COMMISSION ON POLICY : CULTURE, EDUCATION AND MEDIA - TRAVEL
20 - 24 July, 2026
Commission On Policy : Culture, Education And Media
ISME Commission Pre-Conference Seminar 2026
Theme
Exploring Music Education through Political and Apolitical Lenses in a Changing World
Dates
20-24 July, 2026
Venue
University of Toronto,
St. George Campus, Canada
Travel
From Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
UP Express + TTC Subway
Step 1: Take the UP Express from Pearson Terminal 1 to Union Station.
- Duration: ~25 minutes.
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes.
- Cost: $12.35 (or $9.25 with PRESTO) [torontopearson.com]
Step 2: Transfer to TTC Line 1 Subway at Union Station.
- Travel northbound to Queen’s Park Station.
- Duration: ~5 minutes.
- Cost: $3.35 (TTC fare).
Total Time: ~30–35 minutes.
TTC Bus Options
Route: Take Route 300A Bloor-Danforth overnight service or Route 52A Lawrence West during the day.
Stops: Buses serve Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
Duration: 60–90 minutes depending on route and time of day.
Cost: $3.35 (TTC fare). [ttc.ca]
Route 900 Airport Express + Subway
Step 1: Take TTC Bus 900 Airport Express to Kipling Station (Line 2).
- Duration: ~20–25 minutes.
- Frequency: Every 10 minutes from ~5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. [ttc.ca]
Step 2: Take Line 2 Subway eastbound to St. George Station.
Step 3: Transfer to Line 1 Subway southbound to Queen’s Park Station.
Total Time: ~45–55 minutes.
Cost: $3.35.
Taxi
Duration: ~25 minutes.
Cost: $50–$65.
From Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
Complimentary Shuttle + TTC
Step 1: Take the free shuttle from Billy Bishop to Union Station.
- Duration: ~15 minutes.
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes.
- Cost: Free. [billybishopairport.com]
Step 2: Take TTC Line 1 Subway northbound to Queen’s Park Station.
- Duration: ~5 minutes.
- Cost: $3.35.
Total Time: ~25–30 minutes.
Streetcar + Subway
Step 1: Walk or take the ferry to the mainland.
Step 2: Board Streetcar 509 or 511 at Bathurst & Queens Quay.
- Travel to Union Station.
- Duration: ~10–15 minutes.
Step 3: Take Line 1 Subway northbound to Queen’s Park Station.
- Duration: ~5 minutes.
Total Time: ~25–30 minutes.
Cost: $3.35.
Taxi
Step 1: Walk or take the ferry to the mainland.
Step 2: Hail cab from traffic circle.
Distance: ~5 km.
Duration: ~6 minutes.
Cost: $14–$17.
Travelling within Toronto
Travelling to the Faculty of Music
The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, located at 80 Queens Park, is very well-served by TTC transit, with multiple nearby subway and bus stops:
Subway Access: Queen’s Park Station (Line 1 – Yonge-University)
- Distance: ~2-minute walk from the Faculty of Music.
- Location: Northeast corner of University Avenue and College Street.
- Features: Accessible entrances, PRESTO-enabled, bike share nearby. [ttc.ca]
- Subway Line: Line 1 (Yonge-University), which connects to Union Station, Bloor-Yonge, and other major hubs.
Bus Routes Serving the Area:
- 5 Avenue Road
- 94 Wellesley
- 506 Carlton (streetcar nearby)
- 13 Avenue Road (rush hour only)
- These routes stop within walking distance of the Faculty of Music and connect to other subway stations and neighborhoods.
NOTE: There is no onsite parking at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.
Canadian Visa information
Please request a visa invitation letter on the registration form only if you have not already done so for the ISME World Conference.
Helpful links:
2026 Policy Commission Events Calendar
| Event | Date | Time (ET) |
| Registration | Mon, 20-Jul-2026 | 13:00 |
| Conference opening, Patrick Schmidt, Keynote and other presentation sessions | Mon, 20-Jul-2026 | 14:00 - 17:00 |
| Reception | Mon, 20-Jul-2026 | 17:00 - 19:00 |
| Presentations and Discussion | Tue, 21-Jul-2026 | 09:00 |
| Lunch | Tue, 21-Jul-2026 | 11:30 - 13:00 |
| Lightning Talks & Poster Session | Tue, 21-Jul-2026 | 13:00 - 15:00 |
| Presentations, Discussion and Network Formation | Tue, 21-Jul-2026 | 15:30 - 18:00 |
| Presentations and Discussion | Wed, 22-Jul-2026 | 09:00 |
| Lunch | Wed, 22-Jul-2026 | 11:30 - 13:00 |
| Lightning Talks & Poster Session | Wed, 22-Jul-2026 | 13:00 - 15:00 |
| Excursion (OCADU) Cultural Policy Hub | Wed, 22-Jul-2026 | 15:00 - 18:00 |
| Commission Banquet | Wed, 22-Jul-2026 | 19:00 |
| Presentations and Discussion | Thu, 23-Jul-2026 | 09:00 |
| Lunch | Thu, 23-Jul-2026 | 11:30 - 13:00 |
| Lightning Talks & Poster Session | Thu, 23-Jul-2026 | 13:00 - 15:00 |
| Presentations, Discussion and UNESCO Framework of Arts and Cultural Briefing | Thu, 23-Jul-2026 | 15:30 - 18:00 |
| Presentations, conference closing keynote, David Forrest, and Commission 50th Anniversary Party | Fri, 24-Jul-2026 | 09:00 - 12:00 |
Event Partners / Sponsors

From Toronto to Montréal
Those traveling from any of the pre-conference seminar venues to the ISME World Conference in Montreal can take advantage of several travel discounts available exclusively to world conference registered participants. Below is a summary of the options currently offered:
• Air Canada: Special flight discounts are available for participants who have completed their world conference registration and payment.
• Porter Airlines: Up to 10% off eligible base fares (excluding the lowest sale fares) for travel to and from the ISME 2026 World Conference.
• VIA Rail Canada: 10% off the best available fares in Economy, Economy Plus, Business, Business Plus, and Sleeper class, subject to each fare plan’s conditions and restrictions.
For further information, click this link.
Train (VIA Rail)
Duration: ~5h 28m
Cost: $65–$150 CAD
Departure: Toronto Union Station
Arrival: Montréal Central Station
Frequency: Every 4 hours, daily
Booking: viarail.ca
Bus (Megabus, FlixBus, Rider Express)
Duration: ~6–9 hours
Cost: $10–$110 CAD
Departure: Toronto Union Station Bus Terminal
Arrival: Montreal Bus Terminal (varies by provider)
Frequency: Hourly departures available
Flight (Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Flair)
Duration: ~1h 15m flight time; ~2h 30m total including airport time
Cost: $65–$650 CAD (depending on airline and booking time)
Airports:
Driving
Distance: ~540 km
Duration: ~5h 30m
Cost: $100–$155 CAD (fuel, tolls, rental if applicable)
Route: Highway 401 East → Autoroute 20 East