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An analysis of the contention and dialogue among the citizens of Toronto over the accessibility of public space in mid-nineteenth century Canada reveals the significance of the process of negotiations as the main resource of management and the importance given to the social geography of public space. Public space was a valued symbol in Toronto society and had an important role in the society. The negotiating process included petitioning to the government, regulating legislations put forward by the government and arrangements for public demonstrations.

In the years between 1845 and 1875 the character of communications in Canada changed significantly. The arrival of the telegraph altered the technology of message transmission, and the spread of urban settlement across the continent changed the dimensions of the communications network. This paper aims to analyse the relationship between these developments and the flow of published economic information between and among the cities. Content analyses of non-local economic data, both advertising and editorial, in the pages of the urban newspapers were undertaken at intervals of a decade between 1845 and 1875. The results of these analyses suggest that the new technology had an evolutionary, not revolutionary, effect on the structure of information flows, encouraging both the centralization of control of news gathering and dissemination while allowing the periphery closer contact with the centre. The volume of economic values circulating increased significantly. Regional, national and international networks all became better articulated as the system of cities expanded and intensified.

The study focuses on concerted interest in redefining the social values attached to significant public space in late nineteenth-century Toronto. It also mentioned that middle class played a significant role in establishing the values and was creative, experienced and confident player on the urban stage in late Victorian Toronto.

Examines the process of newsmaking in the days before the telegraph was in general use. Quebec City fires in 1845; Flow of public information; Role of newspapers; Newsgathering and news circulation in the 1840s; Diffusion of story on fires; Role of editors in newsmaking; Delivery of news.