Halton Region

Halton Region - The Greater Toronto Area
By Dave Lympany

The Halton Region covers over 230,000 acres including about 25km of the shore of Lake Ontario. With the population forecast to exceed 420,000 by 2006 (5 year increase of about 15%) the Halton Region is becoming one of the fastest growing regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Though renowned across Canada for having the highest density of population, the rural areas in the GTA are dedicated to agriculture which is an impressive $1 Billion industry employing thousands of people. Other major employers include the Ford and Liberty car manufacturers, Aerospace manufacturers Goodrich, Oil and Gas exploration, utilities and other Manufacturing. This diverse business environment is further supported by a skilled workforce, large domestic market, excellent transportation and easy access to export markets.

Over half of the population is currently under the age of 40 to give the region a dynamic workforce. There are two school boards that administer the educational programs in the region - Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board. These are complemented by the many post secondary institutions and libraries that are located either in or within an hour drive of the region. Healthcare is provided by 4 main hospitals which are administered by the regional health service. A full public health service is available for those who qualify under the Ontario Provincial rules.

Halton's Municipalities

The Halton Region of the GTA is predominantly made up of 4 main municipalities. The Town of Oakville and the City of Burlington make up the urban area to the south, and the Towns of Halton Hills and Milton make up the largely rural area to the north.

The City Of Burlington - Burlington is situated in the south of Halton region, on the shore of Lake Ontario, and is a vibrant and beautiful city close to Toronto. With a population of around 160,000 people, Burlington covers approximately 187sq km and has grown considerably since its beginnings in 1784.