Why do west coast Canadians dislike Toronto?

Question

I live in the GTA and have been out west and loved it. Is it ignorance to Toronto or jealousy kind of thing. Seriously, because Torontonians do not normally consider Toronto the centre of the world, which I get as the typical stereotype, it just has the largest population in Canada thus getting the most media and investment because of its size. I would like to hear west coasters view on Toronto, but all corners of canada welcome.

Answer 1

I think that we, on the 'wet coast', view Toronto as the 'centre of the universe' because that is where most major companies headquarters are located, largest urban area in the country, big political and economic clout, most media coverage, most popular tourist destination, better public transit, centre of fashion and music industry, etc. And, frankly, us being about 3,000 km away at times we feel rather neglected, looked down upon, and under represented. And, yes, I have had co-workers originally from Toronto move back there because Vancouver wasn't "as interesting or lively".

Petra M, Vancouver

Answer 2

I don't think it is anything specific against Torontonians per se, but it's probably perceived due to the politics and entertainment.

In politics, the west (and the maritimes for that matter) gets upset because they have very little control over their political future. It always seems like the federal government is doing what is best for Ontario and appeasing Quebec, but the west coast opinion is ignored.

Because of a statement by one of Quebec's politicians, there was a political cartoon recently that showed a large cow on the map of Canada. The cow was feeding in the west, being milked in Ontario and Quebec, and dumping on the maritimes. That shows the sentiment that is perceived in parts of the country.

Also, like another person mentioned, if you look at the coverage on TV, everything seems to revolve around Ontario. When TSN or CBC show a hockey game, it is almost always going to be the Leafs or the Senators against ANYONE over any other Canadian matchup. This is to some extent understandable because it is the biggest market, but really gets annoying when you are watching an OHL game instead of the Canadiens or Flames game that evening.

Personally, I've been to Toronto and Calgary many times, and the only difference I saw from a people point of view was that the Calgarians seem to be more warm and friendly, almost like a small US midwestern town where everyone knows each other. In Toronto, you always felt this isolationism from the people...no one looks you in the eye or smiles at a stranger and they are all concerned with what they are doing or where they are going...pretty much the big city atmosphere.

But hey, maybe it was just me.

Answer 3

I'm not from out west and I don't like Toronto. I'm right here in Ontario about 4 hours from Toronto. It's too busy, it really honestly smells, and everyone there that I came across was rude or has some serious road rage. Like come on, some guy started honking at me becuase I was waiting to turn left but couldn't because I had to wait for the people walking to get across first.

No Torontonians do not consider it the center of world like people from Ottawa do. Which is good but people from Ottawa seem to think there's nothing outside the Ottawa Greater Area. Whats with that?

But no, Toronto is not one of my fave places. In addition to everything I've already mentioned T.O. has alot of crime. And it's only getting worse.

Answer 4

I'm from Toronto and all of my relatives have hopped out to the coast about 15 years ago.

They tease me about Toronto because it is so American. Living in Northern Ontario too, I have the same reaction.

Basically, I think that most of Canada sees Toronto as "little America" from the media and issues that are publicized from the area.

PS. Once they visit, they only bug more because of smog, pollution in Lake Ontario, the highways, etc lol

Answer 5

Because there are too many of you and you push your numbers around. Oh, you are use to it and everything caters to you so you don't even notice.

Some small stuff CBC plays Toronto games in high definition on my TV every Saturday, even though they suck and I can think of 29 teams I'd rather watch. How about an Ottawa or Montreal game every once in awhile - they don't suck. Oh, sure when Toronto is ready for bed they will allow a western game. That just means it's the game I want to see 1 third of the time as we in the west all have to share and there are 3 teams.

Politics - all the parties cater to your wishes. Even the latest government which is tainted as a western friendly party is out buying your votes and putting western politics on the back-burner. BC's forests are infested with Beatles that are killing it. The federal government completely ignored it. Softwood lumber issues - all governments ignored it.

So, I wouldn't have a problem with people from Toronto. But first you need to write the CBC and tell them you want to watch other games other than the Maple laughs.

Answer 6

I'm from the West Coast, I live in Victoria BC. I don't have anything against people from toronto and I've never considered them to be self centered.Some people are just rude and they say mean things, but just ignore them.
I am only 17 but I'd love to go to toronto some day, it would be nice!

Answer 7

I'm from Calgary...

I can't speak for everyone in the West, but in Alberta it's about politics. We don't like how Central Canada runs the country, often with no consideration for the rest of the country. That's not your fault, it's simply a product of our representation system.

A good exmaple is the Great Depression and the National Energy Program. During the Great Depression, the federal government subsidized Eastern manufactueres.... but NOTHING for prairie farmers. They let them starve, not even interest free loans. In the 1980's Alberta's oil industry was seaming... but this was bad for Central/Eastern Canadian businesses and consumers. So the feds then again ripped us off by making us sell our oil at artificially low prices. But it doesn't matter if Alberta gets ripped off... cuz we don't have the population to make a difference in the polls.

But the average Central/Eastern Canadian doesn't care about that. That's the real thing we get frustrated about. You never listen to our politics becuase after all.. we're just rednecks lucky enough to be on the biggest oil reserve int he Americas.... but you sure are quick to get our tax money, and most Eastern provinces (Ontario excluded) are pretty fast to bash us one second, and then take our equalization cheques the next second.

We don't like how Central CAnada thinks their problems are national problems. Quebec sovereignty, a depressed manufacturing sector.... these are Eastern problems... not Western problems. Quite frankly we're tired of it being shoved down our throats.

Answer 8

I was born and raised in the Fraser Valley and I have also spent alot of time in London,Oshawa,Campellford, Toronto , Ajax, Pickering, etc and I loved it !!It gets alot colder in the winter in Ontario but I found the people the same as in B.C.Toronto is great!!I was a little scared on the tower I have to admit I was one who was on my hands and knees looking down on the city!!Too scary to walk on glass that high up!!

Answer 9

We have fans of Toronto, and also haters of Toronto. I live 1000 miles north-east of there. I've been there, but personally I prefer a smaller city. Too much crime there.

Answer 10

...funny - my ex-wife, originally from poland , moved from toronto to alberta and then bc...after a couple of months away from toronto she developed the " western folks are getting the raw end " attitude....maybe it's the water out there...