Community Expertise

In October 2025, FoSTRA, a community-based organization representing 29 residents’ associations in five downtown wards (Wards 4, 9, 10, 11 and 13) submitted a report to the Mayor on FoSTRA’s support for Social Development Plans to be expanded to six neighbourhoods in 2026. In the paper, FoSTRA recognized the positive impact of the $500k/year Social Development Plan investment the Regent Park neighbourhood received between 2019 and 2024.

Positive outcomes included:

Zero gun-related deaths in 2023, a milestone credited to the neighbourhood’s collaborative violence prevention efforts.
Increased community cohesion, youth engagement, and participation in civic life.
Innovative resident-led initiatives that improved access to employment, housing navigation, and mental health supports.
Strong partnerships between residents, City divisions, and community agencies grounded in a clear accountability framework.

The report's key recommendations include urging the City Manager and Toronto City Council to adopt Social Development Plans (SDP) in All Priority Neighbourhoods - and phase the roll out SDPs to additional neighbourhoods in 2028-2030, with SDPs permanently integrated into the City's planning and social infrastructure framework for 2031 onward.

Read the full report

The community ask has been before City committees four times since November 2025. Each time, Council did not take action to allocate funding into community-led planning.

November 25, 2025 — Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (CABRAC)

CABRAC recommended that Mayor Olivia Chow allocate up to $500K annually per neighbourhood to fund community associations and coalitions leading Social and Community Development Plan implementation. The motion was approved unanimously and sent to the Mayor for her to consider funding.

CABRAC is composed of 14 public members and one Member of City Council.

December 9, 2025 — Executive Committee

The CABRAC recommendation came before Mayor Chow's Executive Committee. The mayor was not in the room when the item was discussed - so she made no official comment. Councillor Shelley Carroll moved to refer the item to the Executive Director of Social Development for consideration — rather than directing budget allocation. The motion was approved unanimously. No new funding was allocated.

March 23, 2026 — Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (CABRAC)

CABRAC received a staff presentation on Social and Community Development Plans and directed staff to report back on the 2027 budget process with community-led planning funding included for consideration. The committee also reaffirmed that Social and Community Development Plans are core anti-Black racism interventions. Both motions were approved unanimously for consideration by the Economic and Social Development Committee.

April 9, 2026 — Economic & Social Development Committee

The ask returned to this committee with four specific directions, including a request for the City to allocate sustainable neighbourhood-level community-led planning funding. Councillor Alejandra Bravo moved to refer the ask to the Deputy City Manager for consideration as part of the forthcoming Toronto Neighbourhood Assessment Framework report. The motion was approved. No funding was committed to.

See the detailed history

Community advice to Toronto is clear:

fund community-led planning.

Displacement Is a Choice. So Is Funding the Alternative.

Resources and Documents

November 25, 2025 — Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (CABRAC)

December 9, 2025 — Executive Committee

March 23, 2026 — Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (CABRAC)

April 9, 2026 — Economic & Social Development Committee

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