Freeland announces $11.34M for Black-led community hub in Toronto

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government will invest $11.34 million in a new Black-led community hub in Toronto.

Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Freeland said the money will go toward creating a permanent location for the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, a non-profit organization that organizes events in a bookstore to showcase the culture and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry.

Currently, the centre hosts activities and programs at A Different Booklist, a bookstore at 777-779 Bathurst St., south of Bloor Street. The centre's permanent location, once it is completed, is slated to be across the street on 756 Bathurst St.

Marci Ien, Liberal MP for Toronto Centre and minister for women and gender equality and youth, told reporters that the centre acts as beacon for the Black community in Toronto.

"This right here is where our legacy lives, it's where our legacy breathes, it's where stories are told, history is preserved and futures are shaped. This will mean so much to so many," Ien said.

"It will offer the community a place to gather, a place to learn, a place to grow together," Ien added. "Black history is Canadian history."

Marci Ien, Liberal MP for Toronto Centre and minister for women and gender equality and youth, says: 'This right here is where our legacy lives, it's where our legacy breathes, it's where stories are told, history is preserved and futures are shaped. This will mean so much to so many.' (CBC)

According to a news release, $7.84 million will come from the Infrastructure Canada's green and inclusive community buildings program, while $3.5 million will come from Canadian Heritage's Canada cultural spaces fund. The city of Toronto is expected to contribute $2.78 million. The centre will receive a total of $14.12 million from both levels of government.

The news release said the government will use its investment to rebuild a heritage building owned by the city to house the centre and the building is expected to be completed next year. It said the centre will have a sound-proofed drumming studio, offices, an art gallery, a digital podcast room, a bookstore and multi-purpose community spaces for meetings and programs.

Itah Sadu, managing director of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, said the centre's board of directors will look after the building, but as a community asset, the building will be owned in part by the community.

"Today is the day that the Blackhurst Cultural Centre continues to write its name on history's page with expectations great and join the great movement of the Black Canadian renaissance here in Canada," Sadu said.

Itah Sadu, managing director of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, says: 'Today is the day that the Blackhurst Cultural Centre continues to write its name on history's page with expectations great and join the great movement of the Black Canadian renaissance here in Canada.' (CBC)

Cultural infrastructure critical to country, minister says

Freeland, who represents the riding of University-Rosedale, said the money will enable the centre to expand the work that it does to promote Black culture and history in Toronto. The deputy prime minister said, during Black History Month in February, she was last at the bookstore where the centre holds events.

"I saw how important this centre is as a place for the community to come together, to work, to think, to organize, and yes, to sing and dance sometimes too," Freeland said.

"I want to emphasize, cultural infrastructure, community infrastructure, that is as important for building our country as roads and bridges are. We need both."

Freeland said the work done by the centre is "vital for our city, our province, our whole country."

In the release, Freeland added: "This investment to create new spaces for Black artists to cultivate and showcase their talents is just one example of how our government is helping revitalize communities across the country and helping Canadians connect with their neighbours."

'This has been a long time coming,' councillor says

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Coun. Dianne Saxe, who represents Ward 11, University-Rosedale, also spoke at the news conference.

Chow, for her part, said the Blackhurst Cultural Centre is a special organization in Toronto that does important work to build "a more just city" for the Black community in Toronto.

"Culture in its many forms is the soul of the city and it needs a place, it needs a home that can capture it," Chow said.

Saxe added: "This has been a long time coming. It couldn't happen without federal money. It's wonderful that the federal government has come to the table."