The People’s Summit:

 Shaping Our Civic Future

Discussions and Recommendations

The People’s Summit: Shaping Our Civic Future was held on the morning of June 24^th 2002. This event, organized by the Toronto Civic Action Network (TorontoCAN), saw over 230 residents from across Toronto gather to discuss issues and make recommendations as to what would make Toronto a more liveable city. From the homeless to academics; from community activists to business leaders; from labour leaders to everyday residents - all were united in the need to put an emphasis on the social and community infrastructure issues of Toronto.

While more detailed notes are included at the conclusion of this report, the highlights of the discussions/recommendations from the eight working groups listed first.

Framework: For all workshops there was a sense that equity issues needed to be given priority, and that all programming, planning, and policy development needs to be done with an “equity filter” to ensure inclusion and access for all residents of Toronto.

Sustainable Cities

1. The agenda for affordable housing has to be as inclusive as possible for renters, homeless, owners, etc. Affordable housing must be supported within communities that have a strong base of municipal services like chid care, recreation programs, and libraries working in conjunction with non-profit community agencies with adequate and stable core funding.

2. Structures and processes for the design and delivery of all social infrastructure must actively engage communities and their residents in planning and decision-making.

3.  The key issue for cities is financial autonomy. There needs to be a fair share of access to resources that goes beyond property tax, specifically access to a share of income and other growth taxes.

Sustaining Public Services 

4. The use of the concept of  “efficient services” should include the consideration of quality in the provision of services: quality of services provided; accountability; and the quality of the jobs.

5. Strong delivery of social infrastructure is done best through public service.

6. Low wage jobs resulting from contracting out and privatization contribute to inequity in the City in that those whose work is targeted are often minority group members; women and youth.

7. Low-income people suffer most from deteriorating services because they most need to rely on public services.

A Healthy City

8. Bring back Healthy Cities offices.

9. Affordable housing.

10. Street closures to improve environmental concerns.

11. Increase investment in TTC.

Vibrant and Liveable City 

12. In order to improve Air Quality we need to look at methods of reducing car usage and increasing access to transit and cycling.

13. We need to reclaim public spaces i.e. community recreation centres, schools, parks. We need neighbourhood management of these public spaces.

14. We want city investment in building community capacity.

15. Poverty and housing issues are critical issues in city.  We want new affordable housing and preservation of existing housing. There is a need for property standards enforcement to ensure safe housing.

Toronto for All Generations 

16. All planning decisions made for this city should assess the impact for all generations and their varying abilities – from the young in strollers through to seniors and people with disabilities. 

17. Planning and policy making should be done with all generations represented at the table.  We urge the city to make sure they do that and to encourage community groups to do the same.

18. We need to find ways to use resources we have much more efficiently for all generations, and to maximize their usage.

Toronto – the Democracy? 

19. Technical electoral issues need to be open, transparent and updated.  Voter’s list must be updated regularly, and available to the public.  We cannot deny citizens the right to vote. The process to donate money has to be clean and transparent as well – everyone needs access to the democratic process.

20. The City should engage residents in civic issues through public education.

21. The whole process of democracy must reflect the diversity of all our communities. The public agenda and power structure (both political and bureaucratic) must reflect and be representative of that diversity.

22. We do have models of participation/consultation but they don’t seem to make an impact on the decision makers, e.g. water, Island Airport. City has to listen to residents when engaged in the consultation processes.

An Equitable Toronto 

23. City must develop an equity lens – an analytical tool – to ensure that structures, programs and policies that come out of the process are reflective of the community.

24. There must be the fullest engagement of civil society in democratic process.  We must recover the eligibility of non-citizens to vote.  Caution use of term “citizen” – we understand meaning in political context but means something different on street – we are excluding a large percentage of our community.

25. We must harness the economic might, the economic power, of the City of Toronto itself to the equity agenda both in terms of what it can accomplish internally as an employer (employment equity) and as a contractor. We should place a contractual conditionality for anyone that the City works with, contracts with, and contracts services or supplies from should make similar commitments to equity and employment equity.

26. The City should be a role model, in terms of employment equity and contract compliance, for the broader public sector, private sector, etc.

27. The City should act immediately to implement all recommendations from the Ornstein report, and should commission a new (updated) report based on the 2000 census data.

28. The current funding arrangements – tied to property tax base and specifically, residential property tax base – have to be addressed forcefully by a concerned community.

A Unified Toronto

29. The process of bringing together representatives from all different sectors, such as this summit, should be an ongoing process so that every element of every sector are continually engaged in a dialogue about the kind of city we want.

30. Common goals or projects need to be developed based on the principle of reinvestment in our neighbourhoods and our city. 

31. Community organizations and activists need to develop a bottom line in order to negotiate a new deal with those in power in the government.

32. We need to demand accountability from every one of our elected leaders.

Sustainable Cities

We want to insure that the stuff that isn’t highly visible, i.e. social and community infrastructure, is brought into the agenda.  We need to work together and impress upon the politicians the importance of these issues.  We’re looking for more sustainable sources of funding, ideas and strategies.

The research done on behalf of TorontoCAN and published by the Centre for Urban Studies, University of Toronto, looks at seven areas that have been missing from the discussions on what is needed within the City.  These include children’s services, healthcare, public health, settlement etc.  A fuller list of these issues, and their attendant costs, is attached elsewhere in this document. 

We propose that City Summit delegates look at our research and evaluate things honestly and see where the partnerships are and were the authority should be divided. 

• Affordable housing – the City should look at an overall housing policy that actually takes all things into consideration but which is also a part of the urban development of the city.
• The City needs to devise a housing policy that goes beyond just building houses but takes into account condos; homes; supportive housing; the need for a helping hand and support.
• City should look at social issues that takes place around housing - living conditions; how people live; crime; safe communities; playgrounds; neighbourhoods etc.  They need to take into account the quality of the physical environment – its state of good repair etc.
• We need to seriously examine how zoning restrictions limit the use of our existing stock of housing and how it could be better utilized.
• The city of Toronto operates 60 000 units of housing and they need to take a leadership role in eviction prevention policy that takes people’s life situations into account, and supports people and allows them to stay in their units. We need better management of the housing stock.
• The removal of newcomer priority from affordable housing was a major loss.
• We also need stable core funding for agencies, that is very critical, community groups are asked to pick up the slack of downloading and squeezed at the same time.
• People need a say in their lives and how public services are managed. Sustainable infrastructure must be very profoundly under user control, participation needs to built into the foundations of the organization and management.
• We’re operating under a municipal act that limits us.  We need to rewrite it; there are a lot of interesting ideas and models out there like charter status etc.  We need to discuss this in community forums so that we get a fair share of the tax base.
• We need to build a community planning process to plan budgets.  We need to build in meaningful consultation process; otherwise we won’t have control over the output. 
• We need proper sharing of the taxes that higher levels of government have.
• Contracting out contributes to an underground economy, whereby contractors higher non-unionized individuals who don’t always report all their wages.
• We need to look at the federal level; a lot of the corporations who donate to the voluntary sector donate more when they get tax breaks.  They need better tax treatment from the higher levels of government when it comes to this. 
• We need to protect our public power companies.
• We need to equalize the income tax rate and see that the municipality is getting a share of it. Clearly the municipalities are being asked to take on more responsibilities and they need the revenue base to support them.
• The federal and provincial governments should continue to tax and then hand over a portion of that in the form of a grant etc.  We need to look at the higher level of government and see how they can play a role but make sure that it is done in an equitable manner.
• We need actual autonomy of taxation powers – perhaps enshrined in the constitution - so that higher levels of government can’t steal them later.
• We need to talk about long term issues related to the economy and the environment, and get this into the next budget cycle. 
• We need new research that deals with economic sustainability issues to show how it really fits in with a lot of these quality of life issues. The declining quality of life is effecting the neighbourhoods of the city.
• We can’t possible have a sustainable economy with all this waste of resources.
• Every policy should be looked at from the perspective of anti-oppression and we need to have all of our policies reviewed from those spaces.  We need living policies, that people are held accountable for delivering, and we need this accountability to come from the people.
• How big do we want Toronto to become and at what point are we going to control that? Where do we starting talking about size?
• We think a key message is autonomy. We need freedom to make decisions about programs run by the city. The Province needs to provide full funding (when there is an 80-20) program, to match the needs as determined by the city (i.e. hostel beds, child care spaces).

Sustaining Public Services  

Privatization causes inequality to be exacerbated – i.e. class, race, gender, and causes worse working conditions for employees. People lose control over their services; there is a transfer of wealth from citizens to a huge multinational corporation; and there it leads to loss of a sense of community. It leads to a corrupt political system – donations to politicians come from companies that win the privatization contract.

There is an issue of ownership once you privatize, i.e. When Hamilton first contracted out their water operations to a private firm, they did so without an open bid process, and awarded the contract to a local firm with the rationale that it provided local economic development.  That firm, Phillips, went bankrupt or was bought up by Azurix, which was later purchased by Enron, and which is now owned by RWE, a German multi-national.

• We need to ask what are the things we value in a job so that when privatization is considered they look at that.
• There should be an internal watchdog to explore misuse and inefficient use. We should have a public service watch so it analyzes what city services are privatized; what is under threat; and explain how it affects services and what is wrong with it.
• Private companies shouldn’t make a profit from our taxes. Public jobs are a way to improve the local economy.
• Privatization will increase the growing gap and the programs for the most marginalized will suffer.
• Toronto is one of the biggest employers of youths.
• We should make policies to focus on hiring people to deal with inequalities. We should provide job opportunities to people to enhance skills and experience (including “Canadian” experience).

Healthy City  

A healthy city is one that involves all generations and all groups to be participatory and pro-active: seniors; youth; new Canadians; ethno-racial communities etc. A healthy city addresses questions of diversity. 

We must create a movement and process to make sure politicians are accountable and move from rhetoric to action! 

• Bring back the Healthy Cities offices.
• Build affordable housing.
• Street closures to improve environmental concerns.
• Increase investment in TTC.

Vibrant and Liveable City  

A vibrant and liveable city considers who wins and who loses in equity issues. Major issues include the quality of the air (smog); public space; civic engagement; arts; public education; and recreation. 

• To improve the quality of the air and reduce smog we should look at: vehicle emission control; car-pooling; tax disincentives for driving; a transponder to use a car in the city and other methods of reducing the number of cars.
• At the same time we should look at ways of making biking safer including more bike lanes, and no-vehicles streets.
• We also need to have better public transit; student passes for university students; cheaper fares; tax incentives to encourage people to use transit (i.e. for Metropass users); and should consider a zone system for fares.
• The City should encourage more business location in suburbs, and encourage businesses to stagger hours to assist with staggering commuter patterns.
• We need to convert coal-burning generators.
• We need to reclaim schools as public space, and create more public spaces generally. We should look at co-management models for schools and playgrounds (between the City and the School Boards).
• We need community arts programs in schools and more community-based participatory arts programs.
• We need public support for public education.
• There should be voter engagement strategies, possibly funded by the City.  Local community mobilization is very important – too many people are left out of local discussions.
• We need to protect and grow community service grants.
• We need to build more affordable housing and need to look at variety of ways to bring low and mixed housing onside.
• Local recreation centres are important and recreation facilities should be kept open, especially in summer.
• Parks should be more effective community meeting places rather than “passive ozone sites” – programs/sports.
• We need new tax support for city programs, perhaps shared income tax.
• We need more transparent governance – there is too much “deal-making” behind the scenes.
• We need to improve measures to ensure property maintenance.
• There should be more real community policing as opposed to high-tech policing.

Toronto for all Generations

We want a Toronto for all generations for all times.  We should not compete with each other, but rather we all need to support each other all the time.  We need a city that will support all generations all of the time so we don’t fall off rung of ladder. 

The City should plan for all generations versus crisis planning when particular groups are in trouble. The City should look at accessibility re: physical design (roads, buildings) and retrofit. 

• All people need to be respected and we must work across generations and create greater shared awareness.
• We need to plan for integration not segregation of programs for different ages. We need to use school resources for the whole community. Schools close at four o’clock because they are only there for children. These resources belong to the whole of Toronto so should be used by seniors and youth in evenings, including through Parks & Recreation programs. 
• We need affordable day care, and must reverse cuts to community programs. We need to build on community programs that work, not just reinventing the “new” initiatives.
• We need to address the issue of children dropping out of school system.
• People need choices about where they get support (e.g. in home, community).
• We need to stop cuts and privatization to home care.
• There is a need to address racism as it affects all generations.
• People need adequate income.
• We need support to integrate existing resources in communities more effectively and break out of generational boxes. The community could benefit from youth and seniors coalitions.
• We should plan with all generations, and all abilities in mind (in community and in city planning process). Age should be included as a category of diversity and representation in all decisions.
• There is a serious concern about civil rights being threatened in many areas.
• There is a need for cross-generational indicators of wellness.
• City should have infrastructure and adequate funding in place to ensure that people can have access to services and supports where they choose them.

Toronto - the Democracy?   

For Toronto to look like a democracy there needs to be increased transparency and openness throughout the political process. In particular, issues of lack of clarity arise around elections and voter registration; campaign funding; and access to information about elections. 

There is a lack of engagement of residents of Toronto in the political process in a meaningful and comprehensive way. This engagement needs to reflect the diversity of Toronto, and be accessible to all. 

We should look at models of participatory democracy, and budgeting from the Global south, as well as the United States. 

• The voter’s list should be made public and updated.
• There should be a court/political challenge re: elimination of enumeration.
• It takes big money to get elected – we need transparency in the donations process.
• All people need to be integrated into the democratic process. We need processes like regular community meetings of citizens and non-citizens held/organized by elected politicians.
• Civic engagement means talking about issues that are relevant. People get involved if the context is local and connected and relevant to their community.
• New folks need to get elected.
• Tenants’ issues huge - a number of ways have to be explored to involve tenants (53% of the City) i.e. more polling stations in buildings.
• We need to address low voter turnout. People need to understand how their votes count and they can make a difference, e.g. elect a politician whose vote counts. Good community based organizing can increase voter turnout.
• We need to look at southern U.S. experiences re: increased voter turnout/registration.
• Equity issues need to be front and centre. The Ornstein report needs to be acted upon.
• View all issues from an “anti-oppression” perspective; politicians and others are not attuned to equity issues.
• It is often difficult to see the connections to the big picture, e.g. planning processes.
• The City is limiting public input/consultation and outreach. We must emphasize the importance of meeting, especially between elections. Politicians must be more accountable to the community.
• We need to look at the Argentine model whereby neighbourhood committees have politicians come to them and if they aren’t listened to, they “shut down” the city.
• The southeast downtown experience involves local committees and has come up with recommendations but there are no guarantee politicians will act upon them.

  An Equitable Toronto  

The City needs to develop an “equity lens” across the board to look at the development of policies and programs. Planning in the City should be done with the equity filter in place, including accessible and inclusive consultation.

Why are our elected representatives not giving voice to our issues, needs, realities, concerns!?  Does the Ornstein report exist in a vacuum?  Access to information and services at City Hall is often limited to English, preventing many from engaging in the municipal process. 

• The City should push the federal government to change “election eligibility” to allow new immigrants and refugees to be able to vote in elections. These residents of the city are completely excluded from actively expressing their democratic rights.
• We need to look at inclusive processes – for example, Porte Allegre, Brazil and in Guelph and Ottawa in Ontario where municipalities have made a commitment to meaningful public participation.
• There is a deteriorating quality of life for many. The City needs to look at the growing gap.
• The tax base should not be just the property tax.  Issues of offloading and downloading need to be examined as well.
• Where do the rights outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms – Section 15 “hit the road”?  Are they enforceable?  What does “walking the talk” mean in real terms?
• We need to look at policing and racial profiling.
• There is a growing gap of rich and poor, and an increasing racialization of poverty. Canadian experience and credentials need to be addressed.
• The hiring policies of the City should be a model and advocate for private sector.  The City should model employment equity procedures and contract compliance, as should the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation.
• We must follow up the Ornstein report with a 2000 equivalent analysis. There must be annual related “social-auditing” thereafter – this is critical!
• When looking at city culture grants – cultural, community, arts and entertainment – we need to define “culture” inclusively. The $220 million recent announcement focussed on “old European” type institutions.
• Community capacity-building processes should be developed and must include an equitable political/democratic process supported by the City including with money. The process should build by wards and go from the grass roots moving upward. Inclusive principles must be built into process and structure.
• There must be an accountability structure for elected representatives and bureaucrats. The current town hall and other city sponsored “windows” for participation is inadequate – they need to be reframed in light of the increase of ethno-racially and otherwise diverse communities.
• There should be direct presence in Chambers, letter-writing campaigns etc.
• Possibly a mandatory voting requirement should be explored.
• We need more politicians from ethno-racial communities, and a change in leadership structure. We must elect people who are prepared to do something re: anti-racism.
• The City should support ethno-racial media.
• The democratic process has to be equitable. Accountability is linked to democracy.

Unified Toronto

How do we create “buy-in” from the different sectors within this City and who should undertake this process? There is a growing recognition of cities’ issues and a wider range of people engaged, but dollars still haven’t matched rhetoric.

How do different levels of government share power?  The Provincial government is overriding local decisions; the federal government is refusing to look at funding issues.

• The Golden report has many recommendations still unfulfilled. Will the City’s Official Plan fare any better? We have enough reports – we need action!
• There must be broader “civic engagement” – we need unity through broad coalition. We can start by creating neighbourhood committees. Social agencies need partnerships of key decision-makers. We need business to leave “slash & burn” politics behind.
• Is business starting to realize that a healthy city is in its own self-interest? Why do “we” have to wait for them to figure this out?
• Bringing all sectors together at a City Summit should be the start of an on-going process.
• We need to develop common goals/projects based in re-investment in neighbourhoods/the city.
• We need to develop a community “bottom line” in order to negotiate a new deal for Toronto with those in power.
• We need to demand accountability from elected leaders.

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