Grand Union, 1958. Image: Panda Associates | |
Bill 23 threatens Toronto's heritage | |
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Our role at Heritage Toronto is focused on public programs. However. with the passing of the Ford government’s omnibus Bill 23 on Monday, we share the fears expressed by cities, conservation authorities, affordable housing advocates, and many others that this Bill will not galvanize growth. Instead, we believe it facilitates the demolition of our city's heritage.
Of note, we are disappointed in the proposed changes to the Ontario Heritage Act, which provide little consideration to impacts on the hard work of our many colleagues in the heritage sector – especially those tasked with designation, preservation and planning responsibilities.
We believe listing or designation of a property itself does not prevent development – it thoughtfully guides it. Our State of Heritage Report provides evidence, and our Heritage Toronto Awards demonstrates many examples of how it can be done (see our 2022 Built Heritage nominees).
In our opinion, this Bill threatens our built and natural heritage and greatly degrades public investment and participation in our heritage resources.
What can you do?
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Inform yourself. Last week, the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario held a media event at Queen's Park to address impacts to the heritage sector.
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Contact your local MPP, however they voted, and let them know you vote for those that protect the province's built and natural heritage.
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Sign the petition, Stop the attack on heritage: Kill Bill 23.
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Shown above, Grand Union, part of Parkway Plaza at 85 Ellesmere Road, is among the 3973 properties in Toronto that would have to be removed from the Heritage Register if not designated within two years, once Bill 23 becomes law. | |
Programs Coordinator Victoria Atteh at Reggae Lane mural in Little Jamaica, September 22, 2022. | |
Support emerging historians from equity-deserving communities | |
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Last year, we asked you to make a donation to expand our Emerging Historians program. Through your generosity, and the support of our corporate partner TD Bank and the TD Ready Commitment, we launched the Equity Heritage Initiative in March. This initiative has deepened our commitment to empower the next generation of heritage advocates from equity-deserving communities with mentorship, paid work, and opportunities to shape the narratives of our city.
Throughout 2022, we've provided emerging historians with 28 paid contracts to lead tours, write articles, and create digital map tours, like the three new experiences on Tamil refugees, mid-century modern architecture and women's rights highlighted below. Take a look.
If you have engaged with any of our programming this year, then you have experienced the value of the Equity Heritage Initiative. Our goal for 2023 is to maintain the number of short-term contracts, and also provide two additional emerging historians with 12-month long Program Coordinator positions. Victoria and her fellow emerging historians are the future. Please give to this important initiative. Help us build their careers and a more inclusive Toronto.
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Chef Vijeyaratnam, Allen's, late 1980s to 1990s. Courtesy of Amalan Vijeyaratnam. | |
New Places, New Palates: Tamil Cooks in Toronto's Kitchens | |
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In July 1983, a series of anti-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka plunged the island into a 26 year war. During those years, Tamils fled their homeland, and Toronto became home to one of the largest Tamil populations outside of South Asia.
Staffing a third of all restaurant kitchens in Toronto, discover how these Tamil refugees became the backbone of the city’s restaurant industry, and the stories of loss, resilience, and determination that have shaped this community.
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This digital tour was developed by Emerging Historian Vanessa Vigneswaramoorthy and made possible by program champions: | |
Details of 100 Spadina Road. Courtesy of Kaido Haagen / Estonian Museum of Architecture | |
Capturing Mid-Century Toronto | |
Starting as a neighbourhood for Toronto’s elite, large houses originally lined the Annex’s streets. As the population of the neighbourhood increased, new types of architecture emerged to accommodate young professionals. Moving away from traditional forms, architects like Uno Prii created space-age designs that embodied the new spirit of the neighbourhood. Discover this unique collection of mid-century modern architecture on this self-guided tour. | |
This digital tour was developed by Emerging Historian Stephen Ficalora and made possible by program champions: | |
Inmates in the sewing room, Mercer Reformatory, 1903. Courtesy of the Ontario Legislative Assembly and the University of Toronto | |
In 19th- and 20th-century Toronto, women began to seek out independent, single lives, entering the city's workforce. But public officials and provincial legislation often limited women’s social, sexual and economic agency. Explore today’s Liberty Village through the lens of women’s mobility and the adversity they faced, from the first women's prison in Canada to the Toronto Carpet Manufacturing Company, on this self-guided tour. | |
This digital tour was developed by Emerging Historian August Beals and made possible by program champions: | |
Saving Chinatown, tour participants, July 17, 2022. Image: Ashley Duffus | |
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Our tours bring people together to experience our city and to connect with each other - residents, newcomers and visitors. Our tours also encourage participants to reflect on the diversity of our city’s heritage, providing new perspectives and historical context to current issues.
Would you like to be part of this? We particularly encourage tour proposals from equity-deserving individuals or communities, or which focus on topics or neighbourhoods related to these communities.
Submit a proposal to lead a volunteer public walk with us during our 2023 season. Proposals will be accepted until the end of January 2023.
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York University intern Jodie Chinnery and emerging historian Victoria Atteh. Image: York University | |
Grow your career with us! | |
Looking for experience in program administration, historical research and community consultation? We are hiring a full-time, 12-month Programming Coordinator under our Equity Heritage Initiative. The application deadline is December 18. | |
This opportunity is part of Heritage Toronto's Equity Heritage Initiative, made possible by TD Bank and funding from: | |
Looking for a unique gift? | |
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Here's a thought for a gift that gives back this holiday season - our Century House Plaque.
Available for any house within the City of Toronto that is over 100 years old, our Century House Plaque ornaments your home - or your loved one's home - for all seasons. It also supports Heritage Toronto's work to build a better city by bringing people together to explore Toronto’s shared past and peoples’ lived experiences.
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NOTE: Place your order before 5:00 pm on December 2 to ensure delivery for the holidays. | |
Advocates are balking at Therme’s plans for a private facility, which the company says also involves creating nearly 12 acres of new public space at Ontario Place. (Toronto Star) | |
The trees, believed to be hundreds of years old, were slated to be cut down by Metrolinx to make way for an archeological assessment of the site before construction begins for the Ontario Line. (CTVNews) | |
Critics note that some prominent developers, who are Progressive Conservative donors and bought land not long before the announcement, stand to benefit most from Bill 23. (CBC) | | | | | |
