In The News

The Huffington Post's Olga Bonfiglio writes about her recent winter trip to Toronto,  describing the city as "as both a model and an inspiration for American cities." Bonfiglio was especially impressed with Toronto's ethnic diversity, its dedication to public health and its sense of community. 

 

"The most significant impression I had of Toronto is that its people are so civilized. Imagine that people in the fifth-most populated city in North America actually praise themselves for their tolerance of ethnic and racial differences, which are evident everywhere you go."

 

"Imagine a place where over 100 languages are spoken and neighbourhood utility poles don signs advertising language classes in Spanish—as well as Persian, Urdu and Turkish. Street posters also declare that 'Literacy is a right.'"

 

"Environmental and public health concerns abound in Toronto. Imagine a small fish market with a sign that not only recognizes an endangered species (in this case Chilean sea bass) but informs customers that it will not sell that fish."

 

"The people of Toronto have obviously invested in their city, especially in their neighbourhoods, and they are willing to pay the price for the services through taxes or special assessments. For example, some neighborhoods ensure their safety through the protection of private police. The sidewalks and streets of every neighbourhood were all shoveled, free of snow to accommodate walking and bicycling."

read full story here
original source Huffington Post