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Mike Won, chef and owner at Sulee Dosirak at Market 707 in Toronto, serves customers. Photo: The Local StoryLab
Inclusive Local Economies
Highlights and Challenges in Building Inclusive Local Economies
2023

For over 10 years we’ve been supporting efforts to create more equitable and inclusive economic opportunities for all who call Toronto home.

Through our Inclusive Local Economies program, we’ve focused on making precarious jobs better, supporting the upward mobility of workers, reducing barriers for low-income entrepreneurs and alternative business models, and leveraging the capacity of neighbourhoods to improve the economic livelihoods of low-income residents.

As we move into our second decade in this work, we wanted to shed light on the current state of these issues in our city through the voices of the people navigating the day-to-day challenges and championing solutions. Partnering with Metcalf grantee and award-winning outlet The Local, we worked with their StoryLab to produce this special series of stories.

 
Inclusive Local Economies
“You Get Imprisoned by the Work Permit”
Long hours, limited pay, lockdowns with their employers — migrant caregivers contend with a lot in their lengthy pursuit of permanent status. It’s a system in urgent need of change.
5 MIN READ
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Inclusive Local Economies
Meet Your New Landlord: A Local Nonprofit
The Neighbourhood Land Trust has been snapping up buildings across Toronto, taking them out of the market and into the community. More than 200 units later, they’re just getting started.
15 MIN READ
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Inclusive Local Economies
The City’s Best Street Food, and a New Business Model, in a Shipping Container
Find Syrian soujouk, Desi desserts, and Chicago beef sandwiches at Market 707, where vendors have transformed their cargo containers into a vibrant strip of food stalls.
8 MIN READ
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Inclusive Local Economies
Taking the Gig Out of Work
Ontario’s recent bill of rights for gig workers skips the benefits, the sick pay, and even the minimum wage. Independent contractors have a better idea: just classify them as employees.
9 MIN READ
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Inclusive Local Economies
Rebuilding the Hospitality Business — Again
SARS instantly put scores of restaurant servers, cleaning staff, and hotel workers out of a job. When COVID hit, it was a case of deja vu — but they had a plan to prove themselves indispensable.
6 MIN READ
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