Learn the province
Ontario’s coat of arms features a shield with a Cross of St. George that has three golden maple leaves underneath. To the left is a moose, to the right is a deer, and centered above the shield is a black bear. Ontario’s provincial flag consists of a red background with the Union Jack at its canton and the provincial shield at its fly end.
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of Ontario and some sites you’ll visit on tour. Of all the provinces and territories in Canada, Ontario has the greatest number of National Historic Sites. Consider visiting the HMCS Haida, a national historic site which gives visitors an insight into wartime vessels and what life was like at sea. Then, consider visiting Casa Loma and learn its rich history whilst taking in the beautiful scenery within the grounds.
Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get painting! Pick a particular location you’ll visit on your trip and compare your artwork to photos of the location when you return. Consider painting the famous CN Tower or the Don Valley Brick Works, a former quarry now used as a city park.
Pick a film
Watch a movie or TV show that was filmed in (or relates to) your destination. Some ideas for Ontario include:
- The Calling (2014)
- Dance me Outside (1994)
- North of Superior (1971)
Understand the culture
Jim Carrey is known around the world for comedy and film. He was born in Newmarket, Ontario, and nabbed his first spot at a Toronto comedy gig when he was only 15 years old. Learn more about notable people from Ontario and the local culture by exploring these links:
Examine the economy
Ontario’s economy is very diverse with it being the largest in Canada. The services sector makes up the bulk of Ontario’s GDP, supplying many direct and indirect jobs to the people of this province.
Master the language
Linguistically diverse, there are over 100 languages spoken in Toronto. Nearly 44% of residents speak a first language that isn’t English or French.
Did you know?
Toronto is the third most popular city for screen-based production work, with only Los Angeles and New York edging it out.