Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds for Cy McLean Heritage Plaque - by Councillor Chris Moise, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik

He is particularly notable as having led Canada's only full-scale Black orchestra in the 1940s. McLean was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the son of an immigrant West Indian steelworker. He took violin lessons until his brother taught him enough piano that he was able to land a job with a visiting band. When the band left town, Cy went with them. During World War II, McLean and seven other musicians toured southern Ontario supported by Lifebuoy Soap. The band were sometimes barred from performing in segregated restaurants and were denied entry into the musicians' union. In 1947, McLean's quartet opened the new Colonial Tavern at 201 Yonge Street. The landmark show helped end restrictions that prevented many Black musicians performing at bars and clubs in Toronto. An influence on many musicians facing racial barriers, McLean later moved to the Corsair, and later to the El Mocambo. He ended his career at the Warwick Hotel at Dundas and Jarvis Streets. Heritage Toronto will work to install this plaque in 2026, to align with both the 110th anniversary of Cy McLean's birth and 40th anniversary of his death.