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Our fun five-question quiz offers some fast facts on Canada’s largest city. Quick! What’s the PATH?
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© 2025 Borden Ladner Gervais LLP ("BLG"). All rights reserved.
Our story
Our offices
Our people
Speak
like a local
Learn our legalese
1
Be city savvy
2
Everyday Canadianisms
3
Weather talk
4
Plus 30 or minus 20
Plus 30 or minus 20 - We use Celsius, so that's 86°F and -4°F, respectively.
Un temps de canard
Un temps de canard - Used in Québec to refer to rain. Literally, weather for ducks.
“Layer up”
“Layer up” - Adding layers of clothing. It will help you manage the roller coaster temperatures of an Ontario fall — our professional advice.
Toque
Toque - A brimless cold-weather hat, often with a pom-pom – what you may call a “beanie.” Pronounced “tuke.”
Lake effect
Lake effect - Lake Ontario's influence on city weather patterns, often blamed for unexpected weather shifts in the fall and winter months.
4
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"Sorry"
"Sorry" - Our reflexive apology, even when we're not at fault (legally binding in court only when clearly indicating admission of liability!) And while Canadians are known for politeness, Toronto's legal community prides itself on being direct and efficient – we just do it with a smile.
Double-double
Double-double - A Tim Hortons coffee with two creams and two sugars – essential fuel for early morning proceedings. (You’ll also hear Tim Hortons called “Timmies”).
"Give me a shout"
"Give me a shout" - Our way of saying "please contact me" (email perfectly acceptable).
Convenience store
Convenience store - A store that carries a limited selection of basic items like snack foods and drugstore items and is open long hours. Also known as a corner store, bodega, milk bar or market in other countries. In Montréal, these stores are known as “deps” – short for “dépanneur.”
3
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The PATH
The PATH - North America's largest underground pedestrian complex, which connects most destinations in our downtown core.
The Six (or the 6ix)
The Six (or the 6ix) - Drake's nickname for Toronto, referencing our original six boroughs.
Bay Street
Bay Street - Our Wall Street equivalent and heart of the legal district.
TTC
TTC - Our transit system, connecting conference venues to key city locations.
First Canadian Place
First Canadian Place - 100 King St. W. The tallest building in Canada, home to global executive offices and several large law firms.
CN Tower
CN Tower - The tallest freestanding structure in Canada and a great navigation aid – if you walk towards the tower, you’re walking towards the IBA Toronto venue.
Scotiabank Arena
Scotiabank Arena - Home to the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and Toronto Raptors (NBA), and one of the most popular concert venues in the city.
Up North
Up North - Where many legal professionals escape for the weekend. Also known as cottage country.
2
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Addressing judges
Addressing judges - Our bench extends beyond the Supreme Court to include provincial superior courts, where judges are addressed as "Justice", "Mr. Justice" or "Madam Justice," though Ontario also uses "Your Honour."
Notwithstanding clause
Notwithstanding clause - Our Constitution's unique provision allowing temporary override of certain Charter rights.
Crown counsel
Crown counsel - What many jurisdictions call prosecutors or state attorneys.
Arrêt
Arrêt - The word used to refer to a decision made in a Québec Court of Appeal. It literally means “a stop.” Elsewhere in Canada it is simply called a decision. No other French-speaking courts use this term.
Flip all
Flip all
1
If you’re curious about the distinctly Canadian expressions and references you might hear on your visit to our city in November, consider this fun and helpful glossary your insider's guide.
A glossary of Canadianisms
© 2025 Borden Ladner Gervais LLP ("BLG"). All rights reserved.
Our story
Our offices
Our people
More to Explore
Plan your stay
Explore our curated list of Toronto's coolest accommodations. Book soon—they're going fast!
Hotel intel
What’s the TTC?
Think you can speak like a Canuck, eh? Give it a try with our glossary of Canadianisms.
Canadian lingo
Take the test
Our fun five-question quiz offers some fast facts on Canada’s largest city. Quick! What’s the PATH?
Toronto trivia
Resources to experience Toronto like a local
Connect with insider advice
IBA Toronto
Connect with the best of
Speak
like a local
Plus 30 or minus 20
Plus 30 or minus 20 - We use Celsius, so that's 86°F and -4°F, respectively.
Un temps de canard
Un temps de canard - Used in Québec to refer to rain. Literally, weather for ducks.
“Layer up”
“Layer up” - Adding layers of clothing. It will help you manage the roller coaster temperatures of an Ontario fall — our professional advice.
Toque
Toque - A brimless cold-weather hat, often with a pom-pom – what you may call a “beanie.” Pronounced “tuke.”
Lake effect
Lake effect - Lake Ontario's influence on city weather patterns, often blamed for unexpected weather shifts in the fall and winter months.
4
Flip all
Flip all
"Sorry"
"Sorry" - Our reflexive apology, even when we're not at fault (legally binding in court only when clearly indicating admission of liability!) And while Canadians are known for politeness, Toronto's legal community prides itself on being direct and efficient – we just do it with a smile.
Double-double
Double-double - A Tim Hortons coffee with two creams and two sugars – essential fuel for early morning proceedings. (You’ll also hear Tim Hortons called “Timmies”).
"Give me a shout"
"Give me a shout" - Our way of saying "please contact me" (email perfectly acceptable).
Convenience store
Convenience store - A store that carries a limited selection of basic items like snack foods and drugstore items and is open long hours. Also known as a corner store, bodega, milk bar or market in other countries. In Montréal, these stores are known as “deps” – short for “dépanneur.”
3
Flip all
Flip all
The PATH
The PATH - North America's largest underground pedestrian complex, which connects most destinations in our downtown core.
The Six (or the 6ix)
The Six (or the 6ix) - Drake's nickname for Toronto, referencing our original six boroughs.
Bay Street
Bay Street - Our Wall Street equivalent and heart of the legal district.
TTC
TTC - Our transit system, connecting conference venues to key city locations.
First Canadian Place
First Canadian Place - 100 King St. W. The tallest building in Canada, home to global executive offices and several large law firms.
CN Tower
CN Tower - The tallest freestanding structure in Canada and a great navigation aid – if you walk towards the tower, you’re walking towards the IBA Toronto venue.
Scotiabank Arena
Scotiabank Arena - Home to the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and Toronto Raptors (NBA), and one of the most popular concert venues in the city.
Up North
Up North - Where many legal professionals escape for the weekend. Also known as cottage country.
2
Flip all
Flip all
Addressing judges
Addressing judges - Our bench extends beyond the Supreme Court to include provincial superior courts, where judges are addressed as "Justice", "Mr. Justice" or "Madam Justice," though Ontario also uses "Your Honour."
Notwithstanding clause
Notwithstanding clause - Our Constitution's unique provision allowing temporary override of certain Charter rights.
Crown counsel
Crown counsel - What many jurisdictions call prosecutors or state attorneys.
Arrêt
Arrêt - The word used to refer to a decision made in a Québec Court of Appeal. It literally means “a stop.” Elsewhere in Canada it is simply called a decision. No other French-speaking courts use this term.
Flip all
Flip all
1
Learn our legalese
1
Be city savvy
2
Everyday Canadianisms
3
Weather talk
4
Learn our legalese
1
Be city savvy
2
Everyday Canadianisms
3
Weather talk
4
If you’re curious about the distinctly Canadian expressions and references you might hear on your visit to our city in November, consider this fun and helpful glossary your insider's guide.
A glossary of Canadianisms
More to Explore
IBA Toronto
Connect with the best of
More to Explore
IBA Toronto
Connect with the best of
Pour & explore
A taste of Canada’s wine, beer, cider and spirits
Pour and explore
Action!
Step into some of Toronto’s blockbuster filming locations, with nearby local gems we recommend.
Cinematic landmarks
Action!
Step into some of Toronto’s blockbuster filming locations, with nearby local gems we recommend.
Cinematic landmarks
Pour & explore
A taste of Canada’s wine, beer, cider and spirits
Pour and explore