The Caribbean Communities

 

For one weekend every summer, Toronto’s downtown streets are filled with demons and devils, flowers and insects—costumed, energetic dancers gyrating to the sounds of calypso and steel bands. Caribana, Toronto’s parade of people and colourful floats, is a celebration of the city’s 400,000-member Caribbean community.

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The West Indian community represents more than half of Toronto’s Black population. They come from all of the 25 separate islands and countries that are washed by the Caribbean Sea, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and Haiti, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, and Trinidad and Tobago, and mainland territories like Guyana and Belize. The population of the territories is multicultural—a mixture of British, Chinese, Dutch, East Indian, French, Lebanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Syrian, combined with a long African legacy.

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While West Indians have been in Canada for generations, the first large-scale immigration began in the 1960s. Previous to the 1960s, West Indian students, largely from Trinidad, arrived to study at local universities. Other early newcomers included young women from Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados who were sponsored as domestic workers. Those with higher levels of education and work experience were hired as stenographers, bookkeepers, hairdressers, nurses, nursing assistants, and teachers. After 1962 and through the 1970s, a great number of West Indians began entering Canada, and Toronto’s Caribbean population increased dramatically.

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An early area of settlement for the community was around Bloor and Bathurst streets, and later in the area around Eglinton Avenue and Dufferin Street. The community has gradually moved out to the suburbs, with identifiable areas along Jane Street and Finch Avenue, Lawrence Avenue and Markham Road, and Birchmount and Finch Avenue.

Approximately half the population of Guyana and Trinidad are of East Indian descent. Immigration records reveal that over 200,000 people of Indo-Caribbean background live in the Greater Toronto Area. In 1988, the Indo-Caribbean community celebrated the 150th anniversary of its presence in the Caribbean with a six-day conference at York University. The University also houses a centre for Indo-Caribbean studies.

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In recent years, the community has come together to send relief to those Caribbean islands ravaged by hurricanes.

Caribbean Torontonians celebrate their heritage with distinctive foods and a passion for sports and music. Sports clubs are very popular, offering activities such as cricket, soccer and netball, and a popular pastime—dominoes. John Brooks, a Toronto West Indian, founded the National Domino League of Canada. Outstanding Caribbean-Canadian athletes include members of the 1996 Olympic gold medal relay team, sprinter Donovan Bailey, 1996 Olympic gold medalist in the 100 metre dash, and Mark McCoy, 1992 Olympic gold medalist in the 110 metre hurdles.

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Places to Go

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Throughout the city, at corner stores and in suburban shopping malls, the popular West Indian pattie (pastry turnovers filled with spicy ground beef) and roti (soft flat bread rolled around a filling of meat, fish, or vegetables) can be found. The prime shopping neighbourhood is Eglinton Avenue between Oakwood Avenue and Keele Street, followed by Bathurst Street north of Bloor Street, once the heart of the community’s commercial district.

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Various restaurants in these neighbourhoods serve cuisine that reflects the diversity of the Caribbean community—with strong undercurrents of Chinese, East Indian, and American influences.

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Some say the best West Indian food is found in take-out places like those along Eglinton Avenue West, which sell Trinidadian rotis and Jamaican patties: Rap’s Express, (1541A Eglinton Ave. W); Randy’s Take-out, (Tel. 416-781-5313, 1569 Eglinton Ave. W); Roti-King West Indian Restaurant and Dining Lounge, (Tel. 416-781-8432, 1688 Eglinton Ave. W); Mr. Jerk, (Tel. 416-783-1367, 1552 Eglinton Ave. W); ACR Hot Roti & Doubles, (Tel. 416-755-7806, 2680 Lawrence Ave. E); Offers Caribbean entertainment, in addition to its island cooking. In the downtown area, on Dundas (between University Ave. and Elizabeth St.) is Coconut Grove Restaurant, (Tel. 416-348-8887, 183 Dundas St. W). It serves dishes from Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana. Their specialties are fast lunch dishes.

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While there is still a congregation of West Indian restaurants, especially Jamaican, on Eglinton Avenue, the past decade has seen the dramatic rise of posh Caribbean restaurants throughout the city. The pre-eminent dining place is Tropical Nights, (Tel. 416-693-9000, 3114 Danforth Ave), on Danforth Avenue at Victoria Park. Then there is Club Sandos, (Tel. 416-293-0050, on 5780 Sheppard Ave. E) (east of Markham Road). Another popular dining spot is Benab II Restaurant, (Tel. 905-277-2483, located at 169 Dundas Street E), in Mississauga. These three establishments serve unique Caribbean Chinese dishes, in addition to the regular Caribbean fare. Island Brew Coffee, (Tel. 416-267-6081), provides a unique blend of coffee from five Caribbean islands including the Jamaica Blue Mountain.

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Delroy Taffe, owner of Spence’s Three Star Bakery, (Tel. 416-782-7850), a restaurant and food store at 1539 Eglinton Ave. W., give Toronto’s Jamaicans a taste of home with homemade breads and popular foods, including bammis, cow foot, mackerel, ackee and salt fish, Shim’s fruit-flavoured syrups, Montego ginger beer, plantation chips, Blue Mountain coffee, the famous pickapeppa sauce, curry goat, oxtail, patties, and cocoa bread. Spence’s popular breakfast may consist of callaloo (soup made from callaloo leaves, fish, and okra), liver, green bananas, dumplings, and plantain.

There are also a number of Caribbean import specialty stores in the area, such as Gus’ Tropical Foods and Delicatessen, (Tel. 416-789-2387, 1582 Eglinton Ave. W). Play de Record, (Tel. 416-586-0380, www.playderecord.com, 357A Yonge St). The Real Jerk, (Tel. 416-463-6055, 709 Queen St. E), reflects its Jamaican identity with non-stop reggae music and house specialties such as jerk (cured meat) dishes accompanied by pickapeppa hot sauce. Roti, rice, and plantain are served along with Jamaica’s famous beer, Red Stripe.

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Cutty’s Hideaway Restaurant, (Tel. 416-463-5380, 538 Danforth Ave), is a restaurant and nightclub that combines West Indian music with Island cuisine, such as black pudding, pepper pot, fish cakes, and bora pork. Fresh roti and pastries are available at Ali’s West Indian Roti Shop, (Tel. 416-532-7701, 1446 Queen St. W).

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Other specialty stores include: Joyce’s West Indies Food Store, (Tel. 416-533-4872, 854 Bathurst St); and V&S West Indies Grocery, (Tel. 416-267-0921, 1360 Danforth Rd).

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Religious Centres, Schools and Other Institutions

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Religion is an extremely important institution in Caribbean society. People of the Caribbean belong to many faiths, with the majority belonging to Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal churches. Hindus and Muslims from the Caribbean frequent the city’s mosques and temples.

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•   KINGSVIEW VILLAGE SDA CHURCH, (Tel. 416-245-6863, 70 Kingsview Blvd).

•   APPLE CREEK 7TH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, (Tel. 905-946-8751, 700 Apple Creek Blvd., Markham).

•   TRUTH TABERNACLE UPC, (Tel. 905-477-5324, 333 Denison St., Markham).

•   MEADOWALE SDA CHURCH, (Tel. 905-821-9149, 16 Falconer Dr., Mississauga).

•   MISSISSAUGA SDA CHURCH, (Tel. 905-608-0013, 2250 Credit Valley Rd).

•   ABBA COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP, (Tel. 416-438-9500, 1085 Bellamy N).

•   PEOPLE’S WORSHIP CENTRE, (Tel. 416-261-5420, 215 Kennedy Rd).

•   PERFECT LOVE TABERNACLE, (Tel. 416-438-7437, 727 Progress Ave).

•   SHOUTERS N.E. SPIRITUAL BAPTIST FAITH, (Tel. 416-264-5153, 559 Kennedy Rd).

•   B.M.E. CHURCH, (Tel. 416-534-3831, 1828 Eglinton Ave. W).

•   BIBLEWAY CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, (Tel. 416-658-5600, 24 Innes Ave).

•   CORNERSTONE BAPTIST TABERNACLE, (Tel. 416-658-3300, 833 St. Clair Ave. W).

•   DOWNSVIEW PENTECOSTAL CHURCH (PAOC), (Tel. 416-633-1886, 80 Regent Rd).

•   NEW LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, (Tel. 416-744-4107, 65 Irondale Dr).

•   REVIVAL TIME TABERNACLE, (Tel. 416-630-9346, 4340 Dufferin St).

•   ST. GEORGE THE MARTYR ANGLICAN CHURCH, (Tel. 416-598-4366, 205 John St).

•   TORONTO LIVING WORLD TABERNACLE, (Tel. 416-264-3024, 22 Fishleigh).

•   TORONTO EAST SDA CHURCH, (Tel. 416-696-5784, 170 Weswood Ave).

•   YORK CHURCH OF GOD, (Tel. 416-604-2775, 325 Weston Rd).

•   UNITED MUSLIM ASSOCIATION, (Tel. 416-675-3254, 4 Woodlot Crescent).

•   SHOUTER SPIRITUAL BAPTIST, (Tel. 416-686-1433, www.shouterbaptist.org, 447 Birchmount Rd).

•   ST. THERESA WELL OF LIFE SPIRITUAL BAPTIST, (Tel. 416-288-1728, 90 Northline Rd., Scarborough).

•   SATYA JYOTI CULTURAL SABHA, (Tel. 905-564-6723, 6731 Columbus Rd., Units 7 & 8, Mississauga).

•   DEVI MANDIR, (Tel. 905-686-8534, 2590 Brock Rd., Pickering).

•   PRANAV HINDU MANDIR AND CULTURAL CENTRE, (Tel. 905-686-8534, 102 Rivalda Rd). (North of Sheppard, east of Weston).

•   ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA AND CARE CANADA, (Tel. 416-924-9192, 80 Hayden St.)

•   BRITISH METHODIST EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH, (Tel. 416-534-3831, 1828 Eglinton Ave. W).

•   CARIBBEAN CANADIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CENTRE, (Tel. 416-534-1145, 867 College St).

•   CHRISTIAN CENTRE CHURCH, (Tel. 416-661-6770, 4545 Jane St).

•   CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY, (Tel. 416-465-6321, 114 Pape Ave).

•   DONWAY UNITED CHURCH, (Tel. 416-444-8444, 230 Donway Ave W).

•   FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, (Tel. 416-977-3508, 101 Huron St).

•   PERTH AVENUE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, (Tel. 416-535-1909, 243 Perth Ave).

•   ST. DAVID’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, (Tel. 416-267-7897, 1300 Danforth Rd).

•   ST. GEORGE THE MARTYR ANGLICAN CHURCH, (Tel. 416-598-4366, 197 John St).

•   ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED CHURCH, (Tel. 416-653-5711, 729 St. Clair Ave. W).

•   ST. MICHAEL’S AND ALL ANGELS ANGLICAN CHURCH, (Tel. 416-653-3593, 611 St. Clair Ave. W).

 

 

Holidays and Celebrations

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• CARIBANA, held in late July or early August each year, is modelled after Carnival in Trinidad, which began as a celebration of freedom from slavery. The first parade took place along Yonge Street in conjunction with Montreal’s Expo ’67. Today, more than 1 million people show up for the parade that winds along the lakeshore. Caribana’s masqueraders depict a specific theme which reflects history, current events, film, social commentary, and carnival tradition. Participants can be seen doing the Wine, a gyrating movement of the torso, characteristic of West Indian dance. Every year, the Miss Black Ontario Pageant is held.
  
  An annual summer music festival featuring steel bands, calypso and reggae music is held at Ontario Place, under the patronage of the Jamaican and Trinidad High Commissions in Canada.

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Each island community in the city celebrates its own independence day with festivities:

• GUYANA’S REPUBLIC DAY, February 23, celebrates the day in 1970 that Guyana became the Co-operative Republic of Guyana within the Commonwealth of Nations. This event is celebrated with a dinner and dance.

• CARNIVAL is celebrated with dances and parties by the Trinidadian and Tobago community during the weekend and the Monday and Tuesday prior to Lent.

• GRENADIAN CULTURAL DAY is May 21. The Grenada Association of Toronto sponsors a cultural program including displays, food, and dancing.

• JAMAICA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY is celebrated on August 6 with a dinner, speeches and a cultural program. It commemorates the day in 1962 when Jamaica became an independent nation within the Common -wealth.

• INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR TRINIDADIANS AND TOBAGONIANS is August 31. It celebrates their Independence Day within the Commonwealth, which took place in 1962.

• TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REPUBLIC DAY is celebrated on the last Saturday in September with awards, presentations, speeches, dinner, and a dance, followed by a cultural presentation.

• BARBADOS INDEPENDENCE DAY, November 30, commemorates the day in 1966 that Barbados became an independent nation within the Commonwealth. The community celebrates with a dinner, speeches, special church services, and a cultural program.

• ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA INDEPENDENCE DAY, November 1. Celebrated with a special service of Thanksgiving dinner and dance, it commemorates independence from Britain in 1981.
   

See Holidays and Celebrations in Glossary.

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Media

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• BLACK PAGES, (Tel. 416-364-1900, 6021 Yonge St., Suite 306).

• CARIBBEAN CAMERA, (Tel. 416-412-3605, 55 Nugget Ave., Suite 212). A weekly newspaper. Editor: Rayner Maharaj.

• CARIBBEAN CONNECTION, CHIN 1540 AM, (Tel. 416-531-9991, 622 College St). Saturday, 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Host: Jai Maharaj.

• CARIBBEAN CONNECTION, CHIN 100.7 FM, (Tel. 416-531-9991, 622 College St). Tuesday to Thursday, 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; Saturday, 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Host: Jai Maharaj.

• CKLN RADIO, 88.1 FM, (Tel. 416-595-1477, 380 Victoria St), features Caribbean programs. Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.; Saturday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• INDO-CARIBBEAN WORLD, (Tel. 905-738-5005, 312 Brownridge Dr., Thornhill). A Toronto publication aimed at West Indians in general, with an emphasis on the Indo-Caribbean population. Contact: Harry Ramkhelawan.

• INDO-CARIBBEAN VISIONS, CITYTV, channel 57, (Tel. 416-591-5757, 299 Queen St. W). Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Producer: Ken Singh.

• PRIDE, (Tel. 416-335-1719, 5200 Finch Ave. E., Suite 200A). A weekly newspaper. Publisher: Michael Van Cooten.

• SHARE, (Tel. 416-656-3400, www.sharenews.com, 658 Vaughan Rd). A national weekly newspaper serving Canada’s Black and Caribbean community. With a circulation of more than 130,500 it is Canada’s largest ethnic newspaper. Publisher: Arnold A. Auguste. Editor: Jules Elder.

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Organizations

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• AFRICANS IN PARTNERSHIP AGAINST AIDS, (Tel. 416-924-5256,517 College St., Suite 338). Educational & Support Network for Continental Africans in Canada.

• AFRICAN WOMAN RESOURCE & INFORMATION CENTRE, (Tel. 416-214-4823, 203 Sackville Green, Suite 6).

• ONTARIO BLACK HISTORY SOCIETY, (Tel. 416-867-9420, 10 Adelaide St. E., Suite 202), is a registered non-profit organization working to present and promote the contributions of Black people and their history in Canada through education and research.

• BLACK BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION, (Tel. 416-504-4097, 675 King St. W., Suite 210). Presents the annual Harry Jerome Awards for achievements in business, community involvement, academics, arts, and athletics. The awards are a tribute to the late track star Harry Jerome who is regarded as a role model and a symbol of excellence by Canadians. President: Hugh Graham.

• CARIBBEAN CULTURAL COMMITTEE, (Tel. 416-465-4884, 138 Hamilton St). Organizes Caribana parade.

• CARIBBEAN CANADIAN SENIORS CLUB, (Tel. 416-746-5772, 995 Arrow Rd.)

• CATHOLIC CARIBBEAN CENTRE, (Tel. 416-534-1145, 867 College St).

• WEST INDIAN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETY, (Tel. 416-493-1292, 62 Ladner Dr., P.O. Box 298, Station E). Youth educational project and counselling. Contact: Karl Oliver.

• WEST INDIAN VOLUNTEER, (248 Jamestown Cres). Provides individual and family counselling and social activities.

• YORK COMMUNITY SERVICES, (Tel. 416-653-5400, 1651 Keele St). Provides free health care, legal advice and counselling.
  
   

Other Organizations include:
 

• BERMUDA SOCIAL CLUB, (Tel. 416-493-3512, 61 Palmdale Dr). Organizes social and cultural events. Contact: Mavis Simmon.

• CARIBBEAN CANADIAN BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION, (Tel. 416-690-3913, 2558 Danforth Ave., Suite 203).