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Check out Brampton
and Toronto West Ontario
Canada!
BRAMPTON
Brampton
Celebrates
150 Years in 2003
Join the
festivities and terrific events planned for this year-long celebration to
commemorate Brampton's 150th Anniversary.
Although
Brampton is Canada's 13th 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.
With plenty
of green spaces, parks and sports fields throughout, outdoor recreational
activities are extremely popular. Brampton boasts 7 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.
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. Today, Brampton's population is 350,000. By the year 2021, about
600,000 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. Excellent shopping
is plentiful and also very conveniently located, with several indoor malls, a
variety of outdoor retail plazas and 2 new 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.
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| REAL ESTATE TRIVIA |
| Q |
In what real estate market are more than 90 percent of home sales cash transactions?
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| A |
Palm Beach, home to princes, politicians, and CEOs, has homes from 2,000 sq.ft. condos to 56,000 sq.ft. estates. |
| More Real Estate Trivia |
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