Toronto, is it good for Waterloo, and vice-versa?

1. There is a collaborative, in some cases symbiotic relationship between many businesses and institutions in T and W. (e.g., Side Effect Software in downtown T and UofW)

-Toronto provides the creative content, Waterloo provides the platform technologies, etc.

2. Flows of people, capital, knowledge in BOTH directions, despite the size differences, it is perceived as a balance relationship (T and W are both employers and bedroom communities to one another)

3. Does Toronto draw down the talent down from Toronto? What are the cultural opportunities in Waterloo, can they compete with the cultural attractiveness of Ontario's largest city?

-Affordability, safety, pace, etc. of W. a big attractor to those desiring to get out of Toronto. Waterloo, is in an advantaged position compared to similarly sized regions elsewhere in the province (e.g., Windsor)

4. Through effective leadership, notably Lazaridis/Balsillie, W has staked its own claim in the provincial economy (not a relationship of dependency), more importantly it has developed an effective culture of engagement (around innovation, etc.) that Toronto could learn from.

5. KEY CHALLENGE for strengthening relationship: CONNECTIVITY.

why is there no GOTrain connection between Toronto and Waterloo (probably out-dated thinking) and when will see high-speed rail in Southern Ontario that connects Waterloo, Toronto and other urban centres (*imagination)