There is something special about Toronto. It’s multicultural, multi-ethnic, and full of little pockets that offer a taste of home, no matter where you’re from. That’s part of what makes this city so magnetic, especially for Caribbean people. As an immigrant, I honestly can’t picture myself living anywhere else in Canada. There’s something so comforting about hearing the music I grew up with playing from a passing car or walking into a spot and ordering food that reminds me of home. Those familiar sounds, tastes, and moments have helped me feel grounded, even when everything else feels foreign.

Caribbean people have played an instrumental role in shaping Toronto, our roots in this city run far deeper than I realized when I first moved here. If I’m being honest, four years ago when I arrived in this city, Toronto just meant more familiar faces and a direct flight home from Pearson. But over time, I’ve come to see how much of the city’s identity has been shaped by generations of Caribbean people. From the slang that gives Toronto its distinct voice to the cultural impact left on neighbourhoods across the city, it’s clear: Toronto wouldn’t be Toronto without us.

You can’t talk about Caribbean history in Toronto without mentioning Little Jamaica. It’s been a key part of the city’s cultural landscape for decades, home to many Caribbean-owned businesses, from barber shops and hair salons to restaurants, music stores, and studios. Little Jamaica has long been a place where Caribbean influence is visible and felt, a space where culture, community, and everyday life comes together. I recently also learned that the Annex used to be a Black neighbourhood, which was surprising to me. Back in the late 1800s, “Blackhurst” Street was where Black and Caribbean immigrants set up shop, opened businesses, and built community. It became a hub for Afro-Caribbean people in Toronto.

When I think about impact, one word immediately comes to mind: Caribana. Now in its 58th year, Caribana is one of the biggest Caribbean carnivals in North America. As someone who holds carnival close to my heart, this is part of what makes Toronto so special. Rooted in community and cultural expression, Caribana creates a space where the Caribbean diaspora can come together, soak up the vibes, and showcase Caribbean culture to the world.

That said, the sad reality is that due to gentrification, commercialization, and the commodification of culture, Caribbean people in the downtown core are, to some extent, losing access to the parts of their culture that once made Toronto so vibrant. Families are being pushed out of their homes and communities, while storefronts they grew up in turn into dispensaries or, even worse, boutique pet stores. As things change in Toronto, it’s easy to lose sight of just how Caribbean the city truly is.

As new immigrants from the Caribbean arrive and make Toronto our home, it’s important for us to engage with the city, pay homage to the generations that came before us, and do our best to create new spaces where Caribbean people can continue to lime, eat good food, and show up for each other.