In 1867, when the province of Ontario was established, two ridings were created to represent the city of Toronto.

Toronto West was created from the city wards of St. John, St. Andrew, St. Patrick and St. George.

In 1886 the riding was abolished and a single riding called Toronto, representing the entire city was created which elected three members to the legislature.

In the second incarnation, the boundaries were Lake Ontario to the south between Palmerston Avenue in the east and the city limits in the west.

The northern boundary was the city limits which was formed by the Grand Trunk Railway right-of-way.