Diverse City: Toronto

Toronto: Toronto is home to more immigrants than any other city in Canada. More than half of Torontonians were born outside the country, speak another language or share a different cultural geography. The story of Torontos success of how this great city was made belongs to them and deserves to be celebrated, according to The Star. By seeing their lives and realities reflected back to them in these displays, Torontonians will register a greater sense of pride in and ownership of the city. For the thousands of tourists that visit Toronto annually, the displays will provide a rewarding experience, a window onto our city and an enticement to return. How much will the idea cost and Toronto celebrated its international status as the worlds most diverse city by showcasing the memories of hundreds of thousands of immigrants who arrived here over the last century from around the globe? What if, through words, photos, video, art and performance, Union Station and Pearson Airport resonated with these voices, and became the symbolic hub of our shared immigrant experience? What if on an annual basis, old and new immigrants gathered at these places with one object a suitcase, a letter, a picture of their arrival in the city to share with each other stories of their arrival, their endurance and their success. Union Station is being renovated. Pearson Airport is facing calls for public accountability. The rail link that connects them is being constructed. The time is right to rethink these public spaces as the vital heart of the city and remake them as a symbol of arrival and hope. How would your big idea transform Toronto? (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.