Chinatowns are disappearing across the country. Here’s what one group did to keep Montreal’s Chinatown community alive and supportive for residents.

While many historic parts of Montreal’s Chinatown gained heritage designation this year, keeping the neighbourhood from disappearing means molding it for the local population.

Why It Matters

Chinatowns in cities across Canada have been facing vast gentrification, anti-asian racism, and a housing crisis that has only worsened since the pandemic hit. Now, the local population faces a dire lack of amenities and services.


Photo: Corey Templeton, Flickr

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When Sandy Yep saw an article in the Montreal Gazette that real estate developers were trying to acquire the iconic Wing Noodle factory building along with it the whole southwestern block in Montreal, he was struck with anxiety. 

The Wings building, as it’s known to locals, has a historical legacy in Quebec’s last standing Chinatown that goes back to 1897, and has been producing noodles since 19

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