Toronto
There are about 4 million people here, so not too different from Sydney. Except they have a bit more land here!
I read somewhere that Canada has two seasons - Winter and something slightly warmer. This for the most part is pretty damn true. Hence in summer, Toronto comes alive and every weekend and alot during the week also they have all kinds of festivals and shows and things. It is really quite cool. Mayor Mel comes up with some kind of idea (like the Toronto moose) and there you go - instant summer entertainment.
It's really quite a nice city to be a tourist in. Living here is a wee bit different. There are alot of homeless - too many. And then you have a bunch of jokers that live off pan handling. So wherever you go throughout downtown you will be asked many many times for change. It's not very clean, pretty damn cold and full of tourists and new immigrants, but I spose that is what makes the city what it is.
I am totally against the idea of Toronto holding the Olympics. For a starters - there are enough people here as is. They don't need all that crap. Secondly, there are far too many problems with the hospitals, schools and the homeless to even contemplate spending that kind of money on a sports event that will only serve to ruin the city.
You will see French on everything you buy, but as the provincial language is English, you won't really come across any stores or signs in French. I have actually never come across a French speaking person here. The only time I have is the bilingual people at work and when I went to Ottawa & Quebec.
Everyday I read of another shooting or some such thing. It's a bit of a worry really. The further you go east within the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) the worse it seems to get. I live there, I should know!
The good thing about T.O is that it is not far to Niagara Falls or New York so it's a good spot to travel from. But as far as living here, I just couldn't do that permanently. The city has an abundance of problems and there is no sign of any politican even wanting to do anything about it. Then ofcourse there is the cold....so the West Coast is a good place to go as winter sets in....
1st October 2000