The mosaic or melting pot, as you prefer, that is Toronto is notably defined by its many distinct neighborhoods. By the time I realized I was working on a theme with these signage shots I had already overlooked about a dozen or so too many feet-miles earlier to readily retrace my steps.
O' Canada 
Lovely signs from TO. You might like to visit PEI during the 2014 celebrations (150th anniversary of the Charlottetown meeting leading to Confederation) Lots of additional activities and yet you would still have the quaint fishing villages and harbours , like Launching, and the, at times, confusing road signage!
I look forward to visiting PEI sometime soon!
To me, this means not a melting pot, but a mosaic, an idea some Canadians take pretty seriously!
Yikes! Thanks for sharing this observation that I had not picked up. In the U.S. we use the term “melting pot” loosely and I see the distinction you note. Based on this, I’m indebted for your clarification and updated the post slightly.
The Snow Route through Little Portugal caught my eye; it would be interesting to see some pictures of the city taken a few months from now!
Will add some other character, for sure!
I enjoyed walking around Toronto on my last visit there (about 11 years ago). There is a distinct neighborhood feel in some places. Nice shots (I love signs).
Dan, thanks!
Personally, I don’t see the multi-cultural mix in big Canadian cities as melting pots. That’s more of an American concept. I see the Canadian scene as more of a mosaic. The ethnic neighbourhoods seem more closed and inwardly focused, and new arrivals to Canada, especially older ones, like the parents of recent immigrants and new citizens, rarely engage in broader society. The pressure on ethnic minorities to conform to some mythologized ideal of citizenship is not nearly as strong here. Yet new Canadians are often as intensely patriotic as native-born citizens. Mosaic vs melting pot. There are big differences. Its probably fair for American visitors to see things through the lens they are equipped with. But take a second look at this. I think you will see it differently.
Brian, thanks very much for noting this point and sharing these further details. Another commenter (Barbara) earlier also clarified this for me, as a result of which I modified the reference some. Best, Brett
Love your tour…felt like I was wandering around with you. And yet, so much more of the city to see. Next time, I guess.
Reblogged this on createdbyrcw and commented:
A wonderful photographer who likes to explore Canada set his sights on the street signs that define a swath of my home Toronto
This is a nice photo-collage, Brett! Truly nifty.
William, thanks!
Nice shots. I hope this entices people to wander around Toronto looking for the signs.
Thank you for updating your post! (How Canadian of me 😉 eh?)
Thanks and there’s certainly a great deal to see wandering around Toronto! Glad to have made the update and learned another perspective — good cross-culture sharing and learning!
Great post, Brett! I thought you might be interested in these Toronto neighborhood signs:
http://twistedsifter.com/2014/08/adding-superheroes-and-crime-fighters-to-neighborhood-watch-signs/
Cher xo
Cher thanks and those are funny! The Twisted Sifter site is full of neat things. Best, Brett
Aren’t they great, Brett? I love The Twisted Sifter site! I must confess I tend to spend a lot of time on their site. It’s quite addictive! Cher xo
Ah makes me miss Toronto!
🙂
This is such a neat approach to a photo-collage!
🙂
I found your blog through Wildsherkin. This is a great site! I am from Quebec so we have that love/hate relationship with Toronto (silly, I know!) You’ve made me want to take time to really visit Toronto and not just pass through! Thanks for that and I will definitely be following you!
Hi, Dale, and thanks for your comments. I’ve heard about and witnessed the love/hate relationship you mention, and I sort of get that. Having been to both provinces, though, there’s a lot going for each and their distinctive takes on what it means to be Canadian.
You were busy to cover all those areas in Toronto. Another term Canadians like to use is salad bowl instead of melting pot. All the ingredients retain their individual identities while contributing to society as a whole.
It was a busy trip! I’ve not heard the “salad bowl” reference before, so thanks for sharing that.
As a lifelong Toronto resident, I unfortunately have taken the unique aspects of the city totally for granted. The last few years, our city has come to be centre stage, not because of its ecclectic neighbourhoods, but because of Rob Ford, our previous mayor. Anyway, there’s no such thing as bad publicity!