1. Paul Magder (we’ve written about him in detail before!)
Why He Matters: Paul Magder defied Ontario’s Sunday shopping laws in the 1980s and 1990s, challenging outdated restrictions rooted in Christian tradition. His persistence in court eventually led to the repeal of the law, legalizing Sunday shopping across Ontario.
Unexpected Legacy: Magder’s fight modernized Toronto’s economy, transforming retail hubs like Queen Street West, Yorkdale Mall, and Eaton Centre, which now thrive seven days a week.
2. Jean Lumb
Why She Matters: Jean Lumb campaigned against Canada’s discriminatory immigration laws, playing a key role in overturning the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923. Her advocacy helped reunite countless families and strengthened Toronto’s Chinese community.
Unexpected Legacy: Lumb’s work revitalized Chinatown (Spadina and Dundas), making it a cornerstone of Toronto’s multicultural identity.
3. Myrtle Blackwell
Why She Matters: During the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, Myrtle Blackwell coordinated public health initiatives, organized vaccinations, and managed makeshift treatment centers in schools and churches.
Unexpected Legacy: Her leadership shaped Toronto’s public health system, leading to the creation of institutions like Toronto Public Health. Hospitals like St. Michael’s Hospital still reflect the legacy of her community-centered care.
4. Al Waxman
Why He Matters: Best known for his TV roles, Al Waxman also worked tirelessly to protect Kensington Market from gentrification in the 1970s and 1980s, ensuring its working-class, multicultural character remained intact.
Unexpected Legacy: Thanks to Waxman’s activism, Kensington Market is now a National Historic Site and a hub of cultural diversity, celebrated for its food, art, and community spirit.
5. Jane Jacobs
Why She Matters: Jane Jacobs led the fight against the Spadina Expressway, a proposed highway that would have destroyed neighbourhoods like the Annex and Kensington Market. Her activism reshaped Toronto’s approach to urban planning.
Unexpected Legacy: Her victory preserved communities like Yorkville, The Annex, and Philosopher’s Walk, ensuring a focus on walkability and livable neighbourhoods.
6. Marie Curtis
Why She Matters: Marie Curtis turned disaster into opportunity, advocating for green spaces along Toronto’s waterfront after the devastation of Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Her efforts led to the creation of Marie Curtis Park in Etobicoke.
Unexpected Legacy: Marie Curtis Park remains a vibrant recreational space today, anchoring the Waterfront Trail and inspiring future projects like Tommy Thompson Park.
7. Gita Mehta
Why She Matters: Gita Mehta introduced the first multilingual collections at Toronto Public Library, ensuring that immigrants could access books and resources in their native languages.
Unexpected Legacy: Today, Toronto’s libraries—like the Toronto Reference Library and Agincourt Library—are global leaders in inclusivity, offering materials in over 40 languages.
8. Wilson Ruffin Abbott
Why He Matters: Wilson Ruffin Abbott, a former enslaved man, became one of Toronto’s wealthiest Black property owners in the 19th century. He provided economic opportunities for Black settlers in St. John’s Ward, a historic hub for marginalized communities.
Unexpected Legacy: While much of St. John’s Ward has been lost to development, landmarks like Nathan Phillips Square and Osgoode Hall sit on land that was once home to Abbott’s thriving community.
9. Norman “Nip” Bullock
Why He Matters: Norman Bullock’s grassroots advocacy in the mid-20th century saved outdoor rinks like Christie Pits Rink and Withrow Park Rink from closure, revitalizing winter recreation in the city.
Unexpected Legacy: Thanks to Bullock’s efforts, Toronto’s outdoor skating culture thrives at places like Nathan Phillips Square and the Colonel Samuel Smith Park Skating Trail.
