On March 17, 1960, five Italian immigrant labourers died while digging a water main tunnel that passed underneath the Don River in Hogg’s Hollow when a fire broke out and the tunnel later filled with water and silt. A royal commission afterwards resulted in new labour safety laws and increased employer accountability for their workers.
Breaking Ground, a large quilt by fabric artist Laurie Swim honouring the five fallen workers, was installed on the 50th anniversary of the disaster and hangs in the main mezzanine of York Mills subway station today.
Shawn Micallef
https://www.thestar.com/life/2015/09/03/torontos-rich-in-labour-history.html