Toronto is in what's known as Canada's banana belt. It's all relative.

Banana belt, what on earth are you taking about? Hogtown sure. Maybe even “the big smoke”, and not because of the current wildfires. But banana belt? First time I’ve heard it

Here some examples:

> "Affectionately termed the `banana belt' of Canada, this zone boasts the warmest average annual temperatures, the longest frost-free seasons, and the mildest winters in Ontario." -- https://caroliniancanada.ca/legacy/FactSheets_CCUniqueness.h...

> "The city where I live, Toronto, is situated in what Canadians call the banana belt, because of its relatively mild climate." -- https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/gardeners-have-a-sen...

> "The 'banana belt' or Carolinian Canada is a region in Ontario found south of a line which runs approximately from Grand Bend to Toronto." -- http://erintown.blogspot.com/

> "Although this area is also known as the “banana belt” of Canada, you won't find any bananas growing here!" -- http://onnaturemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2002-spring-c...

> "This part of Ontario is often known as the "Banana Belt", because of our moderate climate, in comparison to the rest of Canada." -- https://www.pinterest.es/pin/621919029764992451/

Multiple English dictionaries describe the term as specifically Canadian, e.g. Collins:

> "a region with a warm climate, esp one in Canada" -- https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/bana...

Canadian here, lived in Toronto for about a decade.

There are many names that Canadians from outside Toronto call Toronto...few repeatable in polite company...but I have never heard this Banana Belt term either.

See this comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36557414

I’ve never heard anyone use this phrase. What are you talking about?

Here you go: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36557414

Not compared to most places in Canada its not. Toronto I would say is between 2C to -10C on average during the winter, -20C in the extreme. Cities like Regina and Saskatoon for example have winters in the range of -20C to -40C on average, and extremes can reach -55C. Its like comparing Alaska and NYC.