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Toronto Groups Urge Candidates to Follow Through on City’s Anti-Poverty Commitments

Posted in Talking Politics

Published on August 10, 2018 with No Comments

Two Toronto coalitions mailed out letters today to over 200 Mayor and Council candidates asking them to support the implementation of City Council commitments on poverty reduction.

“Too many people in Toronto are struggling to make ends meet,” said Adina Lebo, Chair of Commitment TO Community. “Voters want to know which candidates will follow through on City plans to improve access to affordable housing, transit, child care and recreation programs.”

City Council unanimously adopted Toronto’s first poverty reduction strategy in 2015.  The strategy aims to ensure that all Toronto residents have access to good jobs, income, housing, transit and other services by 2025.

“It is unfair and unconscionable that so many members of our community lack decent housing, adequate food and affordable child care,” said Tina Conlon, of Davenport-Perth Community Ministry. “We want voters to know which candidates are going to work, if elected, for a more equitable and prosperous city.”

Toronto has the highest level of child poverty among large Canadian cities, and the largest gap in income between rich and poor.

Council-approved poverty reduction commitments for the years 2018-2022 include:

  • 7,200 new supportive housing units, 8,000 new affordable rental units  and 1,000 new shelter spaces
  • A 30% reduction in TTC fares for an additional 157,000 lower-income adults
  • 11,500 new child care spaces, including 5,000 subsidized spaces
  • 40,000 new community recreation program spaces

 Commitment to Community is a coalition of residents, faith communities, non-profit groups and community organizations working to build a better, fairer and more inclusive Toronto through active engagement at City Hall.

Faith in the City is a network of faith leaders from across the religious spectrum in Toronto who are concerned about the wellbeing of our neighbourhoods and our city.

 

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