In partnership with Black community leaders, Black-serving agencies, and other stakeholders, the City of Toronto today announced the start of public consultations for a comprehensive new 10-Year Action Plan to address Anti-Black Racism. This initiative builds upon the successful Five-Year Action Plan and aims to enhance the quality of life for Black residents and promote systemic and cultural change.
The forthcoming 10-Year Action Plan is the most extended anti-Black racism initiative in Canada’s history. Notable achievements from the previous Five-Year Plan include:
- Launching a 10-week incubation program to bolster early-stage Black entrepreneurs and enhance the scalability of their businesses. This is part of strategic investments in initiatives like the Toronto Black Food Sovereignty Plan.
- Increasing Black representation in city governance and on decision-making bodies, highlighted by the establishment of Toronto’s first Confronting Anti-Black Racism advisory body.
- Developing youth training, employment, and leadership programs, including creating employment opportunities for Black queer and trans youth and a $520,000 investment in the Black Youth Leadership Project Grants.
- Expanding culturally relevant programming for Black families and mental health support for Black and Indigenous youth, along with advocating for enhanced police transparency and community-based crisis response initiatives.
These efforts align with the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, focusing on recognition, justice, and development.
More details on the program and how to participate in the consultations are available on the City’s Confronting Anti-Black Racism webpage. Updates on the progress can be found in the Year Four Update of the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, available on the City’s website.