Regent Park Social Development Plan Stakeholders Table

Neighbourhood Improvement Area:

#72 Regent Park

Councillor & Ward:

Ward 13, Toronto Centre

The Regent Park Social Development Plan Stakeholders Table

The Stakeholders’ Table was established to guide the revitalization and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders who live or work in Regent Park. It incorporated the leadership of residents, grassroots groups, agency partners, institutions, government, Toronto Community Housing, and the City of Toronto. The Stakeholders’ Table was responsible for the implementation, coordination, resourcing, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of the Refreshed Social Development Plan, as well as maintaining its ongoing relevancy and responsiveness to community needs.

Working Groups & Committees of the Stakeholders’ Table

Four Working Groups actively led the implementation of action plans and work related to the four focus areas of the Refreshed Social Development Plan: Community Safety, Employment and Economic Development, Community Building, and Communications.

Four Committees actively led the overall coordination of funding, evaluation, planning, data management as well as maintained the needed reference or action documents to implement the Refreshed Social Development Plan:

  • Planning Committee: Coordinated all needed preparation for Stakeholders’ Table meetings, as well as monitored and enhanced stakeholder engagement, working group alignment, and addresses other time-sensitive responses
  • Evaluation & Benchmarks Committee: Reviewed methods and metrics for the assessment of the Social Development Plan, SDP Stakeholders’ Table and its working groups and committees
  • Funding Committee: Identified, developed and secured sufficient and sustainable funding for the implementation of the Refreshed Social Development Plan
  • Terms of Reference Committee: Maintained all reference and governance documents for the Stakeholders’ Table

If you are interested in joining the work of the Social Development Plan Stakeholders’ Table, its Working Groups or Committees, please contact the Community Development Unit for more information.

Regent Park Community Wealth Building Feasibility Study

In December 2020, the City of Toronto’s Community Development Unit and Poverty Reduction Strategy Office partnered with local non-profit organizations in Regent Park to conduct a feasibility study to develop a people-centred approach to support local economic development. This study attempted to understand the relationship between current social, economic, employment, and other investments in Regent Park and those that need to be made to create and thriving and sustainable community.

Community wealth building was a holistic strategy for strengthening local community by developing supportive social and economic infrastructure. It worked by creating more equitable economic systems that support diversely-owned and community-based social enterprises. Community wealth building seeks to build economic resilience and sustainability, while empowering equity-deserving groups and reducing inequality. Projects from across the globe have used community wealth strategies to establish supporting resources such as land trusts and credit unions. They can also integrate anchor institutions that provide place-based partnerships supporting community wealth through workforce development, social procurement policies, and local impact investment.

This work informed the City on how to leverage the investments occurring in Regent Park to drive unique, equitable, and sustainable approaches to economic development—all driven by the outcomes identified by the community. This, along with other initiatives, is advancing our knowledge and capacity to support an inclusive economic development ecosystem in Regent Park, and across Toronto.

The City offers a variety of grants and funding opportunities to help Regent Park residents, service agencies, and grassroots groups implement their social and economic goals. These grants and funding opportunities are available on a time-limited basis to support new and emerging groups, support sector resilience, as well as encourage resident engagement and leadership development.

Participation is the heartbeat of community. This strong sense of civic participation in Regent Park is one of its greatest strengths. The neighbourhood has a long history of resident engagement and stakeholder collaboration that has fostered a thriving group looking to take on leadership roles as their community continues to change.

Help create a strong welcoming, inclusive, and thriving Regent Park by getting involved in a variety of resident-led and community initiatives in Regent Park. City staff are available to talk with you about the City’s work in Regent Park, how to participate in the Stakeholders’ Table, or how to apply to various funding opportunities available.