The City's First Chinese Heritage Month

This February, for the first time, the City of Toronto officially proclaimed Chinese Heritage Month, aligning with the Province of Ontario and the Toronto District School Board! This recognition honours a community whose contributions are foundational to our city’s past, present, and future. 

Chinese communities have been part of Toronto’s story since the 1870s, shaping neighbourhoods, building businesses, enriching arts, culture, and cuisine, and contributing through advocacy, labour, and public service. Today, nearly 11% of Toronto’s population, and over 680,000 people across the GTA, identify as Chinese, making our region home to the second-largest Chinese community in North America. 

Toronto’s Chinese community brings a rich diversity of traditions, dialects, and cuisines from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. From Cantonese and Hakka dishes to Taiwanese night-market favourites, these influences are celebrated citywide. Even our City Hall sits on land that was once Toronto’s original Chinatown, a reminder of history and resilience. 

Chinese Heritage Month also coincides with Lunar New Year, a time of renewal, hope, and welcoming spring. It’s a moment for all Torontonians to celebrate, learn, and connect with the history, culture, and achievements of the Chinese community. 

I’m proud to have initiated this proclamation alongside the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, whose leadership and advocacy made this historic recognition possible. As Mayor Olivia Chow notes in the proclamation, the Chinese community’s contributions embody Toronto’s motto: “Diversity Our Strength.” 

Happy Chinese Heritage Month, Toronto!