Vitality through diversity
T.O., Hogtown, T-dot. Whatever moniker you choose, Toronto is celebrated as Canada’s intellectual, business and multicultural capital — and one of the great destinations to live and study in the world.
Toronto is widely recognized as one of the world’s most diverse and vibrant cities. Half of its 2.5 million residents were born outside of Canada. They have brought their cultures with them, which take form in the dozens of cultural havens within the city, from Little Italy to Little Jamaica.
An intellectual and creative powerhouse, Toronto is also a city of year-round celebrations: the North by Northeast Music Festival, one of North America’s largest Pride Week celebrations, the Toronto International Film Festival, and much more. It’s fast and reliable transit system quickly gets you where you want to be.
And U of T’s St. George campus is located at the centre of Toronto’s many charms.
Discover more of Toronto’s allure
A City of Neighbourhoods
Toronto is famous for its vibrant neighbourhoods, each with a distinctive flavour. Queen Street is a famous hipster hangout of lively sidewalks and adventurous dining. The limitless Yonge Street stretches across the entire city, uniting the financial, shopping and theatre districts in one fast-past medley of culture and happenings. The eclectic cafes and pubs of the Annex neighbourhood, adjacent to the St. George Campus, attract the culturally and intellectually inclined for a host of urban experiences.
Capital of Culture
Toronto’s Entertainment District, just blocks from the St. George campus, attracts top-billing cultural and entertainment from around the globe. From the world-famous Toronto International Film Festival to NHL, NBA and MLB teams to dozens of live music venues, the Entertainment District offers something for all.
When it’s time to trade the urban amenities for recreational pleasures, Toronto features myriad bike trails, beaches and boardwalks that line the city’s 40km of Lake Ontario waterfront.
Entertainment
There is never a dull moment in Toronto’s entertainment scene. Nightclubs, concert venues, four major league sports teams, stage and movie theatres, and performing arts centres are just a few of the vibrant and diverse options for a night out in downtown Toronto’s Entertainment District and beyond. Numerous festivals run throughout the year including Luminato, Toronto’s Festival of Arts and Creativity, in the spring; Pride Week, one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world and Caribana, North America’s largest Caribbean parade, in the summer; the ubiquitous Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the fall; and the Santa Claus Parade, the longest-running children’s parade in the world, in the month leading up to winter.
Food
Toronto has a passion for food, which results in a dining experience that fits every budget, style and cuisine. Neighbourhoods such as Little Italy, the Danforth (GreekTown), Chinatown, Korea Town and Gerrard St. East (Little India) all offer the best in traditional and fusion ethnic dishes. Toronto also hosts Summerlicious and Winterlicious, a popular series that offers a dining experience at the top restaurants in the city at a reduced price. Farmers markets dominate the city during the summer months at locations such as City Hall and David Pecaut Square and grocery stores with specialty items for every taste and style of cooking, including the massive T & T Supermarket specializing in Asian ingredients, are easily found all around the Greater Toronto Area.
Indigenous Health: Toronto Community Resources
Indigenous Health: Toronto Community Resources
Updated February 2020
| General Health Centres & Clinics | Services offered |
| Anishnawbe Health Toronto 179 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON (Gerrard & Sherbourne) 416-920-2605 | Primary care; Diabetics education, management and prevention; Traditional family services; Indigenous mental health and addiction services; FASD services; Babishkhan: Circle of care workers (long-term case management model for homelessness); Community health worker training program; O Ta Ti Baen Program (O Tay) (program for homelessness which affords participants credits that can be applied to their rent) Chiropody services; Dental services; Kitchiniigaan Noongom Program (pre and post-natal support for women and their families until their child is 12-months-old); OSHKII OKITCHIIDAK Youth program (engages youth and their families/supports in cultural activities that reflect their needs and interests); Translation services; Physiotherapy services |
| Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre 439 Dundas St. E 416-360-4350 (ext. 245 for food bank) www.councilfire.ca | Healing & wellness program; meal program; food bank every other Thursday; counselling; self-help groups, social events; cultural programs; parenting & prenatal support; community kitchen; youth services. |
| Regent Park Community Health Centre | Diabetes Education Program ++ other services. Walk-in clinic for non-housed individuals (every Wednesday 9-11am) |
| Toronto East End Health Network · Indigenous Day Withdrawal Management Program 985 Danforth Ave. | Blends Indigenous teachings with mainstream approaches to trauma-informed healing therapy |
| Ontario Native Women’s Association 67 Yonge St. Unit 808 (King and Yonge) 1-800-667-8016 | |
| Metis Nation of Toronto 75 Sherbourne St, Ste 311 416-977-9881 www.metisnation.org | Problem gambling prevention program, pre/postnatal programs that include nutrition information, home visiting, emergency supplies; support services & job support |
| Native Canadian Centre of Toronto 16 Spadina Rd 416-964-9087 | Outreach to Indigenous seniors and those with disabilities in the GTA; cultural/recreational services; food services; counselling |
| Native Child & Family Services of Toronto 30 College St. 416-969-8510 | Partner assault response; violence against women programs; sexual violence response team; child protection counselling services; children’s mental health programs; Indigenous Early Years Centre; cultural teachings; community kitchen; parenting programs; drop-in programs. |
| Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy 416-944-9481 | Outreach, education, long-term care support groups, treatment, support and counseling initiatives with a harm reduction approach |
| 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations 416-944-9300 http://www.2spirits.com/ | Support, referrals & advocacy; HIV/AIDS education & prevention services; social events; internet access |
| Toronto Birthing Centre 525 Dundas Street East, Toronto 416-366-8080 x201 reception@torontobirthcentre.ca | Birthing centre with Indigenous foundations. Provide culturally safe care for Indigenous people in the GTA belonging to an affiliated midwifery practice, along with other priority groups including the LGBTQ2S community. Seventh |
| Tkaronto Indigenous Peoples Portal | Online compilation of Indigenous community resources in Toronto. |
| Mental Wellness | Services offered |
| Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture 416 363 1066 | Drop-in, individual and group programs, and mutual support groups to helps survivors overcome the effects of torture and war |
| CAMH Aboriginal Services 60 White Squirrel Way, 2nd floor 416-535-8501 | Indigenous social workers, outpatient mental health support; occupational therapist and Traditional healer; cultural programming; support to Indigenous people accessing inpatient CAMH services |
| The Gatehouse | Two-phase Adult Support Program – 15-week group sessions covering topics such as triggers and moving out of isolation, followed by a 16-week group program, which focuses on specific topics and incorporates trauma-focused yoga, mindfulness living techniques and tai chi to enhance coping skills. |
| Native Horizons Treatment Centre 130 New Credit Rd. Hagersville, ON 905-768-5144, 1877-330-8467 | Residential treatment program addressing addictions, traumas and related problems. Youth day camps for 12-17 years of age; cultural programing; sweat lodge. |
| Peel Aboriginal Network 208 Britannia Rd E. Unit 1 Mississauga, ON 905-712-4726 | Cultural programming such as regalia making and drumming, monthly appointments with an Elder, foodbank 5 days per week, housing, employment, legal support |
| Sherbourne Health Centre, Counselling services 333 Sherbourne St. Toronto, ON 416 324 4100 | Adolescents and adults in Toronto who have experienced abuse and other forms of violence, trauma and issues related to war, poverty and racism. Primary populations served are LGBTQ, homeless and newcomers, but all are welcome. Self-referral but may be a waitlist of six months or more |
| Toronto Distress Centre – Survivor Support Programs (Suicide and homicide loss) | Services offered: Eight weekly one-on-one sessions followed by group support Eligibility: People who have lost someone to a death by suicide or homicide Referral: Self-referral |
| Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto 191 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON 416-963-9963 | For urban Indigenous women and their families – self-referrals. Seeking Safety for Indigenous Women: 12-week program for Indigenous women coping with trauma and/or substance use problems. Sexual violence response team offering peer support and trauma counselling. |
| Toronto Rape Crisis Centre – Multicultural Women against Rape 416 597-1171 (inquiries), 416 597-8808 (crisis line) | 24-hour crisis line, individual face-to-face counselling, court support and accompaniment, support groups, public education and workshops Eligibility: Survivors of sexual violence (welcomes all gender identities and sexual orientations) Referral: Self-referral Fees: Free |
| Mount Sinai, Community Mental Health Program 260 Spadina Ave, Ste 204, Toronto, ON 416-586-9900 | Focus on Southeast Asian,Tamil, Indigenous, Black communities Assertive community treatment team (ACTT), mental health court support program (MHCS) |
| Toronto East Health Network Indigenous Healing Program 2 College St. Rm 106, Toronto, ON 416-923-0800 | For children and adults who are Métis, Inuit, First Nations. Indigenous healing services that address trauma, mental well-being, addictions, anger release, domestic violence, etc. |
| Shelter/Housing | Services offered |
| Aboriginal Housing Support Centre Scarborough East: 20 Sewells Rd 416-281-2057 Scarborough West: 3087 Danforth Ave 416-260-6011 | Assistance with social housing; resolving landlord/tenant disputes; counselling; groups |
| Anduhyaun Inc 1296 Weston Rd 416-920-1492 (ext. 221 for crisis/shelter) 416-243-7669 (ext. 226 for transitional housing) | Emergency shelter for women fleeing violence with or without children; traditional housing; cultural programming & workshops |
| Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) 14 Vaughan Rd, 26 Vaughan Rd 416-651-6750 (transitional housing) 416-653-4794 (outreach services) 416-652-0334 (emergency shelter) | Outreach services; men’s emergency shelter; traditional housing; Elder teaching; cultural programming; mental health support |
| Nishnawbe Homes 244 Church St Toronto, ON 416-975-5451 | Affordable housing for Indigenous people who are under-housed and homeless. |
| Wigwamen Inc 23 Lesmill Rd, Unit 106 416-481-4451 | Affordable & transitional housing for Indigenous people and families. Independent living facility for Indigenous older adults. |
| Legal Services | Services offered |
| Aboriginal Legal Services 211 Yonge St, Ste 500 416-408-3967; 416-408-4041 (community legal clinic) | Community legal clinic; court worker program; community council program; family counseling; dispute resolution for families involved with child protection services. |
| Employment & Training | Services offered |
| Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment & Training 167 Gerrard St E. 416-591-2310, 1877-980-6961 | Employment training & work opportunities; information sessions; job fairs |
| Youth Resources | Services offered |
| Gizhaadaawgamlik Daycare | Preschool – 12 year of age Provide lunch, morning & afternoon snack |
| Phone lines | Services offered |
| Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310 | Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in: Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut. Online messaging service https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ |
| Toronto Distress Centre 416-408-4357 | |
| Canada Suicide Prevention Service 1-833-456-4566 toll free Text service: 45645 | Text service: 4pm-12am ET daily |
| Toronto Rape Crisis Centre 416-597-8808 | |
| Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline 1-833-900-1010 | |
| Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000 toll free | Free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information from Registered Nurse |
| Assaulted Women’s Helpline 1-866-863-7868 or 416-863-0511 | |
| Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centre of Peel 905 895-7313 | |
| University of Toronto Student Resources | Services offered |
| Indigenous Grad Writing Group First Nations House Lounge Contact Bonnie Jane Maracle—bj.maracle@utoronto.ca 416-946-7565 | Writing support Social events |
| Indigenous Peer Career Advisors: Contact Student Success Front Desk 416-978-8000 214 College St Clnx.utoronto.ca | Career support |
| Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health | Partnering with Indigenous peoples for wellness through research and education Ongoing research and education events for students Indigenous cultural programming and courses Indigenous public health collaborations with various Faculty across the University of Toronto |
Multicultural Marvels
It seems that virtually every culture in the world has a community in Toronto. Sip rich Italian espresso in Little Italy, celebrate Chinese New Year in Chinatown or grab a traditional curry in Little India. Toronto’s cultural mosaic is as welcoming as it is diverse, and gives the city a vibrant flavour unlike any other.
Shopping
Toronto offers a shopping experience that is both fun and adventurous. Each neighbourhood has its own distinctive charm and areas such as Kensington Market, Queen St. West, Chinatown and Yorkville make shopping in the city unique. The iconic Toronto Eaton Centre dominates the downtown core with 230 retailers, restaurants and services all in one location, and connects to Toronto’s underground walkway PATH, which adds an additional 28 kilometres of shopping without ever having to worry about weather conditions. The Distillery District offers glimpse of Toronto’s history with its brick-lined streets and restored Victorian buildings transformed into restaurants, gallery, shops and cafes. Down the street is the St. Lawrence Market with its 120 merchants and a ranking as world’s best food market in 2012 by National Geographic.
Time Off in Toronto
Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), one of the largest art museums in North America redesigned by celebrated architect Frank Gehry, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), originally controlled and managed by the University of Toronto, or the Gardiner Ceramic Museum, the only museum in Canada devoted to ceramic art. If being outdoors is more appealing, take a walk through High Park, Toronto’s version of Central Park, or bike along the waterfront, which is part of a 720km Waterfront Trail running from the Quebec border to Niagara-on-the-Lake. A visit to the iconic CN Tower, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World is a must and for the truly daring try EdgeWalk, the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk around the CN Tower 1,168ft off the ground, which gives new meaning to extreme attraction.
Transportation
Getting around in the city, and outlying areas, is simply a matter of preference. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates subways, buses and streetcars along the main arteries of Toronto giving commuters a variety of options. For those who want a little exercise with their commute, BIXI Toronto is a year-round public bike service that launched in 2011. Eighty bike stations and 1,000 bikes offer an additional and accessible mode of getting around the city. Connecting the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with the downtown, GO Transit operates daily train and bus services and for those who would rather drive, the 401 highway, the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway all offer routes in and out of the city.