The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Ex, is an annual event beginning in August that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Canadian Labour Day Monday. Approximately 5.3 million people visit Exhibition Place each year with 1.3 million visitors attending the CNE alone, making it Canada’s largest fair and the seventh largest fair in North America, "generating more than C$50 million in revenue for the City of Toronto and over C$70 million for the Province of Ontario annually."
The first Canadian National Exhibition took place in 1879, largely to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. Agriculturists, engineers and scientists exhibited their discoveries and inventions at the CNE to showcase the work and talent of the nation. As Canada has grown as a nation, the Canadian National Exhibition has also changed over time, reflecting the growth in diversity and innovation. Agriculture and technology remain a large part of the CNE today.
The CNE is held at Exhibition Place, which is a 192-acre site located along Toronto’s waterfront on the shores of Lake Ontario and just west of downtown Toronto. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO Transit provides easy transportation to the CNE with stops at Exhibition Place. The site features several buildings—many of which have been named significant under the Ontario Heritage Act—roads named after the Canadian provinces and territories, parks, fountains, plazas, a rose garden, statues and parking lots. When the exhibition was created in 1879, it was originally called the Toronto Industrial Exhibition. It was renamed in 1912 to the Canadian National Exhibition. The fair itself consists of a variety of pavilions, exhibits, shows, concerts, a working farm, horse show, petting zoo, casino, and a large carnival midway with rides, games and food.
What used to be an exhibition just for agriculture and technology has now turned into an event for families and people of all ages to enjoy. Entertainment, thrills, and the wide variety of international foods are just some of the attractions that the CNE has to offer. To many people in the Greater Toronto Area and the surroundings communities, the CNE is an annual family tradition. The CNE attracts thousands of tourists each year, contributing to the Toronto's economy and culture. On January 27, 2012, it was announced that the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place and the City of Toronto have agreed to allow the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) to become financially independent in 2013. This will allow the CNEA to make their own decisions regarding business and consumer opportunities.
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