The beginnings of the Toronto Transit Commission can be traced back as early as 1849. The Commission would only strengthen as the city of Toronto grew and expanded, physically and population wise, yielding in an array of services available to all people living in both the city and in its surrounding areas. This progression, however, did not come without trials and hurdles to overcome. The TTC underwent scrutiny from citizens, activists, and scholars, as issues of community and gender were uncovered. The works included in this website have shown that the subway system in Toronto was indeed beneficial; the push from rural to urban sped up the modernization process the city was already undergoing and before long, Toronto was a metropolitan city with a rapid transit system to match. The new system provided a faster and easier way to work, which again contributed to an increasingly socio-economic way of life promoted by the government during the Interwar years and following into the Cold War Era. The international sentiment of the time was to foster technology and master it; Canada’s first subway system was undoubtedly a product of this idea.
While its aim was to increase the standard of life in the city, the subway also helped to unify all of Canada. Although it was built in Toronto people from all corners of the country felt its affects. The subway and other rapid transit systems would eventually make their way to other major Canadian cities (Ottawa Subway 1964, Montreal Metro 1966), thus allowing for ease of travel for its inhabitants. Through these rapid transit systems, Canadians have become connected in local and national ways. The theme of a better standard of living as a result of a subway system was not only noted and felt in Toronto. Through the implementation of Canada's first subway, transportation, life, and work for its surrounding areas began to improve dramatically as well. The secondary sources included in this website reiterate these ideas as they speak to monetary and economic issues, living conditions, city landscape, as well as gender. While their discourses speak to various topics, they each culminate that the subway was a technology which did help invent Canada.
The creation of Canada's first subway meant that Canadians had to re-evaluate how they perceived their country. Did they really want a subway system? Did they really want to relocate their families to the city? Did they really want to fight for a seat on the bus? Ultimately, however, the subway would prove to be beneficial. By and large, the subway was affordable for most people regardless of social class and annual income; and despite the mentalities and attitudes of policy makers and even some subway commuters,
the subway— physically, in its most literal sense— does not discriminate against dress, race, or even gender for that matter. Growing at an increasingly fast rate meant that employment opportunities to both construct and conduct the TTC systems were available. As history has shown, these jobs were offered to both men and women and thus promoted gender equality. In terms of socialization, the TTC altered the way Torontonians, and more broadly Canadians, thought about their daily routines.
Similarly, Canada's first subway system positioned the country in the eyes of many of its contemporaries. Since the mid twentieth century, Canada's population has steadily increased; city infrastructure also continues to expand, as does the nature of the country. Also, many other national landmarks were developed following the 1954 opening of the subway. The CN Tower for example was created during the 1970s and has acted as a major attraction for tourists and others travelling to Toronto. In this sense then, perhaps without really realizing it, Toronto's subway system has indeed altered the city and the country in very profound ways. It is through feeling connected that Torontonians identify with a community; the subway system in Toronto fortified this connection and brought it to new distances. Yes, the subway presented many trying times for its customers as well as its employees but ultimately, Toronto "[has] all the iridescence of the beginning of the world." [17]
Looking to the twenty first century, city planners and governments knew that this subway system had to be maintained and improved. Today the Toronto subway system consists of four different subway lines (Yonge-Univeristy- Spadina, Bloor-Danforth, Sheppard and Scarborough RT) and new construction is currently underway on at least one new line (Keele-York University). The TTC has looked above ground and continued to provide street service to daily commuters as well. Being a Torontonian, I personally could not picture my life without the subway. It is part of my daily routine; waking up early to catch the bus and making my way—via subway—to school is a norm for me as I am sure it is for many others. It is odd to say that I take traveling by subway for granted but looking back at our city's history, I am glad that inventions like the underground railway was created.
While its aim was to increase the standard of life in the city, the subway also helped to unify all of Canada. Although it was built in Toronto people from all corners of the country felt its affects. The subway and other rapid transit systems would eventually make their way to other major Canadian cities (Ottawa Subway 1964, Montreal Metro 1966), thus allowing for ease of travel for its inhabitants. Through these rapid transit systems, Canadians have become connected in local and national ways. The theme of a better standard of living as a result of a subway system was not only noted and felt in Toronto. Through the implementation of Canada's first subway, transportation, life, and work for its surrounding areas began to improve dramatically as well. The secondary sources included in this website reiterate these ideas as they speak to monetary and economic issues, living conditions, city landscape, as well as gender. While their discourses speak to various topics, they each culminate that the subway was a technology which did help invent Canada.
The creation of Canada's first subway meant that Canadians had to re-evaluate how they perceived their country. Did they really want a subway system? Did they really want to relocate their families to the city? Did they really want to fight for a seat on the bus? Ultimately, however, the subway would prove to be beneficial. By and large, the subway was affordable for most people regardless of social class and annual income; and despite the mentalities and attitudes of policy makers and even some subway commuters,
the subway— physically, in its most literal sense— does not discriminate against dress, race, or even gender for that matter. Growing at an increasingly fast rate meant that employment opportunities to both construct and conduct the TTC systems were available. As history has shown, these jobs were offered to both men and women and thus promoted gender equality. In terms of socialization, the TTC altered the way Torontonians, and more broadly Canadians, thought about their daily routines.
Similarly, Canada's first subway system positioned the country in the eyes of many of its contemporaries. Since the mid twentieth century, Canada's population has steadily increased; city infrastructure also continues to expand, as does the nature of the country. Also, many other national landmarks were developed following the 1954 opening of the subway. The CN Tower for example was created during the 1970s and has acted as a major attraction for tourists and others travelling to Toronto. In this sense then, perhaps without really realizing it, Toronto's subway system has indeed altered the city and the country in very profound ways. It is through feeling connected that Torontonians identify with a community; the subway system in Toronto fortified this connection and brought it to new distances. Yes, the subway presented many trying times for its customers as well as its employees but ultimately, Toronto "[has] all the iridescence of the beginning of the world." [17]
Looking to the twenty first century, city planners and governments knew that this subway system had to be maintained and improved. Today the Toronto subway system consists of four different subway lines (Yonge-Univeristy- Spadina, Bloor-Danforth, Sheppard and Scarborough RT) and new construction is currently underway on at least one new line (Keele-York University). The TTC has looked above ground and continued to provide street service to daily commuters as well. Being a Torontonian, I personally could not picture my life without the subway. It is part of my daily routine; waking up early to catch the bus and making my way—via subway—to school is a norm for me as I am sure it is for many others. It is odd to say that I take traveling by subway for granted but looking back at our city's history, I am glad that inventions like the underground railway was created.
[17]Fitzgerald, F. Scott, and James L. W. West. 2005. My Lost City: Personal Essays, 1920-1940. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.