Toronto has an Italian Canadian community. As of 2007, 34% of the ethnic Italians in Canada live in Toronto. Toronto is home to the fourth largest Italian population outside of Italy, behind Sao Paulo, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and New York City, respectively.
Contents
"Soldiers of fortune" and educated people from Italy immigranted to Toronto prior to the 1850s. Toronto absorbed pedlars and craftspeople from northern Italy until the 1880s. 17 Italians lived in Toronto by 1860. Additional tradespeople arrived by 1870. After the 1880s many came from northern Italy, with most being from Genoa. The occupations tended to be craftspeople, service tradespeople, and pedlars.
Italian immigration continued into the post-World War II era. 90% of the Italians who immigrated to Canada after World War II remained in Canada. During that period the community still had fluency in the Italian language.
Geography
Little Italy (in Palmerston–Little Italy) and Corso Italia are the city's Little Italies.
Many Italians moved out of Little Italy, with several having moved to northwest Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and then into Markham.
Media
Italian newspapers, television, and radio have existed throughout Toronto's history.
Notable residents
Residents of suburban cities:
The Italian Walk of Fame acknowledges ethnic Italians. It is located in Little Italy.