We are pleased to share our 2025/2026 Annual Report is now available. Taking the time to reflect on our accomplishments is always rewarding. Over the past year, we published three research reports, engaged over 400 community-based organizations, and brought together 250 community members for a City Budget rally, among many other achievements.
Of course, these numbers only tell part of the story. The impact of our work often extends far beyond what we can measure. The work ripples outward when people read reports months after publication, share resources through their networks, or draw on our research and analysis when developing policy positions. Media outlets cite our work in stories about poverty, homelessness, care work, democratic rights, and the City Budget. Residents attend a workshop, watch recordings, read blog posts, or join rallies, and leave with a clearer understanding of how decisions are made and how they can participate in shaping them. While these outcomes are not always quantifiable, together they help build public understanding, shift narratives, and advance solutions to systemic poverty and inequality.
As we take a moment to share and celebrate these wins, we’re also looking at the year ahead. Toronto will be heading into a municipal election this October. In the coming months, Social Planning Toronto will be sharing resources, analysis, and engagement opportunities that will support you to make informed decisions and participate in the election process. Know someone in your networks who may be interested? Encourage them to sign up for this newsletter. Together, we can build a Toronto that works for everyone.
As we take a moment to share and celebrate these wins, we’re also looking at the year ahead. Toronto will be heading into a municipal election this October. In the coming months, Social Planning Toronto will be sharing resources, analysis, and engagement opportunities that will support you to make informed decisions and participate in the election process. Know someone in your networks who may be interested? Encourage them to sign up for this newsletter. Together, we can build a Toronto that works for everyone.
In this issue:
- Join Our Team! We’re Hiring a Community Planner
- Welcoming Em Dial, and Other Staffing Changes
- Take Action: Tell the Federal Government Not to Pave Over Our Lake
- Take Action: Tell The Province We Need Maximum Heat Legislation
- Event: Newcomer Youth Civic Engagement Forum
- Municipal Election Grants Available for Community Leaders
- Committee Approves Supportive Housing Project in Parkdale
Join Our Team! We’re Hiring a Community Planner
Social Planning Toronto is looking for a full-time, 12-month contract, Community Planner (35 hours per week) with expertise in community organizing, civic engagement, and community capacity building, particularly on issues that affect low-income, Indigenous, Black, racialized, immigrant, disabled, 2SLGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities in Toronto. This work contributes to advocacy and policy change on social and economic justice issues, and systems-level changes.
More details, including salary range and benefit, are available on our website. The deadline to apply is Sunday, July 27.
Welcoming Em Dial, and Other Staffing Changes
SPT is excited to announce the hiring of our new Program Support Staff, Em Dial. Em has spent almost a decade in environmental and food non-profit program coordination, working primarily in urban farms and gardens. Their work has focused on decolonizing growing practices, the right to food, and the intersections between racial justice and food justice. They are excited to support SPT's critical work in addressing Toronto's social and economic inequities. Em holds an Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph-Humber, a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stanford University. Welcome Em!
We are also pleased to share that Shannon Spencer, who is finishing up her parental leave contract as a Community Planner, will be continuing with SPT in a new role as a Research and Policy Analyst. Shannon will be filling in for Sharma Queiser, who will begin her parental leave next month. Shannon has been an invaluable part of the SPT team, and we are grateful she will be continuing her work with us. We wish Sharma all the best as she embarks on this exciting journey!
Take Action: Tell the Federal Government Not to Pave Over Our Lake
The Province of Ontario has a plan to expand Billy Bishop Airport (located on Toronto Island) to allow for commercial jet service. The proposal has generated significant public discussion, with supporters citing potential economic and transportation benefits and critics raising concerns about environmental impacts, including air, water, and noise pollution, as well as the potential effects on nearby parkland and the waterfront.
The Government of Canada has created a survey in order to consult the public on proposed changes to the airport. Some organizations, including Environmental Defence, have expressed concerns about the survey's design, arguing that certain questions may not fully reflect public concerns. Despite these criticisms, they are encouraging residents to participate in the consultation process and share their views.
To further voice your opinion, Toronto Environmental Alliance has created an e-mail template that residents can use to contact your Federal MP and Canada’s Toronto-based Minister of Environment.
Take Action: Tell The Province We Need Maximum Heat Legislation
In June, Toronto City Council approved a plan to introduce a new bylaw that will require all rental units to have a maximum temperature of 26 degrees C. The City Manager will present a draft bylaw to council by June 2027. This comes after years of coordinated advocacy from the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations, Toronto Environmental Alliance, ACORN, and other community groups.
This proposed bylaw responds to growning concerns about extreme heat in Toronto. Prolonged exposure to high indoor temperatures has been linked to respiratory distress, headaches, dizziness, and heart strain, which presents particular risks for for older adults and people with chronic health conditions.
Additional action is needed at other levels of government. ACORN Ontario has created an email template you can use to contact your MPP and advocate for stronger tenant protections as more rental units install air conditioning.
Event: Newcomer Youth Civic Engagement Forum
The Newcomer Youth Civic Engagement Forum will be hosted at City Hall’s Member’s Lounge on July 23rd from 6-8 p.m. Participants will learn about the civic engagement process directly from City staffers, advocates, and community organizers. This event is for anyone who is an immigrant, refugee, or temporary resident, including work and study permit holders, who arrived in the country within the past 5 years, and who is currently between the ages of 16-30. Learn more and register.
Municipal Election Grants Available for Community Leaders
Voice the Vote, an election engagement program from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Democratic Engagement Exchange, will be hosting a series of information and learning sessions geared towards community organizations, frontline staff, volunteers, and local leaders. Participants will gain or refresh municipal knowledge, create community event action plans, and build relationships.
Voice the Vote will also offer a Community Micro-grants program to support community-led, non-partisan initiatives that encourage civic participation and voter engagement ahead of Ontario's municipal elections. The first round of applications will open on July 20 and will close on August 5.
Details for both opportunities will be posted in the coming days on Voice the Vote’s Instagram and LinkedIn.
Committee Approves Supportive Housing Project in Parkdale
Earlier this month, Toronto and East York Community Council approved a zoning amendment to allow for the redevelopment of a housing complex operated by Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC). The expanded property will consist of 140 deeply affordable supportive housing units, including 54 rental replacement homes, alongside onsite services, and expanded community space. SPT submitted a letter in support of the development.
The item will be considered at Council later this month. On July 23rd, PARC will be hosting a benefit concert at Parkdale Hall (1605 Queen St. W). Tickets are available on a sliding scale. Learn more.