Milton, Ontario

Milton
Town
Milton from escarpment
Logo
Coordinates: 43°30′30″N 79°53′0″W / 43.50833°N 79.88333°W / 43.50833; -79.88333Coordinates: 43°30′30″N 79°53′0″W / 43.50833°N 79.88333°W / 43.50833; -79.88333
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Region	Halton
Established	May 17, 1818
Incorporated	May 27, 1857 (town)
Government
• Town Mayor	Gord Krantz[1]
• MPs	Lisa Raitt
• MPPs	Ted Chudleigh
Area[2]
• Land	366.61 km2 (141.55 sq mi)
Elevation	195 m (640 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
• Total	84,362
• Density	147.1/km2 (381/sq mi)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC−5)
Postal code	L9T
Area code(s)	905, 289 and 365
Website	www.milton.ca

Main St. Downtown Milton

Milton (2011 census population 84,362) is a town in Southern Ontario, Canada, and part of the Halton Region in the Greater Toronto Area. The town received a significant amount of attention after the 2006 and 2011 censuses indicated that Milton was the fastest growing municipality in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, with a 71.4% increase in population between 2001 and 2006, and a 56.4% increase in population between 2006 and 2011.^[3] In early 2012, the town's planner estimated Milton's population to be between 94,000 and 95,000.^[4]

Milton is located 40 km (25 mi) west of Downtown Toronto on Highway 401, and is the western terminus for the Milton line commuter train and bus corridor operated by GO Transit. Milton is on the edge of Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO world biosphere reserve and the Bruce Trail.

History

The town took root out of a settlement by Jasper Martin along the Sixteen Mile Creek; Martin immigrated from Newcastle, England with his wife Sarah and two sons on May 17, 1818. Martin was granted 100 acres (40 ha) of land, from the Crown in 1820, designated Lot 14, Concession 2, Township of Trafalgar, Halton County, in the District of Gore. Martin later built a grist mill along the creek and created a pond, known as Mill Pond, to power his mill. The mill became the centre of settlement for others as they settled in the region. In 1837 the area had a population of approximately 100 people and was named Mill Town. The town, as it is today, soon after became known as Milton. The two principal property owners of the young town were the Martins and the Fosters. The current site of Milton's town hall was donated from Mr. Hugh Foster (and thus, Hugh Foster Hall).^[5]

Milton was incorporated into a town in 1857, after being chosen as county seat for Halton. In 1974, the present municipal structure was created when the Regional Municipality of Halton replaced Halton County. The new town of Milton added parts of the former township of Esquesing (most of this township comprises Halton Hills), all of Nassagaweya Township including the village of Campbellville, and the northern sections of Trafalgar and Nelson from (a 1962 annexation of the former townships) Oakville and Burlington respectively.

With the addition of the Niagara Escarpment lands, tourism, recreation, and heritage conservation have increased in importance. The Halton Region Museum which has a large number of historic agricultural buildings and the Halton County Radial Railway museum are located in Milton, as is Country Heritage Park (formerly the Ontario Agricultural Museum). Five large parks operated by Conservation Halton reside in the town and Mohawk Raceway is located near Campbellville. It is also home to Maplehurst Correctional Complex and the Vanier Centre for Women.

Demographics

According to the Canada 2011 Census there were 84,362 people living in Milton, and its population in 2006 was 53,939, representing an increase of 56.5%. The 2011 Census counted 28,049 housing units and 27,561 being occupied.

• The average population density per square kilometre was 85.9 persons.
• Age distribution indicated 26.4% of the population was 19 and younger, 63.1% of the population ages 20–64 and 10.5% 65 and older.
• The median income for a household in the town was $39,795.
• The average household income for a family with two earners was $91,384.
• With one earner in a family, $56,043.
• Males had an average income of $40,069 versus $35,897 for females.
• 27.1% of the population had completed high school. 11.4% a Trades certificate or diploma. 24.9% College. 23.0% University.
• 15.7% of the population had not completed high school.
• As of the 2006 census, 17% of residents were a visible minority.

According to the 2011 Census,^[6] English is the mother tongue for 69.5% of the population, down from 77.6% in the 2006 Census.^[7] However, the absolute number of native English speakers actually increased (58,140 in 2011, from 41,430 in 2006), but the increase in the absolute number of non-English native speakers was even higher, thus explaining the decrease in its relative proportion of English as mother tongue in the population. French is the mother tongue for 1.5% of the population. Immigrant languages with the most notable proportions of native speakers are Urdu (4.3%), Polish (2.2%), Spanish (2.1%), and Panjabi (Punjabi) (1.6%).

Milton is a fairly diverse place. The racial make up of Milton is:

• 69.4% White
• 14.0% South Asian; 9.0% Indian, 3.8% Pakistani
• 3.3% Filipino
• 3.3% Black
• 2.5% East Asian; 2.0% Chinese, 0.3% Korean, 0.2% Japanese
• 2.0% Latin American
• 1.8% Arab
• 0.7% Southeast Asian
• 0.7% Aboriginal; 0.4% First Nations, 0.2% Metis
• 0.4% West Asian
• 1.1% Multiracial; 1.3% including Metis
• 0.8% Other

Most of Milton is either a Christian (64.6%), or affiliates with no religion (19.5%), but has large Muslim (9.7%), Hindu (3.0%), and Sikh (1.9%) communities. The remaining 1.3% affiliate with another religion.

Education

Milton, seen from the International Space Station, in late winter. This photograph was taken by astronaut Chris Hadfield, who grew up in Milton and is the namesake of Chris Hadfield Public School.

Milton's public elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton District School Board. Milton's Catholic elementary and secondary schools are part of the Halton Catholic District School Board. There are also several private schools in Milton.

Rural Milton as seen from the summit of Rattlesnake Point, one of Milton's many conservation parks.

Halton District School Board

• Brookville Public School (JK-8)
• Bruce Trail Public School (JK-8)
• Chris Hadfield Public School (JK-8)
• Craig Kielburger Secondary School (9-12)
• E.C. Drury School for the Deaf (JK-12)
• Escarpment View Public School (JK-8)
• E.W. Foster Public School (JK-5)
• Hawthorne Village Public School (JK-8)
• Irma Coulson Public School(JK-8)
• J.M. Denyes Public School (JK-5)
• Martin Street Public School (JK-5)
• Milton District High School (9-12)
• P.L. Robertson Public School (JK-8)
• Robert Baldwin Public School (JK-5)
• Sam Sherratt Public School (JK-8)
• W.I. Dick Middle School (6-8)
• Tiger Jeet Singh Public School (JK-8)

Halton Catholic District School Board

• Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School (9-12)
• École Élémentaire St. Nicolas (École Francaise) {JK-6}
• Guardian Angels Catholic School (JK-8)
• Holy Rosary Catholic School (JK-8)
• Lumen Christi Catholic School (JK-8)
• Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School (JK-8)
• Our Lady of Victory School (JK-8)
• St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School (JK-8)
• St. Peter Catholic School (JK-8)
• Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School (9-12)

Private schools

• The Montessori Country School (Casa)
• Milton Christian School (JK-8)^[10]
• Keswick Sutherland School & Equestrian Center (JK-8)
• Halton Waldorf School (JK-8)
• Hitherfield School (PK-8)

Public library system

Milton is served by two library locations, a recently constructed Main Library located on Main Street and Beaty Branch which opened on November 17, 2009.

The Milton Public Library is committed to nourishing growing minds, promoting the love of reading and providing a gateway that connects people, ideas and information.

In 2005, the Milton Public Library celebrated its sesquicentennial year.

Government

The historic Milton town hall in Victoria Park.

Municipal

Milton has a local town council headed by a mayor, and representation on the Halton Region council. The town is divided into eight wards, each of which elect a council representative.^[11] Milton is represented by the mayor and two regional councilors on the Halton Region council.^[12]

Town Council 2010-2014

• Mayor: Gordon Krantz
• Local Councilor Ward 1: Sharon Barkley
• Local Councilor Ward 2: Greg Nelson
• Local Councilor Ward 3: Cindy Lunau
• Local Councilor Ward 4: Rick Malboeuf
• Local Councilor Ward 5: Arnold Huffman
• Local Councilor Ward 6: Mike Cluett
• Local Councilor Ward 7: Rick Di Lorenzo
• Local Councilor Ward 8: Zeeshan Hamid

Halton Regional Council

• Local and Regional Councilor Wards 1, 6, 7, & 8: Tony Lambert
• Local and Regional Councilor Wards 2, 3, 4, & 5: Colin Best

Provincial

At the provincial level of government, Milton is contained within the Halton provincial riding.

• Member of Provincial Parliament: Ted Chudleigh (PC)

Federal

At the federal level of government, Milton is contained within the Halton federal riding.

• Member of Parliament: Lisa Raitt (Conservative, since October 14, 2008)

Service Clubs

The Rotary Club of Milton is a local service club and was chartered on January 22, 1947. The club has been active in helping the community for over 65 years, especially youth. One of its charter members was former Milton mayor Mike Ledwith. It meets Mondays at 6:30 pm and Fridays at 7:30 am at Community Living North Halton's board room. Guests are welcomed.

Recreation

Milton has many conservation parks, campgrounds and recreational areas. The conservation parks in the Milton area are owned by Conservation Halton, a conservation authority.

View from the Niagara Escarpment near Rattlesnake Point

• Bruce Trail
• Conservation Halton
• Crawford Lake Conservation Area
• Drumquin Park BMX track & Oakville Model Flying Club
• Glen Eden Ski & Snowboard Centre
• John Tonelli Sports Centre
• Kelso Conservation Area
• Milton Curling Club
• Milton Minor Hockey Association (Milton Winterhawks)
• Milton Mill Pond & Rotary Park
• Milton Heights Campgrounds
• Milton Leisure Centre
• Milton Memorial Arena
• Milton Sports Centre Arena
• Mohawk Raceway
• Mount Nemo Conservation Area
• Mountsberg Conservation Area
• Rattlesnake Point
• Rotary Park

Media

Milton is covered by local newspapers and websites through the following services:

• Milton Canadian Champion
• The Halton Compass
• DiscoverMilton.com
• SNAP Milton
• The Milton Blog

Local events

Every Labour Day weekend the Milton Steam-Era takes place. Steam-Era is the annual show produced by the "Ontario Steam & Antique Preservers Association" held at the Milton Fairgrounds. Steam engines from the 19th century puff their way around the grounds. Hundreds of tractors and stationary engines, along with antique cars, models and agricultural displays recreate life in the country a 100 years ago.

The Milton Fall Fair is held every year on the last weekend of September. The Fall Fair has been a tradition in the town for over 160 years. Events include: Agricultural show, midway, livestock, entertainment, the Demolition Derby and other traditional county fair events. The event takes place at the Milton Fairgrounds located in the historic downtown area of Milton.

A farmers' market operates on Main Street in downtown Milton on Saturdays 8am-Noon, from May through October. The section of Main Street that hosts the market is closed off to vehicles during the event.

Development

New developments near Derry Road

The town has very easy access throughout the GTA by Highways 401 and 407 towards Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton on the town, or by the former Highway 25 (Halton Road 25). There are two key freight railway routes (both by CN and CP), passenger services from GO Transit, and Via Rail passenger connections in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor in both neighbouring Oakville and Georgetown. There is close proximity to Toronto Pearson International Airport along Highway 401 (under 40 km from 401/Halton 25 exit).

Milton Transit was developed in 1972 to provide public transportation service throughout the urban centre, as well as a feeder route for GO Transit trains and buses.

While most of the development is suburban in nature, larger industrial lots are being developed closer to the Escarpment. The major industries in Milton are automotive, advanced manufacturing, distribution and food production.

Residential growth has increased substantially over the past several years due to completion of "The Big Pipe" project; designed to deliver water to the town from Lake Ontario. Since this time, Milton has developed 7 new subdivisions, including Hawthorne Village, and several new ones are under development by Mattamy Homes and various other builders. Two new grade schools have been built as well as the Crossroads Centre shopping plaza that includes various major retail stores and restaurants. An eight screen movie theatre is operated by Cineplex Entertainment under their Galaxy Cinemas brand and opened on June 30, 2006.

A new outlet mall has opened on the side of Highway 401.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Milton, Ontario.

• Town of Milton

	Guelph/Eramosa	Halton Hills
	Puslinch, Cambridge		Mississauga
	Milton
		Hamilton, Burlington	Oakville

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