Get a website in Milton Ontario Canada

Town of Milton
Milton from escarpment
Milton
Coordinates: 43°30′30″N 79°53′0″WCoordinates: 43°30′30″N 79°53′0″W
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Region	Halton
Established	May 17, 1818
Incorporated	May 27, 1857 (town)
Government
• Town Mayor	Gord Krantz[1]
• MPs	Lisa Raitt (Con)
• MPPs	Parm Gill (PC)
Area [2]
• Land	363.22 km2(140.24 sq mi)
Elevation	195 m (640 ft)
Population  (2016)[3]
• Total	110,128 (Ranked 48th)
• Density	230.11/km2(596.0/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Miltonian[4]
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
Forward sortation area	L9E, L9T
Area code(s)	905 / 289 / 365
Highways	Highway 401 former  Highway 25
Website	www.milton.ca

Milton (2016 census population 110,128)^[5] is a town in Southern Ontario, Canada, and part of the Halton Region in the Greater Toronto Area. Between 2001 and 2011 Milton was the fastest growing municipality in Canada, with a 71.4% increase in population from 2001 to 2006 and another 56.5% increase from 2006 to 2011.^[6][7][8] In 2016, Milton’s census population was 110,128 with an estimated growth to 228,000 by 2031.^[9]

Milton is located 40 km (25 mi) west of Downtown Toronto on Highway 401, and is the western terminus for the Milton line commuter train and bus corridor operated by GO Transit. Milton is on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO world biosphere reserveand the Bruce Trail.

History[edit]

The Mississaugas of the Credit held 648,000 acres of land north of the Head of the Lake Purchase lands and extending to the unceded territory of the Chippewa of Lakes Huron and Simcoe. In mid-October, 1818, the Chippewa ceded their land to the Crown in the Lake Simcoe-Nottawasaga Treaty and, by the end of October, the Crown sought to purchase the adjacent lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. The Deputy Superintendent of the Indian Department, William Claus, met with the Mississaugas from October 27–29, 1818, and proposed that the Mississaugas sell their 648,000 acres of land in exchange for an annual amount of goods. The continuous inflow of settlers into their lands and fisheries had weakened the Mississaugas’ traditional economy and had left them in a state of impoverishment and a rapidly declining population. In their enfeebled state, Chief Ajetance (d. 1829), on behalf of the assembled people, readily agreed to the sale of their lands for £522.10 of goods paid annually.^[10] Significant municipalities found within the lands of the Ajetance Purchase of 1818 include Brampton and Milton.

The town took root out of a settlement by Jasper Martin along the Sixteen Mile Creek; Martin immigrated from Newcastle upon Tyne, 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 built a grist mill along the creek and created a pond, known as Mill Pond, to power his mill. The mill became the centre of settlement for others as they settled in the region. In 1837 the area had a population of approximately 100 people and was named after the English poet John Milton.^[11] 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 by Mr. Hugh Foster (and thus, it is called Hugh Foster Hall).^[12]

By 1855, the United Counties of Halton and Wentworth split, and Halton became a separate county. Its council consisted of members representing the townships of Esquesing, Nassagaweya, Trafalgar and Nelson, along with Acton, Georgetown, Milton, Burlington and Oakville. Milton was then named as the county town (seat), a decision that certainly created a lot of local controversy. The people in Oakville were very upset because Oakville was an established place with a railway. Milton did not even have a railway, according to historian John McDonald.^[13] For 25 years there was this great rivalry. Every time county council tried to pass something to improve the Milton area, the Oakville councillors would often balk at it. A man named Hugh Foster donated 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land to the county to construct its administration building in Milton, which is still in place on Mary Street today and now used as the Milton Town Hall. Milton was incorporated into a town in 1857, after being chosen as county seat for Halton.^[13]

By 1869, Milton had a population of 1,000.^[14] Records from 1874, indicate that Milton had county buildings, a telegraph office, a foundry, a tannery, a woolen factory, a grist mill and a saw mill, a weekly newspaper and a number of stores.^[15]

In the early 1900s Milton was well known because of the P.L. Robertson Manufacturing Company, the first to make socket-head screws. Although formed in Hamilton in 1907, the business relocated to Milton in 1908.^[16] P.L. Robertson was the inventor of the square-socket drive for screws.

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.^[17]

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. It is also home to Maplehurst Correctional Complex, the Vanier Centre for Women and one of two criminal courthouses serving Halton Region.^[18]

On 1 January 2010, land was bought by the City of Mississauga and scaled down its border by 400 acres (1.6 km²) to Hwy. 407, affecting 25 residents.^[19]

Demographics[edit]

In 2015, the population numbers on all signs entering Milton increased to 100,000 based on official estimates by Town planners.^[20][21] According to the Canada 2016 Census there were 101,715 people living in Milton, and its population in 2006 was 53,939, representing an increase of 56.5%. The 2016 Census counted 32,452 housing units and 31,325 being occupied.

• The average population density per square kilometre was 2,520.3 persons.
• Age distribution indicated 32.5% of the population was 19 and younger, 59.1% of the population ages 20–64 and 8.4% 65 and older.
• The average total income of households in 2015 was $116,180.
• With one earner in a household, $60,829.
• Males had an average total income of $62,433 versus $42,328 for females.
• 24.0% of the population had completed high school as their highest education. 4.5% a Trades certificate or diploma. 21.6% College. 35.6% University.
• 11.8% of the population had not completed high school.
• As of the 2006 census, 17% of residents were a visible minority vs. 30% as of the 2016 census.

According to the 2016 Census, English is the mother tongue for 60.6% of the population, down from 77.6% in the 2006 Census.^[22] However, the absolute number of native English speakers actually increased (61,180 in 2011, from 41,430 in 2006), but the increase in the absolute number of non-English native speakers was even higher, thus explaining the decrease in its relative proportion of English as mother tongue in the population. French is the mother tongue for 1.4% of the population.

According to the 2016 Census, immigrant languages with the most notable proportions of native speakers are Urdu (8.0%), Arabic (2.9%), Spanish(2.5%), Polish (1.9%), Punjabi (1.9%), Filipino Tagalog (1.7%), Portuguese (1.4%), Mandarin Chinese (1.1%), and Italian (1.0%).

According to the 2011 Census, the majority of Milton is Christian (64.6%), including Catholics (36.6%). 19.5% report no religious affiliation. Milton also has large Muslim (9.7%), Hindu (3.0%), and Sikh (1.9%) communities. The remaining 1.3% affiliate with another religion.^[23]

Canada 2016 Census		Population	% of Total Population
Visible minority group Source:[24]	South Asian	22,530	22.4%
	Black	5,125	5.1%
	Filipino	4,150	4.1%
	Arab	3,775	3.8%
	Latin American	2,490	2.5%
	Chinese	2,385	2.4%
	Mixed visible minority	1,490	1.5%
	West Asian	1000	1%
	Other visible minority	985	1%
	Southeast Asian	895	0.9%
	Korean	515	0.5%
	Japanese	345	0.3%
Total visible minority population		45,685	45.4%
Aboriginal group Source:[23]	First Nations	570	0.6%
	Métis	290	0.3%
	Inuit	15	0%
Total Aboriginal population		980	1%
White		51,625	51.3%
Total population		101,715	100%

Neighbourhoods[edit]

Milton’s Planning Department divides the town into communities. These divisions have little to do with politics and are based on traditional neighbourhoods.^[25]

Neighbourhood	Description
Old Milton	Old Milton was built mainly between 1850 and 1890. Its boundaries are Bronte St S – CP Railroad Tracks – Thompson Rd – Robert St/Nipissing Rd.[26]
Beaty	The Beaty neighbourhood started in 2001, this first homes to be built in “New Milton”. Beaty is bounded by Derry Rd – Louis St. Laurent Ave – James Snow Pkwy – Thompson Rd. This neighbourhood was named for the Beaty Family who farmed in Trafalgar Township for more than a century. John Beaty emigrated from Ireland in 1820 and was one of the first settlers in the new survey. Between 1856 and 1857 Beaty held a number of offices and made an unsuccessful attempt to win a seat in the Provincial Legislature. John’s son, William, became a pioneer of innovative agricultural practices.[27]
Bronte Meadows	Bronte Meadows was constructed between 1982–1985. Its boundaries are Derry Rd – Bell St – Bronte St – Commercial St. This area is well known for its excellent tobogganing hill at Sixteen Mile Creek, as well as John Tonelli arena. Milton District Hospital and the Milton Sports Centre are found just on the other side of Derry Road.[28]
Bowes	Bowes is a new neighbourhood being developed in south Milton in the Boyne Survey, which will add 6,000 new homes and approximately 25,000 new residents. Construction of this survey began in 2015. Bowes is bounded by James Snow Pkwy – Britannia Rd – Thompson Rd S – Louis St Laurent Ave.[29]
Cobden	Cobden is a new neighbourhood being developed in south Milton in the Boyne Survey, which will add 6,000 new homes and approximately 25,000 new residents. Construction of this survey began in 2015. Cobden is bounded by Thompson Rd S – Britannia Rd – Regional Road 25 – Louis St Laurent Ave.[29]
Clarke	The Clarke neighbourhood started building in 2003 and construction is still ongoing today. Clarke’s boundaries include Derry Rd – CP Railroad Tracks – Thompson Rd – James Snow Pkwy. The neighbourhood was named after Samuel Clarke, a long time agriculturist and municipal politician. Clarke founded Milton’s first newspaper The Halton Journal in 1855 and sold it nine months later to Rowe & Graham. Clarke was also a founding member of the Halton Agricultural Society, serving as its first Secretary-Treasurer until 1857.[30]
Coates	The Coates neighbourhood began construction in 2005 and is bordered by Derry Rd – Louis St. Laurent Ave – Thompson Rd – Ontario St.[31]
Dempsey	The Dempsey neighbourhood began construction in 2002, bounded by Steeles Ave – CP Railroad Tracks – Thompson Rd – James Snow Pkwy. The Dempsey neighbourhood is named after John Dempsey, who emigrated from Ireland in the mid-1800s with his wife and 7 children. After arriving in Milton he built “Winding Sixteen Farm”. Dempsey also opened a dry goods, grocery, and hardware store in the community. He also served as a member of the Milton Council in 1860 & 1861.[32]
Dorset Park	Dorset Park, registered in 1973 by British residential construction firm Wimpey Homes, is named after Dorset County in Southern England. The neighbourdhood is bordered by Steeles Ave – Main St E – Ontario St & Thompson Rd.[33]
Fallingbrook	Fallingbrook was built which was in the 1960s – the area is just South of Old Milton has quite a few heritage homes. It falls in the area south of Barton and Sydney Sts – east of the CN Railway tracks – west of Ontario St – north of Laurier Ave.[25]
Ford	Ford is a new neighbourhood being developed in south Milton in the Boyne Survey, which will add 6,000 new homes and approximately 25,000 new residents. Construction of this survey began in 2015. Ford is bounded by Bronte St S – Britannia Rd – Regional Road 25 – Louis St Laurent Ave.[29]
Forrest Grove	Forrest Grove is bounded by Ontario St – Milton Evergreen Cemetery – Sixteen Mile Creek – Parkway Dr E.[25]
Harrison	The Harrison neighbourhood, also known as Hawthorne Village South, was established by Mattamy Homes in 1999, with construction beginning in 2007. Hawthorne Village has been the best selling community in the Greater Toronto Area for five years (2007–2012), and is home to 3,500 families. The boundaries for Harrison are the CN Railway Tracks – Tremaine Rd – Louis St. Laurent Ave – Derry Rd.[34]
Milton Heights	The neighbourdhood is bordered by Steeles Ave – Peru Rd – Highway 401 – Old Tremaine Rd[25]
Mountainview	Mountainview was named for the extensive views of the Niagara Escarpment from its most westerly vantage point. It was the first area built after the sewage plant was built in 1949. Mountainview is bordered by Steeles Ave – Woodward Ave– Bronte St N – Ontario St.[35]
Scott	The Scott neighbourhood is bounded by Tremaine Rd – Derry Rd – CN Railroad tracks – Main St.[25]
Timberlea	Timberlea sprung up in the 1980s and is bounded by Derry Rd – Main St E – Ontario St – Thompson Rd.[36]
Valleyview	Valleyview is dominated by high-end homes on Valleyview Cres and is bounded by Ontario St – Laurier Ave – Sixteen Mile Creek.[25]
Walker	Walker is a new neighbourhood being developed in south Milton in the Boyne Survey, which will add 6,000 new homes and approximately 25,000 new residents. Construction of this survey began in 2015. Walker is bounded by Tremaine Rd – Britannia Rd – Bronte St S – Louis St Laurent Ave.[29]
Willmott	Willmott District started construction in 2010 and will continue through 2014. Willmott is bounded by Louis St. Laurent Ave – Derry Rd – Ontario St – The Railway Tracks.[37]

Education[edit]

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.^[38]

In 2008, the town reached an agreement in principle with Wilfrid Laurier University for the latter to establish a satellite campus in Milton. Funding of $90 million for the Milton Education Village which would also include a Conestoga College satellite campus, on land donated by the town,^[39] was approved by the provincial government in April 2018. In October 2018 funding for the project was withdrawn by the new Ontario government (elected in June) before construction had begun. Mayor Gord Krantz indicated that the town would look for alternative funding.^[40][41]

Halton District School Board[edit]

• Boyne Public School (JK–8)
• Anne J MacArthur Public School (JK–8)
• Brookville Public School (JK–8)
• Bruce Trail Public School (JK–8)
• Chris Hadfield Public School (JK–8)
• Craig Kielburger Secondary 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)
• Irma Coulson Public School(JK–8)
• J. M. Denyes Public School (JK–5)
• Martin Street Public School (JK–7)
• 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–8)

Halton Catholic District School Board[edit]

• Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School (9–12)
• Guardian Angels Catholic School (JK–8)
• Holy Rosary Catholic School (JK–8)
• Lumen Christi 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)
• Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School (9–12)
• Queen of Heaven Catholic Elementary School (JK–8)
• St. Benedict’s Catholic Elementary School (JK–8)

Mon Avenir Conseil Scholaire Catholique (French Catholic School Board)[edit]

• École Élémentaire St. Nicolas (JK–6)

Private schools[edit]

• The Montessori Country School (Casa)
• Milton Christian School (JK–8)^[42]
• Keswick Sutherland School & Equestrian Center (JK–8)
• Halton Waldorf School (JK–8)
• Hitherfield School (PK–8)

Public library system[edit]

Milton is served by two library locations, a recently constructed Main Library located on Main Street East and Beaty Branch located on Fourth Line, which opened on November 17, 2009. A third library branch, Sherwood Branch, is scheduled to open in Spring of 2019.^[43] This branch will be located on Main Street West, near Tremaine Road and will help service the newer subdivisions in the west end of Milton.

In 2005, the Milton Public Library celebrated its sesquicentennial year.

Government[edit]

Municipal[edit]

The Town of Milton has a town council headed by a Mayor, and 8 council members. The town is divided into four wards, each of which elect a local council representative and a Halton Region council representative.^[44] Milton is represented by the mayor and four regional councilors on the Halton Region council.^[45]

Town Council 2018–2022

• Mayor: Gordon Krantz
• Regional Councilor Ward 1: Colin Best
• Regional Councilor Ward 2: Rick Malboeuf
• Regional Councilor Ward 3: Mike Cluett
• Regional Councilor Ward 4: Zeeshan Hamid
• Local Councilor Ward 1: Kristina Tesser Derksen
• Local Councilor Ward 2: John Challinor II
• Local Councilor Ward 3: Rick Di Lorenzo
• Local Councilor Ward 4: Sameera Ali

Krantz has been mayor since 1980 making him the current longest-serving mayor in Canada.^[46]

Previous mayors[edit]

Halton Regional Council[edit]

• Mayor: Gordon Krantz
• Local and Regional Councilor Ward 1: Colin Best
• Local and Regional Councilor Ward 2: Rick Malboeuf
• Local and Regional Councilor Ward 3: Mike Cluett
• Local and Regional Councilor Ward 4: Zeeshan Hamid

Provincial[edit]

At the provincial level of government, Milton is contained within the Milton provincial riding.

• Member of Provincial Parliament: Parm Gill (Conservative)

Federal[edit]

At the federal level of government, Milton is contained within the Milton federal riding.

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

Government services[edit]

Policing within Milton is provided by Halton Regional Police. Patrol of provincially maintained highways is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police. Milton is home to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Toronto West Detachment under “O” Division.

In 1972, the government started a $13.5 million construction project for the Maplehurst Correctional Centre which was completed in 1974.^[65] A $79-million makeover began in 1997 and was completed in 2001.^[66] Today, the site houses the Maplehurst Correctional Complex and the Vanier Centre for Women.

Service clubs[edit]

The Rotary Club of Milton is a local service club and was chartered on January 22, 1947. The club has been active in helping the community for over 70 years, especially youth. One of its charter members was former Milton mayor Mike Ledwith.

Transportation[edit]

Roads[edit]

There are three main arterial east-west regional roads that run through urban Milton: Halton Regional Road #6 or Britannia Road in the south, Halton Regional Road #7 or Derry Road in central Milton, and Halton Regional Road #8 or Steeles Avenue in the north. Three north-south regional roads bisect the town: Halton Regional Road #22 or Tremaine Road in the west; Halton Regional Road #25 or Highway 25 as Ontario Street through the middle of town linking Milton to Acton in the north and Bronte (Oakville) in the south; and Halton Regional Road #4 or James Snow Parkway in the east. A number of improvements have been undertaken since 2009 to increase capacity and alleviate delays due to congestion and train traffic on these numbered regional roads.

Highway 401 bisects the Town and effectively separates the mainly rural and industrial areas to the north from the primarily residential and commercial developments in the southern part of town.

Bridges[edit]

A number of overpass and underpass projects have been constructed in recent years for the grade separation of railway crossings, including on Britannia Road, Derry Road, Main Street, and James Snow Parkway.^[67][68]

Public Transportation[edit]

Milton Transit is the municipal provider of bus services for the town. Milton Transit provides conventional and Milton access+ (paratransit) service, operating on weekdays and Saturdays, with connections to routes and GO Transit services at the Milton GO Station.

Milton Transit has delivered service since the early 1980s in various forms. With recommendations from the North Halton Transit Strategy, Council approved the delivery of a contracted, fixed-route transit system in 2004. Milton Transit officially launched conventional service in August later that year and began purchasing its own branded buses in 2008.^[69]

Milton Transit currently contracts its services to a private service provider, PWTransit Canada, who employ bus operators and maintain Milton Transit fleet.

Intercity service is served by GO Transit via buses and trains. Commuter service to and from Toronto is the key routing, with some buses connecting to Oakville. On October 31, 2009, GO Transit started service with a line from Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga to the University of Waterloo, therefore allowing a trip to Kitchener and Cambridge.

Railways[edit]

Freight trains on the main Montreal-Toronto-Chicago CP line and a secondary CN line are a common sight in Milton. The town at present has very little passenger rail service in comparison to other GTA communities with only one-way, weekday peak-service inbound to Toronto in the morning, and outbound from Toronto in the evening. The nearest Via Railstation in the Toronto-New York City corridor is Oakville station.

The most easily accessible GO Transit railway station is Milton station.

Air[edit]

The nearest airport to Milton is the Burlington Airpark in neighboring Burlington, Ontario. It is a thriving general-aviation field, but the airport does not have any regular commercial passenger flight service.

Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest passenger-volume airport, is located only 37 kilometres to the east.

Sports[edit]

Milton Sports Hall of Fame[edit]

Milton has a long sports history. In 2016, that history was formally recognized through a joint community-municipal project with the creation of the Milton Sports Hall of Fame.^[70] A volunteer committee was stuck in 2014.^[71] The inaugural class of inductees was announced in August 2016, with the formal induction ceremony set for November 24, 2016.^[72] A wall of fame to recognize the inaugural inductees as well as future inductees has been constructed in the Milton Sports Centre.^[73]

Badminton[edit]

Milton Badminton Club operates up to nine courts within the in-field of the Mattamy National Cycling Centre.^[77] The club is officially affiliated with Badminton Canada and the Ontario Badminton Association, and actively participates in the district’s league plays, junior circuits, as well as various Ontario tournaments. Programs are provided for players aged 9+ years old.

Baseball[edit]

Baseball has a long history in Milton, particularly in Campbellville where it had its beginnings with the Lumberman’s Baseball Club as early as 1872.^[78] It really flourished as a “community tradition” in the 1920s and 30s, and again in the 1950s and 60s with the Campbellville Intermediate Baseball Team, which won numerous county and provincial titles in a 16-year span from 1952 to 1967. A grandstand and club house was erected in 1960 in Campbellville to make room for the 2,000 spectators that would descend on the hamlet.^[79] In 1953, the Campbellville Baseball Club won the OBA Intermediate C Championship in just its second year in the league, before repeating again and again.^[80] Managed by Len Andrews, the men’s Campbellville Merchants baseball team won 11 consecutive Halton county league titles, as well as 12 Ontario Championship titles between 1952-1967, an amazing feat for a hamlet of 300 at the time.^[81] Known as the Merchants, the intermediate men’s squad (1952-67 era) was inducted into the Baseball Ontario Hall of Fame in 2014.^[82] Campbellville teams won four more provincial titles between 1968 and 1984.^[82]

Minor baseball in Milton was formally recognized through the incorporation of the Milton Minor Baseball Association as Baseball Milton in 1985.^[83] Programs range from junior t-ball all the way to midget, with house, select and rep leagues. Teams are known as the Milton Mets.^[84] In 2016, the Milton Mets major rookie team captured the boys’ COBA Triple-A title.^[85]

Basketball[edit]

The Milton Stags are a youth basketball club and affiliated member club of Basketball Ontario and Basketball Canada.^[86]

Curling[edit]

Milton Curling Club is a member-owned volunteer club with four sheets of ice and is open from October to April.^[87] Milton native Kirsten Wall is an Olympic gold medallist and served as Jennifer Jones alternate at the 2014 Winter Olympics. World Curling Tour curler Steve Bice also resides in Milton, and is second for the rink skipped by his brother Mark Bice.^[88]

Cycling[edit]

The Niagara Escarpment forms an excellent natural training ground for mountain biking and road cycling in Milton. Milton is also home to the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, opened in 2015, which includes the headquarters and practice facilities for Cycling Canada, as well as Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame.^[89][90]

Golf[edit]

In 1978, Milton’s 15-year-old Stan Fay became Ontario Junior Golf Champion. He also simultaneously won the juvenile crown as well.^[91] There are 10 golf courses within Milton. After Fay was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, an annual charity golf tournament was established to help raise funds for the disease.^[92]

Gymnastics[edit]

Milton Springers Gymnastics Club have existed since 1974.^[93]

Hockey[edit]

In 1942, the Milton Bricks Tigers won an OHA Junior “C” title. Milton defeated Oakville to advance to the semi-finals and Parry Sound to move on to the finals against the PrestonRiversides.^[94] In the Schmalz Cup best of three series, which was held at Maple Leaf Gardens, Milton won game one by a score of 6-4, with three goals coming from Milton’s future NHL player Enio Sclisizzi, and game two by a score of 10-1.^[95] This victory came on the heels of a loss in the finals three years earlier versus Aurora.^[96]

NHLer and four-time Stanley Cup champion John Tonelli is the most well-known hockey player to come from Milton. There is a Milton arena named in his honour. NHL referee Bruce Hood and linesman Leon Stickle are also Milton products.

A banner hockey year came in 1976 when the Milton Tridents Intermediate B team won the Southern Counties league championship over the Tillsonburg Maroons in seven games, and the Docs and Dents minor atom team won the OMHA Central Ontario zone championship. The Docs and Dents were the first Milton minor hockey team to go undefeated in the Tri-County league, winning 26 games and tying two.^[97]

The Milton Icehawks are a Junior “A” ice hockey team in the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They are one of the most historical teams in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, having been formed in 1966.^[98]

Trucking magnate Brad Grant purchased the team in the late 1980s when it seemed like the organization might fold, and led the team to tremendous success in the late 1990s. During his 15-year ownership run, the team captured four division crowns, three league championships and a provincial title.^[99] In 2001, Grant sold the team to an Oakville trio that consisted of ex-NHLer Dave Gagner, Mario Forgione who owned the Mississauga IceDogs at the time and was an automotive parts manufacturing president, and wine distillery consultant Ken Chase^[100][101]

For the 2003-04 season, Forgione changed the team’s name from the Merchants to the IceHawks to reflect the team’s connection with the local minor hockey programs called the Winterhawks, and Forgione’s ownership of the Mississauga IceDogs.^[102] In 2006, Forgione officially affiliated the Icehawks with the IceDogs.^[103]

In the spring of 2006, ex-NHL goaltender Rick Heinz’ attempt to purchase the nearby Tier-2 Junior Georgetown Raiders fell through, but by July 2006 the local Campbellville resident Heinz had talked Forgione into selling the Icehawks, and the affiliation with the IceDogs ended.^[104] Heinz sold the team just nine months later after starting the season with essentially no committed players.^[105] Dean Piett, a commercial real estate businessman from Burlington, and Rob DeVincentis, the Ancaster owner of a construction business, purchased the team from Heinz and have owned the team ever since the sale in 2007. Both Piett and DeVincetis had a son playing on the team in 2008, which led to friction amongst other players.^[106]

The Icehawks (2003–present) have previously been known as the Milton Flyers (1979-1981), Milton Steamers (1981-1986), and Milton Merchants (1986-2003). Many notable players have suited up for Milton over the years including NHL stars John Tavares, Daniel Carcillo, Sam Gagner, Rich Peverley, Darren Haydar and Matt Read.

Running[edit]

Milton was represented by distance runner Ed Whitlock who held numerous age-related records for the marathon, half-marathon and long-distance track events, both indoor and outdoor.

Skating[edit]

In 1976, Milton’s Kevin Parker won a Canadian national novice skating title in London.^[97]

Skiing[edit]

The Niagara Escarpment forms an excellent natural training ground for skiing in Milton. It is also the site of Glen Eden ski area, where Olympian and Miltonian Travis Gerrits got his start.

Soccer[edit]

Milton soccer is represented by the Milton Youth Soccer Club. MYSC was incorporated in 1988 and has been serving the town of Milton ever since. It is a non-profit, volunteer organization. The club has over 3,300 players who play house-league, development and rep each year. Ages for teams range from U4 to U18 and including adult.^[107]

Milton SC are currently representing Milton in the Canadian Soccer League after joining the league in the 2014 season.^[108] Milltown Football Club was a soccer club based in Milton, playing in Division 1 of the Peel Halton Soccer League. Milltown FC joined the Canadian Soccer League in the 2010 season as an expansion club^[109] but opted out of the league after one season due to disagreement over membership terms and conditions.^[110]

Swimming[edit]

The Milton Marlins are youth-focused swim team based out of the Milton Sports Centre.^[111] Coach and swim trainer Carole Murray was instrumental in teaching thousands of kids in Milton how to swim from the 1970s until she sold her swim school in 2006. She won a coach of the year award from the federal government in 1988.^[112][113] She was also a coach for the Marlins. Under her watch Campbellville’s Alicia Hicken competed in the Canadian Olympic Trials and Canadian Winter Nationals in 1991.^[114][115]

Some Marlins swimmers qualified for the Olympic Trials for the 2016 Rio Olympics.^[116]

Parks and recreation[edit]

Milton has many conservation parks, campgrounds and recreational areas. The conservation parks in the Milton area are owned by Conservation Halton, a conservation authority.

• 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 Minor Hockey Association (Milton Winterhawks)
• Milton Mill Pond & Rotary Park
• Milton Heights Campgrounds
• Milton Leisure Centre
• Milton Memorial Arena
• Milton Skating Club
• Milton Sports Centre Arena
• Mohawk Raceway
• Mount Nemo Conservation Area
• Mountsberg Conservation Area
• Rattlesnake Point
• Rotary Park
• Springridge Farm

Media[edit]

Milton is covered by local newspapers, radio, magazines and websites through the following services:

• Milton Canadian Champion
• Milton Villager
• DiscoverMilton.com
• SNAP Milton
• The Milton Blog
• The Cliffhanger
• The GTA Times
• 101.3 Milton myFM CJML

Local events[edit]

• Every Labour Day weekend the Milton Steam-Era takes place. Steam-Era is the annual show produced by the “Ontario Steam & Antique Preservers Association,” currently held on 88 acres at County Heritage Park, after decades 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 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 160 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.
• Culture Days is a weekend long celebration of arts and culture in Milton featuring free interactive events for all ages and held during the last weekend of September. Organized by Arts Milton, Culture Days is held each year at the FirstOntario Arts Centre.^[117]
• 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.
• The Downtown Milton Street Festival – annual event in June attracts over 90,000 people and includes live entertainment, vendors and local businesses.
• Miracle on Main Street – Tiger Jeet Singh Foundations’ annual toy drive.

Development[edit]

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.

1970s and 80s Growth[edit]

In 1978, the Ontario Municipal Board approved the Alliance Ex-Urban project, paving the way for a 532-unit plan, which broke ground with an initial 180 houses at Bronte St. and Derry Rd. in 1979.

A further 600 detached and semi-detached houses were completed in 1979, as Timberlea moved into phase two of its construction. Phase One saw 300 homes built in the Timberlea area bounded by Derry Rd., Thompson Rd. and Ontario St. S. The final Timberlea village includes 1,400 homes.

An additional 30 homes were built in 1979 by Kingsway Plastering on Commercial St, and 10 new units in Campbellville’s McLaren Subdivision. A 107-unit apartment complex was also completed in 1979 on Millside Drive.

Building permit totals in 1976 reached $28 million, before dipping in 1977, and rebounding to nearly $23 million in 1978. In 1979, the estimated total building permit revenue reached $100 million.

By 1979, the town zoning administrator stated that, due to drinking water limitations at the time, completion of the Timberlea and Alliance projects would “complete all the residential development that can go into the town.”^[118] For the next 20 years, very little growth occurred in Milton.

21st Century[edit]

Residential growth has increased substantially since 2002 due to completion of “The Big Pipe” project; designed to deliver water to the town from Lake Ontario. Since then, Milton developed an initial seven new subdivisions, including Hawthorne Village, and several new ones are under development by Mattamy Homes and various other builders. Multiple 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.

In July 2014, Milton council approved 11 new residential applications that will see an additional 6,000 homes built, increasing the population by roughly 25,000 new residents. In 2013-14, Milton approved construction of a track-cycling velodrome venue for the 2015 Pan American Games called the Mattamy National Cycling Centre. The facility sits at the heart of a 150-acre plot of land that is designated for a proposed future Wilfrid Laurier University campus.^[21]

Commerce[edit]

The villages of Milton Heights and Peru are unique in Milton, as they were the centres of industrial rather than farming communities. This has given this part of Milton a unique character that has left a legacy in the buildings and people that remain in the area. In the 1850s and 60’s until 1877, a lumber mill operated in the area as well as a saw mill in the mid-1800s. The railway fueled industry when it opened in 1879 in Milton.^[119]

The area was traditionally famous for quarrying and the production of building materials such as lime, limestone and bricks, which started in the 1880s. These industries were of provincial significance and, at their peak at the turn of the 20th century, they employed hundreds of people in the Milton Heights and Peru areas.^[119]

In addition, the materials that were produced here were used in many of the buildings in both urban and rural Milton as well as in buildings throughout Ontario. These were huge industrial operations for their time and they attracted considerable immigration to Milton.^[119]

Early industry in Milton consisted of the Milton Pressed Brick Company, which started in the 1880s, and the P.L. Robertson screw factory, which started in 1908.^[120]

Currently, Mattamy Homes‘ Halton/Hamilton Divisional Office is located in Milton.^[121] Other companies with Canadian head offices, or a major employment presence,^[122] in Milton include:

• 3M Canada
• Chudleigh’s Limited
• Dare Foods
• DSV Canada^[123]
• Dufferin Aggregates Milton Quarry
• Gordon Food Service (592 employees)^[124]
• Johnson Controls
• Karmax Heavy Stamping, a division of Magna International (950 employees)^[124]
• Lowe’s distribution centre
• Manheim Auto Auctions (750 employees)^[124]
• Modatek Systems, a division of Magna International
• Northstar Aerospace
• Rockwool (formerly branded as Roxul)
• Whirlpool Canada
• Wolseley Canada distribution centre

Notable people[edit]

• Ernie Coombs, star of children’s TV program Mr. Dressup^[49]
• Susan Delacourt, award-winning Canadian political journalist
• David James Elliott, actor on CBS show JAG^[49]
• Ben Gulak, Canadian inventor best known for creating the Uno, an eco-friendly, electric-powered vehicle
• Colonel Chris Hadfield, astronaut^[49]
• George Sherwood Hume, geologist
• P. L. Robertson, inventor of the Robertson socket-head screw and screwdriver^[49]

Music[edit]

• Danny Brooks, a blues and Memphis-style R&B musician^[125]
• Deadmau5, Canadian progressive house music producer and performer^{[126][127][128][129]}
• The Most Serene Republic, a Canadian Indie band signed to Arts & Crafts

Politics and public service[edit]

• Robert Baldwin, MP of Upper Canada
• Ernest Charles Drury, 8th Premier of Ontario
• Otto Jelinek, federal politician who represented Halton and Oakville, and was a world champion and Olympic figure skater
• Betty Kennedy, broadcaster, journalist, author, and retired Canadian Senator ^[49]
• Joseph Martin, 13th Premier of British Columbia ^[49]
• Benjamin Franklin McGregor, farmer and political figure in Saskatchewan
• Mark Saunders, Chief of Police, Toronto Police Service^[130]
• James Snow, politician and Ontario’s longest serving Minister of Transportation ^[49]

Sports[edit]

Sister cities[edit]

•  Santa Maria, Bulacan, Philippines (since July 6, 1999)

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Milton, Ontario.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Milton (Ontario).

• Town of Milton