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.
As a part of the 740km lakefront trail there are plenty of parks and recreational opportunities for the inhabitants. With many festivals, museums, sports and activities available there is something for everyone. For added convenience there is a comprehensive public transport system that links up with the GTA transit "GO Transit".
There are many large employers in the area covering a wide range of specialties. These vary from Financial Services, Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care and Software Development to Business Services and Automation & Robotics. The full list of businesses can be found at the Burlington Economic Development website.
Town of Halton Hills - Halton Hills has a population of just over 51,000 with a forecasted growth rate of around 2.5%. Situated in the northern section of the Halton Region, Halton Hills has many community events, parks and recreational opportunities for its residents. Part of the Niagara Escarpment is in the area along with the Bruce Trail which gives excellent camping, hiking and biking trails.
The two main populations in the municipality are centred in Georgetown and Acton. Schooling and Healthcare are administered by the Halton Region School Boards and Health Authority. Despite being the most rural area of the Region, Halton Hills has the GoTransit system links to the GTA. With good transportation and low unemployment the Town has a thriving Business community with excellent employment prospects.
The Town Of Milton - The town of Milton is conveniently located on Highway 401 about 20 minutes drive from Pearson international airport. Though further north in the Halton Region than Burlington and Oakville, Milton is still relatively close to Lake Ontario. Also, both national railway lines run through the town giving it excellent access to all the major cities in the region and beyond.
With nearly 50,000 residents, (and growing rapidly) Milton has all the amenities associated with a large town. These include a full hospital, large leisure centre and plenty of Golf courses. The 85 acre Kelso conservation area gives ample outdoor recreation opportunities like skiing, hiking, swimming and boating.
There are good employment opportunities with major manufacturing employers like Karmax, Modatek Systems and several aerospace and automotive technology companies. Though the Halton Region School Board is the highest single employer, health services and Sobey's food distribution centre give Milton a diverse range of employers.
The Town Of Oakville - Oakville was founded in 1827 and is well renowned as a beautiful city situated on the shore of Lake Ontario. With a population of around 145,000, Oakville is a 30 minute drive from downtown Toronto and is rapidly becoming a sought after place to live and do business.
The City's heritage is proudly preserved with many of the businesses in the centre converted 19th century buildings. Being so close to the Lake and Toronto, Oakville offers a multitude of recreational opportunities from outdoor pursuits to shopping, restaurants and nightlife of the big city. Also abundant are championship quality golf courses, performing arts festivals, parks and harbours.
The booming business community boasts some international company headquarters and all manner of manufacturing industry. Tourism is also a major player with over $88 million per year being generated by visitors. The proximity to both Toronto and the USA with all the major types of transportation available will continue to give Oakville strong growth as a business friendly city.
Overall, Oakville is a great place to live with good schools, recreation and employment. The local transport system gives good access to the downtown core of Toronto and the GTA making it easily commutable.
Dave Lympany emigrated to Canada with his family in 2003 and has developed http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com - the free information resource for Canada and Canadian Immigration. With over 150 pages of great content, the site is continually expanding and regularly updated and is an excellent resource for Immigration, Relocation, Research and Travel.
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