Yonge Street and Colborne Street, 1949
The first half of the 20th century brought Canadians threats of world wars, depression, immigration, and national unrest. Although the first part of this century would offer Canada a plethora of opportunities for expansion and development, it came at a price.
To help supply the demand of more inner city transportation, due to a population increase, the city of Toronto held a plebiscite on the 1946 municipal government-voting ballot. The result was that most citizens of Toronto were in favour of a rapid transit system and so construction began on Canada’s first subway on September 8th, 1949. This subway was meant to be more than just laying tracks in underground tunnels; the creation of a subway system meant that Toronto was soon to be on level playing ground as other major cities. According to Robert Cevero, having a subway would turn Toronto into a “transit metropolis” in which a "workable fit exists between transit services and urban form.” [6] In having a subway system, Canada was adopting new technologies and preparing itself for a ride of a lifetime—a ride into the future.
There were many international cities which already had "underground railways"; these cities like: London, Barcelona, New York, and many others, were emblematic of a progressiveness which Canada strove for. For example, the London Tube in South London was opened sometime during the 1860s. Its creation spurred an "international interest" in the city, which yielded in a brain gain for Britain. The country was thus able to progress on many levels because of its urban transit system. [7] Comparatively then, Toronto's underground transit system played into what the government envisioned for the nation. In casting forth the notion that Canada was a place of modernity, Canada was being invented as a place that was feasible for local and international interests. Canada was making its mark in the world.
Present at the ceremony on September 8th was Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, Ray Lawson. Lawson participated in the days events by reciting a speech which spoke to many of the immediate effects/ themes underlying the creation of Canada's subway: "better living conditions, improved traffic conditions and a more vibrant downtown core."[8]
To listen to Ray Lawson's speech, check out the CBC Digital Archive audio player posted below:
To help supply the demand of more inner city transportation, due to a population increase, the city of Toronto held a plebiscite on the 1946 municipal government-voting ballot. The result was that most citizens of Toronto were in favour of a rapid transit system and so construction began on Canada’s first subway on September 8th, 1949. This subway was meant to be more than just laying tracks in underground tunnels; the creation of a subway system meant that Toronto was soon to be on level playing ground as other major cities. According to Robert Cevero, having a subway would turn Toronto into a “transit metropolis” in which a "workable fit exists between transit services and urban form.” [6] In having a subway system, Canada was adopting new technologies and preparing itself for a ride of a lifetime—a ride into the future.
There were many international cities which already had "underground railways"; these cities like: London, Barcelona, New York, and many others, were emblematic of a progressiveness which Canada strove for. For example, the London Tube in South London was opened sometime during the 1860s. Its creation spurred an "international interest" in the city, which yielded in a brain gain for Britain. The country was thus able to progress on many levels because of its urban transit system. [7] Comparatively then, Toronto's underground transit system played into what the government envisioned for the nation. In casting forth the notion that Canada was a place of modernity, Canada was being invented as a place that was feasible for local and international interests. Canada was making its mark in the world.
Present at the ceremony on September 8th was Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, Ray Lawson. Lawson participated in the days events by reciting a speech which spoke to many of the immediate effects/ themes underlying the creation of Canada's subway: "better living conditions, improved traffic conditions and a more vibrant downtown core."[8]
To listen to Ray Lawson's speech, check out the CBC Digital Archive audio player posted below:
[6]Cervero, Robert. The Transit Metropolis: A Global Inquiry. (Washington D.C: Island Press) 1998
[7]Havers, H. C. P. Underground Railways of the World: Their History and Development. London: Temple Press. 1966
[8]"Toronto's Subway: Culmination of a Dream" CBC Radio New Special. Toronto, Ontario. September 8, 1949