In the 1996 census, the population of Toronto was 2,385,421, up from 2,275,771 in 1991.
Government buildings are prominent in the city.
Queen's Park, the site of the Ontario Parliament buildings, stands at the head of Toronto's wide ceremonial street, University Avenue. Conspicuous in the downtown are the new Metro Hall and the more spectacular City Hall with two curved towers that stands in Nathan Phillips Square. Ontario Hydro Electric Power Commission operates from a striking, partly solar-heated tower. Other points of interest include Saint James Anglican Cathedral and Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Cathedral, both downtown. The nearby Saint Lawrence Market is crowded on Saturday mornings.