Learn Ontario
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Ontario is home to Canada's largest city — Toronto — along with Ottawa (the national capital), Hamilton, London, Brampton, Mississauga, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Kingston. Each city has its own distinct character shaped by industry, immigration, and history.

Ontario borders four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Together, these lakes hold about 20% of the world's surface fresh water. The shoreline spans thousands of kilometres and plays a major role in Ontario's climate, economy, and recreation.

Ontario uses a Graduated Licensing System (GLS). New drivers start with a G1 licence, advance to G2, and eventually earn a full G licence. Speed limits are typically 50 km/h in urban areas and 100 km/h on highways. Distracted driving laws are strict, with significant fines and demerit points.

Ontario's public health insurance plan (OHIP) covers most medically necessary services for eligible residents, including doctor visits and hospital care. New residents typically need to wait three months before OHIP coverage begins, so having interim coverage is important during that period.

Ontario is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. Toronto alone is home to speakers of over 180 languages. The province celebrates a wide variety of cultural festivals, including Caribana, the Toronto International Film Festival, and Nuit Blanche. Indigenous history and heritage are central to Ontario's identity.

Ontario has a three-tiered government structure: federal, provincial, and municipal. The provincial legislature sits at Queen's Park in Toronto. Municipal governments handle local services like waste collection, transit, and parks. Residents can vote in elections at all three levels, typically held at different intervals.