Milton

Halton Region, Ontario, Canada

Milton (2011 census population 84,362) is a town in Southern Ontario, Canada, and part of the Halton Region in the Greater Toronto Area. The town received a significant amount of attention after the 2006 and 2011 censuses indicated that Milton was the fastest growing municipality in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, with a 71.4% increase in population between 2001 and 2006, and a 56.4% increase in population between 2006 and 2011. In early 2012, the town’s planner estimated Milton’s population to be between 94,000 and 95,000.

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 Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO world biosphere reserve and the Bruce Trail.

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 7 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.