In The News

Toronto 4th most popular destination for US travellers

Hotel Price Index Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Toronto is the fourth most popular international tourist destination for American travellers (and the most popular Canadian destination) according to an annual survey by the Hotel Price Index. Beating it out in the top three were London, Paris and Rome, though Toronto came out ahead of Vancouver, Barcelona, Montreal and Hong Kong.

The Hotel Price Index is produced by Hotels.com and compiles regular data on hotel prices and travellers' habits around the world.

check out full survey here

original source HotelPriceIndex.com

The Daily Mail on visiting Toronto

The Daily Mail Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Daily Mail writes on the many reasons a visit to Toronto is worth the transatlantic flight. Toronto is lauded for, among other things, its exciting attractions, its chic neighbourhoods and its vibrant film industry.

"Much like New York, wherever I wander in Toronto I get a strange sense of familiarity thanks to its Hollywood connections. In the Distillery District—a 13-acre enclave on Toronto's shoreline full of design boutiques, artist studios, bistros and cafés—the Victorian industrial architecture provided the backdrop for X-Men, Chicago and Cinderella Man."

"Richard Fiennes-Clinton is your man if you want to find out a bit more about the history of these areas. His Muddy York Walking Tours take me on a meander through the most interesting areas of the city and there is little Richard doesn’t know about his hometown."

"Along with the Distillery District he introduces me to the eclectic vintage shops and well-stocked food stores of the bustling Kensington Market, along with the equally lively Chinatown, and treats me to the view from the staircase in the stunning Art Gallery of Ontario, which he has nicknamed 'the poor man's CN Tower.'"

read full story here
original source Daily Mail

8 Toronto businesses make CIX list of Canada's 20 most innovative companies

Globe & Mail Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX) has released this year's list of "Canada's top 20 most innovative technology companies." As reported by the Globe & Mail, eight Toronto companies are among this year's top 20, making Toronto (by far) the highest ranking innovation city on the list. The winners of the CIX competition—a competition that received hundreds of applications from across the country—will present their innovative concepts to venture capital firms and corporate investors at an event on Dec. 1, at Toronto's MaRS Centre.

"The CIX Top 20 is split into two groups of 10: Information and communications technologies (ICT) and digital media."

"Hundreds of applications were received from across the country, and the finalists hail from the Toronto area, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, St. John's and Waterloo. The selection committee was made up of experts from corporations, as well as entrepreneurs and investors. The companies were judged on a number of key factors, including the product or service offering, the depth of management, market opportunity and business model."

"The Dec. 1 event gives each business the opportunity to showcase their innovative concepts to a CIX audience of Canadian and international venture capital firms and corporate investors. A winner from each of the two categories will be chosen through a 'virtual stock exchange,' where event attendees buy, sell and trade virtual shares."

see full list of winners here
original source Globe & Mail

Canada is a clear leader in the life sciences sector

Export Wise Wednesday, November 16, 2011

ExportWise.ca writes on Canada's impressive, if under-appreciated, life sciences industry. Though many Canadians may not be aware of it, Canada's life sciences industry is among the world's largest, boasting some 1,500 production firms and more than 100 research institutes.

"Some of Canada's key strengths in this industry are in the design and manufacture of advanced healthcare technologies and the integration of medical devices with information technologies, to provide the best in life-saving services."

"It's time to push out the word about Canadian capabilities, along with more of our products and services. So, how do we actually create new trade opportunities for Canadian companies within the fast-growing global healthcare markets?"

read full story here
original source ExportWise.ca

Toronto, meet your new ride

TTC Wednesday, November 09, 2011

The TTC has unveiled renderings of Toronto's much-anticipated new light rail vehicles (LRVs). Designed by Bombardier Inc. the latest LRV design—refined after public and expert consultation—will include, among other features, wider doorways, an accessibility ramp and a designated space for bikes. The new LRVs are scheduled to begin replacing the existing streetcar fleet by 2013

Check out the announcement and renderings of the new vehicles on the TTC's dedicated LRV site.

"This light rail vehicle is part of our new transit legacy. We are committed to working with Torontonians and our current and future customers to make solid design decisions."

"In 2007, over 10,000 of you told us what you wanted to see in a new streetcar. We heard."

"In June 2009, the path was chosen for one of Toronto's newest transit rides. The TTC entered into a contract with Bombardier to design and build 204 new low floor, light rail vehicles (LRVs) to replace the existing fleet of streetcars."

"In 2010, this website was launched. We've had over 30,000 visitors. Some have submitted their own ideas and designs. If you are anxious to see how those ideas have been reflected, take a look at where we are now."

read full story here

original source TTC

UofT scientists create world's most efficient flexible OLEDs on plastic

Laser Focus World Wednesday, November 09, 2011

A group of University of Toronto scientists have found a way to make energy-saving organic LED lights (OLEDs)—commonly used in TV and computer monitors—even more efficient. As reported by LaserFocusWorld.com, the researchers have created a thin-film enhancement to OLEDs that allows them to be made of plastic instead of glass. The innovation is described by U of T Professor Zheng-Hong Lu as "leading the way to [more] energy-efficient, flexible and impact-resistant displays."

"A group at the University of Toronto has created a thin-film enhancement to organic LEDs (OLEDs) that boosts their efficiency without requiring a high-refractive-index substrate. This means plastic can be used instead of glass; the innovation allowed the group to create the world's most efficient OLED on plastic."

"The performance of the device is comparable with the best glass-based OLEDs, while providing the benefits offered by using plastic."

"'For years, the biggest excitement behind OLED technologies has been the potential to effectively produce them on flexible plastic,' said materials science and engineering professor Zheng-Hong Lu. 'This discovery unlocks the full potential of OLEDs, leading the way to energy-efficient, flexible and impact-resistant displays.'

read full story here

original source LaserFocusWorld.com

Torontonians take top honours in Order of Canada

Toronto Star Wednesday, November 09, 2011

The Toronto Star writes on the 10 Torontonians who made this year's Order of Canada recipient list. The prestigious list includes opera singer and comedienne Mary Lou Fallis, publisher Patricia Aldana, and co-director of Mount Sinai Hospital's Intensive Care Unit Dr. Arnold Aberman.

"An opera singer, a hospital director and a world-renowned comedian are among 10 Torontonians set to join the prestigious Order of Canada in Ottawa this Friday."

"'I thought it was a joke. It was the first time in my life I've truly been speechless,' said opera singer and comedienne Mary Lou Fallis of the morning last June when she received the phone call."

"'It's wonderful to get an honour from the country.... I never thought in a million years I would win.'"

"The award ceremony, presided by Governor General David Johnston on behalf of the Queen, will see 39 Canadians honoured—28 as Members, 10 as Officers and one as a Companion—for their lifetime achievements and involvement in the community."

"The Order of Canada, created in 1967, is the second-highest honour in the country next to the Order of Merit."

"Toronto's newest Members include comedian Eugene Levy, award-winning writer Nino Ricci, philanthropists Eric Jackman, and Anthony and Elizabeth Comper and Guatemala-born book publisher Patricia Aldana."

read full story here
original source Toronto Star

True North strong: Canadian designers unite at Toronto Fashion Week

Globe & Mail Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Toronto's LG Fashion Week—the five-day long biannual fashion event—has wrapped-up to unprecedented numbers. As reported by the Globe And Mail, the new centrally located venue in the city’s David Pecaut Square, and the convergence of the shows around the theme "Canadian Cool" are among the factors that made this latest edition such a standout success.

"After 11 years of searching for a sense of unity, the event, as spearheaded by Fashion Design Council of Canada president Robin Kay in consultation with global event producer IMG, has finally found it."

"The theme was 'Canada Cool' and the coolest thing about Fashion Week this season was its ability to bring together diverse interests and constituents from across the country: young and old, French and English, commercially oriented and flagrantly artistic."

"Established industry veterans like Montreal's Marie Saint-Pierre and Toronto's David Dixon presented alongside rookies such as 23-year-old Calgary native Caitlin Powers, 27-year-old Golnaz Ashtiani (winner of the Toronto Fashion Incubator's New Labels competition this year), 23-year-old Albertan Sid Neigum and 21-year-old Adrian Wu from Burlington, Ont."

"'I think there's a Canadian fashion history and I'm honoured to be part of it,' Wu said backstage at his show, which featured fantastical gowns inspired by quantum physics and the French Enlightenment."

“Canadian fashion is hugely underrated, but there's so much talent here."

read full story here
original source Globe & Mail

BlogTO photographs the Toronto International Art Fair

BlogTO Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Art Toronto 2011, the city's annual contemporary art "extravaganza" has wrapped up its four-day stay at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. More than 100 fine art galleries from 13 countries joined the country's leading cultural organizations to showcase a broad assortment of work. BlogTO features photos of some of the most exciting work from this year's show.

check out photos here
original source BlogTO

Innovation Cities Index 2011: Toronto named among 10 most innovative cities in the world

Huffington Post Canada Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Toronto is the 10th most innovative city in the world, according to the annual rankings from 2thinknow, a Melbourne, Australia-based consultancy firm. As reported by the Huffington Post Canada, more than 331 cities were benchmarked by the firm and assessed in three general categories: cultural assets, human infrastructure and networked markets. Toronto is one of only four North American cities—and the only Canadian city—to crack the top 10.

"Four Canadian cities made the top 100, but only Montreal, at 31st place, was listed along with Toronto as a 'nexus' city—one of 33 urban areas that are at the heart of the global economy."

"The other Canadian cities were listed as 'hubs,' cities that are still vibrant centres of innovation but that play a relatively smaller global role. Those cities were Vancouver at 49th, Quebec City at 79th and Calgary at 81st.... In a separate list of cities of the Americas, Toronto placed fourth after Boston, San Francisco and New York, while Montreal placed seventh."

"2thinknow's index is based on 162 indicators that the consultancy groups into three general categories: cultural assets (arts, sports franchises); human infrastructure (startup companies, health, education); and networked markets—the city's access to and role within the global economy."

read full story here
original source Huffington Post Canada

Queering up the wedding industrial complex at Toronto�s gay wedding show

AV Club Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The AV Club writes on Toronto's first large scale Gay Wedding Show (GWS). Held at Toronto's Delta Chelsea Hotel on Oct. 16, the GWS featured more than 50 local business ready to help gay- and queer-identified couples tie the knot.

"There were tulle-wrapped columns, shiny bridal gowns on headless dress forms, and an abundance of tiny, intricately iced cakes. Couples dawdled, hand-in-hand, pausing to peer at hand-printed invitations or admire an eruption of baby’s breath and peach roses. Amidst it all, Naomi Nadea shimmied down the fashion show runway sporting a feathered headdress, a bejeweled bra, and an extremely small white thong."

"This being Toronto’s first large-scale gay wedding show (GWS), the audience politely applauded the statuesque St. Lucian drag queen’s gyrations, then turned its attention to models sporting the latest in Goth and Trans wedding fashions."

"[TV show host Deb] Pearce, who married last year without the benefit of a GWS, succinctly summed up why one is necessary. 'It is essential for gay- and queer-identified couples to go to an event where vendors don’t assume they are marrying a partner of a different.'"

read full story here
original source AV Club

Toronto start-up designs solar-powered hybrid aircraft

Toronto Star Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Toronto company Solar Ship has designed a brand new and potentially game-changing type of aircraft: one that can travel up to 1,000 kilometres and carry up to 1,000 kilograms of cargo, powered exclusively by sunlight. The "Solar Ship"—described by the Toronto Star as a hybrid of an airship and an airplane—is scheduled to take its first test flight in late 2012.

"Not quite an airship, not quite an airplane, the solar ship is a hybrid of both. The delta-shaped aircraft will be filled with helium, but slightly less than what’s required to lift it off the ground."

"Solar panels across the top of its body, likely backed up by a lithium-ion battery system, will supply enough electricity to drive it forward and into the air. In this way, the design achieves just the right balance of static lift (like a blimp) and aerodynamic lift (like a plane)."

"Jay Godsall, founder and chief executive of Solar Ship, says his aircraft will be able to go where no roads are built, where landing locations are too small or have been destroyed, and where existing airplanes and helicopters can’t reach on a single tank of fuel."

read full story here
original source Toronto Star

Ryerson U considers new athletic facilities a game changer

Globe & Mail Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Globe & Mail looks at what Ryerson University's Maple Leaf Gardens renovation could mean for sports in the city. The $60-million construction project, which will include, among other things, an ice rink, basketball court, and training rooms is expected to bring top athletes to Toronto and re-active city interest in university sports.

""Dressed in a hard hat, work boots and an orange construction vest, Ivan Joseph is walking through the site of what he hopes will be his university's rebirth."

"'It's starting to take shape for us,' says Mr. Joseph, Ryerson University's director of athletics."

"Maple Leaf Gardens has sat dormant for a decade. And while the yellow brick facade may make it seem as if nothing has changed, an ambitious $60-million construction project inside is nearing its completion. The new ice rink, basketball court, training rooms and other elements won't just provide the school with many much needed facilities, they also put a bold face on the school's equally bold ambition of becoming the pre-eminent Canadian Interuniversity Sport school in the country, one that will attract top players and, it is hoped, get Torontonians excited about university sport."

"'I would be willing to bet within five years we will have a CIS championship in one of the major sports,' says Ryerson president Sheldon Levy."

read full story here
original source Globe & Mail

New York Times on Roncesvalles Village

New York Times Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The New York Times Travel section gives Toronto's Roncesvalles Village a rave review. Describing the area "a hub of local design and casual-hip dining," the article profiles five of Roncesvalles' most innovative small business owners.

"In the Roncesvalles Village area of Toronto, shop windows still trumpet 'godziny otwarcia'—Polish for 'opening hours.'

"But as young, creative types have snapped up homes, this west-end Polish enclave has morphed into a hub of local design and casual-hip dining. After a multiyear neighborhood reconstruction project that temporarily cut streetcar service and starved merchants, Roncesvalles Avenue—the area's main artery—is thrumming again. Despite their big-city location, the street's indie bookstores, quirky coffeehouses and smart boutiques feel more like small-town hangouts, with stroller-pushing locals popping in to chat up proprietors."

read full story here
original source New York Times

Toronto game developers win at IndieCade

Torontoist Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A good Toronto showing at this month's IndieCade—an international festival of independent gaming, hosted in Culver City—helps to cement Toronto's reputation as a global hub of indie game development. As reported by Torontoist, three of this year's 36 IndieCade finalists hailed from Toronto, an impressive showing at a festival (known as the industry’s version of Sundance) which receives more than 400 submissions annually.

"Local game developers returned from California with plenty to be thankful about, picking up awards and continuing to bolster Toronto’s reputation as one of the strongest global cities for independent game development. With over 400 games submitted to the festival, Toronto can stand tall: three of the 36 games selected as finalists hail from here."

"Those finalists are Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, Depths To Which I Sink, and Sissy’s Magical Ponycorn Adventure."

"The exposure at IndieCade is advantageous because independent games, which tend to be more experimental and smaller in scope, receive less notice from the public and the media than broader mainstream titles. At some point, this dynamic will have to change, at least in Toronto; as local games rack up accolades and awards, they’ll become that much harder to ignore."

read full story here
original source Torontoist