#23 THE DUTCH COMMUNITY | Toronto's Many Faces

The Dutch Community

The country of Rembrandt and Van Gogh was also the birthplace of artist Albert Jacques Franck (1899–1973), who arrived in Canada in 1927. Franck worked out of a Gerrard St. store restoring paintings in what was then Toronto’s artists’ colony. His depictions of sleepy neighbourhoods, gabled homes, and wintry street scenes inspired many of the city’s younger artists. In memory of the late artist, the Albert Franck Artist Exchange Programme was setup to provide an annual exchange of creative talents between Toronto and its twin city, Amsterdam.

Many of the first Dutch settlers were United Empire Loyalists who left the U.S. following the American Revolution. A prominent member of the early community was Egerton Ryerson (1803–1882), chief superintendent of education for Upper Canada, who pioneered the education system of Ontario. He founded Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and is commemorated with a statue on the campus.

Toronto’s Dutch population began to burgeon in the 1920s and 1930s as southwestern Dutch farmers moved to the city seeking jobs in industry. Following the Second World War, Dutch war brides, skilled workers, and professionals settled in Toronto. Some were employed as agricultural and horticultural workers, and later became self-employed landscape gardeners or worked for Toronto’s Parks Department.

Presently, an estimated 85,000 Dutch Canadians live in Toronto, the majority having arrived in the last 50 years. Dutch-owned companies in the city include ABN-AMRO Bank, Voortman Cookies Ltd., Philips Electronics, Rabobank Canada, ING Canada, Amsterdam Brewing Company, Hudson Movers Inc., DeBoer’s Furniture.

Since the 1950s, a number of Dutch cultural, religious, and commercial groups have emerged. Several Christian Reformed Church parishes have been established. The DUCA Community Credit Union is among the ten largest of all credit unions in Ontario, with 40,000 members and assets valued at more than $400 million.

A special bond was created between Toronto and Amsterdam following the Second World War. Visiting dignitaries have included Queen Juliana in 1967, Queen Beatrix in 1988, and Princess Margriet in 1995. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Holland by Canadian soldiers, Dutch Canadians from across Canada formed an organization: 1945–1970, Thank You Canada. In appreciation of their new homeland, this Toronto-based group raised money for a concert organ as a gift to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. In 1995, the 50th anniversary was commemorated coast to coast, with Canadian veterans as featured guest.

Places to Go

The flowered Amsterdam Square Parkette, St. Clair Avenue W. and Avenue Road, commemorates the twinning of Amsterdam and Toronto in 1974. The parkette has a 1928 replica of the Van Karnabcek Fountain, named after one of the founders of the Peace Palace at The Hague (the seat of the Dutch government).

In 1967, as part of their contribution to the Canadian Centennial festivities, the Dutch community donated an artistic maze (doolhof) of shrubs and bushes to Toronto’s Centre Island. This permanent gift to the city reflects the Dutch skill for landscaping while providing a playground for children of all ages.

A popular Dutch meal is koffietafel, a light lunch of smoked sausage or meat and cheese sandwiches. Marinated herring dishes are Dutch specialties. Indonesian cuisine—which has influenced Dutch foods since Indonesia was a Dutch colony—includes the popular rijsttafel (rice table), and bahmi goreng (spiced fried noodles). The national drink of the Nether -lands is jenever, gin made from a variety of spices, and another popular drink is advocaat—a potent egg spirit. Heineken beer is prized internationally.

Specialty stores carry imported products and Dutch-style smoked sausages, cocktail and tongue sausages, plus Holland’s famed gouda, edam, and blue cheeses. Imported Dutch cookies, koffie waffles, fig rolls, salted licorice, chocolates, and baked goods, such as almond-filled shortbread and boterkoek (apple cake), are also available.

One of the first Dutch establishments in the city, Simon De Groot Meat Products, was located on Church and Maitland Street, surrounded by a large Dutch settlement. Today, the Dutch are mostly living in the suburbs and that is the reason you will find Simon’s Smokehouse there, (Tel. 905-453-1822, 2 Fisherman Dr, Brampton).

Other stores that carry Dutch imported products and pastries include Dutch Dreams Frozen Yoghurts & Ice Creams, (Tel. 416-656-6959, 78 Vaughan Rd); Niemeyer’s Gift and Deli, (Tel. 905-764-0302, 10 East Wilmot, Unit 9); and Petit Paris Cake & Coffee Shop, (Tel. 416-769-9881, 2382 Bloor St. W).

Little Dollhouse, (Tel. 416-489-7180, 612 Mount Pleasant Rd). sells hand made dolls. Dutch-owned furniture stores include DeBoer’s Furniture, (Tel. 416-226-3730, 5051 Yonge St, and Tel. 416-596-1433, 444 Yonge St.); Idomo Furniture International, (Tel. 416-630-3622, www.idomo.com, 1100 Sheppard Ave. W); Elizabeth DeBoer’s Heritage Interiors, (Tel. 416-398-5560, 1100 Sheppard Ave. W); and Danish Style Bake Shop/Jennifer’s Original Gluten Free Bread, (Tel.416-694-5333, 1027 Kingston Rd).

Religious Centres, Schools and Other Institutions

Many Dutch follow the Roman Catholic or Protestant faiths. Churches frequented by the community include:

CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, Central office, (Tel. 416-535-6262, 1088 Bathurst St).
FIRST CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH OF TORONTO, (Tel. 416-481-4912, 63–67 Taunton Rd).
FREE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, ELIJAH CHURCH, (Tel. 416-661-0216, 1130 Finch Ave. W).
GRACE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH OF SCARBOROUGH, (Tel. 416-293-0373, 25 Channel Nine Crt).
REHOBOTH FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, (Tel. 416-622-9647, 800 Burn hamthorpe Rd).
COVENANT REFORMED CHURCH OF TORONTO, (Tel. 416-747-1179, 265 Albion Rd).
HOLLAND CHRISTIAN HOMES INC. (SENIOR CITIZENS’ COMPLEX), (Tel. 905-459-3334, 7900 McLaugh lin Rd. S., Brampton). Contact: Jon Masselink, Activation Co-ordinator.
DUCA COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION, (Tel. 416-223-8502, www.duca.com, head office, 5290 Yonge St., North York). Branches: Etobicoke, 1451 Royal York Rd., Tel. 416-245-2413; Toronto, 245 Eglinton Ave. E., Tel. 416-485-0789; Rexdale, 2184 Kipling Ave., tel. 416-747-1791; Scarborough, 1265 Morningside Ave., Tel. 416-724-2957; Brampton, 7900 McLaughlin Rd. S., Tel. 905-453-1971; Newmarket, 17310 Yonge St., Tel. 905-898-4543.

Holidays and Celebrations

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY. Although her birthday is actually in January, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands celebrates her birthday in April. Every year an Orange Ball is organized by the Dutch Canadian Association of Greater Toronto in her honour. The Consulate General of the Netherlands usually holds a reception.
LIBERATION DAY, May 5, commemorates of the end of the Second World War.
ST. NICHOLAAS OR SINTERKLAAS DAY, December 5, honours of the saint renowned for his kindness and charitable deeds to children. Legend has it that on the night of December 5, the saint appears on a white horse as a long-bearded bishop dressed in a robe, red cassock, and a mitre; he carries a golden crozier or staff. His helper, a Moorish boy named Black Peter, is dressed as a medieval page and carries the saint’s sack with presents for good children and switches for the bad. In their wooden shoes, the children leave hay and carrots for the saint’s horse. An annual St. Nicholaas children’s party is organized by the Dutch Canadian Association in Toronto.
NETHERLANDS BAZAAR is held every two years in October to raise money for needy Dutch Canadians in Ontario. In 2007, over $120,000 was collected.

See Holidays and Celebrations in Glossary.

Media

DE NEDERLANDSE COURANT (THE DUTCH CANADIAN BI-WEEKLY), (Tel. 905-333-3615, 1945 Four Season Dr., Burlington). Published for almost 60 years; a bi-weekly with subscription sales of 5,800 and a readership of 25,000. Publisher: Theo Luykenaar.
“DUTCH TOUCH” RADIO PROGRAM, CJMR 1320 AM, (Tel. 416-229-1753). Host: Martin Van Denzen.

Organizations

CANADIAN-NETHERLANDS BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION, (Tel. 416-757-5523, 69 Hazelton Ave). Networking organization to promote trade between the Netherlands and Canada. President: Lisa Stam; Secretariat: Duco Itordijk.
DUTCH CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER TORONTO, (Tel. 416-229-1753, 207 Newton Dr., Willowdale). President: Martin Van Denzen. An umbrella organization for the community established in 1956.
ONTARIO CHRISTIAN MUSIC ASSEMBLY, (Tel. 416-636-9779, 90 Topcliff Ave). Director: L. Kooy.

Various other clubs operate in the city, including: DUCA Social Dance Club; Gezelligheid Kent Geen TIJD, Klaverjasclub “Zonder Naam”; Ladies Contact Club Welkom; Marines Canada, veterans organization of the Dutch marines.

Consulates, Trade Commissions and Tourist Bureaus

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE NETHERLANDS, (Tel. 416-598-2520, Fax 416-598-8064, 1 Dundas St. W., Suite 2106). Consul General: Mr. Johan Kramer.

Prominent Torontonians

John de Visser, photographer; Dick Loek, photographer; Jake Mol, visual arts; Patricia Rozema, filmmaker; Huibert Sabelis, visual arts; Professor Robert Siebelhoff, teaches Art History at the University of Toronto; Martin Van Denzen, President: Dutch Canadian Association; Ernest Hillen, author; Michael Horn, Canadian Studies at York University; Case Ootes, Toronto City Councillor; Tim Hogenbirk, President of Netherlands Lunchen club; Maria Jacobs, President of CAAS Toronto; Mau Coopman, Credit Union; Henry Hoogstraten, The Netherlands Luncheon Club; Aleida Limbertie, The Netherlands Folklore Group; G. Spaans, The Netherlands Bazaar; Ada Wynston, Holocaust Education.

Contributors: Sophia Geenen, Leonard Vis, G. Spaans, Ada Wynston, Thea Schryer, Fritz Begemann, Cees Bijl, Elizabeth Verhaag.