Supporting Black-Owned and Operated Businesses in Little Jamaica- by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton

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The decision

2021-07-14 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on July 14, 15 and 16, 2021, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to report, as part of their ongoing Study, on the feasibility of not allowing Chain Stores ("formula retail") in the subject area to support the retention of Black-owned and/or operated businesses; Chain

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Stores are defined as a type of retail sales activity or retail sales establishment which, along with eleven or more other retail sales establishments located in the world, maintains two or more of the following features: a standardized array of merchandise, a standardized facade, a standardized decor and color scheme, a uniform apparel, standardized signage, a trademark or a service mark.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Little Jamaica is the historical home of the Caribbean community in Toronto and likely has the highest concentration of Black-owned businesses in Canada. Unfortunately, the unique character of this important community is under threat. Black-owned and operated businesses on Eglinton have been fighting a battle to protect Eglinton West from losing its African, Black, and Caribbean character, identity and roots. Too many prominent and historic small businesses have shuttered their doors due to rising rents, construction of the Province's Crosstown LRT project and, recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The creeping gentrification that has led to Black displacement and cultural erasure over the past decades is expected to increase once the Crosstown opens unless action is taken now. To help protect the Black character of Eglinton West, this motion requests the City's Little Jamaica Interdivisional Team to look at the feasibility of limiting "chain" businesses from opening in the community. Similar measures have been successful at maintaining the historical sense of place and identity of neighbourhoods in US cities, including San Francisco. This motion is moved in partnership with BlackUrbanismTO, and is part of a larger strategy to support the retention and growth of Black-owned and operated businesses.

Staff recommended

Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report, as part of their ongoing Study, on the feasibility of not allowing Chain Stores ("formula retail") in the subject area to support the retention of Black-owned and/or operated businesses;

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Chain Stores are defined as a type of retail sales activity or retail sales establishment which, along with eleven or more other retail sales establishments located in the world, maintains two or more of the following features: a standardized array of merchandise, a standardized facade, a standardized decor and color scheme, a uniform apparel, standardized signage, a trademark or a service mark.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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