gentrification of little jamaica
Learn about the history of Little Jamaica and the role it has played in shaping Toronto's cultural landscape.


Little Jamaica (Eglington West) is a neighbourhood in Toronto made of Silverthorn, Briar Hill-Belgravia, Caledonia-Fairbank and Oakwood-Vaughn.


Jamaican (and Caribbean) immigrants began to settle in this hub during the 1950s due to the West Indian Domestic Scheme. Between the 1970s to 1990s, over 100,000 Jamaicans have migrated to the area

While Little Jamaica is one of the largest expatriate Jamaican communities in the world, it is home to many immigrant groups such as people of Italian, Portugese, Chinese and Filipino descent, to name a few.

Unfortunately, as wealthier people and companies begin to move into the niehgbourhood, locals are finding it harder and harder to keep up.
This might lead to the destruction of cultural landmarks in the community.