The Former Metropolitan Toronto: A Comprehensive Guide

The area now known as the City of Toronto underwent a significant evolution from a collection of separate municipalities to a unified administrative structure known as Metropolitan Toronto. This comprehensive guide explores the history, governance, and major initiatives during the period from 1954 to 1999, when Metropolitan Toronto played a crucial role in urban development and governance.

Evolution of Metropolitan Toronto

From 1954 to 1999, the area that is currently the City of Toronto was not a single entity but a conglomeration of several municipal governments. These municipalities typically had their own local council, mayor, and reeve, but they also contributed to a separate unified body known as Metro Council. This council, chaired by a member chosen by its members, managed broader issues such as transportation, infrastructure, and policing.

Initially, there were seventeen separate municipalities. However, by 1999, the number of these municipalities had been reduced through mergers, resulting in six integrated areas: Toronto, Etobicoke, York, North York, East York, and Scarborough. This consolidation was a strategic move to address the growing urbanization of the region and to provide a more coordinated approach to urban development.

Administrative Structure

While the individual municipalities managed local affairs such as zoning, local roads, and firefighting, Metro Council was responsible for handling major issues such as major arterial roads, transit, and policing. Metro's role was vital in managing the rapid urban expansion and ensuring that development was well-coordinated across the region.

Background and Context

Before the formation of Metropolitan Toronto, the municipalities were administratively part of York County, which extended up to Lake Simcoe. The division of municipalities north and south of Steeles Avenue often led to conflicting votes on regional matters. The rural areas north of the city frequently voted against proposals to build infrastructure in the more urban parts of the county. Metropolitan Toronto was established to give the urban areas more authority to raise taxes to support the necessary infrastructure growth.

Major Initiatives

One of the significant projects initiated by Metropolitan Toronto was the construction of the Don Valley Parkway, an urban freeway that was approved in 1954. This highway was designed to link the provincial 401 highway to Toronto's downtown area, enhancing connectivity and facilitating urban sprawl.

Metro Toronto also expanded the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) beyond the borders of the old City of Toronto into the growing suburbs. This expansion aimed to provide public transportation to a wider population and support the increasing number of suburban commuters.

In addition, Metro approved the construction of extensive storm and sanitary sewers in the new suburban areas. This infrastructure was essential for managing urban growth and ensuring proper waste management and flood control.

Legacy of Metropolitan Toronto

The legacy of Metropolitan Toronto can be seen in the civic buildings constructed during the 1970s. For instance, the Scarborough Civic Centre, which housed the city of Scarborough's government and administrative offices until 1999, stands as a testament to the period's development efforts. Although the building is now mostly empty, it still contains the regional building permit office, reflecting the ongoing significance of Metropolitan Toronto's initiatives.

The period of Metropolitan Toronto is a fascinating chapter in the history of urban development in Canada. It represents a time when coordinated efforts were essential to manage rapid urbanization and ensure the sustainability of urban growth.

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