Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Torbay is a town located on the eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula
in Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada
.
The town is located north of the capital city of St. John's and is part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area
. Due to the Torbay's close proximity with St. John's
, the town's population is quickly growing. According to the 2006 census
the population was 6,281 up 14.7% since 2001 which made Torbay the second fastest growing community in the province.
, Devon
, England
and was first mapped in 1615 by John Mason. The word is, of course well known, being the old Anglo-Saxon "Tor" which means a rocky hill. Both places are geographically similar with wide-open bays that face in a generally northeasterly direction. An extract from Bishop Field's Journal states, "indeed there seems to be a little colony of Devon folk in Torbay." John Nutt
, the pirate, settled here with his family from Devon.
The community of Torbay experienced three French Campaigns the first of which occurred in December 1696. These invasions contributed to the eventual construction of the Torbay Battery in 1781, which was manned by 25 troops from the 71st Regiment and Royal Artillery
. The ordinance was eventually withdrawn in 1795.
The census of 1677 indicated the Cole and Corum families as residing in "Tarr-Bay" Newfoundland. The following year the Field Family joined them. By 1794 the population of Torbay was included many of the surnames now associated with Torbay and totalled 108 English settlers and 99 Irish settlers. The Way Office, a mail handling facility used where there was not enough business to warrant a full post office, was established in 1891.
The early history of the community was further highlighted by the landing of Colonel William Amherst and his troops in 1762 on their way to re-capturing the capital city of St. John's from the French. This event was officially recognized in 1978 when the first Mayor of Torbay, William Manning unveiled a stone monument and plaque at the present day Veterans Memorial Park.
In 2006 Torbay's population grew 14.7% from 2001 bringing the population to 6,281, this made Torbay the second fastest growing community in Newfoundland and Labrador after the town of Paradise
.
, with most of the workforce commuting to the nearby cities of St. John's and Mount Pearl
. The towns economy is driven mostly by industries that serve the residents such as; a grocery store, convenience stores, doctors offices, hair salons, real-estate offices and restaurants among others.
With population growth in the town in recent years the housing market has become a significant part of the local economy. Torbay has become the most expensive housing market in the province with average home prices surpassing $375,000. Between 2009 and 2010 the town also saw the largest appreciation in housing prices in the St. John's CMA, with housing prices rising 32%.
which was formally the Torbay Airport. Airlines include Air Canada
, Air Canada Jazz
, Air Labrador
, Air Saint-Pierre
, Air Transat
, CanJet
, Continental Airlines
, Porter Airlines
, Provincial Airlines
, Skyservice
, Sunwing Airlines
and WestJet
. The airport offers services across Canada, to the United States
, Saint-Pierre and the Caribbean
.
, the district is a tory stronghold and is currently represented by Progressive Conservative MHA Kevin Parsons.
by the federal riding of St. John's East
, formally St. John's North. The seat was another tory stronghold and was represented by Conservatives
MP's for the majority of time since 1949. After Premier Williams's
successful ABC Campaign
in the 2008 federal election New Democrat
candidate Jack Harris
was elected, Harris also held the seat for a brief period of time in the 1980s.
Arena. The arena is Torbay's first hockey arena which opened in October 2008, under the name North East Avalon Arena. In March 2009 the arena was officially opened by Premier Danny Williams
and was renamed the Jack Byrne Arena after the late MHA who had died in early 2008.
education is offered at both schools. A new elementary school is was constructed to replace the former Holy Trinity Elementary, the school opened in September 2010. The School is still called Holy Trinity Elementary School .
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The town is located north of the capital city of St. John's and is part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area
St. John's Metropolitan Area
The St. John's Metropolitan Area is the most populous census metropolitan area in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. With a population of 181,113 in the 2006 Canadian Census, the CMA is the second largest in Atlantic Canada and the 20th largest CMA in Canada.The St. John’s CMA had...
. Due to the Torbay's close proximity with St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, the town's population is quickly growing. According to the 2006 census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
the population was 6,281 up 14.7% since 2001 which made Torbay the second fastest growing community in the province.
History
The name Torbay comes from TorbayTorbay
Torbay is an east-facing bay and natural harbour, at the western most end of Lyme Bay in the south-west of England, situated roughly midway between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth. Part of the ceremonial county of Devon, Torbay was made a unitary authority on 1 April 1998...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and was first mapped in 1615 by John Mason. The word is, of course well known, being the old Anglo-Saxon "Tor" which means a rocky hill. Both places are geographically similar with wide-open bays that face in a generally northeasterly direction. An extract from Bishop Field's Journal states, "indeed there seems to be a little colony of Devon folk in Torbay." John Nutt
John Nutt
This article is about John Nutt the English pirate. For John Nutt the 18th century English printer, see John Nutt .John Nutt was a 17th-century English pirate. He was one of the more notorious brigands of his time raiding the coast of southern Canada and western England for over three years...
, the pirate, settled here with his family from Devon.
The community of Torbay experienced three French Campaigns the first of which occurred in December 1696. These invasions contributed to the eventual construction of the Torbay Battery in 1781, which was manned by 25 troops from the 71st Regiment and Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
. The ordinance was eventually withdrawn in 1795.
The census of 1677 indicated the Cole and Corum families as residing in "Tarr-Bay" Newfoundland. The following year the Field Family joined them. By 1794 the population of Torbay was included many of the surnames now associated with Torbay and totalled 108 English settlers and 99 Irish settlers. The Way Office, a mail handling facility used where there was not enough business to warrant a full post office, was established in 1891.
The early history of the community was further highlighted by the landing of Colonel William Amherst and his troops in 1762 on their way to re-capturing the capital city of St. John's from the French. This event was officially recognized in 1978 when the first Mayor of Torbay, William Manning unveiled a stone monument and plaque at the present day Veterans Memorial Park.
Demographics
The following information is from: Statistics CanadaStatistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the Canadian federal government agency commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture. Its headquarters is in Ottawa....
In 2006 Torbay's population grew 14.7% from 2001 bringing the population to 6,281, this made Torbay the second fastest growing community in Newfoundland and Labrador after the town of Paradise
Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador
Paradise is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is a part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area. The town borders the City of St. John's, the City of Mount Pearl, the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, and the town of Conception Bay South...
.
Population chart
The Town of Torbay| Year | Population | % change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 4,707 | N/A |
| 1996 | 5,230 | 11.1 |
| 2001 | 5,474 | 4.7 |
| 2006 | 6,281 | 14.7 |
Climate
Economy
The town of Torbay is a bedroom communityCommuter town
A commuter town is an urban community that is primarily residential, from which most of the workforce commutes out to earn their livelihood. Many commuter towns act as suburbs of a nearby metropolis that workers travel to daily, and many suburbs are commuter towns...
, with most of the workforce commuting to the nearby cities of St. John's and Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl is the second largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The city is located southwest of St. John's, on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. Mount Pearl is part of the St...
. The towns economy is driven mostly by industries that serve the residents such as; a grocery store, convenience stores, doctors offices, hair salons, real-estate offices and restaurants among others.
With population growth in the town in recent years the housing market has become a significant part of the local economy. Torbay has become the most expensive housing market in the province with average home prices surpassing $375,000. Between 2009 and 2010 the town also saw the largest appreciation in housing prices in the St. John's CMA, with housing prices rising 32%.
Air
The town is serviced by St. John's International AirportSt. John's International Airport
St. John's International Airport is an international airport located northwest of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada that serves the St. John's Metro Area and the Avalon Peninsula. The airport is part of the National Airports System, and is operated by St...
which was formally the Torbay Airport. Airlines include Air Canada
Air Canada
Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 178 destinations worldwide. It is the world's tenth largest passenger airline by number of destinations, and the airline is a...
, Air Canada Jazz
Air Canada Jazz
Jazz Aviation LP is a Canadian regional airline based at Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield and Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chorus Aviation....
, Air Labrador
Air Labrador
Labrador Airways Limited, operating as Air Labrador, is a regional airline based in Goose Bay , Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It operates scheduled daily passenger and freight services throughout Labrador and Quebec, as well as charter operations with the options of landing in remote and off...
, Air Saint-Pierre
Air Saint-Pierre
Air Saint-Pierre is an airline based in Saint-Pierre, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French overseas collectivity. The airline operates scheduled services between the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon-Langlade and to Canada. Its main base is Saint-Pierre Airport.- History :Air Saint-Pierre was...
, Air Transat
Air Transat
Air Transat is an airline based in Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, operating scheduled and charter flights, serving 60 destinations in 25 countries. The airline is owned and operated by Transat A.T. Inc. During the summer season its main destinations are Europe and in the winter season the...
, CanJet
CanJet
CanJet Airlines is a low-cost chartered airline based in Enfield and in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada at the Halifax International Airport. It operates contract and ad hoc charters throughout Canada and the United States...
, Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines is a regional airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Porter operates regularly scheduled flights between Toronto and locations in Canada and the United States using Canadian-built Bombardier Dash-8 Q 400...
, Provincial Airlines
Provincial Airlines
Provincial Airlines is an airline based in St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It operates passenger and cargo services, maritime surveillance and remote sensing and environmental monitoring operations. Its main base is St. John's International Airport. - History :The airline was...
, Skyservice
Skyservice
Skyservice Airlines Inc. was a charter airline based in the Etobicoke area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It employed more than 2000 people. Skyservice Airlines Inc. flew within Canada and to the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, Israel and Europe. During the summer Skyservice sold tickets to Europe from...
, Sunwing Airlines
Sunwing Airlines
Sunwing Airlines Inc. is an airline headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, offering scheduled and chartered services to Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, South America as well as domestic services during the summer season.It is a subsidiary of Sunwing...
and WestJet
WestJet
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is a Canadian low-cost carrier that provides scheduled and charter air service to 71 destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Founded in 1996, WestJet is currently the second largest Canadian air carrier, behind Air Canada, operating an average of...
. The airport offers services across Canada, to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Saint-Pierre and the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
.
Municipal
The Town Council of Torbay is composed of a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and five Town Councillors. The Mayor and Councillors are elected during the municipal election, which is held every four years on the last Tuesday in September. The Deputy Mayor is subsequently elected by the Town Councillors and the Mayor, during the first meeting of the new Council.Provincial
Torbay is a part of the provincial electoral district of Cape St. FrancisCape St. Francis (electoral district)
Cape St. Francis is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.The vast majority of the district is made up of suburban communities neighbouring the provincial capital St. John's, though the district does take in the northeast end of the city. The...
, the district is a tory stronghold and is currently represented by Progressive Conservative MHA Kevin Parsons.
Federal
The town is represented in the House of CommonsCanadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
by the federal riding of St. John's East
St. John's East
St. John's East is a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1949....
, formally St. John's North. The seat was another tory stronghold and was represented by Conservatives
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
MP's for the majority of time since 1949. After Premier Williams's
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
successful ABC Campaign
Anything But Conservative
Anything But Conservative , also known as the ABC campaign, was a political campaign in the 2008 Canadian federal election encouraging voters to support any party other than the federal Conservative Party...
in the 2008 federal election New Democrat
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
candidate Jack Harris
Jack Harris (politician)
John James "Jack" Harris MP is a Canadian lawyer and politician from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Harris is the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for St. John's East and is a former leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party...
was elected, Harris also held the seat for a brief period of time in the 1980s.
Hockey
The town is home to the Northeast Eagle's, which offers novice, atom, peewee and bantom hockey for youths. The town also has a senior hockey team for adults, both teams play at the Jack ByrneJack Byrne
Jack Byrne was a Canadian politician. He represented the riding of Cape St. Francis in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly...
Arena. The arena is Torbay's first hockey arena which opened in October 2008, under the name North East Avalon Arena. In March 2009 the arena was officially opened by Premier Danny Williams
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
and was renamed the Jack Byrne Arena after the late MHA who had died in early 2008.
Education
The town is home to Holy Trinity Elementary which offers kindergarten to grade 6 education and Holy Trinity High which offers education from grades 7 to 12. English and French immersionFrench immersion
French immersion is a form of bilingual education in which a child who does not speak French as his or her first language receives instruction in school in French...
education is offered at both schools. A new elementary school is was constructed to replace the former Holy Trinity Elementary, the school opened in September 2010. The School is still called Holy Trinity Elementary School .
See also
- List of cities and towns in Newfoundland and Labrador
- List of people from Newfoundland and Labrador
- List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador