Little Italy in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Johnny Lombardi

1915-2002

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

1. Johnny Lombardi Marker

Inscription. One of this city's best-known personalities, John Barbalinardo "Johnny" Lombardi was a pioneer in the promotion of Toronto's cultural diversity. Born in this city to an Italian immigrant family, he became a self-taught trumpeter and entertainer before serving in the Canadian Army in the Second World War. Returning to Toronto, he quickly achieved success by appealing to the needs of this city's rapidly growing Italian immigrant neighbourhoods-first as the proprietor of a grocery store, opened in 1946, then as an impresario of Italian entertainment.

In 1966, Lombardi launched two vital Toronto institutions: CHIN Multicultural Radio and the CHIN International Picnic. CHIN, the first station in Canada licensed to provide full-time multilingual programming, began in rooms above Lombardi's supermarket at 637 College Street, and expanded into television in 1970. CHIN Radio now broadcasts in over 30 languages from 622 College Street. The CHIN International Picnic, now a three-day festival, annually attracts more than 250,000 people to celebrate Toronto's cultural diversity.

Dynamic and generous, Johnny Lombardi received

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numerous awards for service to his community and his country, including the Order of Canada in 1981.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Immigration. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 43° 39.286′ N, 79° 24.933′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Little Italy. It is at the intersection of Grace Street and Dundas Street West, on the right when traveling south on Grace Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 643 College Street, Toronto ON M6G 1B5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

2. Johnny Lombardi Marker

of this marker: The Introduction of Multilingual Multicultural Radio Stations in Canada (a few steps from this marker); The Composer John Weinzweig (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Grace Bagnato (about 180 meters away); Monsignor (Père) Athol Murray (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Healey Willan (1880-1968) (approx. half a kilometer away); Healey Willan (approx. half a kilometer away); Crawford Street Bridge (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); St. Hilda’s College (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Johnny Lombardi marker photos and captions detail (left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 22, 3036

3. Johnny Lombardi marker photos and captions detail (left)

Johnny Lombardi marker photo and caption detail (right) image. Click for full size.

4. Johnny Lombardi marker photo and caption detail (right)

Johnny Lombardi Way, with the CHIN Radio offices on College Street, 2026 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

5. Johnny Lombardi Way, with the CHIN Radio offices on College Street, 2026

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 7, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.