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Capital: Toronto
Motto: Ut Inceptit Fedelis Sic Permanet (Loyal it began, loyal it remains)
Flower: White Trillium
Population, 1998: 11,404,750
WEB Site: www.gov.on.ca
The Land
The name "Ontario" comes from the Iroquois word "Kanadario" meaning "sparkling water." The name is fitting: not only is Ontario bordered on the south by the Great Lakes and on the north by Hudson Bay, but 177 390 km2, or one sixth of its terrain, is covered by rivers and lakes. Ontario is larger than Spain and France combined. The province has a landmass of 1,068,580 sq km and is the 2nd largest province in Canada. At its greatest extremity Ontario is 690 km in width. the longest distance north/south is 1,730 km. The highest point, at 693 m above sea level, is in the District of Timiskaming, near Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park.
The People
With over 11 million people, Ontario is the country's most heavily populated province. While English is the official language, Ontario's Francophones play an essential part in the province's cultural life. The provincial government provides services in French in those regions where the Francophone population is sufficiently high.
 Economy
Ontario is Canada's most productive province, generating some 40 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Its manufacturing industries lead the way. Ontario's competitive advantages include its natural resources, modern transportation system, large, well-educated labour force, reliable and relatively inexpensive electrical power, and proximity to key U.S. markets: less than a day's drive puts Ontario's products within reach of 120 million American consumers. Automobiles are Ontario's major manufacturing industry and most important export, employing more than 140 000 people. Motor vehicles, parts and accessories accounted for 37% of Canada's total exports in 1998.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003.
Halton Region
WEB Site for Halton: www.region.halton.on.ca
Located at the West end and along the North shores of lake Ontario, West of the cities of Toronto and Mississauga and East of the city of Hamilton lies the Region of Halton.
Halton Region, incorporated in 1974 by the Province of Ontario, is comprised of four municipalities: The City of Burlington and the Towns of Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. The Town of Oakville and the City of Burlington make up the urban area to the south, and the Towns of Halton Hills and Milton make up the largely rural area to the north.
Halton covers over 232,000 acres of land (967.0 square kilometres), including a 25-km frontage onto Lake Ontario.
With a 2001 population of over 375,229 (2001 Census Canada), which is expected to reach almost 438,400 by 2006, Halton is becoming one of Canada’s fastest-growing areas. The Region of Halton has a diverse population: over 83% of Halton’s population considers English to be their mother tongue, followed by French, Italian, Portuguese, German, then Polish.
Halton is home to over 14,000 businesses, and this number is increasing by over 5% per year.
Halton’s agricultural industry accounted for $56.3 million (gross) during 1996. During 2001, total farm capital (including land and buildings) amounted to over $1 Billion. Outside of the urban areas, agriculture is recognized as the predominant land use.
The Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee (HAAC) is a group of citizen volunteers who assist with the review of policies and development applications that could impact Halton’s agricultural industry and community.
WEB Site for Burlington: www.city.burlington.on.ca
WEB Site for Oakville: www.oakville.ca
WEB Site for Milton: www.town.milton.on.ca
WEB Site for Halton Hills: http://www.town.halton-hills.on.ca/
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