YWCA Toronto regularly contributes feminist insights to the public discourse in response to government initiatives and policies. We also participate on coalitions, sector tables, and committees and partnerships to advance meaningful social change. See below for selected links to YWCA Toronto’s recent policy recommendations to improve the lives of women, girls and gender-diverse communities.
An Intersectional Approach to COVID-19 She-Covery There can be no economic or social recovery from COVID-19 without a she-covery! Learn more about the intersectional impacts of COVID-19 and YWCA Toronto's recommendations for a recovery plan centered on the needs of women, girls and gender-diverse communities.
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Business as Usual is Not Enough
Deputation to the City of Toronto Budget Committee
January 2020 Applying a Gender Equity Lens to Gun Violence
Deputation to the City of Toronto's Board of Health
November 2019 We Urgently Need Gender Equity in Toronto
Deputation to the City of Toronto Executive Committee
September 2019
The Provision of Housing is a Human Right
February 2019 Put A Gender Equity Lens On The City Budget
January 2018
What Makes A City World-Class? Investment In Poverty Reduction
January 2017
Response to Housing and Health: Unlocking Opportunity
Deputation to the City of Toronto Board of Health
October 2016
Building the Toronto We Want Starts with Poverty Reduction
January 2016
Ontario Needs a Gender Analysis of Homelessness
Deputation to Ontario’s Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness
May 2015
Working Together to End Sexual Violence and Harassment
Deputation to Ontario’s Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment
Recommendations for a Gender-Responsive Recovery Plan
Submission to the Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance (Ontario)
August 2020
Priorities for an equitable recovery
Joint submission from non-profit leaders to inform Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild final recommendations to City Council
July 2020
Ensuring an Inclusive and Equitable COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan
Submission to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology regarding the Canadian Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Study on the Government's Response to to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
June 2020
Poverty Reduction Strategy
YWCA Toronto Written Submission to Ontario's New Poverty Reduction Strategy
March 2020
Lifting Women Out of Poverty
Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (Ontario)
January 2020
Put A Gender Equity Lens On Income Security Reforms
Submission to the Hon. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services (Ontario)
Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment
Submission to the Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Status of Women (Ontario)
July 2017
Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act
Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs (Ontario)
Investing in Ontario’s Women and Girls
Working Together To Create Safe, Affordable, Supportive Homes for Women
Submission for the National Housing Strategy consultations
Working Together To End Violence Against Women
Submission for the National Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence
September 2016
YWCA Toronto Response to Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
Letter to the Minister of Education
July 2020 The Use of a Restorative Approach to an Inquiry into the NS Mass Shooting
Letter to the NS Minister of Justice and federal Minister of Public Safety and Minister of Justice
July 2020 Funding Community Safety
Letter to the Mayor and Toronto City Council
June 2020 Letter on Re-Opening Child Care
June 2020 Ensuring a viable and successful reopening of child care in Ontario
Open Letter to the Premier of Ontario and Minister of Education
June 2020 'Extreme Intoxication' Ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal
Letter to Ontario's Attorney General
June 2020 Open Letter Urging Action on Gun Violence
June 2020 A Plan for a Resilient Recovery in Toronto
Open Letter to Toronto City Council
May 2020 Ensuring marginalized children have first call on federal resources in the pandemic response and recovery
Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada
May 2020 Ontario Needs a COVID-19 Plan for People in All Group Living Settings
Open Letter to Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
April 24, 2020 Open Letter to the Right to Housing
Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada
August 2018 End Sex Discrimination in the Indian Act
October 2017 Fix the Backwards Budget Process
May 2017 Gender Equity in the City Budget
February 2017 Take Action to Combat Islamophobia and Hatred
Open Letter to all levels of government
February 2017
Act Now on Inclusionary Zoning
March 2016
Stop Proposed Child Care Regulatory Changes
Open Letter to the Premier of Ontario
Support Supervised Injection Services in Toronto
Support Postal Pay Equity
August 2016