Promoting social cohesion and economic inclusion
Building prosperity by building community
Learn more and join the discussion at VoteToronto2010.com
| On June 10, the Toronto Board of Trade released Lifting All Boats: Promoting Social Cohesion and
Economic Inclusion in the Toronto Region. This
discussion paper marks the launch of our third VoteToronto2010.com
campaign theme.
Traditionally, issues such as poverty, community safety and
integration of new Canadians are viewed strictly through a social
justice lens. While we all share responsibilities for fostering social
equity, these issues also have a very real impact on the business
community and the economic growth of the Toronto region.
Lifting All Boats examines the hard costs of inequitable
access to affordable housing, community services, public transit and
employment. It also explores the economic advantages of creating
cohesive, inclusive communities and effectively leveraging the talents
of new Canadians.
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This paper does not develop strategies for tackling these issues
— many outstanding organizations in our region are already making
great strides in this domain. Instead, our goal is to highlight
opportunities for the private sector and our region’s next elected
leaders to take a leadership role in ensuring all residents can
contribute to a productive economy.
Now is the time to call on municipal candidates to tell us how they
propose to work with citizens and the business community to maximize the
potential of our region’s most valued asset – its diverse
and talented people.
Read Lifting
All Boats now. Visit VoteToronto2010.com to share
your comments with all members and citizens and to see how candidates
are responding to our latest election discussion.
Toronto cannot prosper without the full economic
participation of all residents. Some key considerations
include:
- Addressing geographic disparities in municipal investments
and services
- Eliminating social polarization and discrimination
- Facilitating effective integration of minorities and immigrants into
the economy
- Ensuring sufficient access to affordable housing, recreation
facilities and health resources
- Helping schools play a greater role in integrating immigrants
and at-risk youth into the economy
Discussion questions
- How can we build on and expand initiatives directed at improving the
liveability of Toronto’s “middle ring” of poverty and
the economic participation of its residents?
- How can City and school board properties and programming be
leveraged in conjunction with the efforts of other governments,
businesses and foundations?
- How can we make schools become community hubs not only for students
during the school day, but also for families during non-school
hours?
- What additional role can post-secondary institutions play in
integrating municipal, provincial and federal immigration and settlement
programs with efforts to reform accreditation by professional
associations and the hiring practices of employers?
- Other than increased investment in social housing, what options
should be pursued to provide quality housing within the city for
families of all incomes?
- How can TCHC’s creative partnership with the private sector be
extended to other aspects of the City’s activities?
Take part in the discussion:
