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Barrie
Population - 132,000 (2008)
Once a port on the heavily treked portage route tha spread from lake Simcoe and the Nottasawaga River to lake Huron, Barrie has developed over the past 150 years into a thriving city. Curving around the shores of Kempenfelt Bay on shimmering Lake Simcoe, Barrie is in Toronto's backyard (one hour northeast). It is central to an incredible amount of summer and winter activities: swimming. jogging, rollerblading or boating by beach areas, paddle-wheel boat excursions (The Serendipity), golfing one of a multitude of courses (over 30) and worthwhile Nordic and alphone skiing. Other drawing cards include a newer healthcare facility, a Canadian forces base, and a College. Lovely green spaces, most notably on the banks of Kempenfelt Bay offer recreational opportunities such as inline skating, biking and walking as well as waterfront events. There are over 100 parks. Downtown Barrie has a fine seclection of shops and dining establishments, while the newer districts contain every imaginable service and store. There are several entertainment complexes in the community including the Barrie Molson Centre which hosts sporting events and mega-concerts.
Barrie's lower cost of living has attracted a younger, vibrant labour force to the City. Barrie boasts only a modest median family income of $71,547, its lower cost of living places it among the most afordable cities to live in throughout southern and central Ontario. (see City of Barrie link for more more information).
There are many affordable housing options in Barrie and I would love to help you find the one that suits you.
Capital: Toronto
Motto: Ut Inceptit Fedelis Sic Permanet (Loyal it began, loyal it remains)
Flower: White Trillium
Population, 1998: 11,404,750
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. |