TO Prosperity: Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy

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population groups and neighbourhoods. In
Toronto, poverty is gendered, racialized, and
geographically concentrated.
Recent immigrants (46%), Aboriginal people
(37%), female lone parents (37%), members
of racialized groups (33%), and people
with disabilities (30%), have higher rates of
poverty than the general Toronto population. v
While existing data sources are not yet
disaggregated to include other communities
such as the transgender community and
consumer survivors, qualitative evidence points
to significant challenges with poverty as well.
FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR TO
MEET BASIC EXPENSES,
BOTH PARENTS NEED TO WORK
FULL TIME AT $18/HOUR
Between 1970 and 2005, the percentage
of low-income neighbourhoods grew from
19% to 53%, middle income neighbourhoods
decreased from 66% to 29%, and high-income
neighbourhoods grew from 15% to 19%. vi
These trends are making Toronto a city of
sharp and undesirable contrasts. In response,
TO Prosperity: Toronto Poverty Reduction
Strategy sets a bold vision and three objectives
for addressing poverty in Toronto.