Toronto Municipal Election: Key Issues and Newcomer Strategy Take Center Stage

Strategic Insights -

The Toronto municipal election on October 24 will decide the future of Canada's largest city, with issues like public transit, affordable housing, and small business growth taking center stage. Amidst these debates, the city's newcomer strategy, which aims to support the integration and settlement of immigrants, will also be a crucial aspect of the election. With 31 candidates vying for the mayoral position, the campaign has gained significant attention, particularly with the current mayor, John Tory, seeking his third term.

Key Takeaways:

  • The municipal election will decide the fate of Toronto's public transit system, with some candidates advocating for a free TTC and others pushing for an underground subway system.
  • Affordable housing remains a pressing concern in Toronto, with the average home price exceeding $1 million, forcing many residents to move out of the city.
  • The city's labour shortage, partly due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation and low birth rates, has led to increased reliance on newcomers to maintain the economy's strength.
  • The revised Newcomers Settlement Strategy, introduced in May 2021, aims to facilitate integration and settlement among newcomers, with a focus on employee retraining, promoting Access T.O. awareness, and addressing systemic issues in Canada's immigration system.
  • The initial strategy, adopted in 2013, facilitated the creation of Toronto Newcomer Day, the Newcomer Services Kiosk Program, the Refugee Resettlement Program, and the Access to City Services for Undocumented Torontonians (Access T.O.) program.
  • The revised plan also aims to collaborate with stakeholders to address systemic issues affecting immigrants in Toronto.
  • To be eligible to vote, residents must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and a resident in Toronto, or a non-resident owning or renting property in the city.

Statistics:

  • 31 candidates are running for the mayoral position in the October 24 municipal election.
  • The average home price in Toronto exceeds $1 million.
  • In 2019, the number of permanent resident arrivals in Toronto was 117,700.
  • In 2020, the number of permanent resident arrivals dropped to 61,045, a nearly 50% decrease.
  • The revised Newcomers Settlement Strategy was introduced in May 2021.

Sources:

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada - The news release announcing the municipal election details is not explicitly stated, but the text outlines the information provided.
  • The Canadian Press - For information on the election and relevant statistics.