Milton, Ontario

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Milton (2006 census population 53,939) is a town in Southern Ontario, Canada, part of the Greater Toronto Area. The town is located 40 km (24 miles) west of Toronto on Highway 401, and is the western terminus for the Milton line commuter train and bus corridor operated by GO Transit. Milton is part of Halton Region, and is on the edge of Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO world biosphere reserve and the Bruce Trail.

Milton received a tremendous amount of publicity following the release of the results of the 2006 Census, which indicated that Milton was the fastest growing community in Canada, with a 71.4% increase in population between 2001 and 2006. As of the mid-summer census in 2008, Milton's population had grown to 72,500 and showed no signs of slowing. The town also boasts one of the highest household incomes in the GTA.

History

The town took root out of a settlement by Jasper Martin (OMG) 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 center 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).^[3]

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.

Demographics

According to the Canada 2001 Census there were 31,471 people living in Milton. (The population of Milton as of 2006 is 53,939 and in 2010 the population is at an estimated 98,500). As of 2001 there were 10,933 Housing units.

• The average population density per square kilometer was 85.9 persons.

Age population was: 26.4% of the population was 19 and below, 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 $94,384.
• With one earner in a family, $64,043.
• Males had an average income of $60,069 versus $40,897 for females.
• 27.1% of the population had completed high school. 11.4% a Trades certificate or diploma. 22.9% College. 22.9% University.
• 15.7% of the population had not completed high school.
• The linguistic makeup of the town was English as a mother tongue for 89.7% of the population.

French as a mother tongue for 1.2% of the population and 0.4% of the population English and French. 8.7% of the populations mother tongue was a language other than French and or English.

• 90.8% of the population could speak English only, 0.0% of the town could speak French only and 4.8% of the population could speak English and French. 0.3% of the population could not speak English or French.
• 3.3% of the population consisted of visible minorities, but around 80% of new residents arriving after 2006 are visible minorities.

Education

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)
• E.C. Drury High 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)
• 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-7)

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)
• 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)

Private schools

• Milton Christian School (JK-4)
• Keswick Sutherland School & Equestrian Center (JK-8)
• Halton Waldorf School (JK-8)

Public library system

Milton is served by two library locations, a recently renovated Main Library located in the downtown core 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

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

Canadian House of Commons - Halton (electoral district)

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

Legislative Assembly of Ontario - Halton (provincial electoral district)

• Member of Provincial Parliament: Ted Chudleigh (PC)

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 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 Newspaper
• The Halton Compass
• SNAP Milton
• MiltonTodayTv
• The Milton Blog
• The Best Web Site In The World (The Brian Best 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 60 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. Local Farmers proudly display "picked fresh this morning" produce and the street come alive with artisans and flower vendors.

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 4 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. The population in Milton continues to rise.

References

1. ^ http://www.milton.ca/Services-Town+Copuncil-49.htm
2. ^ ^{a b} "Milton community profile". 2006 Census data. Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3524009&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Milton&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2011-01-17. 
3. ^ Town of Milton

External links

• Town of Milton
• Milton Chamber of Commerce
• 'Connecting the Community' www.discovermilton.com
• Official site for Milton's Canada Day Celebrations
• Milton Public Library
• Milton Historical Society
• Milton Farmers Market
• Milton Ontario Business Directory
• Milton Champion Newspaper
• Escarpment Country Tourism
• Official site of the Milton Fall Fair
• Official site of the Steam Era event
• 820 Chris Hadfield Air Cadet Squadron
• Official site of Milton Minor Baseball Association