British influences on Toronto, the city and its culture, that still survive to the present day

[Impartial Observer]

Interesting discussion, but in the years going around the world, I never conceived T.O. as anything but an American city, by and large. When was the last time we were the film double for, say, Manchester or Newcastle? I will think on that one… Canada generally has the least Brit characteristics of Aus/NZ/S Africa.

To my mind, the essence of a UK city is that its centre is on a human scale, walkable, accessible and user friendly (maybe…except the City of London). I think Toronto sort of retains that, the area around University / Queens Park is pretty good that way. Also, the older UK universities have city centre urban campuses, the U of T is like that. Edinburgh, Oxford, St Andrews, are typical examples etc. It leads to a lot more dynamic atmosphere with studes living, working, drinking/eating in town than remote out of town campuses, e.g. York (Canada).

That said, I was gazing out at the highrises west of the airport just the other month and realised the same architect who did Abu Dhabi’s suburbs must have got a commission in Mississauga. Then it struck me, international city = Sim City. I knew I’d seen that landscape before J

From what my folks say the old grade 13 was a lot like A Levels. But in the recent past, Ontario has always had a system designed for the student to complete high school at about 18. The traditional UK system split at 16 with university bound students doing A Levels and other doing college or apprenticeships. A Levels are definitely specialised so you significantly narrow down your degree choices at 16. The English Honours degree is only 3 years.

The Scottish system, amongst the oldest in the world according to this week’s Economist, gives a broad education and this continues into university. Honour degrees, like N America, are 4 years.

As for naughty Orangemen bringing their ethnic chauvinism from the old world to the new, I am shocked – shocked! Hopefully that is the end of ethnic violence here… No, it has only just started I fear.

Boys Scouts and Girl Guides? Boys Brigade? The old militia drill halls? There must be a few old boys clubs around the city.

I suppose building a 4 lane highway right through the middle of the city is a bit of a British thing?

Music? The UK seems to push out quality bands disproportionate to its size. I like both US and British indie bands – I think the UK is a little bit better.

One British thing Toronto needs? Roundabouts - and lots of them please. I have seen more roundabouts in Las Vegas than here. They are good and efficient, please build loads of them!

 

[prosperegal]

From what my folks say the old grade 13 was a lot like A Levels. But in the recent past, Ontario has always had a system designed for the student to complete high school at about 18. The traditional UK system split at 16 with university bound students doing A Levels and other doing college or apprenticeships. A Levels are definitely specialised so you significantly narrow down your degree choices at 16. The English Honours degree is only 3 years.

The Scottish system, amongst the oldest in the world according to this week’s Economist, gives a broad education and this continues into university. Honour degrees, like N America, are 4 years.

I always thought the Quebec school system was more similar to England's, with CEGEP being like A-levels.

 

[W. K. Lis]

The business suit (see link) of today evolved from the frock coat in Britain.

Never mind that the climate in Britain was and is less variable than here. In England, the average temperatures vary from lows around 1.1°C in February to highs around 20.9°C in July. Yet we must wear a suit to be "presentable" for business or parliament.

Luckily, we are not wearing the "business suit" of the late Roman Empire anymore. Correction, they still wear the common outer traveling garment from the late Roman Empire, or chasuble, at a Roman Catholic mass. See link.