Industrial area.

Details of Site Location: In New Toronto at Birmingham and Fifth Streets.

Boundary History: The property was large and bounded by Birmingham Street, Fifth Street, New Toronto Street on the north, and the Campbell Soup Company on the east.

Current Use of Property: The area is ready for redevelopment and cleanup of soils.

Historical Description: Continental Can began building its first Ontario plant in 1935; the location was a large field on Birmingham Street in New Toronto. A photograph from 1937 shows a large, modern, three-storey plant, which had opened for business in May 1936. With World War II, millions of cans were produced for meat products that were sent overseas. During and after the war the company continued to expand. In 1963, the original plant with floor space of 155,800 square feet had grown to three plants and two sales offices, totalling 420,400 square feet, or the equivalent of four city blocks. The number of employees had grown from 30 to 900. Continental Can manufactured and sold a wide variety of products, including cans, steel containers, vapour vacuum twist-off closures, crowns, plastic containers, bondware, and folding cartons. The company also conducted a research and development program.

Relative Importance: Frank Longstaff, in his article in Villages of Etobicoke stated: “New Toronto, Etobicoke’s premier industrial community, for fifty-four years an independent municipality, once boasted itself the town with the highest value of manufacturing per square mile in North America.” Continental Can is one of the many industries that were an integral part of New Toronto’s history and, its success.

Planning Implications: As the property is redeveloped, a plaque should be mounted at Birmingham and Fifth Streets, commemorating a major industry and influence on the economy.

Reference Sources: New Toronto in Story and Picture (1937); Frank Longstaff, “New Toronto” in Villages of Etobicoke.

Acknowledgements: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse.