Strengthening Racial Equity in City Programs and Services - by Councillor Neethan Shan, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher

The Public Gallery wrote no story on this item. What follows is the city’s own record of what happened to it, as filed: nothing on this page is summarised or scored by us.

The decision

2026-04-22 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on April 22 and 23, 2026, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, in consultation with relevant City divisions, to explore opportunities to highlight best practices, examples of transformative racial equity initiatives underway, lessons learnt from previous initiatives and publishing these initiatives on our website and through a yearly report. 2. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development to explore the feasibility of establishing a racial justice program advisory body to provide community-informed expertise to City staff, with membership reflecting the diversity of Toronto's racial and ethnic communities.

Show the rest of As filed, 454 more characters as filed

3. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development and relevant City partners assess the potential to support community initiatives that target structural racism through existing grant streams or through new dedicated grant streams, subject to the City's Budget process. 4. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development to provide a briefing note as part of the 2027 budget process that includes parts 1 through 3 above.

The vote

Adopt Item · Carried, 17-1

For (17)Alejandra Bravo, Amber Morley, Anthony Perruzza, Ausma Malik, Brad Bradford, Chris Moise, Frances Nunziata, Gord Perks, Jamaal Myers, James Pasternak, Lily Cheng, Michael Thompson, Mike Colle, Neethan Shan, Nick Mantas, Paula Fletcher, Vincent Crisanti

Against (1)Stephen Holyday

Absent (8)Dianne Saxe, Jon Burnside, Josh Matlow, Olivia Chow, Parthi Kandavel, Paul Ainslie, Rachel Chernos Lin, Shelley Carroll

The whole record, all 26 members

Every name opens that member’s record.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring fair and accessible services for all residents, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, disability, citizenship, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or marital status, socioeconomic status, or other protected grounds. Despite these commitments, many equity-deserving communities continue to identify gaps in access and outcomes. These gaps may be addressed, in part, through increased awareness of existing City programs and services, improved coordination and targeted investments.

Show the rest of As the city filed it, 209 more characters as filed

Strengthening the City's capacity to assess inequities and enahnce inclusive program delivery are important steps towards eliminating discrimination and ensuring all Torontonians benefit from City initiatives.

Staff recommended

Councillor Neethan Shan, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, in consultation with relevant City divisions, to explore opportunities to highlight best practices, examples of transformative racial equity initiatives underway, lessons learnt from previous initiatives and publishing these initiatives on our website and through a yearly report.

Show the rest of Staff recommended, 743 more characters as filed

2. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development to explore the feasibility of establishing a racial justice program advisory body to provide community-informed expertise to City staff, with membership reflecting the diversity of Toronto's racial and ethnic communities. 3. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development and relevant City partners assess the potential to support community initiatives that target structural racism through existing grant streams or through new dedicated grant streams, subject to the City's Budget process. 4. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development to provide a briefing note as part of the 2027 budget process that includes parts 1 through 3 above.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

More from this meeting

The whole meeting