Ontario Study Notes

Ontario

Introduction

  • Geographical Significance: Ontario holds a prominent position in Canada and North America, a central aspect of Canada's geography.

  • Economic Impact: The province was severely affected by the 2008 recession but has since seen recovery, despite ongoing struggles in manufacturing.

  • Emerging Economy: A technology-driven economy is starting to take prominence in Ontario.

Ontario within Canada

  • Economic Core: Ontario is both the economic and population center of Canada.

  • Status Shift: Initially classified as a "have-not" province in the early 2000s, Ontario has regained its status among the "have" provinces.

  • Recovery Factors: The recovery is largely attributed to the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in automation and robotics.

  • Future Uncertainty:

    • Toronto remains attractive to foreign tech workers.

    • COVID-19 may have significant ramifications, including:

    • Travel restrictions potentially reducing immigrant and worker supply.

    • Lockdown restrictions possibly affecting exports negatively.

Basic Statistics of Ontario (2016)

  • Population: 38.5 million.

  • Area: 10.8 million km².

  • GDP: Ontario's GDP is approximately $600 billion.

  • Unemployment Rate: About 7.0%.

  • Indigenous Population: 6.5% of Ontario’s population.

  • French-speaking Canadians: 2.7%.

Ontario's Physical Geography

  • Size Comparison: Ontario is larger than most countries, strategically located in central Canada, near the U.S.

  • Physiographic Regions:

    • Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands.

    • Canadian Shield.

    • Hudson Bay Lowlands.

  • Climatic Zones: Ontario is divided into three climatic zones:

    • Arctic.

    • Subarctic.

    • Great Lakes-St. Lawrence.

Distinct Sub-Regions

  • Northern Ontario: Consists of the Canadian Shield and Hudson Bay Lowlands with limited agricultural potential due to:

    • Harsh climate.

    • Poor soil quality.

    • Physiographic challenges.

  • Southern Ontario: Contains the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands, suitable for agriculture, characterized by:

    • Long growing seasons.

    • Ample precipitation.

    • Fertile soils.

    • A diverse variety of weather conditions.

Economic Paradox

  • Population Distribution: Northern Ontario accounts for over 80% of the landmass, but only 6% of the population lives there.

  • Economical Divergence:

    • Southern Ontario serves as the industrial and population heartland.

    • Northern Ontario is described as an old resource hinterland.

Environmental Challenges

  • Main Issues: Ontario battles two primary environmental issues:

    • Air Pollution: Caused mainly by auto dependency.

    • Efforts to reduce emissions include the introduction of more efficient engines and a growing number of electric vehicles.

    • Ontario trails behind British Columbia and Quebec in electric vehicle adoption, as in 2018, the consumer subsidy for electric vehicles was eliminated.

    • In 2014, Ontario phased out coal power generation, improving air quality but causing energy cost increases leading to