Inclusive City Building: Chinatown’s Legacy

One of the legacies of Toronto’s downtown Chinatown is its clan associations. Clan association buildings are a special sign of Chinese culture in Chinatown, showing where Chinese immigration to Toronto started. Back in the 19th and 20th centuries, the first Chinese immigrants made these associations to keep their traditions alive and help each other out. These associations were named after families and gave new immigrants a way to be part of Canadian society.

A group of people in a room, including members of the Wong Association and Justin Trudeau, clapping while unveiling a commemorative plaque.

Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau and members of the Wong Association of Ontario unveil the new commemorative plaque during a ceremony held at the Wong Association site on Spadina Avenue.

One famous association is named the Wong Kung Har Wun Sun Association. They received a special plaque from Heritage Toronto in 2015 for being so important in building a strong Chinese community in Toronto. Even today, these associations are like a big family, organizing activities, events, and workshops. They hold competitions and fundraisers, and they teach Chinese newcomers important skills to help them become a part of Canadian society.

When racism against Chinese people was common, these clan associations were like a safe place for Chinese immigrants. Many of these immigrants opened businesses like laundromats, grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants. These businesses helped them survive and become part of Toronto’s community.

A black and white photograph of a Chinese man in a suit holding a manual scale balanced over a work surface. Next to him, a young child touching the scale with a large glass jar of organic material to the left with many shelves of similar jars containing other organic materials in a store.

Sze Yum Mak, who operates a small acupuncture and herb shop in Agincourt’s Chinatown, gets some help from Wendy Hui, 4 years old, to weigh yam roots.

Compared to downtown Chinatown, clan associations aren’t as present in suburban Agincourt. However, the culture of tight-knit communities remains strong. Instead of clan associations, it is in the form of businesses and community connections. Business owners and community members always tried their best to give back to the community that supported them. The typical Chinese malls, like the Dragon Centre in Agincourt were designed to feel like home and became important spots where the Chinese community could feel connected to their heritage and each other. People could gather to bond over foods from their culture, watch their children play, and stay connected to each other.

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