Mader Blog

Comments: There and Back Again

For Montreal-Toronto travel the express train is definitely the best way to go. Downtown to downtown in four hours.

As for all the bashing Toronto takes from the rest of the country I find it's usually from people who have little to no experience with the city. Once you get there you find its much like any other Canadian city except perhaps bigger.

However, there was that time they called in the army for 50cm of snow. Halifax got 97cm this past week and are dealing with it on their own.

Posted by Matt F at February 24, 2004 11:43 PM

I'm in Toronto, aka "Stinktown", at least once a month and I think it sucks. Compare its waterfront to Chicago's, and then try and figure out just how Torontonians managed to screw it up so badly.

Posted by Chuck at February 25, 2004 12:29 AM

Yeah, Toronto's waterfront, especially when compared to Chicaco's, does suck. Actually the architecture when compared to Chicago's is pretty lame as well.

Most of the criticism Toronto gets though is not on aesthetics or design but on how supposedly arrogant the city, in general, is. And I think most such criticisms are undeserved.

Posted by Matt F at February 25, 2004 01:57 AM

All of the Torontonians I knew before coming to McGill were transplanted Vancouverites, and they said the arrogance of the people took some getting used to, but I just don't see it. It could be the fact that I live in New York and don't notice/care, or it could just be that other Canadians are jealous of how often Leafs games are nationally broadcast.

Posted by Dave K. at February 25, 2004 01:10 PM

Hey hey hey hey hey

Look Chuck, I know that Toronto doesn't have ALL the excitement of, say, Market Street or Parliament Hill, but it's really not that bad of a place.

As for the waterfront, it is now under massive reconstruction, as Mader can tell you. Looks like Ontario has finally managed to keep some of its own money instead of giving it up to the 'have nots'.

As for the people in Toronto, I think that hatred for Torontonians is just a major cliche. Just 'cause the city is too big for everyone to know one another doesn't mean it's cold and imperonal.
Grrrrrr....
I LOVE TORONTO!
Get over yourselves!

PS. Mader, it was definiately your tour guides ;)

Posted by Elana S at February 25, 2004 04:33 PM

Oooooh nothing I love more than a good 'ole Toronto debate. First of all, I should concede that I've lived in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal.
Second, let me raise Elana's ire by stating that Torontonians have a bigtime inferiority complex. I always find it funny to hear a Torontonian say something like "We're the New York of Canada." Ummm...maybe, but that's like Omaha saying "We're the New York of Nebraska!" Who cares.
Why can't Torontonians be proud of their city as-is without comparing it to Chicago, New York, Paris, Tokyo or other cities, that, frankly, are more sophisticated and more fun (largely by virtue of their size)? I love Toronto. It IS a lot of fun. But it's no New York or Paris. It's no Omaha either, mind you (well, I've never been to Omaha, but I don't think I'm making toooo big an assumption). What I love about Montreal is that it really gives the finger to everyone else. It's really a much more self-confident city.

P.S. What the hell is Market Street? Are you refering to the Byward Market?

Posted by Stern at February 25, 2004 05:02 PM

Omaha is pretty nice. I grew up there.

No one in Omaha would think of calling it the New York City of Nebraska. We have/had way more respect for ourselves than that.

Posted by M. Simon at February 26, 2004 03:16 AM

M. Simon:
I can't tell if your comment is tongue-in-cheek or if you're actually offended. Please understand that I have nothing against Omahans (Omahonians? Heh...). In fact, some of my best friends are from Omaha. I hear they have an excellent "Mutual of" industry. I also nominate Saskatoon as the official Omaha of Canada.

Posted by Stern at February 26, 2004 12:28 PM

I'm not offended at all. I understand the idea.

I'm just saying that such an idea would never occur to a Nebraskan. We are happy and proud of what we are. No second city complex like Chicago.

When I grew up it was probably the largest cow town in America. Those days are long gone. Believe it or not it is pretty much into high tech these days.

BTW I have been living in Chicago and the surrounding area for about the last 30 years. (Rockford for about the last 15 of that). I understand the Second City complex.

Posted by M. Simon at February 26, 2004 01:44 PM

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