BY: AYESHA KHAN
The Jane and Finch community Hub and Centre for the Arts, a dream of so many in this community has just taken one important step closer to becoming a reality.
On Monday April 26, the City of Toronto’s Government and Licensing Committee ratified a report ensuring that the city of Toronto will take possession of a parcel of land on Finch and Norfinch drive where the Jane and Finch Community Hub and Center for the Arts will be built.
This struggle has been marked by protests, petitions, intense media coverage and has sparked much debate around community benefits after Metrolinx announced in the summer of 2020 that they would be selling the parcel of land to the highest bidder as per provincial regulations, breaking a verbal commitment that had been made to transfer the lands to the city to be used for the sole purpose of a community hub.
City Councillor Anthony Perruzza’s letter to Premier Ford in July 2020. (Photo credit: Anthony Perruzza)
Metrolinx, and the previous Liberal government had agreed that following construction of the Finch West LRT, the land, used to build a maintenance and storage facility, would be given to the community at no cost to build the hub as a community benefit.
The dream for a hub in the Jane and Finch community has been decades in the making. The concept had been held in planning by local organization Community Action Planning Group, or CAPG who alongside the Jane-Finch Community and Family Centre had developed a design and feasibility study.
Local City Councillor Anthony Perruzza took an active part in the initiation of the project, having moved a number of motions starting over a decade ago to start the proceedings currently in place.
“In 2009 and continuing to today, Jane-Finch residents, community leaders, and I have worked together to secure a significant community benefit delivered through the Finch West LRT transit project.” Perruzza said. “These next steps mark more than a decade of local work and advocacy by Jane-Finch residents, community organizations, and my office.”
When the news broke that Metrolinx would be selling the land, Councillor Perruzza released a heartfelt and spirited letter to Premier Ford on behalf of Jane and Finch.
MPP Tom Rakocevic speaking at a community rally for the hub, surrounded by residents and community leaders. The rally was put on by many community organizations including JFAAP and the Jane Finch Community and Family Centre.(Photo credit: Sariena Luy)
News began to break throughout the wider neighbourhood. The dismay of a community already disadvantaged and disproportionately affected by the pandemic was tangible. Community members felt betrayed, with many groups coming forward to protest. A community rally was put on by local organizations including Jane Finch Action Against Poverty, and the Jane Finch Community and Family Centre. A petition by Humber-River Black Creek NDP MPP Tom Rakocevic gained a lot of attention on social media.
Local MPP Rakocevic was involved in the Jane-Finch hub project since the beginning when he both worked in the office of Councillor Perruzza and was a member of CAPG. He has been a long-time advocate.
"The community was instrumental in pushing the Ford government to transfer Metrolinx lands for a community hub at Jane and Finch." said Rakocevic of the efforts needed to bring about this victory. "I was proud to share their concerns at Queen's Park both in Legislature and in meetings with Ministry Officials. The previous government failed to formalize an agreement and deliver on the promise from Metrolinx. We urged this government to do better. This much deserved transformative project will be a dream come true for the community.”
Symone Walters, Ernestine Aying and Troy Budhu speaking at the community rally, featured in the Hub Organizing Committee’s Town Hall flyer. (Photo credit: Flaunt It)
During the fight for the hub, a committee was struck to ensure community involvement at the forefront of the design and implementation. The Hub Organizing Committee is made up of Jane-Finch resident leaders, community groups and organizations leading the charge such as Flaunt It, CAPG and the Jane Finch Community and Family Centre. They have been hosting a number of events, including deputation workshops so residents could share their thoughts with City Council, and a Community Town Hall on Thursday April 22nd, featuring community artists such as Nathan Baya.
“In honour of all the youth we've lost over the years, this is a dream realized, one that has been long-awaited. We have made history, and I am so proud to be a part of this memorable journey” said community leader and co-chair of the committee Symone Walters of the project.
“Securing the land for the Jane-Finch's Community Hub and Centre of the Arts is a product of the immense work and dedication of our neighbours, which reminds us that we are stronger together!” Echoed Troy L. Budhu, also co-chair of the committee and who works with various other action tables and groups in the community.
Community groups such as Jane Finch Action Against Poverty have also been advocates for the hub, and for the community at large. “Jane Finch Action Against Poverty and the Jane-Finch community has been here before.” Said Butterfly Gopaul, resident and member of JFAAP. “We've dreamed, came to the table and built, got funds, resources to build spaces our community has organized and created. We are here again and will continue to fight against these historic harms of systemic/structural racism and deep-rooted neglect.”
City of Toronto Staff are now reaching out to the local community as well, through engagement processes such as the Jane-Finch Initiative. “Access to community space -- for creative, social, recreational and entrepreneurial purposes – is a key priority for the Jane and Finch community.” Says Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner for the City of Toronto. “Acquiring this land from Metrolinx is an important next step towards realizing the vision developed by Jane and Finch residents themselves for a community hub and centre for the arts.”
During the dark times provided by the global pandemic, this crucial step towards a new community resource has given our community a resounding hope. This community with unique needs and vast artistic talent and potential, is now one step closer to getting a crucial resource it has long deserved.