Toronto City Council approved the Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy this week, with the vision that Toronto will become a leader in the collective pursuit of justice, fairness and equity by 2035. The Strategy aims for Toronto be renowned as a city where everyone has access to good jobs, adequate income, stable housing, affordable transportation, nutritious food, and supportive services. TO Prosperity identifies three complementary, overarching objectives that inform efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive city:
- Address immediate needs: ensure that essential services are effective, well-funded, coordinated, and meet the needs of those living in poverty
- Create pathways to prosperity: improve the quality of jobs in the city, attract investments to low income areas, and ensure that City programs and services are integrated, client-centered, and focused on early intervention
- Drive Systemic Change: create a more accountable and participatory government, where reducing poverty and inequality is an integral part of day-to-day business
Key elements of the Strategy include housing stability, improved access to services, affordable transportation, food security, and systemic and institutional changes. The City of Toronto intends to work across its Divisions and Agencies to implement the Strategy, as well as consulting with external partners including residents, community agencies and business partners. Engagement with individuals with lived experience of poverty will also be at the heart of the implementation process.
For more information on the Interim Poverty Strategy, please visit the City of Toronto website.