Toronto Board of Trade
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Board of Trade is Toronto
's chamber of commerce
, the largest local chamber of commerce in Canada
, representing more than 10,000 business and individual members with about 500,000 employees across Canada and annual revenues of more than $200 billion (Canadian dollar
s).
It is a non-profit organization with a mandate to serve, represent and unite Toronto's business community. The Toronto Board of Trade offers business services, facilities, events, policy development and analysis, and advocacy to the city, provincial and federal governments. It develops and promotes policies and programs including affordable housing, public transit, youth/immigrant employment, and the development of a more competitive business environment.
It operates at five locations across Toronto: the Downtown Centre in the heart of the city's financial district, another near Toronto Pearson International Airport
(moving to the Toronto Marriott Airport Hotel on April 2, 2007) and one each in Etobicoke, Scarborough, Ontario
, and North York. The last three locations are the result of the integration of the Board with local chambers of commerce in those former cities, which were amalgamated into the City of Toronto in 1998. The Board also owns and operates the World Trade Centre Toronto, part of the global network of World Trade Centre operations, with a mandate to help the business community conduct business globally by alerting them to services and opportunities available locally and abroad.
Its first president was George Percival Ridout
, who served in that position until 1852 when he was elected to the legislature. It grew slowly, and had only acquired 60 members by 1856. Until the 1860s, most members were traders, specifically wholesalers.
In 1884, it was amalgamated with the Toronto Corn Exchange Association.
The Old Toronto Board of Trade Building
(1892–1958), which housed the board, was Toronto's first skyscraper at seven storeys.
In 1932-33, the board's name was officially changed to "The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Toronto
".
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
's chamber of commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, the largest local chamber of commerce in 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...
, representing more than 10,000 business and individual members with about 500,000 employees across Canada and annual revenues of more than $200 billion (Canadian dollar
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
s).
It is a non-profit organization with a mandate to serve, represent and unite Toronto's business community. The Toronto Board of Trade offers business services, facilities, events, policy development and analysis, and advocacy to the city, provincial and federal governments. It develops and promotes policies and programs including affordable housing, public transit, youth/immigrant employment, and the development of a more competitive business environment.
It operates at five locations across Toronto: the Downtown Centre in the heart of the city's financial district, another near Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport is an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada; its metropolitan area; and the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration that is home to 8.1 million people – approximately 25% of Canada's population...
(moving to the Toronto Marriott Airport Hotel on April 2, 2007) and one each in Etobicoke, Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
, and North York. The last three locations are the result of the integration of the Board with local chambers of commerce in those former cities, which were amalgamated into the City of Toronto in 1998. The Board also owns and operates the World Trade Centre Toronto, part of the global network of World Trade Centre operations, with a mandate to help the business community conduct business globally by alerting them to services and opportunities available locally and abroad.
History
It was founded 10 February 1845 by an act of the legislature of Canada:Its first president was George Percival Ridout
George Percival Ridout
George Percival Ridout was an English-born merchant and politician in Canada West. He represented Toronto in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1851 to 1854 as an independent Conservative....
, who served in that position until 1852 when he was elected to the legislature. It grew slowly, and had only acquired 60 members by 1856. Until the 1860s, most members were traders, specifically wholesalers.
In 1884, it was amalgamated with the Toronto Corn Exchange Association.
The Old Toronto Board of Trade Building
Old Toronto Board of Trade Building
The Board of Trade Building was one of the first skyscrapers in Toronto, Canada at seven stories, and home to the Toronto Board of Trade and the Toronto Transit Commission. Located on the corner of Front Street West and Yonge Street, it was completed in 1892....
(1892–1958), which housed the board, was Toronto's first skyscraper at seven storeys.
In 1932-33, the board's name was officially changed to "The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Toronto
Metropolitan Toronto
The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was a senior level of municipal government in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area from 1954 to 1998. It was created out of York County and was a precursor to the later concept of a regional municipality, being formed of smaller municipalities but having more...
".