Toronto’s Vital Signs Wavering

Toronto’s 2013 Vital Signs Report cautions that while Canada’s largest city has a lot going for it, growing income disparity, high youth unemployment, and housing un-affordability threaten its future as one of the world’s most livable cities.

2 minute read

October 4, 2013, 6:00 AM PDT

By Kasper_O_Koblauch


“Toronto has some impressive assets which, taken together, form a foundation that makes this city so appealing to residents, newcomers, and visitors,” write John B. MacIntyre and Rahul K. Bhardwaj of the Toronto Community Foundation, which publishes the annual Vital Signs Report. “This is an enviable position,” they continue, “but not without serious challenges. Take a closer look and you’ll see worrying cracks in the foundation — alarming trend lines that are unprecedented in this city.”

“Our divided city is a case in point. With precarious work and youth unemployment on the rise, more than one million residents now live in low- and very low-income neighbourhoods. And the decline of middle-income neighbourhoods continues.”

In their discussion of unemployment, the authors write that, “even though the overall unemployment rate in Toronto is dropping, youth unemployment hit an alarming and unacceptable high of 20.75 per cent in 2012. A TD Economics report warns of long-term 'scarring' effects of chronic under- and unemployment for this generation.”

On the subject of housing affordability, MacIntyre and Bhardwaj note that, “In a survey of 337 international housing markets, this city ranks as 'severely' unaffordable. In fact, the number of people on waiting lists for affordable housing has never been higher.”

Towards addressing these unsettling trends, the authors suggest that part of the solution lies in acknowledging and untangling the inter-connectedness of the issues. They assert that “while community based programs are important in addressing these challenges, the long term solutions will be found in broad based, system-wide innovations requiring us to think and act like a network.”

Tuesday, October 1, 2013 in The Toronto Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing