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1. What is Toronto's
reputation?
2. Who are the Maple Leafs? 3. What is Tim Hortons? 4. Tell me about Toronto's multiculturalism. 5. What are some phrases or words I need to know? 6. What do I need to know about Canadian government? 7. How do I travel there from the United States? 8a. Do I need to change my U.S. dollars? 8b. Is it really that cheap? 9. What's happening in Toronto? 10. How do I learn more? |
1. What is Toronto's reputation?
2. Who are the Maple Leafs?
Hockey is Canada's national sport. Toronto is a hockey town. Therefore,
the Maple Leafs are the
greatest team in Canada. Don't tell this to a Montreal Canadiens fan, though
;-) We haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1967, but we're working on it. The
Leafs used to play in Maple Leaf Gardens, but in early 1999, they moved
to the Air Canada Centre. Oh yeah, other sports… There are the two-time
World Series champion Blue Jays. There are the Vince Carter-led NBA Raptors.
And the Canadian Football League Argonauts. Just wait till we get NFL football!
But make no mistake: Toronto is a hockey town. A final tip: If you
don't want to be identified as a tourist, don't ask a Torontonian why it's
Maple "Leafs" and not "Leaves." That's a dead giveaway!Although we haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967, (over 45 years ago), there’s a strong possibility that we will end the longest drought in the NHL between winning a Championship. Betting odds taken from Betway Group suggest the Maple Leafs have a reasonable opportunity of securing a Stanley Cup over the next NHL season. According to recent reports and transfer news, the Maple Leafs may be closer than ever to securing some of the very best young talent in the NHL when the free agency opens on the 5th July 2013. Let’s not forget, Toronto is a hockey town.
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3. What is Tim Hortons?
Tim Hortons is a distinctly
Canadian chain of donut stores, famous for its coffee. As the commercial
goes:
"You've always got time for Tim Hortons!" Tim himself was
a hockey player. In the movie Wayne's World (1990) starring Torontonian
Mike Myers, the Aurora, Illinois, donut shop is named "Stan Mikita's Donuts."
A donut shop named for a hockey player. Wonder where he got that idea?
In December 2001, American giant Krispy Kreme opened its first Canadian
franchise in nearby Mississauga, Ont., and sold more than $70,000 worth
of donuts on its opening day. We'll see...
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4. Tell me about Toronto's multiculturalism.
The United Nations has called Toronto "the most diverse city in the
world." Canada has always considered itself a "mosaic" or "mixed salad"
in contrast to the American "melting pot." Toronto was (and still is) the
most popular Canadian destination for new immigrants. Chances are you'll
find any ethnic community in Toronto. Here are three of the largest:
6. What do I need to know about Canadian government?
The biggest difference between Canada and the United States:
Canada is a constitutional monarchy. We have our own constitution, but we still recognize Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as our head of state. The Governor General (her representative in Canada) signs all bills into law. In practice, this is merely a token gesture; there is no real power.
The real power lies in our federal system, divided into federal and provincial governments. (The municipal governments are technically under the jurisdiction of the provinces.)
Government of Canada
www.canada.gc.ca
The federal government, based in Ottawa, Ont., is in charge of national
interests such as defence and economic policy. It is also responsible for
areas not expressly defined in our constitution (which differs from the
states rights view of the United States). Our head of government is Prime
Minister Paul Martin, the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. The Liberals
hold the majority of seats in the House of Commons, roughly equivalent
to the American House of Representatives.
Government of Ontario
www.gov.on.ca
The provincial government, on the other hand, is in charge of areas
such as education and health care. Toronto is the capital of the province
of Ontario. Premier Dalton McGuinty is leader of the Liberals, who hold
the majority of seats in Ontario's legislature (aka "Queen's Park").
City of Toronto
www.toronto.ca
The City of Toronto is led by Mayor David Miller, who was elected in
November 2003 and oversees 44 city councillors. In 1997, six separate cities
amalgamated into the new City of Toronto; we now have one school board,
one fire department, one public library, etc.
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7. How do I travel
there from the United States?
Toronto is the transportation hub of Canada, similar to Chicago's role
as a rail and airway connection in the States. The nearest American cities
are Detroit, Michigan, and Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York.
By plane: Lester B. Pearson International
Airport
Canada's biggest airline is Air Canada.
Make that the only airline.
By train: Union Station
The Canadian passenger rail service is VIA
Rail. There are also several dedicated Amtrak
trains, esp. from Chicago and New York
By bus: Metro Toronto Bus Terminal (Bay and Dundas Streets)
Many bus lines travel to Toronto, including Greyhound.
By car: Highway 401 (4 hrs from Detroit) or the Queen Elizabeth
Expressway aka the "QEW" (2 hrs from Buffalo/Niagara Falls)
Getting Through Customs
If you're a U.S. citizen, you don't need a visa to enter Canada, but
you should have:
8a. Do I need to change my U.S.
dollars?
YES, you should probably change your U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars.
While most Toronto businesses will accept American money graciously, their
exchange rates can vary. Like most currency conversion, it's cheaper and
less stressful to do this in the States before you travel. However, if
you're stuck for time, you can always use an ATM machine from one of the
major banks: Royal Bank, CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), Bank
of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) and Toronto Dominion (TD
Bank). We also accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express here in Canada.
And it's always a good idea to keep some small Canadian bills and change
handy.
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8b. Is it really that cheap?
YES, it is that cheap. Glenn: "Having travelled to nearly 15 U.S.
cities in the last three years, I can say that, in general, food and accommodation
are cheaper in Toronto." Bonus: For an excellent cash conversion
tool, visit the Universal Currency Converter at: www.xe.com/ucc/
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9. What's happening
in Toronto?
Toronto is a popular city. Here's a sample of upcoming events:
Caribana (Mid-July to early August)
The largest Caribbean culture festival in North America. Lots of Americans
make the trek to T.O. to participate in this three-week party. The main
event: The parade down Lakeshore Boulevard. Mas bands. Incredible costumes.
Dancing. Jump up!
Canadian National Exhibition (Mid-August to Labour Day, September)
www.theex.com/
Better known as the "C.N.E." or "The Ex." Picture a gigantic state
fair. The Ex is a tradition in Toronto, more than 100 years old. Pick your
poison: Midway rides, the Food Building, free concerts, the international
building, the agricultural show, games of skill and chance, the casino,
crafts, shopping . . . Make sure to have a corn dog and a bag of
Tiny
Tim donuts. The final day of The Ex (Labour Day) signals the
end of summer in Toronto.
Santa Claus Parade (Sunday, November 16, 2003)
www.thesantaclausparade.com/
An annual tradition. Parade down the streets of downtown Toronto. Spectators
arrive early to claim the best spots along the route. Marching bands, clowns,
cheerleaders and the man himself . . . Santa!
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10. How do I learn more?
Tourism Toronto
www.tourismtoronto.com/
Excellent site for Toronto visitors.
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