By Claire Sibonney

TORONTO, 17(Reuters) – Toronto, which is also known as
Hollywood North – likes to stand in for its more famous U.S.
neighbor New York, but Canada’s largest metropolis is a star all
its own, which is often overlooked and under-hyped.

Toronto is North America’s fifth biggest city and Canada’s
financial and artistic powerhouse. Its thriving and livable
downtown is an eclectic mix of skyscrapers, historic buildings,
charming parks and some avant-garde architecture that is either
loved or loathed.

TORONTO, Feb 16 (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar
retreated to its lowest in more than two weeks against the
greenback on Thursday, back below parity as a delay in deciding
on a crucial bailout for Greece unnerved investors and halted
the rally for riskier assets.

Also weighing on global markets, Moody’s warned on Thursday
it might cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European
financial institutions, in another sign the impact of the euro
zone debt crisis is spreading.

TORONTO, Feb 15 (Reuters) – Ontario must clamp down on
education and health care spending and scrap some popular
programs to keep a C$16 billion ($16 billion) deficit from
spiraling out of control, a report commissioned by the
provincial government said on Wednesday.

The long-awaited report on public service reform gave the
Liberal minority government of Canada’s most populous province a
range of potentially controversial austerity measures it could
introduce.

TORONTO, Feb 15 (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar
advanced against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday morning as riskier
assets rallied on comments from China’s central bank chief that
the country would keep investing in euro zone debt and after
upbeat global economic data.

Central Bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said China was ready to
play a bigger role in solving Europe’s debt problems and
remains confident in the euro, lifting sentiment for stocks.

TORONTO, Feb 14 (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar ended
little changed against the U.S. currency on Tuesday, as mixed
U.S. and European economic news, along with continued
uncertainty over the Greek bailout, left markets in a cautious
mood.

The currency erased most of its early losses
however, after a Greek government source suggested the
conservative party would lend its support to the country’s tough
austerity measures, easing fears of a debt default.

TORONTO, Feb 14 (Reuters) – The Canadian dollar eased
against its U.S. counterpart on Tuesday, falling back through
parity on the back of weaker than expected U.S. economic data
and persistent uncertainty about the outcome of Europe’s debt
crisis.

Data showed U.S. retail sales rose less than forecast in
January as consumers cut back on car purchases and did less
online shopping.

TORONTO, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Canada’s dollar edged up
against the greenback on Monday after Greece’s parliament passed
tough austerity measures to avoid a debt default, but doubts
about whether European leaders will fully support Athens, or
whether it will be able to keep its austerity promises, subdued
early enthusiasm.

The Canadian currency tracked a broad move higher by
commodities and equities, but the gains looked fragile with
several issues still to be resolved before the shadow of a messy
debt default in Greece is lifted.

TORONTO, Feb 13 (Reuters) – The Ontario government, struggling with
the impact of a slowing economy, is looking at freezing corporate tax cuts,
cutting program spending and privatizing public assets to eliminate its C$16
billion ($16 billion) deficit in six years, the finance minister said on Monday.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan told reporters that the minority Liberal
government of Canada’s most populous province is considering halting plans to
reduce the corporate tax rate – currently at 11.5 percent – to 10 percent by
2013, an idea raised by the left-leaning opposition New Democratic Party.

By Claire Sibonney

(Reuters) – Reuters correspondents use their local knowledge to help visitors scope out the hottest hangouts for a lavish weekend of wining, dining and shopping.

FRIDAY

6pm – Get dolled up and decked out for pre-dinner martinis at the Avenue bar (<<here>>) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto’s posh Yorkville district.

TORONTO (Reuters) – Canadian commercial lending growth accelerated in the third quarter, showing smaller businesses expanded even as Europe’s deepening debt crisis rattled investors worldwide, according to a PayNet Inc report.

PayNet, which tracks commercial financing to thousands of small and medium-sized companies, said on Thursday its Canadian Business Lending Index rose 6 percent from the second quarter and 13 percent year over year.