We ask all applicants to complete a voluntary, confidential survey to help measure diversity in the City’s public appointments. We publish the results on a quarterly basis.

As of April 6, 2023 the data reflects:

  • 2,849 active applications (applications are kept on file for two years after submission)
  • 353 current public appointments to 51 boards, committees and tribunals

The average response rate for each question in the survey was 91 per cent.

Except where noted, City-wide demographic statistics are taken from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census of Population.

We asked applicants to disclose their gender.

Gender Applicants Interviewed Appointees City-wide
Female 4379% 49.8% 47.2% 52.0%
Male 54.8% 50.2% 52.8% 48.0%
Trans 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% not available*
Not listed 0.9% 0.0% 0.0% not available*

*Questions on trans and non-binary gender identity are not addressed in the Census and therefore the city-wide statistics are not available.

 

We asked applicants to disclose their age based on categories used by Statistics Canada.

Age Applicants Interviewed Appointees City-wide
18-24 3.3% 0.8% 1.2% 11.5%
25-34 18.7% 12.7% 13.5% 20.3%
35-44 23.9% 20.5% 19.2% 16.8%
45-54 21.4% 20.9% 21.0% 17.5%
55-64 19.7% 27.5% 23.7% 15.0%
65+ 13.0% 17.6% 21.3% 19.0%

Public appointees to City boards must be at least 18 years of age.

Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples are those who identify as members of First Nations (status, non-status, treaty or non-treaty), Inuit or Métis communities in Canada. We asked applicants “Based on this description, do you consider yourself to be an Aboriginal/Indigenous person?”

Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples Applicants Interviewed Appointees City-wide
Yes 2.5% 7.8% 2.6% 0.9-2.8%*

*Studies using different research methods to identify the city’s Aboriginal population have yielded results that suggest the Census figures under-represent the population. The range presented here has the Census figure as 0.9 per cent and the “Our Health Counts Toronto” estimate as 2.8 per cent.

Ethnic/racial groups are defined by race or colour only, not by country of birth, citizenship or religious affiliation. We asked applicants, “Please identify which of the following best describes your ethnicity or race.”

Ethnicity/Race Applicants Interviewed Appointees City-wide
Black 12.1% 10.5% 9.7% 8.9%
East Asian 6.5% 7.1% 6.8% 13.2%
Latino 2.4% 1.3% 0.0% 2.9%
Middle Eastern 5.7% 1.7% 3.2% 3.6%
South Asian 17.5% 10.5% 1.6% 12.6%
Southeast Asian 1.8% 2.5% 1.6% 7.2%
White 48.7% 60.5% 63.5% 48.5%
Not listed 5.1% 5.9% 3.5% 3.1%

 

The term disability covers a broad range and degree of conditions, some visible and some invisible. A disability may have been present at birth, caused by an accident, or developed over time. These include physical disabilities, hearing or vision disabilities, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, chronic illness and mental health disabilities and addictions. A disability may be permanent, temporary or episodic which may result in experiencing disadvantage or barriers to full participation in society.

We asked applicants, “Based on this description, do you consider yourself to be a person with a disability?”

Disability Applicants Interviewed Appointees City-wide
Yes 18.6% 14.6% 12.2% 12.8%*

*Data for the percentage of people City-wide who have a disability is taken from Statistics Canada, Canadian Survey on Disability, 2012. Toronto-specific data acquired courtesy of the Community Data Program.

2SLGBTQ+ is an abbreviation used to represent a broad array of identities including, two-spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer. We asked applicants, “Based on this description, do you consider yourself to be 2SLGBTQ+?”

2SLGBTQ+ Applicants Interviewed Appointees City-wide
Yes 14.9% 14.8% 9.5% 5 – 10%*

*A 2012 Forum Research poll found that 5 per cent of Canadians identify as LGBT. Previous City of Toronto estimates have been 10 per cent.

Highlights for this update include:

  • Over 1,700 new applications have been received since the last update in August 2022.
  • City Council made appointments to the following boards in 2023:
    • Board of Health
    • George Bell Arena
    • Metro Toronto Convention Centre
    • Moss Park Arena
    • Toronto Atmospheric Fund
    • Toronto Hydro
    • Toronto Licensing Tribunal
    • Toronto Police Services
    • Toronto Public Library
    • Tribunals Nominating Panel
  • Council Advisory Bodies have not yet been determined for the 2022 – 2026 term. Once Council appoints public members to these bodies, these statistics will include that information.

The data highlighted above is from the following boards, committees and tribunals:

  • Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee
  • Administrative Penalty Tribunal
  • Board of Health
  • Committee of Adjustment
  • Compliance Audit Committee
  • Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee
  • CreateTO
  • Dangerous Dogs Review Tribunal
  • Exhibition Place
  • Film, Television and Digital Media Board
  • George Bell Arena
  • Greater Toronto Airports Authority
  • Greater Toronto Airports Authority Consultative Committee
  • Heritage Toronto
  • Lakeshore Arena
  • Larry Grossman Forest Hill Memorial Arena
  • Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Arena
  • Legacy Fund Allocations Committee
  • McCormick Playground Arena
  • Metro Toronto Convention Centre
  • Moss Park Arena
  • North Toronto Memorial Arena
  • PortsToronto
  • Property Standards Committee
  • Rooming House Licensing Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner
  • Sign Variance Committee
  • Ted Reeve Community Arena
  • TO Live
  • Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Toronto Atmospheric Fund Board
  • Toronto Community Housing Corporation
  • Toronto Fire Department Superannuation and Benefit Fund
  • Toronto Francophone Advisory Committee
  • Toronto Hydro
  • Toronto Investment Board
  • Toronto Licensing Tribunal
  • Toronto Local Appeal Body
  • Toronto Music Advisory Committee
  • Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
  • Toronto Parking Authority
  • Toronto Preservation Board
  • Toronto Police Services Board
  • Toronto Public Library
  • Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation
  • Toronto Transit Commission
  • Toronto Zoo
  • Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
  • Waterfront Toronto
  • William H. Bolton Arena
  • Yonge-Dundas Square