About the Brampton and Toronto West, Area 

BRAMPTON

Brampton Flower City

Join the festivities and terrific events that Brampton has to offer. Mark your calendar there is always something fun happening around town!
 
Although Brampton is Canada's 11th largest city, it retains much of its historic small-town charm. Downtown Brampton is a unique blend of historic and modern architecture, bustling with commerce, seasonal farmers markets, annual parades and many other family-oriented festivities. The most recent attraction being the Rose Theatre nested in the downtown core surrounded by local shops and restaurants,

With plenty of green spaces, parks and sports fields throughout, outdoor recreational activities are extremely popular. Brampton boasts 8 public and 2 private golf courses, some of the finest in the region, as well as extensive city parks and recreation programs in art, dance, drama, fitness/wellness, music, pre-school, seniors, special needs and indoor and outdoor sports.

Professor's Lake offers a sandy beach for summertime fun, and Mount Chinguacousy is a great place for the little ones to learn how to ski, or enjoy tubing during the winter months. Chinguacousy Park is a great place for family fun, with its petting zoo, children's water park, and band shell for summer concerts and cultural events. This June Brampton celebrates the best of Indian cinema with our own IIFA Buzz Brampton Festival! Brampton proudly hosts the IIFA Buzz Brampton Festival. An exciting line-up of events is planned for our community. Save the dates and join the party!

Brampton features three trail systems that run through the City's boundaries, pedestrian and cycling trails, serve the public as a scenic and healthy alternative for getting around the City. Many of the trails connect to the many City Parks, Playgrounds and recreational facilities.

Brampton enjoys first-class infrastructure, serving the needs of a rapidly growing population. According to the 2006 census  Brampton's population was 433,000. By year end 2011, about 511,000 people will be living here! Highways 410, 407, 401 and 427 provide convenient access and egress to/from the city. With the Lester B. Pearson International airport right next door, and such close proximity and convenient access to Toronto and the GTA, Brampton is ideally situated.  A commuters delight Brampton offers three Go Train stations allowing easy access in and out of Toronto daily. This year the ZOOM bus system was also launched allowing for faster and more effective routes in and around town. Excellent shopping is plentiful and also very conveniently located, with several indoor malls, the Bramalea City Centre being the largest indoor mall in the Brampton area, and recently renovated to include an even larger selection for the Brampton residents. There are also a variety of outdoor retail plazas and a selection of outdoor mega shopping centres.

Brampton is also a growing industrial and economic city, with a blend of manufacturing and high-tech industries. Further commercial/industrial expansion is in the works, with new business parks planned along the 407 corridor.

For more information, please visit the City of Brampton's official web site: City.brampton.on.ca/.

GEORGETOWN

Nestled on the beautiful Credit River between Toronto and Hamilton lies Georgetown, part of the regional town of Halton Hills. Dating back to 1823, Georgetown was built on the papermaking business, due in large part to the abundance of ponds and sites for waterpower. Historic architectural foundations dating from the 1870's still exist in the old village.

Today, Georgetown is a thriving - and growing - residential community, supported by numerous industries of all sizes, a significant retail sector, many services, and rail and bus transit to neighboring Brampton and Toronto.

For more information on Georgetown, please visit Downtowngeorgetown.com/.

CALEDON

For those seeking country charm, delightful scenery and a vast array of outdoor activities in both summer and winter will love Caledon. Nestled within the beautiful Caledon hills are numerous charming and historic villages, with quaint country stores and farmers' markets. With the spectacular Forks of the Credit and Devil's Pulpit as a backdrop, it's no wonder that Caledon - less than an hour from Toronto - is home to a great community of artists.

For more information on Caledon, please visitTown.caledon.on.ca/.

ORANGEVILLE

North from Brampton and Georgetown along Highway 10 is the rapidly growing town of Orangeville. Like Georgetown, the old village of Orangeville found its roots in the mill industry. Today, Orangeville is a booming family-oriented residential area, equipped with all the latest amenities. The charming old town sits next to the thriving new business district, providing convenient access to quiet, charming old tree-lined streets just a few steps away from abundant shopping and dining.

For more information on Orangeville, please visit Town.orangeville.on.ca/.

TORONTO

Stretched along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is one of the southernmost cities in Canada sharing the same lines of latitude as northern California. Over 4.2 million people from over 100 cultures share the beauty and opportunity of this Canadian jewel. Proud of their vibrant culture and vital economy, residents welcome visitors the world over to experience the area's many unique attractions, world famous restaurants, diverse shopping districts and famed historic sites. One quarter of the entire population of Canada is located within a 100-mile radius of Toronto, a city that boasts one of the lowest crime rates of any city in the world. Toronto is the capital of Ontario in addition to being the industrial and business center for the country. Toronto is also Canada's corporate capital, with more nationally and internationally top-ranked companies than any other Canadian city. Both French and English are recognized as official languages for the country with much of the populace comfortably bilingual. Toronto's many attractions range from high art to lively family fun. Boasting a world acclaimed symphony, a first-rate museum and a theatre district rivaled only by London and New York, Toronto is on the cutting edge of cultural events and attracts talented professionals from throughout the world.

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS

Toronto employs one of the most comprehensive transportation systems in the country moving thousands of commuters efficiently throughout the city's 103 square miles. Both AMTRAK and VIA Rail deposit thousands of commuters and visitors at Union Station, the city's downtown main depot each day which connects to the TTC (Toronto's underground subway system). Air travel is conveniently provided by one of two main airports Toronto City Center Airport and the Lester B Pearson International Airport both within easy traveling distance of downtown proper. 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. In addition, Toronto is well served by an extensive system of highways, which keep traffic flow remarkably fluid for a city of this size. Highways 2, 401, 407 and the Queen Elizabeth Way connect the city of Toronto with its nearest neighbors. The border crossings at Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Windsor welcome thousands of visitors each day. Buffalo New York and Niagara Falls are less than 100 miles from Toronto while Kingston and Algonquin Park are less than 200 miles away.

BRIEF HISTORY

Toronto's reputation for warm and friendly people who enjoy good company with family and friends stems from its past. From its beginning Toronto's protected harbor was a favorite destination for Canada's indigenous cultures and French traders thus winning it the Huron name "Toronto" or "meeting place". Initially purchased by the British in 1788 from the Mississauga Indians, Toronto was temporarily occupied in the war of 1812. Shortly after Toronto experienced a population surge. Thousands of immigrants from many countries flocked from across the sea to seek their fortune in a land that held the promise of prosperity and freedom. Toronto became the Promised Land for thousands of Irish immigrants fleeing famine and thousands of slaves in search of protection. With a population of over 10,000 settlers, Toronto became incorporated in 1834 and by 1867 was designated the official capital of the newly created province of Ontario. Toronto continued to welcome people from many different cultures and back rounds, laying the groundwork for the culturally diverse and fascinating city it has become today. Between 1908 and 1915, arts and culture flourished as the new nation established its identity, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Royal Ontario Museum were established. Following WWI and WWII Toronto continued its transformation into a manufacturing and industrial powerhouse, thanks to its close proximity to natural resources, agricultural land, inexpensive energy, and the nearby markets of the American heartland. Today, Toronto stands as a city that proudly embraces its multicultural populace. Dynamic, open minded and friendly, Toronto is home to a wide variety of people who lend their special qualities to this unique and special city.

ABOUT EDUCATION

The Toronto District School Board is among the largest in North America. Committed to the tenants of excellence, TDSB strives to find innovative programs and cutting edge technology to allow the student to achieve his full potential. Sensitive to the special talents of each child, TDSB puts students first. The mission statement of TDSB reads as follows; "To enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge, skills and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society". Meeting the requirements posed by a large and culturally diverse student population is a welcome challenge to faculty intent upon protecting and celebrating the unique qualities of each child. Collective involvement is a priority at TDSB where the education of students is a shared responsibility between the home, the school, and the community. The staff and faculty employed by TDSB have earned many awards and designations. Two principals in the TDSB have earned the highly prized honor of being included in The Learning Partnership, a distinction given only to those outstanding in their field. In addition, several teachers have been honored by The Prime Minister's Award, which recognizes teachers that have achieved outstanding results with students and The Ontario Teacher Award, which acknowledges extraordinary teachers who serve as role models and mentors.

BRAMPTON

The city of Brampton has charmed locals and visitors alike since the mid 1800's. Long ago travelers found the beauty of this area lush and unique. Today over 352,000 people call Brampton home making it one of the fastest growing cities in the area and the fourteenth largest city in Canada. Known throughout Peel County for its abundance of historic homes, clean safe streets, cultural and recreational entertainment and family friendly living Brampton nurtures a well-deserved reputation for an enviable quality of life. Downtown Brampton beats with the pulse of the energetic community. Homes of singular architectural beauty line the bustling streets and have combined perfectly with this lively center of commerce and recreation. Charming shopping districts, delectable restaurants featuring inspired cuisine and plenty of leisure activities geared toward every age group and taste make this town a wonderful place to live. Throughout the year Brampton is host to many exciting events that attract thousands of people to share and delight in the entertainment. The Santa Claus parade is a long anticipated landmark event that signals the beginning of the season for over 100,000 people. "Shakespeare in the Square" is an annual outdoor festival famous throughout the region for its professional and inspired productions. Weekly farmers markets lend a celebratory air and a great opportunity to buy the freshest produce from local farmers. The local artist cooperative, Beaux-Arts Brampton, provides an opportunity for visitors to walk through the galleries and open studios of local artists and the Peel Heritage Complex offers rotating visual arts and museum exhibits throughout the year.

LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS

Brampton, the 3rd largest city in the Greater Toronto Area is located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, just northwest of the City of Toronto in the Greater Toronto Area. Brampton's neighboring communities include Mississauga ten miles to the south, Vaughan to the east, Caledon to the north and Halton Hills to the west. Just 30 minutes from the heart of downtown Toronto, Brampton is served by an excellent system of highways and is easily accessed by highways 10, 401, 427 and 410. Brampton sits 82 miles from the United States border at Niagara Falls and 532 miles from New York City. Both the Toronto City Center Airport and the Lester B Pearson International Airport are less than an hour's drive from the city of Brampton.

BRIEF HISTORY

The City of Brampton was founded in 1853 by John Elliott and William Lawson, originally of Brampton, England. Named in honor of their homeland, the modest colonial village became a favored destination for westward bound settlers. Rich soil, an auspicious location and a plentitude of natural resources quickly earned the young settlement a reputation as an area charged with economic opportunity. For many years Brampton was known as "The Flower Town of Canada", in reference to the prominent greenhouse industry including Dale's Flowers, one of the largest greenhouses in North America. Several award winning international roses were created in Brampton, a town devoted to the cultivation of beautiful flowers. The area expanded in a fragmented fashion resulting in several towns that have sprung up around Brampton proper. Finally in 1974, several of these satellite cities combined to become a part of Brampton. Now the official center of the region, Brampton is the center of the municipal government and home to many of the most significant historical sites in Peel County.

ABOUT EDUCATION

The Peel County School District is responsible for the education of over 140,000 students and is the largest public school system outside of Toronto. As the population of Brampton expands so do the demands of a district intent and committed to meeting the needs of each individual student. The Peel County School District spends $6,510 per student in addition to government grants. Over the past five years the student allocation has increased by $629 and Peel County has responded by increasing funding to offset the cost of living increase. In addition, the Peel District budget is channeled directly into the classroom, more so than many other districts. The educators of Peel School District are committed to the growth of each child. Expectations are high for students, yet guidance and support are given freely. Educational materials and technological equipment are constantly upgraded and the faculty benefit and welcome the community's eager participation. High standards, a supportive and friendly environment and an excellent staff have earned the Peel School District an worthy reputation for excellence.