article

Burlington (2001 population 150,836)* is located in the Golden Horseshoe, across Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay harbour from Hamilton, in Halton Region, Ontario, Canada.

Like most cities of its size in Ontario, manufacturing of various goods sustains Burlington's livelihood, but its proximity to both Hamilton and Toronto means many residents commute to those cities. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, although it is still part of the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Transportation is served by the Queen Elizabeth Way, Highway 403, Highway 407, as well as Dundas Street, and by both GO Transit and VIA Rail. Burlington Transit is the public transport provider in the city. Rail Service is provided by both CN and Canadian Pacific Railways.

In recent years Burlington has been one of the fastest growing areas of Canada with many new homes being built. The region by the lake has a number of expensive homes while the rest of the community is mostly upper-middle class suburbs.

Burlington is represented in the Canadian House of Commons by Mike Wallace (Conservative) and in the Ontario legislature by Cam Jackson (Progressive Conservative).

In 1989, Burlington signed a twin city declaration with Itabashi, a ward of Tokyo, Japan. Since then, various exchanges and programs have been carried out between the two cities and relations between have flourished.

History

The land which is now Burlington, was deeded to Chief Joseph Brant in 1798. Settlement on the "Brant Block" started soon afterward. In 1874 the communities of Wellington Square and Port Nelson were incorporated into the Village of Burlington, and later a town in 1915. In 1962, most of the township of Nelson was annexed including Aldershot. It became a city in 1974, upon the creation of the Regional Municipality of Halton. Some land in north and northeast Burlington became part of Milton.

Demographics

According to the mid-2001 census, the population estimates there were 150 836 people residing in the local authority of Burlington, located in the province of Ontario, of whom 48.4 % were male and 51.6 % were female. Children under five accounted for approximately 5.8 % of the resident population of Burlington. This compares with 5.8 % in Ontario, and almost 5.6 % for Canada overall.

In mid-2001, 14.0 % of the resident population in Burlington were of retirement age (65 and over for males and females) compared with 13.2 % in Canada, therefore, the average age is 38.5 years of age comparing to 37.6 years of age for all of Canada.

In the five years between 1996 and 2001, the population of Burlington grew by 10.1 %, compared with an increase of 6.1 % for Ontario as a whole. Population density of Burlington averaged 812.2 people per square kilometre, compared with an average of 12.6, for Ontario altogether.

At the time of the census in May 2001, the resident population of the Burlington city authority had 150 836 people, compared with a resident population in the province of Ontario of 11,410,050 people.

Racial Groups

Religion

In the city of Burlington, almost 80.0% of the population declare themselves as Christian. Approx. 41% are Protestant and Anglican, while 32%are Roman Catholic. The balance of Christians are made up of Orthodox Christian and smaller denominations. The Non-Christian population numbers less than 1.0%, predominanty Islam, Sikh and Hindu.

Media and journalism

Television stations

Burlington has a local community channel provided by the cable provider, Cogeco.

The Hamilton television station, formely known as CHCH-TV, changed into OnTV. Now, it is simply CH part of the Global TV system, serves Hamilton, Halton and Niagara, thus including Burlington.

Crossroads Television System (CITS-TV) is based in Burlington with studios near the junction of the QEW, Hwy. 403 and Hwy. 407.

Radio

One radio station, FM 107.9 CJXY, is licensed to Burlington and another, FM 94.9 CIWV, to "Hamilton/Burlington." Both presently broadcast from studios in Hamilton; CJXY, indeed, brands itself "Hamilton's ONLY Rock Station." Burlington listeners are also served by stations licensed to Hamilton, Toronto, and other nearby radio markets.

Print media

Education

High schools

Burlington's public elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton District School Board. Burlington's Catholic elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton Catholic District School Board

Public

Catholic

Colleges and universities

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac and McMaster University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Peter J. George on September 30, 2004 acknowledging to work together to bring a McMaster campus to Burlington.

Sites of interest

Burlington is home to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada's largest botanical garden, which incorporates both untamed and cultivated landscapes. There are 75 parks and 800 acres of parkland within the city, the largest being Spencer Smith Park, located on the shore of Lake Ontario, which is going through large scale renovations to improve the park. Located in North Burlington is Mount Nemo Conservation Area, the only park in Burlington operated by the Halton Region Conservation Authority.

The Burlington Art Centre shows various exhibits throughout the year from local to national talent, including the renowned Canadian artist Robert Bateman. The Joseph Brant Museum and Ireland House are also popular attractions.

Not widely known to many residents is one of the two naturally occurring magnetic hills in Canada are found in Burlington, on King Road just north of Bayview Park.

Many annual lakefront activities take place in Spencer Smith Park including the Sound of Music Festival.

Organizations

The Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB) has operated in the city since 1947, including members between the ages of 13 and 21. The marching band goes by the nickname The Redcoats due to the colour of its uniforms, and are regular participants in major international parades. The band has represented Canada all over the world. 2007 will mark the 60th Anniversary of the BTTB. Celebrations are being planned to mark this anniversary during the 2007 Sound of Music Festival.

Since 1961, 715 "Mohawk" Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets has been a fixture in the city. The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is only one of the three branches of the Canadian Cadet Movement. The CCM is a partnership between the Department of National Defence, and each of the three cadet leagues: The Air Cadet League of Canada, The Army Cadet League of Canada, and the Navy League. The CCM is the largest federally funded youth program in Canada, and is open to youth ages 12-18 who are interested in leadership, citizenship, physical fitness, the Canadian Forces, and personal discipline.

Sports

Notable natives

See also

North: Campbellville, Milton
West: Hamilton Burlington East: Oakville
South: Hamilton

External links

Burlington, Ontario | Coastal cities

Burlington (Ontario) | Burlington (Ontario, Canada) | Burlington (Ontario) | Burlington (Ontário) | Burlington, Ontario

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Burlington, Ontario".

Home Page • arts • business • computers • games • health • hospitals • home • kids & teens • news • physicians • recreation• reference • regional • science • shopping • society • sports • world