Toronto has roughly 200,000 people who claim Jamaican heritage, this means there are more Jamaicans living in Toronto than any Jamaican city outside of Kingston. The population keeps on growing and the Caribbean influence on the city and Canadian culture is increasing every year. The following article came out today and is an in-depth analysis of the main challenge facing Toronto's 'Little Jamaica'
https://globalnews.ca/news/6290487/toronto-little-jamaica-lrt-construction/
The primary Jamaican neighbourhood is located uptown around Eglington West, an area that was built up in the 1960s. Jamaicans first moved to the area because properties were inexpensive at the time, then more Jamaicans moved there, businesses built up and so on, like a Chinatown, but Jamaican town.
“Down here you would see Jimmy Cliff when he comes to town, Bob Marley when he comes to town, Burning Spear, Leroy Sibbles, Lord Tanomo, Toots,” Rose lists them off. “They all come down to Eglinton to enjoy the camaraderie and the friendship and the basement parties, the food… but now, not so much.” source
Now the scene has changed, the community like most other immigrant communities has matured and people have moved out beyond that area. It's also gentrifying with a $5 billion Light Subway line being built under the street connecting it to the mass transit grid. This will increase rents and property values bringing everyone to the area and likely driving out any business that isn't very profitable. The good news is that it will be easier to visit Little Jamaica next time you're in the 6ix!
There are a few other cities in the world (New York, Miami, London, etc.) with large Jamaican populations and I'd like to hear about them from any of you living in them. If you live in or near any of these places, please share some stories about the community and reach out to us at https://www.reggaesteem.com/