Toronto is much different from Chicago in respect to the technology scene. Being Canada's biggest, and primary city for tech, there is a lot of passion and motivation to make concentrated in the community their. And the University of Waterloo is a mere hour drive away from Toronto and has been a major feeder school to tech companies for ages now. I visited Toronto for a hackathon in April and was amazed by the amount of companies in the area as well as the organizations that supports technology. Can't say the same about Chicago.
Toronto is certainly growing and certainly the most ambitious and challenging city in Canada. However it's not near the level of Bay Area or even NYC for tech. There's a small community that you can be a part of but the general feeling of energy isn't there.
But Thiel doesn't really target tech workers, he makes a more general observation, and its also valid for Toronto. If are smart and ambitious enough you shouldn't stay in Toronto.
Drake would like a word with you.
from his perch in Hidden Hills?
This is ridiculous. If you're Canadian and are smart and ambitious enough, you would move to Toronto.
Pretty much my entire graduating class in Canada moved to the US immediately upon graduation.