Tkaronto, Sanctum of Enlightenment

Welcome to Tkaronto, Sanctum of Enlightenment

INTRODUCTION

Tkaronto is set 12 years in the future, in the year 2036. Tkaronto looks very much like it does today but with one notable exception. There is less construction. There are more parks, trails , more trees, more green spaces.

For the past 5 years, admission to PSE in Toronto has been through one uniform system that uses AI to determine which institution, program, and amount of funding for students. University and college is free to ensure accessibility for all, and students have some agency in this process as they can input their top 6 PSE choices.

In the multicultural city of Tkaronto, society has evolved into a vibrant tapestry of diversity and inclusion. Over the past decade, a steady influx of immigrants from around the world has enriched the city's cultural fabric, prompting a shift towards peaceful co-existence and the dismantling of racial hierarchies. This transformation has been propelled by comprehensive education reforms, with mandatory classes in Black and Indigenous issues fostering greater tolerance and understanding among residents.

Language is a key element of Tkaronto's cultural mosaic, with its residents embracing a plurilingual identity. Street names are bilingual, featuring both English and Indigenous languages, reflecting the city's commitment to honouring its diverse linguistic heritage. Common sayings like "Ubuntu" and "Ikigai" underscore the city's ethos of humanity and purpose, while the Medicine Wheel symbolizes the holistic approach to life and learning embraced by its inhabitants.

In this inclusive society, accents are diverse yet unified by a non-descript quality, a result of exposure to a variety of accents through the education system. This lack of accent hierarchy fosters a sense of equality and unity among residents, highlighting the city's celebration of difference as a unifying force. Social frameworks prioritize learning and understanding, with regular mental health screenings ensuring the well-being of all residents.

The political landscape in Tkaronto is characterized by AI-powered governance and decentralized administration, where decisions are informed by data and made collaboratively by local councils and communities. Sustainability is a core principle, guiding policies that protect the environment and promote sustainable practices. This adaptive approach to governance ensures that policies remain relevant and effective in meeting the evolving needs of the city's diverse population.

Education is a cornerstone of Tkaronto's society, with access to free post-secondary education being a right for all residents. The introduction of the AcadeMix Matcher, an AI-powered admissions committee, has revolutionized the education system, streamlining the application process and ensuring equitable access to higher education. This innovative approach to education reflects Tkaronto's commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and the pursuit of knowledge for all.

The ‘Save our city’ environmental initiative that school students embarked on in 2026 in partnership with and under the guidance of the Indigenous community has paid off. The streets are lined with all sorts of trees, plants, and flowers. The rooftops of buildings get transformed into community gardens that the residents’ access for herbs and vegetables. Even the initiative to plant fruit trees in the parks has shown dividends. Now, folks can enjoy a snack while enjoying nature.

GEOGRAPHY & TRANSPORTATION

Landscape

Nathan Phillips Park is a highlight of downtown. It is always full of residents and tourists escaping the hustle and bustle into this urban oasis. The creeks, ravines, and lake are not polluted. Residents can swim and enjoy the water anytime.

Creatures

As a result of the increase in green spaces, there is also more biodiversity. Birdwatching has become a popular hobby. Birds are greater in number and species.

Diseases

The covid-19 pandemic of 2020- 2022 was the last major health threat. Most people are inoculated against common communicable diseases. Anti-vaxxers exist at the fringes of society.

Transportation

In 2026, construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) was completed, marking a significant milestone as the first transit line to fully integrate artificial intelligence for driverless operation. This innovative approach not only revolutionized public transportation but also set a precedent for sustainable practices, with the entire line powered by electricity.

The success of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT paved the way for a city-wide shift towards renewable energy sources, transforming the transportation landscape. The popularity of autopilot features, initially popularized by Tesla vehicles, further accelerated the adoption of autonomous transportation modes. Today, autonomous electric cars, buses, as well as subway and light rail systems, have become commonplace, offering commuters a more efficient and sustainable means of travel within the city.

PEOPLE & SOCIETY

Races & Species

Tkaronto is the most multicultural city in Canada. During the past ten years, there has been a steady stream of immigrants from all over the world settling in this city and the city is more diverse. Hence, it became imperative that inhabitants learn to peacefully co-exist without the racial hierarchical system. With the addition of more BIPOC content and representation in schools, Tkaronto has become a more tolerant society and is moving towards living up to its name as the multicultural capital of Canada. At the K-12 level, students take mandatory classes in Black and Indigenous issues. The 2 biggest school boards, TDSB, and TCDSB have made the move to include more courses and content that focus on these underrepresented groups to live up to the education goals outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Languages

Plurilingual society. People speak multiple languages, reflecting the city's status as the most multicultural in Canada. While English is likely the predominant language for communication, given its status as one of Canada's official languages, residents are also likely to be fluent in a variety of other languages. This includes Indigenous languages, as indicated by the bilingual street names in English and Indigenous languages. Additionally, with a focus on diversity and inclusivity, residents may also speak languages from their countries of origin, contributing to the city's plurilingual identity. In situations where multiple languages are spoken, AI interpreters are used to facilitate communication. They could help bridge language barriers and ensure effective communication among individuals who speak different languages.

Common Sayings

Ubuntu – I am because we are, humanity towards others
Ikigai - what gives your life value, meaning, or purpose.
Medicine wheel- Medicine Wheel to the project. A wheel of four quadrants: Knowledge, Action, Spirituality and Feelings
Miigwetch - thank you

Accents

Everyone who was educated through the school system has a similar non-descript accent. This is because students are taught by people with varying accents and as a result of this exposure to diverse accents, students develop a similar sounding prosody. This accent cannot be tied to any one particular group. There is no accent hierarchy as everyone sounds similar.

Social Frameworks

Because of the multicultural make-up of society, everyone is from somewhere else. That is the power of this city. The things that binds us, unites us is our difference. We embrace this as an opportunity to learn about each other and broaden socio-cultural awareness.
Residents must undergo regular mental health screenings to identify and treat potential issues.

Politics

In this society, governance is revolutionised by AI-powered decision-making and decentralized administration. AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to inform policies, predict societal needs, and propose innovative solutions. Decisions are made collaboratively, with local councils and communities empowered to address their unique challenges. Sustainability is a core principle, guiding policies to protect the environment, reduce carbon emissions, and promote sustainable practices. The government is flexible and adaptive, capable of swiftly responding to changing circumstances and technological advancements. This dynamic approach ensures that policies remain relevant and effective in meeting the evolving needs of society.

EDUCATION

Access to education is a right and a priority. The government of Canada fulfilled it’s promise of introducing free post-secondary education since it first ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in 1976. Post-secondary institutions are public, and domestic students pay no tuition fees.

In 2019, the government of Ontario announced that funding for PSE would be tied to ‘performance outcomes such as graduate employment earnings, graduation rates, graduate employment rate in a related field, and economic impact. This performance-based funding proved to be unsustainable as it also resulted in a loss of funding for smaller, remote institutions as well as a reduction in programs offered (such as humanities) functioning to commodify PSE. This oppressive strategy further oppressed marginalized groups since it perpetuated ableist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, sexist, and colonialist ideals and perpetuated the poverty cycle. This highlighted that students need more equitable, reliable, and extensive funding for PSE. This model was discontinued in 2026.

To counter the effects of this funding model, PSE institutions directed their efforts to international student procurement. The differential fees applied to this population provided institutions with a much-needed revenue boost. However, this model of operation was jeopardized in 2024 when the federal government, bowing to conservative pressure and blaming the housing crisis on international students, announced a reduction in the number of international student visas issued. This meant that PSE institutions would need further financial support.

The loss of revenue was passed onto domestic students- the tuition freeze was reversed. Not even the well-lauded mico-credential programs were able to make a difference. The next few years saw a decline in enrollment, faculty retention, education quality, and even research and innovation as people left the world of academia in droves. Change was needed. Drastic change to maintain the fabric of society.

The state of PSE in Ontario, Canada’s largest province, inspired the federal government to step in. They made good on their 55-year-old promise and implemented free PSE education in 2030. This initiative was not without hurdles. Since PSE was now free and accessible to all, the government decided that they needed to implement controls to ensure that the system was not abused. This brought about the AI admissions committee.

The AI admissions committee, given the name AcadeMix Matcher, was powered by artificial intelligence ( there are no humans on the committee). All PSE applications go through this system. OUAC and OCAS were discontinued. Institutions no longer have their own application entry processes. After high school, students who wish to pursue PSE submit their applications via this system. The application is straightforward. All the students' information is uploaded upon graduation. The only information students need to provide is a list of their top six institutions. This AI committee then uses algorithmic data to vet applications, determine student competency and aptitude, and assign them to either college or university, as well as which discipline and program they are best suitable for. Then it chooses the institution this student will be granted admission into based on student performance and the list provided, along with the discipline and programs. If a student doesn’t fit the metric for the outlined choices, the system overrides this and assigns them to a different institution. The AI system also decides the amount of funding that each student receives. Their funding is also based on their competency and aptitudes.

Narrative pages

Student - Esther
Educator - Vernetta
Administrator - Manzhuo