Exploring Ontario

People & History

More than 12 million people live in Ontario. The province’s work force is more than six million people. About half of Ontario residents over the age of 25 have completed some education after high school. Life expectancy is about 75 years for men and 81 years for women.

First Nations

People have lived in Ontario for at least 7,000 years. Ontario has many distinct native cultures and languages. In the north, the Algonquin, Cree and Ojibwa people have traditionally fished and hunted. The first farmers in the south were the Huron, Tobacco (Petun), Neutrals (Attiwandaron), and Iroquois. Follow a timeline of settlement in the Ottawa Valley or learn about the first people of Canada.

In the five years since 2001, about 15 per cent of new immigrants listed India as their country of birth. India was followed by:

China (13.3 per cent)
Pakistan (7.5)
The Philippines (6.5)
Sri Lanka (3.2)
United States (3.2)

New Arrivals

The first Europeans to visit Ontario arrived by boat. French explorers Étienne Brûlé and Samuel de Champlain followed the St. Lawrence River into Lake Ontario in 1610 and 1615. Henry Hudson sailed into Ontario from the north and claimed the Hudson Bay area for Britain in 1611. Read about Ontario’s first foreign settlers from across the Atlantic. Explore French Ontario in the 17th and 18th centuries or learn about the migration of Germans to Canada.

Frontier Battles

If history had turned out differently, Ontario today might have been either a French colony or another state united with America. Revisit the Seven Years War of 1754-1763, between the French and British, and the War of 1812, when America declared war on Great Britain. Learn more about Ontario’s early frontier battles and how Ontario eventually became a part of Confederation, the Dominion of Canada, in 1867. Learn about the War of 1812.

By 1961, immigrants accounted for one in five Ontarians.

Ontario’s population increased by 40 per cent from 1945 to 1958. By 1961, immigrants accounted for one in five Ontarians.

Ontario Industry

During construction of the railroad across Canada, large mineral deposits were found in the northern parts of Ontario in the early 1900s. Automobile manufacturing took off in 1903 when Henry Ford set up shop in Windsor. In 1906, the water power of Niagara Falls was harnessed with the launch of the Ontario Hydro-Electric Commission. Discover how Ontario’s Industrial Revolution turned the province into Canada’s economic centre.

Modern Ages

After the two world wars, the 1950s and 1960s were a period of rapid expansion for Ontario’s economy. In 1965, the signing of the U.S.-Canada Autopact boosted Ontario’s biggest manufacturing industry. The North American Free Trade Agreement in 1989 had a major effect on Ontario’s economy. The modern ages brought millions of newcomers from all over the world to Ontario.

In less than nine hours, the Great Toronto Fire of 1904 destroyed 20 acres of land and 100 buildings, at an estimated cost of more than $10 million. Fortunately no lives were lost, but the exact cause of the fire was never determined. Find out more about the Great Toronto Fire.

Explore Ontario: Be a Tourist in Your New Home

Ontario has a rich history that is preserved in various heritage sites throughout the province. You can watch historical re-enactments and recreations of daily life at places like Fort George, Fort William, Lang Pioneer Village and Black Creek Pioneer Village.

There are several Aboriginal heritage sites documenting the history and culture of Ontario’s First Nations. North America’s largest and longest-running Pow Wow takes place on Manitoulin Island every August, a fascinating display of drums, spiritual dances, chants and vibrant costumes.

Ontario Welcomes You

As a newcomer to Ontario, you may have many questions. The Province of Ontario has many services and programs to help you find the answers, information and support you need to succeed.

Fun Facts and Figures

The Ontario region’s first capital was Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake), when the land was originally claimed as Upper Canada in 1791. Two years later, the capital was moved away from a then volatile U.S. border to York (now Toronto).

In 1841, Kingston was the capital of a united Province of Canada, until 1843 when legislation moved the capital to Montreal. Ottawa has been the nation’s capital since the confederation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Look up more trivia, just for fun!

How do I apply to immigrate to Ontario, Canada?

The Government of Canada, through the department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), is responsible for processing immigration applications. You can find information on their website. Ontario has a Provincial Nominee Program, Opportunities Ontario, where Ontario nominates individuals for permanent resident status.
How do I apply for a Social Insurance Number?

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number required for temporary and permanent residents to work legally in Canada and to have access to government programs and benefits. You can apply for a SIN at a Service Canada office. Make sure you bring with you the required documents and a completed application form.
Does the Ontario Government offer health insurance to immigrants?

Permanent residents, temporary workers, convention refugees and others may receive coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) three months after arriving in Ontario. Apply for public as soon as you arrive to ensure you are covered after your first three months. Find more information on OHIP eligibility and health care.
How can I find out about Ontario's Francophone community?

You will find information about the different programs and services available to Francophone immigrants in Ontario in our Living in French section and on Etablissement.org (en français).
What should I do if an employer wants me to work in Ontario?

You must either be a permanent resident or have a work permit in order to work in Ontario. You are also required to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It may also be necessary to have your international academic credentials assessed and recognized.
What jobs and professions are in demand in Ontario?

You can access job offers, wage information, job demand and skills requirements with the Working in Canada tool. You may also benefit from labour market information that will provide you with current market trends.You can access job offers, wage information, job demand and skills requirements with the Working in Canada tool.
How can I get my education and professional credentials assessed?

You can find information on education and credential assessment on our site and learn about Ontario's professional licensing bodies. You may also want to know about apprenticeship program to work in the trades and about bridge training programs to enter the Canadian market.
Where can I get information about the Ontario economy?

You can find information about Ontario's economy and get economic updates on the Ontario Ministry of Finance's website and find out about the Canadian economy from Industry Canada.
How much does it cost to apply as a business immigrant?

You can find the application fees on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada site and additional information on business immigration such as how much you need to invest in Ontario on Invest in Ontario.
If I am an international student, what are my employment options?

There are employment opportunities for international students while studying in Canada. Certain students are eligible to work in their field of study for up to two years after graduating. Eligible students must apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a work permit. You need a social insurance number to work in Canada.