We Built This City

Visit Mississauga
  • 4.6 (8)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We Built This City is a collection of incredible stories from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Join us as we uncover the past and look forward to the future, sharing the remarkable tales of the renowned figures, individuals, and groups who have shaped Mississauga into the vibrant cultural canvas it is today.

Episodes

  1. Moving In

    2024-11-21

    Moving In

    This episode of We Built This City explores the history of communities and immigration west of Toronto, focusing on Cooksville and the surrounding areas like Mississauga and Port Credit. From Mississauga's Welcome Wagon, a company that welcomed new residents to neighbourhoods across Canada, active from 1930, to the influx of immigrants from Italy, Croatia, Ireland, and Poland to Cooksville, because of its famous brickyard that operated from 1913 to 1991, Mississauga was founded on and continues to stand tall because of immigrants from all over the world who work and live and make Mississauga what it is today. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    26 min
  2. Leaving Our Mark

    2024-11-14

    Leaving Our Mark

    Today we reflect on the fascinating local history, of people, their names now marked on headstones, who have left an incredible mark on Canadians and who have left a lasting legacy on Mississauga. We remember Kate Aiken, a pioneering broadcaster and Canadian tastemaker; George Hunter a prolific documentary photographer, who captured iconic images of Canada over a seven-decade career; and Ruth Hussey, a British-born veterinarian and environmental advocate, who played a crucial role in preserving Rattray Marsh, the last remaining wetland on Lake Ontario's western side. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    19 min
  3. Into the Skies

    2024-11-07

    Into the Skies

    This episode revolves around Canada's significant contributions to aviation history, from its early beginnings to its current status as a global leader. Key players, events, and technological advancements are highlighted, including the development of the CANADARM, the establishment of Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the airport's ongoing evolution and expansion. We pay tribute to Canada's innovative spirit and its commitment to advancing the field of aviation. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    21 min
  4. Building Suburbia

    2024-10-31

    Building Suburbia

    In the 1930s, Ontario built the first intercity-divided highway in North America. Harold Ship revolutionized suburban development in Toronto in the 1950s and transformed what is now known today as Mississauga with innovative developments! Today's episode revolves around the history and significance of the joining of neighbourhoods in Clarkson and Lauren Park, Marigold Crescent and Applewood Acres. We explore the visions of the minds who lead the development of Mississauga, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to shaping the city's future. We also discuss the rapid growth of the city fuelled by the opening of Square One shopping mall in 1973 and see how suburbia was birthed. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    21 min
  5. To our Health and Happiness!

    2024-10-24

    To our Health and Happiness!

    The transformation of healthcare in Mississauga has been shaped by community involvement and philanthropy. From attaching bells onto horses to transport the sick so they can receive medical care, to multibillion-dollar healthcare centre developments in 2024, the growth of Mississauga's health industry is largely due to its community support and fundraising efforts. Community engagement and philanthropy have always played a crucial role in shaping the city's healthcare infrastructure and will continue to do so in the future. In this episode, we explore the cornerstones of Mississauga's decades of supporting healthcare and we cheer to many more decades of health and happiness! To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    21 min
  6. Songs of the City

    2024-10-17

    Songs of the City

    Undoubtedly, Mississauga has left a legacy in music! This episode of We Built This City explores the musical legacies of Oscar Peterson, Tommy Hunter, and Triumph. Oscar Peterson produces Canadiana Suite capturing Canada's landscapes, all while fighting for racial equality. Tommy Hunter's TV show elevated Canadian country music, inducting him into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Triumph, a rock band, achieved global success with 14 albums and a recording studio, Metalworks, which later established Metalworks Institute a production company, contributing to the city's music scene and cultural development. These moving pieces of legendary music moments come together in a symphony of Ontario's very own, Mississauga. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    21 min
  7. Good Sports

    2024-10-10

    Good Sports

    Olympic athletes, coaches, and incredible amateur sports leagues have enriched the history and contemporary scene of sports in Mississauga! Particularly in rowing, canoeing, kayaking, cricket, and hockey, Mississauga has excelled in sports. In this episode, we dive into the contributions and incredible stories of Mississauga’s various clubs, and unsung sports legends, including Heather Hatton, Michelle Darville, and Silken Laumann. From the icy rinks of Dixie Arena, to the shimmering waters of the Credit River, we explore how amateur athletes, dedicated coaches, and grassroots clubs helped shape the city’s rich sports history. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    20 min
  8. The Stories We Tell

    2024-10-03

    The Stories We Tell

    One of Canada's first, and most successful international, literary stars took inspiration for her best work, from her Summer retreat in Mississauga! This story explores the rich literary and cinematic history of Mississauga, highlighting the inspirations behind Mexican director Guillermo del Toro's "Dreams in the Witch House" and the best-selling "Jalna" series by Mazo de la Roche. It delves into the impact of IMAX technology, its origins, and its influence on filmmaking, particularly through Christopher Nolan's films. The discussion also covers Robert J. Sawyer's contributions to Canadian science fiction and the growth of Mississauga's film industry, making it the third largest in North America. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    24 min
  9. Food, Glorious Food!

    2024-09-26

    Food, Glorious Food!

    Mississauga is filled with a rich history and relationship with food! In this episode of We Built This City, we dive into the fascinating history of food production, and its role in shaping the city we know today. From the humble beginnings of Ontario’s first commercial vineyard to the towering flour mills that once lined the Credit River, food has been a cornerstone of the community’s development. The Clare House Winery, Mississauga's Flour Mills, the inspiring story of Mohamad Fakih who was the visionary behind Paramount Fine Foods, and the evolution of the Streetsville Bread and Honey Festival are all stories we explore to pay homage to the agricultural roots of the community of commerce that was founded in Mississauga as far back as the 1860's. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    18 min
  10. Mississaugas of the Credit River

    2024-09-19

    Mississaugas of the Credit River

    In this episode, we explore the history and cultural significance of Mississauga, Ontario. The narrative begins with John Graves Simcoe’s influence on the town’s grid-like streets and transitions to the natural alignment of Mississauga Road along the Credit River. The discussion delves into the Mississaugas’ longstanding connection to the land, tracing their history from pre-contact times to the arrival of European settlers. Key moments include the establishment of trading relationships, the impact of disease, the violence on Native populations, and the eventual displacement of the Mississaugas from their ancestral lands. The episode concludes with the revival of interest in Indigenous heritage through initiatives like the Moccasin Identifier Project, highlighting ongoing efforts to honour and preserve Indigenous culture within contemporary Canadian society. Tune in if you are interested in the early settling of Ontario's 3rd largest city. To learn more visit: https://www.visitmississauga.ca/we-built-this-city/

    22 min

  11. 2024-09-10

    Introducing We Built This City

    We Built This City is a collection of stories from Mississauga!Capturing the rich history, founding, culture, sports, music, and people of Mississauga, this incredible series celebrates its 50th anniversary, paying homage to Ontario's vibrant, diverse and dynamic, 3rd largest city.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

We Built This City is a collection of incredible stories from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Join us as we uncover the past and look forward to the future, sharing the remarkable tales of the renowned figures, individuals, and groups who have shaped Mississauga into the vibrant cultural canvas it is today.

Information

  • Creator
    Visit Mississauga
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Visit Mississauga
  • Show Website
    We Built This City