I will apply for a visa in Toronto. Is an appointment required prior to visiting the consulate?

If you apply at the consulate, you need to make an appointment at first. Actually, you can apply for it at China Visa Application Service Center in Toronto. You can fill the form online, make an appointment for submitting your documents and then get your visa back on your own. Or you can apply for it by post.
http://www.visaforchina.org/YTO_EN/