More problematic than the actual growth of the number of people living in southern Ontario are certain aspects of the lifestyle they adopt in order to access employment, services and amenities. Key factors in this lifestyle are low density suburban settlement and automobile dependence. These factors demand a high per capita use of resources and leads to a steadily growing emission of carbon dioxide and other problematic residuals.
Population continues to increase, mainly due to domestic and international immigration.
Even as the population in the GTA ages, it will continue to grow. Whether Canada opens or closes the immigration door, this population growth is likely to continue due to the arrival of relatives of immigrants already here and to the impossibility of closing off illegal entries. This is a slow-moving phenomenon that is unlikely to attract urgent attention. Yet it appears to be inexorable. Ontario might be one of the very few jurisdictions worldwide able and willing to take steps to maintain environmental quality, while simultaneously reducing Ontario s contribution to regional and global problems.