Malton, Ontario

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Malton
Skyline of Malton
Motto: Home of the Avro Arrow
Country Canada
Province Ontario
Government
 - Mississauga Ward 5 Councillor Eve Adams
Population (2002)[1]
 - Total 36,400
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)

Malton is one of the neighbourhoods within the city of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, located to the northwest of Toronto. The neighbourhood has a population of approximately 36,400 as of 2002. Malton is unique in Mississauga in that it does not adjoin any other Mississauga neighbourhood. Malton is bounded by Highway 427 and Finch Avenue (border with Toronto) to the east, the Brampton city border along Steeles Avenue to the north, Airport Road to the west, and the CN rail line to the south. The oldest portion of Malton (the former Police Village of Malton) is located on the northwestern corner of Airport and Derry Roads. All the roads in this area are named after cities in England.

Contents

[edit] History

Malton Airport, has hosted British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities, as well as aircraft manufacturing operations (originally National Steel Car, and later Victory Aircraft). While the Malton of today bears little resemblance to the Malton of the 1940s, homage to this heritage is paid in subtle ways. There are streets to the north of the village with names referencing the war, including Victory, McNaughton (Andrew McNaughton, commander of the Canadian Forces in the UK), Churchill and Lancaster (Avro Lancasters were built at Victory Aircraft from 1943 to 1945).

After World War II, Malton continued to be associated with aircraft manufacturing, as Avro Canada took over the Victory Aircraft plant, and established Orenda Engines as its aircraft engine manufacturing division. After the cancellation of the Avro Arrow program in 1959, the plant was operated by de Havilland Canada, McDonnell Douglas Canada, and Boeing Canada before being demolished in 2005.

The predominantly British town saw an influx of Italian and Polish immigrants from the immediate post-war period through the 1960s, and its proximity to Pearson International Airport (known as Malton Airport from 1939-1960) made it a magnet for immigrants from India (including a large Sikh community) and continues to attract them to this day.

Originally on the border (Airport Road) between Toronto Gore and Toronto Townships, Malton was ceded to Toronto Township in 1952, and then incorporated into the town (1967), and then the City of Mississauga in 1974. It is now a working-class neighbourhood that includes many people of many nations.

In addition to the airport, Malton has great importance as a transportation link between Toronto and its suburbs to the west, particularly Brampton and the other parts of Mississauga. Among other things, the tiny neighbourhood borders the airport, Brampton, Vaughan and Etobicoke. As such, it is very strategically placed and important to the flow of people and goods throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

One of the busiest intersections in Malton. Facing northwest, the apartment building at 3425 Morningstar Drive can be seen.
One of the busiest intersections in Malton. Facing northwest, the apartment building at 3425 Morningstar Drive can be seen.

The Avro Arrow, the first Canadian made supersonic military jet, was first created in Malton. Malton was also the home of the world's second (and North America's first) jet transport aircraft, the Avro Jetliner.

[edit] Schools

[edit] Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board

Malton has a large Catholic community which is served by several schools. Ascension of Our Lord Secondary School was originally built as a Junior High, but is now Malton's only Catholic High School. Formerly there were also several Primary schools, of which two are left.

Holy Cross Separate School is located next to Our Lady of The Airways Catholic Church. When St. Gabriel was closed in 2004, the remaining students were incorporated into Holy Cross and the school was reopened as an Adult Learning Centre.

St. Raphael Elementary School is located at the North end of Woodgreen Park. The student bodies from the now defunct St. Michael (closed in 2003) and Our Lady of the Airways (closed in 2004) schools were transferred to St. Raphael's. St. Michael was torn down, and Our Lady of the Airways will most likely share that fate.

[edit] Peel District School Board

Most students in Malton attend a Peel District School, of which there are several:

Lincoln M. Alexander Secondary School is located across the road from Malton's branch of the Mississauga Library system and just down the street from Westwood Mall and its bus terminal. This is convenient for students, however, they are often seen crossing the road right in the middle of the street rather than walking to a corner to cross.

Lancaster Junior Public School was originally a Senior Public School (Junior High) but now has been virtually rebuilt as a school for children in Kindergarten to Grade 5. The newly refurbished school also contains an "Early Years Hub". The "Hub" is part of a Peel District School Board program designed for pre-Kindergarten aged children and their families.

[edit] Khalsa Community School

Malton's growing Sikh population is served by its own school. The Khalsa Community School is on Airport Road just next to the Malton Gurdwara. Currently the school only offers classes up to Grade 8, but there are plans to move the school to a larger building in Brampton. The school will then be able to offer education up until Grade 12.

[edit] Developments

The two newest developments in Malton are located on Rexwood Road. Both of these developments consist of townhouse complexes of various sizes. The complex located at 7115 Rexwood Road contains two-storey units with basements while the complex located east on Rexwood Road closer to Derry Road contain three-storey units with no basement. A new apartment building development is being built on the east side of Goreway Drive almost immediately north of the traffic lights on Morningstar Drive. The tentative name for the new building is Malton Mansions. There is also a new Long Term Care Centre situated in the middle of the new housing divisions right off of Rexwood Road, but facing Derry Rd.

[edit] Famous people from Malton

Sign that welcomed people upon their entry to Malton. Sign has been missing for a few years.
Sign that welcomed people upon their entry to Malton. Sign has been missing for a few years.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 43°42′N, 79°38′W