If you look at a map of Toronto, you’ll see Little Italy, Chinatown, Little Portugal, Koreatown and Little Malta. But you won’t see the words Little Jamaica, even though this section of Eglinton West has been colloquially known by that name since at least the 1960s

In the ‘70s + ‘80s, about 100,000 Jamaicans moved to Toronto, mostly settling in this area. Little Jamaica became a hotbed for reggae / soul (check out Jamaica to Toronto compilation) + a hub for Canada’s Caribbean diaspora. Here’s reggae legend Noel Ellis there checking records

Started in 2011, construction of Eglinton Crosstown LRT has blocked access to local shops. @Metrolinx won’t compensate for lost revenue. 140 businesses have closed. It‘s finished in 2022. How many local businesses will survive until then? And who will benefit from this expansion?

Let @YorkEglintonBIA @ColleMike + @JoshMatlow know that you think the area should officially be called Little Jamaica to protect the neighbourhood’s rich culture. Follow @BlackEglinton and @blackurbanismto for updates. Shout out to @RandysTakeOut and @RapsEglintonW