Racialized Communities

Everybody should have the same opportunities and access to employment, education, housing and civic life. That’s why we’re working to pave the way to a more equitable future for everyone living in the GTA. Any way we can.

Diverse backgrounds are what make the GTA what it is. But systemic racism and discrimination are among the root causes of poverty. They are barriers to social, political, and economic prosperity. Racialized communities are more likely to experience poor health, homelessness, precarious employment, discrimination in education, and over-representation in the criminal justice system.

By investing in our network of community agencies, we support 119 programs and services that help close opportunity gaps for racialized communities, offering culturally and linguistically responsive resources and supports. Our recent three-year Community Program Grants, investing in programs across our region, continue to reflect our commitment to reconciliation and equity with 27 percent of these programs led by or focused on Indigenous, Black and structurally disadvantaged communities. We bring people together like no one else can to develop best practices and support community-led solutions through initiatives such as the South Asian Advisory Council, which focuses on addressing gender-based, intimate partner, and family violence in Peel. And the Black Resilience Cluster, a group of agencies working together to identify pressing issues, such as insufficient housing and precarious employment, and respond with needed services and coordinated strategies. As a partner, advocate, and community builder, we champion solutions through on-the-ground programs and services, partnerships within the sector, and research and advocacy to lay the foundation for an inclusive region where everyone can thrive. We won’t give up and we don’t give in until everyone in the GTA has what they need for a good life.

Equal access to good employment, education, housing and civic life are a right — not a privilege for the GTA’s racialized communities. We must all come together to break down barriers and create a fully inclusive and fair future for everyone living in our neighbourhoods. Any way we can.