ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
A to Z Information Tool Kit
Prepared by International Students’ Association, OISE/UT
252 Bloor Street West, 8th Floor, Office 8-107
Toronto, ON M5S 1V6
Telephone: 416-926-4733
E-mail: isa@oise.utoronto.ca
September 2005
ACCOMMODATION
Student Housing Services
Features advertisements for shared and private accommodation, buy and sell board, street
maps, various legal information sheets on landlord/tenant issues, temporary
accommodation, residence information including current vacancies, and other resource
material.
The Housing ads are located within 45 minutes travel time to U of T. Housing is
classified by price, location and type of accommodation. Students must show their TCard
or letter of acceptance to view the posted listings at the housing office. Listing can be
accessed on the web with valid U of T student I.D. and library number. The registry is not
available to the general public.
Family Housing
Applications must be filed at the Family Housing Office. Waiting period is 8 - 12
months. For more details:
Address: Koffler Student Services Centre, 2nd Floor, 214 College Street
Telephone: 416-978-8045
Fax: 416-978-1616
AIRPORT
Pearson International Airport
Pearson is the international airport in Toronto. The 192 Airport Rocket route provides
all-day accessible express bus service between Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth
Subway and Pearson Airport.
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
Buses stop only at Kipling Station, Dundas Street & East Mall Crescent, Terminal 3
(Departures Level), Terminal 2 (Arrivals Level) and Terminal 1 (Ground Level).
Service operates from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., seven days a week. One-way
travel time is approximately 20 minutes.
300 Bloor-Danforth: Overnight 24-hour Airport service from the Bloor-Danforth
corridor.
The 300A Bloor-Danforth route provides overnight bus service along Danforth Avenue
and Bloor Street to Pearson Airport.
Buses serve Terminal 3 (Departures Level), then Terminal 2 (Arrivals Level), and then
Terminal 1 (Ground Level) at Pearson Airport. Service operates from approximately
2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., seven days a week. One-way travel time from Yonge & Bloor is
approximately 45 minutes.
ATHLETIC CENTRE
U of T Athletic Centre
Provides a wide range of instructional and recreational physical activities, which,
together with healthy eating, are essential to a productive and pleasurable life. The
Faculty is deeply committed to the equity of all students and members and their full
accessibility to its programs and facilities. Provide a ‘continuum of opportunities’ so that
every U of T student and member can enjoy exercise, dance, sport and play. Tuition fees
include access to the centre between September and April. Hart house athletic
facilities are available throughout the year (see Hart house below)
Address: 55 Harbord Street.
Telephone: 416-978-3436
Fax: 416-978-4384
Website: http://www.utoronto.ca/physical
BANKING
Major Banks within walking distance from the campus include:

TD Canada Trust
Address: 77 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.tdcanadatrust.com

Royal Bank of Canada
Address: 200 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 416-974-5151 Fax: 416-955-7800
Website: http://www.rbc.com

CIBC
Address: 2 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
CIBC
Address: Spadaina Ave/College Street
Website: http://www.cibc.com

BMO Bank of Montreal
Address: 55 Bloor Street West, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON
BMO
Address: Bloor/St George Street

Scotiabank
Address: Bloor Street West/Spadina Avenue
BOOK STORES
University of Toronto Bookstore
Address: Koffler Student Services Centre
214 College Street (at St. George), Toronto, ON M5T 3A1
General Enquiry: 416-978-7900
Email: info@uoftbookstore.com
Website: http://www.uoftbookstore.com
Specialty: General and academic
Size: Large (75,000 titles in trade books, 10,000 medical) - Canada's largest textbook
store (New & Used)
The Computer Shop
Supplies hardware and peripherals by IBM, Apple, Packard Bell and others. Discount
prices of up to 70 per cent on major manufacturer software.
Address: Located on the second floor of U of T Bookstore.
Phone: 416-978-7947.
Website: http://www.campuscomputerstore.ca/utoronto/
Getting there: Queen's Park subway station or 506 College Streetcar
Atticus Books
Address: 84 Harbord Street (near Spadina), Toronto, ON M5S 1G5
Phone: 416-922-6045
Specialty: Used scholarly books in all academic disciplines
Size: Medium (35,000 titles)
Getting there: Wellesley bus or Spadina subway station; metered parking on street
Bob Miller Book Room
Address: 180 Bloor Street West, Lower Concourse (near Avenue Road)
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
Specialty: Humanities and Social Sciences
Size: Large
Getting there: Between Museum subway station on the Spadina line and the St. George
station on the Bloor line; parking on street.
Book City
Address: 501 Bloor Street West (East of Bathurst), Toronto ON M5S 1Y2
Phone: 416-961-4496
Specialty: General selection and remainders
Size: Large
Getting there: Spadina subway station on Yonge or Bloor Lines; parking on street.
Indigo
Address: Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M4W 1A5
Phone: 416-925-3536
Getting there: Bay subway station; Bay bus.
Ryerson Bookstore
Address: 17 Gould Street (near Yonge and Dundas), Toronto, ON M5B 2K3
Phone: 416-979-5516
Specialty: General books and textbooks
Size: Medium
Getting there: Dundas subway station on Yonge Line; bookstore is on the ground floor
of a parking garage
Toronto Women's Bookstore
Address: 73 Harbord Street (near Spadina), Toronto, ON M5S 1G4
Phone: 416-922-8744
Specialty: Books by and about women, fiction with a feminist slant, psychology,
violence, lesbianism
Size: Small (5,000 titles)
Getting there: Wellesley bus or Spadina subway station or 510 Spadina streetcar;
parking on street.
CHILD CARE
Child Care
Address: 56 Spadina Rd.
51 spaces for children age 3 mos. to 6 years.
Parents/staff managed. Parents contribute 2-3 hours each week.
Phone: 416-979-2133
St. George Campus Child Care Centres
Campus child care centres give priority to U of T parents. All are licensed, not-for-profit
centres, staffed by qualified Early Childhood Educators. Most centres also escort Jr. and
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
Sr. kindergarten students to and from the nearby Huron Public School. There is often a
wait for spaces - apply early.
Kidspace Day Care:
24 space for children age 2.5 to 6 years. Some part-time spaces available.
Address: OISE/UT, 252 Bloor Street West
Phone: 416-926-4702
Nancy's Part-time Child Care Centre
Part-time care for children of students and faculty age 3 months to 5 years. Closed last
two weeks of August. Priority to U of T parents.
Address: 655 Spadina Avenue
Phone: 416-978-733
The Margaret Fletcher Day Care Centre
56 spaces for children age 2.5 to 5.5 years. Some part-time spaces available.
Address: 100 Devonshire Place
Phone: 416-978-6725
Campus Community Co-operative Day Care Centre
51 spaces for children age 3 mos. to 6 years. Parents/staff managed. Parents contribute 23 hours each week.
Address: 56 Spadina Rd.
Phone: 416-979-2133
Fax: 416-979-2133
Queen's Park Child Care Centre
Has now 10-12 preschool and junior kindergarten spaces available.
The centre is located on the main floor of the Macdonald block
 offers quality childcare for ages 0 months to 5 years
 is staffed with qualified Early Childhood Educators
 has a full time trained cook who prepares daily snacks and meals
 hours of operation are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday
 the centre is inspected by the government and licensed annually
 subsidies are available
For application forms and more information:
Address: P.O. Box 115, 77 Wellesley Street West, Toronto ON M7A 1N3
Phone: 416-327-9979
Email: info@qpccc.ca
COMMUNITY CENTRES
YMCA
For free use of computers, free printing and free limited photocopying.
Administration/Association Services:
Address: 42 Charles Street East, 9th Floor, Toronto, ON M4Y 1T4
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
Phone: 416-413-9622
Customer Service: 416-928-9622
Fax: 416-413-9626
Website: http://www.ymcatoronto.org
Email: toronto-customer-service@ymca.net
COPYING FACILITIES
Kinko’s
Address: Bloor & Spadina, 459 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1X9
Phone: 416-928-0110
Fax: 416-928-0243
Email: can3402@kinkos.com
Hours: 24 Hours / 7 Days per week
Bloor Copy Centre
Address: 324 Bloor Street West, Toronto, M5S 1W5. 2nd Floor
Phone: 416 924 0599
Fax: 416 924 5414
QC Copy Centre
Address: 333 Bloor Street West, Near Bata Shoe Museum
COURSES
For choice of courses and timetables, visit the Registrar’s Office website
www.ro.oise.utoronto.ca
DRIVING
If you plan to drive a car in Ontario, you must obtain an Ontario driver's license. If you
already have a license from another country, or an international driver's license, you may
use this for up to 60 days within your arrival to the province. However, an international
license is accepted for one year. After this time, an Ontario driver's license is required.
Please refer to the following section of Ministry of Transportation web site for more
information on Visiting or Moving to Ontario?, including information for new residents.
Ministry of Transportation
Phone: 416-235-2999
Website: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
FAMILY CARE OFFICE
The Family Care Office at the University of Toronto provides free confidential
information, guidance, referrals and advocacy for students, staff, faculty and their
families. You can take advantage of free workshops, support groups and seminars. The
Resource Centre contains practical information on a broad range of family care issues,
from pregnancy and infant care to lesbian and gay parenting, from special needs children
to caring for elderly family members. The Family Care Office promotes an inclusive
definition of family that embraces the diverse family structures that make up the
University community.
FAMILY HOUSING
30 & 35 Charles Street Student Family Housing
The St George Campus has two high rise buildings that provide unfurnished apartments
to full-time University of Toronto students with a spouse and/or children (extended
family members, friends and boarders are not allowed). Subletting is strictly forbidden in
university residence, and any attempt to do so will result in eviction. Applications must
be filed at the Family Housing Office. Waiting period is 8 - 12 months. The Tower
Cooperative Nursery school for children (2-5 years) is nearby.
Telephone: 416-978-8045
Fax: 416-978-8049
Visit: www.eir.library.utoronto.ca/Studenthousing
FOOD & CLOTHING
University of Toronto food & clothing Bank
The Food and Clothing bank is run by students to help supplement the day to day needs
of students. Volunteers are welcome.
Address: Room 50, New College, 300 Huron Street.
Phone: 416-978-4911
Family Housing Free Store
For reasonably good condition clothes and small household items, visit the free store.
Address: 30 Charles Street West, 3rd Floor.
Open Wednesdays 6:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
New to Toronto? Wondering what places offer cheap food around campus?
Toronto's free weekly magazine, Eye Weekly, has published its annual Student
Guide this week. View it online at
http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_08.25.05/plus/sg-listings.html.
A copy of the weekly magazine can also be picked up in one of its many yellow boxes
located on city street corners, as well as in various shops & restaurants in the city.
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
FESTIVALS
For a complete list of festivals throughout the year visit: www.toronto.com
GROCERY
Grocery
Reasonably priced grocery can be obtained from:

No Frills:
Address 1: 2285 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto, ON.
Address 2: 555 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, ON.
Check the websites for more locations

Food Basics
www.foodbasics.com for the one nearest you

Price Chopper
www.pricechopper.ca
Tip: *You may also go to China town on Spadina Avenue where there are several grocery shops
for your convenience. To get there; take the street car from Spadina Subway. It is less than
10 minutes from the subway.
GRADUATE STUDENTS’ UNION (GSU )
GSU
The Graduate Students' Union at University of Toronto represents over 10,000 students
studying in over 70 departments. For many years this union has advocated for increased
student representation, funding, and provided services such as health insurance,
confidential advice, and a voice for the graduate student body on the various committees
of the University.
Address: 16 Bancroft Ave Toronto, ON M5S 1C1.
Phone: 416-978-8465
Website: http://www.gsu.utoronto.ca
HART HOUSE ACTIVITIES
Hart House is open for you 365 days a year. The St. George Campus’ historic student
centre is for everyone. Experience great food, wonderful fitness facilities, places to relax,
study or nap. Play a game. Attend an event. Enjoy the theatre, the farm, the art collection,
a five-buck lunch, a concert or debate. Book a room for a meeting or event. All officially
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
recognized student groups can book space at Hart House.
Choose to get involved in one of the 11 committees who provide leadership and organize
activities for everyone or join one of the 21 Hart House Clubs representing interest from
bridge to scuba diving. Make a film, direct a play or play your favourite instrument,
participate in the Community Kitchen, organize the annual lecture or simply warm-up in
front of a cozy fire. The possibilities are almost limitless.
Address: 7 Hart House Circle
Telephone: 416-978-2452
Fax: 416-971-2244
Website: http://www.utoronto.ca/harthouse
HEALTH
Health Service
Offers a wide range of services for University of Toronto students. The health team
includes Family Physicians, Registered Nurses, a Community Health Coordinator, a
Health Promotion Nurse, a Dietician, a Lab Technician, Support Staff, and Peer Health
Educators. Health Service is a designated Health Canada Travel Medicine Clinic and
offers a complete travel immunization and education program for students.
Physician services include comprehensive medical assessment, care/treatment,
counselling, and referral. Nurses provide health-related information, education,
counselling, and a wide range of other health services such as dressing care,
immunization, and travel education.
The health team also provides comprehensive sexual health care and counselling for men
and women including: assessment, contraception counselling and education, pregnancy
testing, pregnancy support, as well as sexually transmitted infection testing, treatment,
counselling and education.
Address: 2nd Floor North, Koffler Student Services Centre, 214 College Street
Take NOTE: Your University Health Card (UHIP) is NOT accepted by many hospitals.
Be sure to read the information on the list of hospitals that accepts UHIP.
IMMIGRATION CANADA
Visit www.cic.cg.ca for all immigration matters and renewal of visas where applicable.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTRE (ISC)
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
Promotes and supports international education and offers services, programs, and
facilities for international students, students with international and /or intercultural
interests, and students looking for education and work opportunities aboard.
Address: 33 St. George Street.
Phone: 416-978-2564
Fax: 416-978-4090
Email: isc.information@utoronto.ca
Website: http://www.library.utoronto.ca/isc
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD (ISIS)
The ISIC is the only internationally recognized proof of full-time student status, and is a
student travel discount card in more than 70 countries worldwide, including Canada.
Through its membership in the International Student Travel Confederation, the Canadian
Federation of Students-Services is the agent for the ISIC in Canada.
The ISIC provides access to discounts on domestic air travel purchased through Travel
CUTS, a 35% discount on VIA Rail travel, and discounts on major bus lines across
Canada. In addition, the ISIC provides access to discounted cellular phones and phone
plans through studentphonestore.com, and to discounts available at studentsaver.ca.
If traveling abroad, the ISIC provides access to discounts on accommodation, admission
to historical sites and museums, and entertainment attractions.
The ISIC is issued to full-time students who are members of the Federation as a benefit of
membership. Contact GSU to get your ISIC.
INTERESTING PLACES
Queen’s Park
Queen's Park is an oval park bounded by the University of Toronto to the west and
northeast (the southeast quadrant of the park is primarily bounded by government
offices). Located at the north end of University Avenue, it is circumnavigated by Queen's
Park Crescent, and bisected east-to-west by Wellesley Street West. The park is owned by
the university, and is leased from them for a dollar per year. As well as being a beautiful
park in the heart of the city, Queen's Park is also the seat of the Ontario Government. The
Government is often referred to, by metonymy, as "Queen's Park".
ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is the largest museum in Canada with an
internationally renowned collection numbering more than five million objects. Located
on one of the most fashionable corners in Toronto and next to the University of Toronto,
the ROM is a popular destination. From galleries of art, archaeology and science,
showcasing the world’s culture and natural history, to exciting public programs and
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
events, the ROM offers a truly engaging museum experience. Monday to Thursday 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. December 24 and 31 Museum closes at 4 p.m. South of Bloor on University
Avenue
Theatres/Cinemas:
Cumberland
Address: 159 Cumberland St. (at Avenue Rd.), Yorkville
Phone: 416-699-5971
Bayview Village
Address: Bayview Village Centre, 2901 Bayview Ave. (at Sheppard Ave.),
Toronto
Phone: 416-222-4840
Bloor
Address: 506 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Phone: 416-516-2330
METROPASS / METROPASS DISCOUNT PLAN (MDP)
If you travel a lot, it's cheaper to buy a pass.
Adult, Senior and Student Metropass: Good for unlimited* travel in a specific month
on all regular TTC routes within Toronto (*Extra fare is required for Downtown Express
routes and contracted routes operated by the TTC outside the City of Toronto).
TTC Metropass
The Students' Administrative Council, in cooperation with the Graduate Students' Union
and the TTC are offering discounted Metro passes to registered students. In general,
Metropasses are on sale the last three business days and the first two business days of
each month at the SAC office, 12 Hart House Circle. You will need to bring your T-Card.
Note, Metropass is limited and is offered at a first come first serve basis. For information,
please refer to the SAC website: www.sac.utoronto.ca/
LEGAL SERVICES
Student Legal Clinic
Address: Room 418, 720 Spadina Avenue
Phone: 416-978-6447
LIBRARIES
Robarts
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ISA’s A to Z Information Tool Kit
Main library on Georges Campus. Student IDs are processed here. The library ID card is
the passport to most university facilities. OISE Situated on the Ground floor.
Public Libraries
Toronto Public Library, the largest public library system in Canada, with 99 branches and
more than 11 million items to borrow or use in the library. You can also find out about
library collections, programs and services by calling:
Phone: 416-393-7131
Phone Cards
Phone cards (prepaid) are available for different amounts in convenience stores around the city.
They offer competitive prices for long distance calls.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Although the University of Toronto is a secular institution, it does recognize that its students,
staff and faculty are drawn from a diverse range of faith communities. The spiritual needs of
members of the community are met through a variety of policies and initiatives, including:

The Campus Chaplain’s Association:
A number of the world’s major religions have spiritual leaders or "chaplains" based on
campus. The Campus Chaplains’ Association (416-978-8100) can put you in touch with
one.

Multifaith Space:
The University has a number of spaces on campus which can be used by individuals and
groups for prayer, meditation or quiet reflection for a variety of faith communities. Plans
are underway for the development of a Multifaith Centre on the St. George Campus
which will provide facilities for spiritual practice and environment to support interfaith
dialogue.

Recognition of Religious Observances:
The University makes every effort to accommodate students, staff and faculty who
observe religious Holy Days other than those recognized through ordinary University
scheduling and statutory holidays. Each year, members of the teaching staff are reminded
by the Vice-President and Provost that no student should be seriously disadvantaged
because of her or his religious observances and are provided with a list of the major
religious Holy Days for the year ahead.

OISE/UT Prayer/Meditation Room
8th Floor, Room 136
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SWAP SHOP
Organizes a free used furniture exchange service for staff, students and faculity; I.D.
required.
Address: 487 Spadina Avenue, Basement.
Phone: 416-978-7080
Website: http://www.facilities.utoronto.ca/bldggrou/wastman/swapshop.htm
TAXES AND TAX REFUNDS
What You Should Know About Ontario's Taxes
Ontario has an 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST), a 7 % federal value-added General Services Tax
(GST), special taxes on food and liquor in restaurants, and a room tax on visitor accommodation.
As a visitor you will be charged:







GST -- the federal Goods and Services Tax of 7 %. This is a value-added consumption
tax that applies to most goods, purchased gifts, food/beverages, and services, including
most hotel and motel accommodation.
PST -- the Ontario provincial sales tax of 8% on any goods you buy, but not on services
or accommodation.
Room Tax -- a 5% provincial tax (in place of PST) on most tourist accommodation
charges, as well as the 7% GST.
Food Service -- In restaurants, 7% GST and 8% PST will be added to the food portion of
your final bill, as well as . . .
Liquor Service -- a provincial tax on alcoholic beverages (10%, in addition to the 7%
GST).
Special Note: Rented houseboats do not qualify as rental accommodations for purposes
of the taxes mentioned above. Houseboat rental fees are taxed at a rate of 8% (PST) and
7% (GST), both non-refundable.
Sales Tax Refunds Goods and Services Tax (GST) RefundVisitors from outside
Canada may claim a refund of the seven per cent federal GST (Goods and Services Tax)
on accumulated purchases of a minimum of $200, provided that each receipt is at least
$50 in goods before tax and that the goods are taken out of Canada within 60 days of
purchase. GST charged on hotel and motel accommodation is also eligible for refund,
provided that the stay in each hotel or motel does not exceed one month.
Excluded items are consumable goods, transportation, automotive fuels, services, car rental,
cruise ship cabins and train berths.
Refund forms can be picked up at Ontario Travel Information Centres or by contacting:
Visitor Rebate Program
Canada Revenue Agency
Summerside Tax Centre
Summerside, PEI, C1N 6C6
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Phone: 1-800-66VISIT (1-800-668-4748) (toll free from anywhere in Canada)
Phone: (902)432-5608 (from outside Canada)
E-mail: visitors@ccra-adrc.gc.ca
Website: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/visitors/
THESIS BINDING
Binding Logic
Quality Thesis Binding
New address: 228 St George St Unit # 20 by appointment
E-mail: bindinglogic@ican.net or 702721@ican.net
WALKSAFE SERVICE
Reliable, safe alternative to walking alone at night available to the U of T community.
Staffed by students who work in pairs (at least one a female), they carry photo badges
and distinctive jackets on duty.
Call U of T Police 416-978-2323 when the service is unavailable.
Call 416-978-2222 free from any payphone in an emergency.
Address: 21 Sussex Avenue, 1st floor
Phone: 416-978-SAFE/7233
WORK PERMITS
As an international student in Canada, there are certain conditions which have to be met before
one can accept work in Canada. In most cases a work permit is necessary. Visit www.cic.cg.ca
for more information.
WORK STUDY
University of Toronto Work-Study Program
The University of Toronto Work-Study Program is a financial aid program that provides
opportunities for eligible students to be employed part-time on campus during the fall and winter
terms only. The Academic/Career Related Proposal covers 100% of the student's salary and
benefits.
In order to participate, a student MUST have qualified for provincial financial assistance from
the Ontario Student Assistance Program for 2005/2006 and be registered in at least 60% of a full
course load at the University of Toronto. Students who do not meet these criteria may be
considered if they are able to demonstrate financial need to the satisfaction of Admissions and
Awards.
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