'Toronto Chinatowns 1978-2012' by David Chuenyan Lai and Jack Leong published by Simon Fraser University

April 1, 1955, expropriation began in Toronto's Old Chinatown, leading to the displacement of over 500 Chinese. The next day, The Globe and Mail reported that “half of Chinatown died,” as long-standing shops and cafés were closed to make way for a new City Hall and Civic Square. Although the development plan had been approved in 1947 by Toronto's civic leaders, the Chinese community resisted for years. The demolition of homes and businesses along Elizabeth and York Streets disrupted a vibrant immigrant community that had thrived there since the early 20th century. Families lost not only their livelihoods but also a vital cultural and social hub. The loss of Old Chinatown was a profound disruption for Chinese Canadians, who had established a vital cultural and economic hub in the area.