The City of Toronto is implementing its Social Procurement Program to expand opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses and non-profit companies who do social good in our city. This program is part of the City's Poverty reduction Strategy known as TO Prosperity which seeks to provide opportunity and resources to our most vulnerable residents. I am proud to have been a strong advocate in helping to advance this important new direction the City is taking.

This program improves access of diverse suppliers and business to compete on a equal level for City contracts and city business. Creating these partnerships allows us to maximize the public benefit received from the work our contractors and divisions carry out by directly working towards the goals in our Poverty Reduction Strategy. By 2018, the City is aiming to ensure one-third of all procurement contracts over $5 million in value and 25 per cent of all direct suppliers have or are incorporating community benefits into their business with the City.

You can read more about the Social Procurement Program and the Poverty Reduction Strategy by clicking here.

City staff are inviting residents and communities to participate in the creation of the Lived Experience Advisory Group in support of the City's Poverty Reduction Strategy.

TO Prosperity: Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy, was unanimously approved by City Council on November 4, 2015. A copy of the Council decision and report is available at http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2015.EX9.5.

This decision included approval of a Lived Experience Advisory Group comprised of Toronto residents with lived experience of poverty to contribute their expertise to the effective development, measurement and monitoring of poverty reduction initiatives.

Before the Lived Experience Advisory Group is created, input from residents who understand poverty is needed. City staff will host a community meeting to hear from residents who have lived experience with the conditions and impact of poverty, particularly those with ideas on how to include underrepresented voices. Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale) will be in attendance.

The community meeting will take place on Saturday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Lawrence Heights Community Centre, 5 Replin Rd. (near Lawrence West Subway Station). Tokens, food and child care will be provided for the day. Registration for the meeting is available online at http://prs-leag.eventbrite.ca.

The day will focus on gathering input on how the Lived Experience Advisory Group should work: composition and terms of membership; frequency and location of meetings; communication frequency, audiences and tactics; supports required; and more.

For more information visit: http://toronto.ca/toprosperity.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy is known as TO Prosperity. Through this 20-year plan, Toronto is addressing issues, creating solutions and driving systemic change in an effort to create a city where everyone has access to good jobs, adequate income, stable housing, affordable transportation, nutritious food and supportive services. Visit http://www.toronto.ca/toprosperity to see how the City is working toward that vision.