Social Planning Toronto
planningtoronto.bsky.social
Social Planning Toronto
@planningtoronto.bsky.social
For 65 years, we’ve been a vital part of making Toronto better for all by linking research with community action.
On February 10, Toronto City Council will be voting on the 2026 City Budget. Social Planning Toronto and partners are organizing a community rally outside City Hall to let Council know this is no time for cuts.

Learn more and RSVP:
www.socialplanningtoronto.org/save_the_date
January 29, 2026 at 7:41 PM
In 2018, Toronto Police Service made a total budget request of just under $1 billion. Since then, the police have seen a steady increase in their budget. This year’s budget proposes a $93.8 million increase from the property tax base: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/2026_police_...
Toronto Police Service: The One City Budget Line That Never Stops Growing
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Today and tomorrow, the City of Toronto's Budget Committee will be hosting public meetings to listen to your feedback on the 2026 staff-proposed City Budget.

Our Budget Coalition identified our key and urgent priorities:
www.socialplanningtoronto.org/the_budget_c...
The Budget Committee Needs to Hear From YOU
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
January 20, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Join Social Planning Toronto and partners on Monday, January 19 at 2 pm for our Budget Town Hall! We'll review the 2026 staff-recommended City Budget, highlighting key investments and gaps. ASL will be provided. Learn more and register: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/budget_town_...
Budget Town Hall 2026
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
January 16, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Stay up to date with all things Toronto City Budget with our CITY BUDGET WATCH newsletter. Ongoing analysis, event listings, ways to get involved and more delivered straight to your inbox. Our first issue of 2026 will go out tonight: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/getupdates
Sign up for our newsletter
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
January 8, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Reposted by Social Planning Toronto
Toronto's budget committee is about to meet to hear about the draft 2026 budget. Most of the headlines — a 2.2% residential property tax increase, a fare freeze — are already written, but let's see if there are any other newsy tidbits.

Meeting will stream live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ar...
Budget Committee - January 8, 2026
YouTube video by Toronto City Council
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Social Planning Toronto
We're at the TTC Board talking about the BUDGET! A budget which includes a fare freeze and fare capping. Obviously, we're in support. Follow along for updates, or watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Zl...
January 7, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Join Social Planning Toronto this evening, January 7th, from 7 - 9 p.m., for BUDGET 101. Learn more about the City of Toronto's budget process and about effective advocacy strategies. ASL will be provided: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/budget_101
January 7, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Budget season is here!

Through the budget process, Toronto City Council makes important decisions about critical programs, services, and infrastructure

Join us this Weds, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. for BUDGET 101, a free virtual workshop. ASL will be provided.

www.socialplanningtoronto.org/budget_101
Budget 101
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Home care personal support workers reduce pressure on hospitals, emergency departments, and long-term care homes. Yet Ontario is facing home care labour shortages, due to low wages, precarious employment, and poor working conditions.

Our new report: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/carework
Caring about Care Workers: Centring Immigrant Women Personal Support Workers in Toronto’s Home Care Sector
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Immigrant and racialized women comprise the majority of home care personal support workers in the GTA.

Our new report, Caring About Care Workers, finds that they are subsidizing Ontario's home care system with their unpaid labour: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/carework
Caring about Care Workers: Centring Immigrant Women Personal Support Workers in Toronto’s Home Care Sector
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:08 PM
We are so proud of our placement student, Rebecca Smith, whose social justice advocacy has been featured in this TorontoMet Today article. Check out all of TMU planned events for International Day of Persons with Disabilities: www.torontomu.ca/news-events/...
TMU marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities
TMU student advocate draws on lived experiences to support disability inclusion on and off campus
www.torontomu.ca
November 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Social Planning Toronto
Friends: Join tenants, renters, and housing advocacy groups from across Ontario in a march from FRPO’s head office to Queen’s Park on National Housing Day. STOP BILL 60!

Details: TENANTUNION.CA/HOUSI...

SATURDAY NOV 22ND 11AM - 1:30PM TORONTO

#stopbill60 #onpoli
November 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Social Planning Toronto will be hosting two virtual workshops this month to provide individuals, community leaders, local groups, and service providers with tools and tips to engage in productive conversations around homelessness. Learn more and register: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/events
Events
See all upcoming events hosted by Social Planning Toronto.
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Last year, food bank visits in Toronto reached an all-time high of 4.1 million. 88% of survey respondents live in unaffordable housing. Nearly half (46%) of survey respondents reported that at least one person in their household is employed.

Read more:
www.dailybread.ca/research-and...
Who’s Hungry Report
Who’s Hungry 2025 In partnership, Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank have released Who’s Hungry 2025 – an annual profile of poverty and food insecurity in the City of Toronto.    S...
www.dailybread.ca
October 27, 2025 at 1:14 PM
SPT is one of many non-profits and charities to sign onto an open letter calling on funders to commit to and demonstrate trust-based philanthropic funding practices: www.tamarackcommunity.ca/articles/ope...
Open Letter from Canada’s Nonprofits and Charities to Corporate and Philanthropic Funders
In this uncertain yet critical moment, trust-based philanthropy has the power to drive transformational change in communities.
www.tamarackcommunity.ca
October 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Social Planning Toronto
Bill 60 - Protect Ontario Tenants Now!
endausterity.ca
October 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
New proposed provincial legislation would strip away key tenant protections, fast-track evictions, and open the door to ending rent control as we know it in Ontario.

Tell Queen's Park: Don't end rent control
acorncanada.org/take_action/...
URGENT Message to Doug Ford: Don’t End Rent Control! - ACORN Canada
acorncanada.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Social Planning Toronto
Bill 60 is outrageous in a province already inundated with mass homelessness.

It further limits justice for tenants at the LTB, expedites evictions, and further incentivizes Landlord's Own Use evictions by slashing compensation to tenants.

Unconscionable!

news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
October 23, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Social Planning Toronto
In particular, they want leases to no longer necessarily remain in effect indefinitely, so that landlords have more options for creating tenant turnover.

Current situation in left-hand column, proposal on the right:
October 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The cost of inaction on poverty far outweighs any investment required to address it. Every dollar spent on social programs, income supports, and targeted benefits is dwarfed by the long-term consequences of poverty. www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Canada set a poverty reduction goal. We’re falling behind. - CCPA
Canada vowed to end poverty by 2030, yet progress has stalled. The government can’t wait any longer to deliver real solutions.
www.policyalternatives.ca
October 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Freeze the rent! Raise the rates!

Join SPT and community partners this Thursday, Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Queen's Park as we demand the province enact a rent freeze and raise the rates of ODSP and OW. Learn more: www.noticenorthyork.ca/queensparkon...
October 21, 2025 at 6:52 PM
On Tuesday October 28 at 7pm, join Workers Action Centre online for the launch of their new report, The Crisis of Wage Theft in Ontario. This report exposes how widespread the problem is and what needs to change. RSVP here:
workersactioncentre.org/new-report-o...
New Report on Wage Theft!
Together, we’ll talk about real solutions to stop wage theft, hold employers accountable, and fight poverty in our communities.
workersactioncentre.org
October 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
SPT has partnered with community activist Diana Chan McNally to create TALKING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, a free guide to help organizations and individuals develop strong, positive messaging around homelessness and shelters: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/talking_abou...
Talking About Homelessness
www.socialplanningtoronto.org
October 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM