Little Italy in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Introduction of Multilingual Multicultural Radio Stations in Canada
La Création de stations de radio multiculturelles et plurilingues au Canada
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026
1. The Introduction of Multilingual Multicultural Radio Stations in Canada Marker
In the 1960s, following requests from multilingual radio station owners, the Canadian government increased the amount of content in languages other than English or French allowed on the airwaves, from 15 to 40 percent. Polish-Canadian Casimir Stanczykowski received the first licence in 1962 for CFMB in Montréal and, four years later, Italian-Canadian Johnny Lombardi founded CHIN Radio in Toronto. The creation of these new stations marked an important shift towards multicultural programming. Such stations offered valuable information to immigrants about life in Canada, gave them a public voice, and celebrated cultural diversity.
Dans les années 1960, à la demande de propriétaires de stations de radio plurilingues, le gouvernement du Canada fait passer de 15 à 40 pour cent la proportion de contenu en langues tierces autorisée en ondes. Casimir Stanczykowski, Canadien d'origine polonaise, reçoit une première licence en 1962 pour CFMB à Montréal; quatre
this page online
Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Immigration. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.
Location. 43° 39.292′ N, 79° 24.938′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Little Italy. It is at the intersection of College Street and Grace Street, on the right when traveling east on College Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 643 College Street, Toronto ON M6J 2T2, 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
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026
2. The Introduction of Multilingual Multicultural Radio Stations in Canada Marker
Facing south
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Johnny Lombardi (a few steps from this marker); The Composer John Weinzweig (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Grace Bagnato (about 210 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.
Also see . . .
1. CFMB (Wikipedia).
The station has a multilingual format targeting ethnic minorities. Programming is in 14 different languages. Weekdays from 5 am to 6 pm, Italian shows are heard, with Hindi and Punjabi broadcasts on weekday evenings. Nights and weekend feature shows aimed at the Haitian, Filipino, Russian, Polish, Romanian, Ukrainian, Macedonian, Chinese, Portuguese, Greek and Arabic communities.(Submitted on November 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
2. CHIN (AM) (Wikipedia).
CHIN is one of Canada's first multilingual broadcast outlets along with Montreal's CFMB. Toronto broadcaster Johnny Lombardi and lawyer and North York mayor James Ditson Service signed on the station in 1966.The 1540 AM frequency had originally been used by CHFI-FM to simulcast on the AM band, but owner Ted Rogers was dissatisfied with the frequency. At the time, it was only licensed as a daytimer, required to sign off at sunset to protect U.S. and Bahamian clear-channel stations that also broadcast on the frequency. Lombardi and Service bought Radio 1540 Limited from Rogers in 1965.(Submitted on November 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
