Overview

Toronto, one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities, is the destination of over 50% of all immigrants to Canada. In the last few years the numbers of immigrants from Asia has rapidly increased while the number of immigrants from England and the rest of Europe has decreased. What used to be known as a mostly English city has now become a large multi-cultural cosmopolitan center. You will notice people from many varied ethnic backgrounds while walking the streets. Chinatown bustles with open produce markets and throngs of people on a Saturday afternoon.

Sights of the City

Toronto graces the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Many tall skyscrapers can be seen from a long distance away. Approaching the city, one will probably get stuck in traffic for an hour or two before arriving downtown. The CN Tower stands over 1800 ft tall including the spiral and antenna, making it the tallest free-standing structure in the world. This magnificent tower stands head-and-shoulders above all the surrounding skyscrapers. There are many other tall office buildings and apartment complexes throughout the city.

Many of the sights in the city are very similar to what you would expect to find in mega-cities in the States. While driving the streets you will notice many different ethnic communities, especially from China and other South Asian countries.

Toronto is a very modern city. State of the art buildings, transportation, and technology make Toronto a highly advanced and very expensive place to live.

Economy

Torontonians, as all Canadians, use the Canadian Dollar. The CAN$ is similar to the US$. Both share the same “$” symbol, though they differ in value and the currencies do not look alike. Canadians use a one-dollar coin termed loonie, and a two-dollar metal coined toonie. The loonie bears images of the common loon, a well-known Canadian bird. One loonie is worth about 88 cents US$.

Distance is measured in meters, weight is measured in grams, and temperature is measured using the Celsius scale. Before traveling to Toronto, make sure you understand the metric measurements or take along a reference sheet to help you convert liters to gallons when fueling your car!

Toronto is the economic capital of Canada as New York City is in the States. It houses the Toronto Stock Exchange, the sixth largest stock market in the world, and is home to most of Canada’s large corporations.

Government

The government in Toronto is doing a lot to prevent crime on the streets of their city. There are over 5000 uniformed police on patrol at any given time. Violence is down. Toronto is known for its criminal control. In 2004 Toronto’s murder rate was 25 per million compared to Chicago at 207 per million people! The city also boasts the largest municipal emergency medical service in Canada.

Everyday Life in the City

To live in the city of Toronto means you either have ridden, or undoubtedly will ride on the city’s busy public transportation system. Subway trains, street rail cars, taxis and buses along with people walking, cycling, and driving make this a busy, bustling place with lots of traffic jams.

Many of the people in Toronto have just recently arrived from China and other parts of Asia. Though huge skyscrapers are built to house many of these immigrants, there is still a great need for housing. As you get out of the city toward the outlying areas of Toronto, you will notice more private homes and quiet neighborhoods. GTA, or the Greater Toronto Area, stretches for miles north and west of the city to make up over 7000 sq. km. or 2700 sq. miles.

There is an average of three persons per family in the city. Statistics show that Toronto is one of the most expensive cities in which to live. This may be one reason for the small families.

Missions in Toronto

There are a handful of large Christian missions reaching out to the children of Toronto. These missions also focus on the needs of new immigrants arriving in Toronto. Unlike many large cities in the States, the slum areas have been somewhat disguised by the scattered ethnic communities. Many of these people live in poverty. One goal of the missionaries is to meet the needs of these neighborhoods which will keep gangs and violence from growing. These outreaches are doing their part in keeping Toronto a safe city.

Many churches in Toronto are also seeing the need for city outreach and are in one way or another involved in this type of ministry. There are a number of missions here looking for volunteers to move into a specific neighborhood and reach out to that ethnic group. These missions are always looking for more volunteers. Learning the languages and cultures of these ethnic groups is a challenge for the missionaries.

Pray for the immigrants in Toronto. These families face tremendous challenges transitioning into life in Canada. Pray that God would raise up whole families that seek His face and will shine as a light to their neighborhoods.

Please pray also that God would raise up volunteers willing to give of themselves and spread the gospel in the cities across North America.

Education

Only 14% of Torontonians do not have any high school education; 38% have at least some high school, while 48% (almost half) have some sort of college education.

Many of the students in Toronto are immigrants who must still learn English. Almost 50% of the people do not speak English as their primary language. English teachers are in demand in Toronto.

Parents are permitted to home school their children in Canada.

Needs of the City