Jamaican Canadian Association Centre
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JCA History

The Jamaican-Canadian Association was founded in 1962 by a group of Jamaicans then living in Toronto. The impetus for the creation of the association was the emergence of Jamaica from colonial status to becoming an independent nation in August, 1962. Jamaicans in Toronto formed a committee comprised of the following: Roy G. Williams, Bromley Armstrong, E. S. Ricketts, Miss Phyllis Whyte, Mrs. Catherine Williams, George King, Leyton Ellis and Kenneth Simpson to plan and execute a celebration of the momentous occasion. This committee enabled the disparate group of university students, nurses, domestic workers and scattered others (representing the demographics at that time) to come together as a unit to participate in a collective public activity as Jamaicans in Toronto for the very first.

The celebration of Jamaica’s Independence took the form of a Dinner Dance which was held at the King Edward Sheraton Hotel on King Street East in Toronto on August 6, 1962. It was a grand occasion. Jamaicans came out in their finest attire. Representatives from each level of government attended and brought greetings and congratulatory messages. A sumptuous meal was served and enjoyed by all. Toasts were proposed to each level of government with appropriate responses. The high point of the night came when the new black, gold and green Jamaican flag was unfurled for the first time as the assembled group haltingly sang the national anthem, also for the first time. After that they danced the night away. A good time was had by all as the assembled group on that occasion truly embraced the national motto “Out of Many One People.”

Jamaicans were exhilarated by this event. They felt proud and patriotic. They had made many new social contacts. They had come together as an entity bound by patriotism and a shared heritage. They had bonded. There was a strong sentiment that this new-found euphoria should not be allowed to dissipate. There was a strong desire to create a permanent entity to institutionalize and replicate the experience into the future.

The JCA is Born

A six-person Constitution Committee chaired by Bromley Armstrong and consisting of the following: Miss Mavis Magnus, George King, Miss Amy Nelson, Mrs. Violet Carter and Roy Williams were commissioned to draft a constitution to be presented at a proposed Organizational Meeting. After much intensive work and debates the Draft Constitution (Appendix) was hammered out and ready by the middle of September, 1962.

Notice of the Organizational Meeting was widely circulated among the participants in the Independence Day Celebration and others. On September 23, 1962 the Organizational Meeting, chaired by Roy G. Williams, convened at the YMCA, 40 College (now the site of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Headquarters). A large number of Jamaicans and Canadians attended. By a motion they unanimously approved the Draft which now became the first constitution of the JCA. They then proceeded to elect the First Executive Committee consisting of the following: Roy G. Williams, Bromley Armstrong, George King, Ira Dundas, Miss Mavis Magnus, J. B. Campbell, Owen Tennyson, Phyllis Whyte, Mrs. Violet Carter and E. S. Ricketts. The Jamaican-Canadian Association was now formed with a Constitution, an Executive Committee and a body of members who had signed on or was in the process of doing so.

Immediately following the Organizational Meeting the Executive Committee met and selected its first officers and committee chairpersons as follows: President, Roy G. Williams; Vice President, Bromley Armstrong; Executive Secretary, George King; Treasurer, Ira Dundas; Recording and Correspondence Secretary, Miss Mavis Magnus. Bromley Armstrong was appointed Chair of the General Purposes Committee. J. B. Campbell became Chair of the Education and Scholarship Committee and Owen Tennyson became Chair of the Publicity and Social Committee.

The JCA was off and running. It started out as a patriotic and social organization but very soon of necessity it added an advocacy role and then later, again due to necessity, it added social and community services in order to address the varied needs of a rapidly expanding diverse population (comprised of Jamaican, Caribbean, African and other nationalities). The association has had to adapt over the years to the changing needs of its various communities. It has grown in size, presence and influence. It has struggled to acquire a permanent home base over the years as it acquired premises at 65 Dawes Road (lost by fire), and 1621 Dupont Street (subsequently sold). Now it proudly occupies and provides services from its Cultural Center at 995 Arrow Road in Toronto.

 

JAMAICAN CANADIAN ASSOCIATION AWARDS LIST

The Jamaican Canadian Association was founded in 1962 but its award presentation did not start until 1983, the 21st year of its existence.

 MEMBERS WERE GIVEN PLAQUES AND CERTIFICATES 1983.

Plaques were given to members who served 21 continuous years and Certificates were given to members who served 10 and 15 years continuous years.

25th ANNIVERSARY 1987 – RECOGNITION AWARDS

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Bromley Armstrong

Mavis Armstrong

J.B. Campbell

Violet Carter

Ira Dundas

George King

Frank Magnus

Amy Nelson

Owen Tennyson

Phyllis White

Roy Williams

Esmond S. Ricketts (Posthumous)

 

PAST PRESIDENTS

Roy Williams                                                                       1962-1966 & 1984-1989

Melbourne W. Thompson                                                 1966-1971 & 1972-1975 & 1980-1981

Bromley Armstrong                                                           1971-1972

Canute J. Cato                                                                    1975-1977

Dr. Vincent D’Oyley                                                             1977

Dr. Vincent Conville                                                            1977-1978

Kamala-Jean Gopie – formerly Jean Gammage            1978-1980

Rupert James                                                                      1981-1984

Nehemiah N. Bailey    (Miah)                                             1989-1992

Karl Fuller                                                                              1992-1996

Herman Stewart                                                                  1996-2001 & 2008-2009

Valarie Steele                                                                       2001-2004

David Griffiths                                                                      2004-2005

Sandra Carnegie-Douglas                                                  2005-2008

Audrey Campbell                                                                2009-2012

Barrington Coke                                                                  2014-2015

Adaoma Patterson                                                             2016-2022