East York, Ontario

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Borough of East York (Dissolved)
Flag
Coordinates: 43°41′28.68″N, 79°19′40.08″W
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Established	1967
Amalgamation	1998 with Toronto
Government
- Mayor	David Miller (Toronto Mayor)
- Governing Body	Toronto City Council
- MPs	Jack Layton, Maria Minna
- MPPs	Michael Prue, Peter Tabuns
Area
- Borough	21.26 km²  (8.2 sq mi)
Population
- Borough	115,185
- Density	5,418/km² (14,032.6/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Postal code span	M4C, M4E, M4G, M4H

East York is a former suburb of Toronto, East York was a borough within Metropolitan Toronto before East York, North York, York, Scarborough, Etobicoke and Toronto were amalgamated into the new megacity of Toronto in 1998. One of East York's claims to fame was that, before the amalgamation, it was Canada's only borough.

[edit] Demographics

East York Civic Centre, the former City Hall (1990-1997). The "MFP Inquiry" was also held there (2002-2005.

East York's population was 115,185 in 2001^[1].

East York was heavily settled in the 1920s by working-class English immigrants from Lancashire and Yorkshire who valued the opportunity to own small homes of their own, with front lawns and back gardens. It has changed since the 1970s to become a major arrival point for immigrants, many of whom have established their first Canadian residence in the apartments that have become plentiful in Thorncliffe Park, Crescent Town and elsewhere at or near main streets. Most of these groups include Bengalis, Indians, Pakistanis, Jamaicans, Filipinos and Sri Lankans. East York also has a very well established Greek population and a developing Chinese community. The area is full of middle class homes.

[edit] History

East York's last mayor was Michael Prue who went on to become city councillor for East York, and then a Member of Provincial Parliament for Beaches—East York in 2001. Between 2002 and 2005, the East York Civic Centre's "True Davidson Council Chamber" was used to hold the Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry/Toronto External Contracts Inquiry.

In the late 1940s, after World War II, East York became home to many returning veterans and their families. Many inexpensive homes were built, including the houses around Topham Park, by the government, to house the returning vetrans and the baby boomers. The local government was both socially conscious and frugal, fitting the residents' self-image of East York as filled with supportive neighbours and NGOs.

East York is separated by the Don River. Traditional East York is south of the river, and the neighbourhood of Leaside is in the north. The densely populated Thorncliffe Park development, including the skyline and the town centre of East York, is north of the Don River.

The borough of East York was established in 1967 through the amalgamation of the former township of East York and the former town of Leaside. Leaside was a planned industrial and residential community. East York has over the years been a residential enclave for senior citizens, as the original owners from the 1940's age and as younger families move out to suburbs to live in larger houses.

Recently, rapid and accelerated gentrification has changed many neighborhoods. Many one-story bungalows have added second floors, and many shops have been converted to more upscale shops.

The Bulldog was chosen as the official symbol of East York due to the Bulldog's tenacity and spirit which was abundant in the community.

List of the reeves and mayors of East York:

Reeves

• 1954-1956 Harry G. Simpson
• 1957-1960 Jack R. Allen
• 1961-1966 True Davidson

Mayors

• 1967-1971 True Davidson
• 1973-1975 Willis L. Blair
• 1976 Leslie H. Saunders
• 1977-1982 Alan Redway - later federal MP
• 1983-1992 David Johnson later PC MPP
• 1993-1998 Michael Prue - later Toronto city councillor and current NDP MPP

[edit] Sports

East York is home to various sports teams. The hockey teams are the Bulldogs, playing out of East York Arena, and Victoria Village, playing out of Victoria Village arena. Both leagues offer entry level and competitive select hockey for various ages, being played in the North York Hockey League. East York is home to East York Soccer, playing out of East York Collegiate, and Clairalea Soccer, playing out of various locations, who both offer entry level and competitive soccer for all ages. Baseball wise, East York is home to organizations such as East York and Topham Park. East York offers entry level and AAA baseball for all ages, while Topham park only offers entry level. East York is also home to a provincially-known figure skating club, a gymnastics club, and a curling club.

[edit] Famous residents

East York has been the home of:

In addition, Barry Wellman's well-known series of three studies of community, networks and (recently) the Internet are set in East York.^[2]

[edit] References

Davidson, True. 1976. The Golden Years of East York. Toronto: Centennial College Press.

Gillies, Marion and Barry Wellman. 1968. "East York: A Profile." Report to Community Studies Section, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto.

v • d • e Former municipalities of Toronto
Municipalities amalgamated in...
1998	East York · Etobicoke · North York · Scarborough · Toronto · York · Metropolitan Toronto
1967	Forest Hill · Leaside · Long Branch · Mimico · New Toronto · Swansea · Weston
1883– 1912	1912: Dovercourt · Earlscourt 1910: Moore Park · North Toronto 1909: Bracondale · Midway · West Toronto · Wychwood 1908: Deer Park · East Toronto 1905: Rosedale 1890: Bedford Park · Davisville · Eglinton 1889: Parkdale 1888: Seaton Village 1884: Brockton  · Riverdale 1883: Yorkville