For 60 Years, Social Planning Toronto has sought to build a fairer, more inclusive Toronto through policy research, analysis and public engagement. But Toronto is growing, changing and facing challenges that have not been seen in its history.

Almost half of the funds from the Province’s Demographic Portion of the Learning Opportunity Grant, intended to benefit low-income Toronto students, are being diverted a new report finds. The report by Social Planning Toronto finds that the TDSB, facing chronic underfunding, has been forced to use funding intended to support schools in low-income communities to shore-up general revenues.

2017 Budget has been launched, and its impacts on community services, transit and housing is stark.

This is your chance to let your Councillor know face to face that you think Toronto can do better, and must make investments that make our city more affordable and livable for all.

Across the City, Councillors will be hosting Budget Town Halls to hear from their constituents, and the city conducts public hearings (deputations) across the City.

Speaking from Toronto City Hall, Sean Meagher, Executive Director of Social Planning Toronto said: “This budget presents a stark choice for the Mayor and Council: choose between eliminating 780 staff positions, affecting programs and services for thousands of residents, especially vulnerable residents, or adopt new revenue tools to balance this budget”.

A new report estimates poverty is costing Toronto between $4.5-$5.5 billion each year due to increases in cost to the health and justice system as well as lost tax revenue.

Report co-author John Stapleton emphasized the need to see poverty as a drag on our economy: “Whether it’s increased cost to our public health system, criminal justice system or lost tax revenue for our City, we need to focus on poverty reduction as a benefit to our long-term prosperity”.

Today, five advisory committees to Toronto City Council issued letters to Mayor John Tory asking him to reconsider the proposed across-the-board 2.6% budget cuts, citing concerns over the impact on marginalized communities and vulnerable residents that will result from cuts to transit, housing, health services and recreation.

On Monday, November 14, Special Advisor Karen Pitre joined Social Planning Toronto, the SPACE Coalition and more than 60 community members, service providers, and elected officials to discuss community hubs in Ontario.

On the eve of potential cuts to city programs and services, a new report has found that Toronto has the highest percentage of children living in low-income families of any large urban area in Canada.

Over 80 residents gathered in North York Memorial Hall last night to learn about the upcoming 2017 City Budget and its impact on transit, housing, shelters and the City's own Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Over 100 Leaders from Toronto's prominent faith communities gathered last night at the Noor Cultural Centre in Toronto to hear from expert panelists and organize ahead of this year's City Budget.