It’s no secret. People talk about it, but not many fully realize how serious the situation is.  Twenty-five percent of Toronto residents - yes, one out of every four people in the city - live in poverty. (Based on the 2006 census, using Statistics Canada’s low income cut-off measure). And the news gets worse. Research shows that poverty impacts not only the lives of people trapped in it, but the quality of life of the city as a whole - and therefore everyone is affected.

The Toronto Working Group on Poverty recently challenged municipal candidates to turn their attention to this critical problem and to make a commitment, if elected, to bring this forward as a top priority item for action. Some 87 candidates for mayoral and city council positions, and many others vying for school board trustee positions, responded to the call and stepped forward to make the commitment.

These candidates are listed below alphabetically in groups. The lists will be kept open for a few days more, so that others who wish may join in making a similar pledge. A copy of the commitment statements may be read by clicking below.

• Endorsement Statement - City Councillors
• Endorsement Statement - School Board Trustees

Click here for a backgrounder on poverty in the city.

The Toronto Working Group on Poverty is coalition of community groups, agencies, and individual residents across the city - including persons with lived experience of poverty.  It is supported by Social Planning Toronto, an independent non-profit organization which links research with community action to improve the quality of live of all residents of Toronto.

Candidates (Mayoral and Councillor)

TDSB Trusteees

TCDSB Trustees