Toronto, Canada
A selection of pictures that I thought represented ‘Change’. I’ve taken them over the past year, and represent some of the themes of current trends and events that I’ve observed.
Represents the recession, economic change, homelessness. TD is one of the most profitable Canadian banks.
Protestor at Tamil protest in downtown Toronto; represents diaspora, global conflict, change in ethnic identities.
Police response to the continuation of the Tamil protest in Toronto; it was the largest deployment that the Toronto Police Service had ever made, and there was great debate about how to respond to the protesting of the Tamil community, and their seeking to block public roads/cause public disruption.
390 Bay Street, Canadian headquarters of a large German financial corporation. The collapse in the financial sector, once seen as rock solid, undermined investor confidence, and sent ripples throughout the global economy.
A look down Toronto's Spadina Avenue, home to Chinatown. By 2020, more than 50% of Toronto's population will be visible minorities. Toronto is one of the world's most multicultural cities, statistically speaking. This represents change in domestic culture, and will have effects upon local politics.
The motorcade of a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan drives down Toronto's Jarvis Street. Canada's contribution to Afghanistan has seen Canadian troops fighting in some of the most dangerous areas of the country, with heavy casualties. The cost in public opinion has been high, and the Canadian forces are seeking to withdraw as soon as 2011.
Prince Charles of the United Kingdom visits the University of Toronto. Charles has been the longest heir in waiting to the throne, and may one day be King. The Monarchy in Canada may lose a significant amount of popularity with Charles, and he sought to repair his image. Some Canadians have called for a Republic, though ties to the Monarchy remain strong.
Veterans at Queen's Park in downtown Toronto on Remembrance Day (November 11th in the Commonwealth). The number of World War II veterans still living is dwindling, and the two great wars are starting to fade from public memory. An aging population will put strains on health and social systems in the developed world.