Four leading Toronto Mayoral candidates will be invited to briefly share their vision and priority actions for reducing and eradicating poverty in Toronto.

They will be asked to pledge their commitment to champion Toronto’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which will be launched in 2015.

The event will be attended by community leaders, service providers, people with lived experience of poverty, and concerned community members.

Poverty rates in Toronto are 40% above the provincial average, and among the highest of all Canadian cities. Nearly half a million Toronto residents are struggling with poverty. With the Ontario government set to release its new 5-year poverty reduction strategy in September, and Toronto Council’s commitment to develop its own poverty reduction strategy, now is an opportune time for city leaders to champion a bold agenda to reduce poverty and build a more prosperous and equitable city.

Hosted by the Alliance for a Poverty-Free Toronto with the support of the Children's Aid Society of Toronto, Family Service Toronto/Ontario Campaign 2000, and Social Planning Toronto.

Doors open at 9:30 am.