:
The City of Toronto
100 Queen Street West Website
Toronto ON M5H 2N2 Phone: 416-397-3673 or 311
Transportation
Air
Pearson International Airport
Website
Pearson is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, the fourth largest international airport in North America, and the world's largest originator of traffic into the United States. It houses approximately 65 airlines providing service to over 150 international destinations as well as providing domestic service to all provinces and territories of Canada.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Website
Commonly known as the Toronto Island Airport, is a small airport located on Toronto Island accessible by ferry from the end of Bathurst Street. It is mainly used for civil aviation, medical flights and regional airlines.
Other Airports
The Toronto area is also serviced by three other notable airports – Buttonville, Oshawa and Hamilton.
Rail
Two national railways — CP Rail Systems and Canadian National Railways (CN) — provide rail freight access to the rest of Canada and North America from Toronto. Facilities that are integrated with key northern U.S. railroads through all cross-border gateways create a network reaching more than 33,000 kilometres (21,000 miles) in length.
Public Transit
TTC
Phone: 416-393-INFO (416-393-4636)
Website: https://www.ttc.ca/
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates transit buses, streetcars, and rapid transit services throughout the City. There are four subway lines, 11 streetcar routes and more than 140 bus routes. Detailed route maps, stops and connecting route information can be found online at: https://www.ttc.ca
GO Transit
Website: www.gotransit.com/
GO Transit links Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). GO carries 65 million passengers a year in an extensive network of train and bus services that is one of North America’s premier transportation systems. Since operations began in May 1967, one billion people have taken the GO Train or the GO Bus. Officially known as the Greater Toronto Transit Authority (GTTA), GO Transit provides safe, convenient, and efficient transportation to the communities of the Toronto area.
Education
There are four public school boards that operate within the City of Toronto.
All the school boards operate using the boundary system . The school that your children would attend is based on your home address.
There are also a number private schools. Further details on private schools can be found by visiting: Our Kids
Emergency Services - Fire, Police, Ambulance Phone: 911
Important Phone Numbers
Health 811 --- Phone: 811 or 1-866-797-0000Health 811 is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day 7 days per week. This is a qualified health professional, who can assess your symptoms and help you decide your best first step. They can help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to a clinic, contact a community service or go to a hospital emergency room.
Health 811 has also added an online chat function.
Ontario Poison Centre --- Phone: 1-800-268-9017 or 416-813-5900
Health 811 has also added an online chat function.
The Ontario Poison Centre in Toronto has been serving the general public and healthcare professionals throughout Ontario since 1979. The primary role of the Poison Centre is to provide telephone information and advice about potential or real exposures to poisonous substances. For more information please visit Ontario Poison Centre.
Hospital
To locate the closest hospital and walk in clinics to your new home, please visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Health Care Options website which provides Health Care options in your neighbourhood.
A few of Toronto's hospitals include:
Toronto General Hospital
190 Elizabeth Street, Toronto
Phone: 416-340-3388
Sunnybrook Health Sciences
2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Phone: 416-480-6100
North York General Hospital
4001 Leslie Street, North York
Phone: 416-756-6000
Centenary/Rouge Valley (SHN)
Toronto Western Hospital
St. Joseph's Health Centre
St. Michael's Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital
Utilities
Lifestyle
City of Toronto Information Line
311 Toronto
Phone: 3-1-1
Website: http://www.toronto.ca/311/
311 Toronto is the public information general inquiry service for the residents of the City of Toronto. They can assist you with finding answers to your questions or by providing the appropriate referrals.
The call centre is open 24hours a day, 7-days a week.
Recreation
The City of Toronto operates numerous facilities and parks with a variety of programs and activities that might be of interest to you and your family including sports, crafts, swimming, fitness and many more. Details on these programs are available in the City’s Fun Guide which is available at any of the City Community Centres or libraries. They are usually delivered to your home twice a year (Fall/Winter & Spring/Summer). You can also get more information by calling:
Parks and Recreation Department
Phone: 416-392-1111 or 311
You can also view the Fun Guide online at: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/
Swimming
City of Toronto Parks and Recreation
Phone: 416-338-4FUN (4386) or 311
Website: http://www.toronto.ca
Skating
Enjoy the winter season by gliding around the different Toronto arenas that offer leisure skating. Please visit the following website to review public skating schedules, and information about lessons: Skating & Winter Sports
Biking/Walking/Hiking Trails
City of Toronto
Phone: 416-338-0338
Website: Parks, Gardens and Beaches
The City of Toronto operates and maintains over 195 kilometres of pedestrian/bicycle paths, 1500 parks and 90 kilometres of paved trails through parks.
To download a copy of the ‘Toronto Parks & Trails’ maps brochure, please visit: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/index.htm.
Golf Courses
The City of Toronto operates 5 golf courses. For more information, please visit: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/golf/index.htm.
Camping
Ontario Parks
Website: www.ontarioparks.ca
This site lists all the provincial parks in Ontario.
Toronto’s Special Events
For information on the Special Events in Toronto, please visit: Festivals & Events
Libraries
Toronto Public Library
Website: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hours-locations/index.jsp
The Toronto Public Library has 99 branches, 11 million items and a whole lot more
Toronto is a shopper’s paradise with everything from international shopping districts to historical marketplaces, huge malls to big box stores. Toronto has something for everyone! Below are just a few of the major malls in Toronto.
The Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge Street Suite 110 Website: www.torontoeatoncentre.com
Toronto, ON M5B 2H1 Phone: 416-598-8560
Yorkdale Shopping Centre
1 Yorkdale Road, Suite 500 Website: http://www.yorkdale.com/
Toronto, ON M6A 3A1 Phone: 416-789-3261
Fairview Mall
1800 Sheppard Ave East Website: http://www.fairviewmall.ca
Toronto, ON M2J 5A7 Phone: 416-491-0151
Bayview Village Shopping Centre
2901 Bayview Avenue Website: www.bayviewvillageshops.com
North York, ON M2K 1E6 Phone: 416-226-0404
Sherway Gardens Shopping Centre
25 The West Mall Website: www.sherwaygardens.ca
Toronto, ON M9C1B8 Phone: 416-621-1070
St. Lawrence Market
92 Front Street East Website: www.stlawrencemarket.com/
Toronto, ON M5E1C4 Phone: 416-392-0120
Considered by Food and Wine Magazine be one of the world's 25 best food markets, the St. Lawrence Market is located in the heart of the historic Old Town Toronto neighbourhood at Jarvis and Front Streets. The South Market houses more than 50 gourmet food vendors and over a dozen lunch counters. Upstairs, the Market Gallery shows archival art and photographs from the City's collection and the North Market is home to the 200 year old Saturday Farmers' Market and Sunday Antique Market.
Pets
Dog Licence
All dogs and cats owned in Toronto must be licensed and wear a tag. The licence must be renewed every year. Fees can be found here.
For more information, please visit: Pet Licensing
Off Leash Dog Areas
For a detailed listing of off-leash areas in Toronto, please visit: Dog Off-Leash Areas.
Videos of Toronto
