When we walk or drive through this community today, it is hard to imagine this as farm land during the 60’s. The original settlers (Wyandotte First Nation) would shake their heads in disbelief to see the transformation from long house to high-rise. No doubt the first wave of immigrants to settle here, people of German descent who migrated north in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, would gasp at the ways in which concrete and asphalt has replaced fertile farmland.

Toronto has become home to people from throughout the world, and this part of the city is now a culturally rich mosaic inhabited by families from more than 70 countries. In the local high schools, students represent as many as 100 different languages and dialects. Many families who immigrated from Europe (the majority from Italy) have built beautiful homes in these neighbourhoods, and proudly care for beautiful flower beds and gardens. In the 60’s, Canada’s revised immigration laws spawned a huge wave of newcomers to Toronto. Where can all these people be housed?

History has already recorded that some very poor urban planning during the 60’s has impacted our communities in this part of the city. Land was available for development. Owners jumped at this opportunity to benefit financially. All levels of government were determined to build housing to accommodate this influx of people, many of whom were not in a position to either purchase a home or pay market rent. The end result was that this area of North York, an area which stretched from Hwy. 400 on the west to the Black Creek, and from Steeles Ave. on the north to Sheppard Ave. at the south – became home to 75,000 residents. Many high-rise buildings and townhouse/row-house developments have been built. A good number of these were government subsidized, rent-geared-to-income communities. The strains which this sudden burst of development placed on educational, health and social services were and continue to be felt.

These and other factors also had an impact on the community’s image, both internally and beyond. Immigrants from an earlier era suddenly felt themselves stigmatized by living within the Jane/Finch Corridor. The face of the community began to change, and these changes have been really tough for some folks. Community leaders, political representatives, health/social/recreation agencies, schools, churches and the business community are each, in their own way, challenged to respond to the needs, aspirations, dreams and fears of people who want what is best for their families. The people of these neighbourhoods, as in all others, lead lives which have been shaped by their families of origin, their histories, values, education and skills, opportunities and life experience. Persons of practically every profession and trade live on our streets. Another reality is that our community has become home for too many people who are highly trained professionals but lack Canadian training and/or experience and are therefore unemployed or underemployed. A deep sense of sadness and inadequacy fills the heart of a math professor from Sri Lanka who, having to flee because his family was in serious danger, must now mop floors to pay the rent. His feelings are expressed well by the highly respected accountant from Iran (unable to find meaningful work here in Canada) who says: “What bothers me the most is that I no longer feel that I’m a good model for my children. Instead of being proud of me as they were back home, they are probably embarrassed.”

In terms of community image, what the outside world perceives to be true is often shaped by what is heard, read, seen on television and spoken of in conversation. And that is part of our story too! It is inevitable that conflicts occur, tempers flare, relationships become violent, people feel desperate and act out in ways that attract bad press. We have our share of folks who have ‘an attitude’, and sometimes this gets expressed in statements or actions which undermine and destroy rather than nurture a positive spirit. Many people who either live or work in this community, are proud to describe it in terms of being culturally rich, and strive to embrace and reinforce this richness. However, there are others who are not able or ready to celebrate this richness. Bad experiences, incidences of violence too close to home, ‘out of area’ drivers cruising the streets looking for ‘a buy’, a snatched purse, a mugging, too many sirens, too many of ‘those kind of people’ who are taking over the community, creating a reputation which might endanger property values. These are some of the things which create incredible fear and anger within people. They represent some of the challenges to hold in balance if we are to build bridges of understanding, acceptance and appreciation among the folks of Jane/Finch, including the children and youth, those who will be community leaders as we begin the 21st century. And their task is daunting. Considering the significant population in this area, we continue to be underfunded in terms of social, cultural and recreation needs. There is a long waiting list of children needing affordable day care. Training and employment opportunities for persons of all ages are a high need. Many families are unable to pay market rents, and the waiting list and time frame to access affordable housing is long and daunting. Nearly 62% of residents in Ward 8 are renting their apartment or house.