Foundation signs lease on Toronto building

Back in 1847, Toronto witnessed one of the greatest human tragedies in the city’s history. Between May and October of that year, 38,560 Irish famine emigrants landed on the city’s shores, many of them sick with typhus. The population of Toronto at the time: a mere 20,000.

The city did not close its borders and turn away the migrants, even those with incurable diseases, said Robert Kearns, chair and founder of Ireland Park Foundation, an arts, culture and heritage organization dedicated to commemorating the Irish in Canada. The story of Toronto’s “generous and courageous response,” resonates more than a century later and will be told at a new exhibition and event space on the city’s waterfront, he said.

The event space will be housed in Canada Malting Company’s former executive office adjacent to Ireland Park on the city’s waterfront and host public art and cultural events. On Sunday, Mr. Kearns signed a five-year lease on the building, which is owned by the City of Toronto and comprises 8,000 square feet spread over three floors.

“We are intent upon turning this building into a jewel box on the waterfront and making it a place of destination for all citizens of Toronto and all visitors to Toronto,” he said at a signing ceremony at Toronto City Hall.

Read the full article in the Globe & Mail