Ever wonder how a river defines a community? Here at Humber River—Black Creek we see just that. This ward in northwest Toronto is more than just a geographical location. It is a vibrant community shaped by the Humber River and Black Creek.
Humber River—Black Creek is bordered by the Humber River. It is also bordered by Keele Street and Steeles Avenue. Highway 401 forms its southern boundary. This area is home to many immigrants. Fifty-eight percent of residents are immigrants. A significant portion are refugees at twenty-nine percent.
The Humber River itself is a major feature. It is one of two major rivers near Toronto. The Don River is the other one. The Humber was designated a Canadian Heritage River in 1999. The Humber River collects water from about 750 creeks and tributaries. These waterways form the Humber River watershed. The river’s main source shares a region with three other rivers. These are the Credit, Grand and Nottawasaga rivers.
Black Creek is also historically significant. It is one of the named tributaries of the Humber. The river system has three branches. They join north of Toronto. From there, the river flows southeast into Lake Ontario. This is near Sir Casimir Gzowski Park. It is also close to Humber Bay Park East.
The area has seen rapid development. There are many pre-construction projects. These projects are near transit and amenities. The University Line 1 extension offers transit options. The Finch West Line 6 LRT is also opening soon.
Ward 7 has a mix of developments. These include residential, commercial and institutional projects. You will find market-rate rentals and affordable housing here. There are also commercial retail spaces and healthcare facilities. The Humber River Long Term Care Home is one example. It provides much-needed care capacity.
Casa Emery Village is another development. It features multiple towers. It includes affordable and market-rate rentals. There are commercial retail spaces and public parks too. These developments reflect the area’s growth and transformation. The area is becoming a prime location for residents and businesses.
The Jane and Finch community is part of Humber River—Black Creek. It is a densely populated area. Residents come from over 80 ethno-cultural groups. The earliest inhabitants were First Nations people. They had a village along the Humber River.
For 150 years, the area was a farming district. German pioneers from Pennsylvania settled here. They were followed by English and Scottish pioneers. Black Creek Pioneer Village shows this rural history.
In the 1960s, rapid growth occurred. High-rise apartments were built along Jane Street. Many immigrant families settled in the area. The population increased dramatically. However, social issues emerged. These included poverty and isolation.
Many groups and organizations worked to address these issues. They aimed to improve the neighborhood’s image. They also wanted to create community pride. Today, Jane and Finch remains a vibrant and resilient neighborhood. It is ethnically diverse. Future projects include the Finch West LRT line. There is also the Jane and Finch Community Hub. A potential Yorkgate Mall re-development is planned. Also a Jane-Finch Mall re-development is in proposal phase.