The provincial government has power over the six municipalities. At crucial times it has exercised power to reshape local administration. Provincial legislation created the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, or Metro, on January 1, 1954. It included the municipality of Toronto and five surrounding suburban municipalities: the cities of North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, York, and East York. The second metropolitan regional government on the continent (New York City was the first in 1898), it became a model for other urban consolidations.
Metro had much greater powers than a county: It was responsible for police, sewage and waste disposal, public housing, major social services, a central library, and the financing of education. It also sold water to local municipalities, which then sold it to homes and businesses. Inside Metro, the Toronto Transit Commission operated the extensive public transit system, including subways. Local road maintenance, trash collection, maintenance of local parks and recreational areas, tax collection, and fire protection were the responsibilities of the local municipalities.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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