Team spirit
With a world-renowned national sport and a team that has won 13 Stanley Cups (second only to the Montreal Canadiens), needless to say that Toronto Maple Leafs merchandise is selling like hotcakes. In addition to the club's official store at Scotiabank Arena, many sports stores sell Maple Leafs items, but also those of other professional teams from Toronto (Argonauts in football, Blue Jays in baseball, Raptors in basketball and Toronto FC in soccer), Ontario (Hamilton Tiger-Cats in football, and in Ottawa, Redblacks in football and Senators in hockey), Canada and even the United States, all sports combined. Speaking of the Raptors, following their victory in the 2019 NBA championship - note that the team is the only one on the Canadian side - items bearing their effigy are now highly coveted.
Gourmet basket
There is nothing like a gourmet souvenir to remind you of the good flavours of the country you are visiting. Like its neighbour Quebec, Ontario is a reference in the maple syrup industry. Maple products take many forms: pickled syrup, butter, sugar, flakes and jelly. Maple can also be found in the form of liqueurs and alcoholic creams or incorporated in the brewing of certain artisanal beers. But beyond the lord of syrups, the province has acquired a good reputation in the cheese industry, accumulating awards and recognition at home and abroad. And we couldn't pass over in silence the famous butter tarts, a specialty created north of Toronto and which even benefits from an official gourmet route in the Kawarthas Northumberland region.
Ontario is becoming a master in the art of distillation, creating gins, vodkas and other delicious artisanal spirits. Artisanal beers are also on the rise, now ubiquitous in the province. Ontario's brewers are well known for their dedication to incorporating the land into their tasty nectars. But Ontario's flagship product is undoubtedly wine, especially its ice version, for which the Niagara Peninsula region is famous. To kill two birds with one stone, take advantage of a visit to the winemaker's to find the best vintages.
To stock up on Ontario-made gourmet products, visit the artisan, public markets or local shops. For beer and wine, they're easily found in LCBOs, Beer Stores, grocery stores and other specialty shops.Art & design
Ontario's craftsmanship is still very much alive and well and is that of a rural society that emphasizes woodworking and ironwork to create utilitarian objects. It has diversified over time to include other materials, particularly recycled materials, to create decorative objects, jewellery, etc. Also, from the beginning of colonization, the need to protect oneself from the extreme cold of winter contributed to the development of weaving and embroidery, for the making of quilt bedspreads (an assembly of pieces of fabric in various colours), shawls, woollen scarves, mittens, toques and slippers.
Aboriginal people are also renowned for their traditional crafts, working with bone beads, stones, shells, animal hair and skins, porcupine quills, bark and wood, in short, anything found in nature. In Aboriginal communities and other specialized places in the province, you can buy dream catchers, babiche snowshoes, jewellery, bags, suede or leather jackets, traditional clothing and accessories of all kinds, indoor and outdoor moccasins, traditional incense, works of art, etc. There is also contemporary Inuit art, mainly represented by sculptures in soapstone, green serpentine, dolomite or quartz. Modern sculptures, which can reach impressive sizes, almost always represent the wildlife and people of the Far North. Inuit also practice carving caribou antlers, stone engraving and embroidery.
Of course, there are also many Ontario artists specializing in visual arts, design, etc., who are also active in the North. Neighbourhoods such as Toronto's Distillery Historic District or Ottawa's Byward Market, as well as the many art centres dedicated to different disciplines, showcase them. If you love painting, there is nothing more must-see than a painting by one of the members of the Group of Seven. As far as fashion clothing is concerned, Anu Raina and Lucian Matis are the leading designers in haute couture. The young local labels are also worth discovering, like Ellie Mae, who is banking on a vintage style, or Mani Jassal, who integrates her Indian influences into her creations.
Classical or folkloric memories
Postcards, key rings, magnets, stickers, posters, license plates, flags, T-shirts, caps, pins, mugs, plates: the great classics bearing the destination's logo are always popular with visitors. Unfortunately, souvenir shops are often filled with items made in China and are omnipresent in large cities and highly touristic destinations. Others will prefer something a little more folkloric, such as the famous arrow sash or a traditional French-Canadian musical instrument such as a jaw harp or wooden spoons.
Readings
If you like to read, several books are recommended: Peter Macleod's The Four Wars of 1812, an essay presenting four versions of the Anglo-American War; Doug Taylor's Toronto Then and Now, a photo-rich book exploring the evolution of Ontario's capital city; Toronto Architecture: A City Guide by Patricia McHugh and Alex Bozikovic, with nearly 30 itineraries to discover Toronto's architecture over time; and In the Footsteps of the Group of Seven by Jim and Sue Waddington, the culmination of a 36-year effort to trace the places that inspired this famous group of Ontario artists.
