Ethnic enclaves

By Mark McAllister

They are the communities in Toronto that actually give this city it’s character. The multicultural hubs where people of different backgrounds gather to live, work and play. Together they form a mosaic, more so than the melting pot found south of the border, where everyone can experience all the world has to offer but without the pressure of becoming “Canadian” all the same.

Most of us have been to Spadina and Dundas for a taste of Chinatown or hit the shops along Gerrard in Little India. Visits to Greektown on the Danforth always have their highlights. Much like the gatherings of different generations in Little Poland or Corso Italia. Each has its flavour and distinction. All border one another in harmony. Everyone is welcome to visit, if they don’t already call the area home.

An ethnic enclave is defined by Statistics Canada as an area where more than 30 percent of the population is a visible minority. Critics contend they aren’t inclusive enough and cause separation. Canada’s Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has gone on record in the past, saying he doesn’t want “a bunch of silo communities where kids grow up in a community that more resembles their parents’ country of origin.” Others believe these neighbourhoods offer a better chance for new immigrants to become comfortable with their surroundings. Regardless, the numbers are growing and the picture is changing.

In the early 80’s, there were only a handful of communities in Toronto that would fall into that category. Now there are hundreds of enclaves with thousands of newcomers moving in every single year. What used to be select groups from different European countries living in the city core has now become a mass of individuals and families of Chinese, Indian and South Asian heritage – with everyone finding more space in the suburbs.

Markham, for example, is home to one of the largest immigrant populations in Canada and Pacific Mall is at the centre of it all holding the title for largest Chinese shopping mall in the country. Woodbridge boasts an ever-expanding Italian base and Brampton is close to a “visible majority” of Indian and Pakistani residents. The pockets that still carry the names of other countries in Toronto now have very little to do with those cultures anymore, aside from a few popular restaurants.

The hope here is some of that nostalgia and character isn’t lost over time and everyone throughout the GTA will have the chance to enjoy the different areas for what they are. Each offers a special glimpse into a variety of cultures from across the world. We don’t want that to be taken away for any reason. It’s what has made this city special for so long.