For decades the population in communities surrounding Toronto have grown at a rapid pace. Recent studies in Peel, York and Halton, have demonstrated that while the populations have grown, the funding has not kept pace. As a result, there is a significant funding gap between the Regions and older cities like Toronto and Ottawa. Sean Meagher, Executive Director of the Change Lab, is joined by his community partners: Marie Morton, Executive Director of CAYR Community Services in York Region, Rishia Burke, Executive Director at Community Development Halton and Gurpreet Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer at Indus Community Services in Peel Region. They speak about the scope of the underfunding, the impact on their communities, and the fact that the funding gap is costing their communities who are spending more on more services like hospitals, shelters, CASs and criminal justice. This is a fascinating discussion, and there is a lot to learn for other communities across the country who may be experiencing similar legacy underfunding as a result of communities growing quickly outside major urban centres.
","author_name":"On The Way Home"}