Those who have lived, worked, and played in Toronto most or all of their lives like things, well, shall we just say – a certain way? They are extremely proud of being a Torontonian, as they should be, and prefer when things that have always defined the city continue to be the defining factors. Even when one of those things is as small, and seemingly unimportant, as area codes.

As soon as it was announced, on rather short notice, that Toronto was getting two new area codes on Monday, March 25, people started becoming upset. Those who were used to the 416, and still thought of this as “the original” area code for the city are wondering why this will no longer be an option should they get a new phone number, or switch phone carriers. And even those who are accustomed to being surrounded in 905 area codes are a little put out by taking on another, foreign code.

However, growth is usually a good thing – even if it does sting a little at first. And, growth is also often a necessary thing, and that’s exactly the case here. The below chart shows just why that is -with both the 905 and 416 area codes having exactly 0 numbers left.

So just what new area codes will there be? Added to the 416 and 647 area codes will be the area code of 437. This area covers mostly Toronto, and just a few surrounding areas.

The 905 and 289 area codes will have the area code of 365 added to them, and that’s where many more of the boundaries come into play. This area covers the broad spectrum of Ajax, Pickering, Brampton, Burlington, Hamilton, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Oakville, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, and Whitby.

The Telecommunications Alliance also says that the addition of these new numbers is due to the rapid expansion Toronto and the surrounding GTA has experienced in the past several years; as well as the fact that there are so many new numbers due to mobile use. They also stated that anyone looking for new numbers within the next few months will still be able to get the “old” area codes while they’re still available.