Beginnings & Waves of Immigration
The first Italians arrived in Toronto in small numbers: craftspeople, peddlers, and “men of letters” arrived by the 1860s from northern Italy. But more sizable migration didn’t begin until the early 20th century, when economic hardship in southern Italy made many move
1900's
Between 1900 and 1913, over 60,000 Italians immigrated to Canada, mostly to Toronto and Montreal. During World War I, an additional wave of around 40,000 settled Canada, particularly in communities like “The Ward” in Toronto . After WWII, 20,000 to 30,000 Italians arrived annually between the early 1950s and mid‑1960s
Establishing Little Italy
Italians began in "The Ward" (around University Avenue and College Street), then moved west by the 1920s into what became Little Italy around College-Clinton and Bathurst.
Icons like Johnny Lombardi, born in "The Ward" in 1915, founded CHIN in 1966: one of Canada's first multilingual radio stations: right in Palmerston–Little Italy. The Italian Walk of Fame and Royal Cinema remain cultural touchstones in Little Italy.
Beyond Corso Italia, Italian Canadians continued relocating: first to northwest Toronto neighborhoods like Maple Leaf and Humber Summit, then out to suburbs such as Woodbridge (Vaughan) which became nearly 47% Italian, King, and Caledon
Cultural Transformation & Identity
Early Italian newcomers found work in the railways, construction, and factories upon arrival. They built networks around churches, social clubs, and language media (like CHIN), which helped preserve Italian culture and ease adaptation.
The Hogg’s Hollow disaster of 1960, where five Italian-Canadian construction workers died in a tunnel collapse, galvanized the community and led to major reforms in workplace safety and union activism.
Between 1940 and 1943, around 600–700 Italian-Canadian men were interned as “enemy aliens,” including the notorious bootlegger Rocco Perri. A formal apology and steps toward restitution were made decades later, and a reflective memorial stands in Toronto today
Italian Organized Crime
Groups tied to the ‘Ndrangheta: notably the Siderno crime network, have been active in Toronto. Canadian law enforcement, alongside Italian authorities, has acknowledged their influence over organized crime and their ability to evade prosecution.
There were also early 20th-century groups like a Camorra-linked gang, sometimes referred to as the Ferraro gang, descended from Neapolitan criminal organizations. These groups, while real, were not representative of the majority of Italian immigrants, who worked hard to build honest, family-centered lives
FAQ
If you have a question that isn't talked about here, send us a message and we'll get back to you!
Why a film about an Italian-Canadian gangster?
While we have seen many films about Italians and gangsters, rare is the film which explores the reasons, motivations and family life of those involved. How immigration affects a family. With Pilastro we want to show just that. While the film may be shot in black and white, the perspectives and insights you will see will be anything but that.
How will you ensure authenticity?
A large portion of our cast and crew are Italian-Canadian folk who bring their unique and lived-in experience to the production. From our head of production design to the actors, the project is based in realism and genuineness.
How does this connect to today?
It’s a reminder that every modern community, from Italian to Somali, Chinese to Syrian, has gone through a version of this struggle. The project aims to encourage empathy across cultures and generations.
Can I share my family’s story with this project?
Absolutely! We would be more than grateful to find out about you and your family story. Send us a message in the contact page!
Will this project be available in Italian (or other languages)?
The film will be shot in English and Italian with a version featuring Italian subtitles.
How can I support or get involved?
Spreading the word! Let your friends and family know about the project. If you can donate, however that is not something we expect but it is greatly appreciated. If you have any other ideas, let us know! We would be glad to hear from you!