Following direction from Council in 2015 to develop Toronto’s Seniors Strategy (TSS) Version 2.0, the Toronto Seniors Strategy Accountability Table was created. The role of the Seniors Strategy Accountability Table is to co-create the recommendations with City staff on an equal footing. The Accountability Table is made up of over 75 members from all sectors related to ageing and seniors issues in Toronto including seniors, caregivers, community agencies serving seniors, advocacy, equity and diversity organizations, academic and research partners, community funders, local businesses, school boards, hospitals, long-term care homes, and the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network. Version 2.0 is the result of an extensive and inclusive community engagement process across every one of Toronto’s wards that reached 3,000 seniors and caregivers. We also learned about the needs and concerns of Toronto seniors and caregivers in the form of a survey that had 7,000 responses, and was translated into the top ten languages spoken by seniors in Toronto.

Version 2.0 builds on the success of Version 1.0 and makes 27 new recommendations including the establishment of a Seniors Housing and Services Division at the City, to provide a one-stop shop for Councillor’s offices and residents alike to seek information and guidance on all matters of interest to seniors. In addition, a strategy called Tenants First will help us achieve our goal of providing seniors housing and services in a more comprehensive and holistic way- and providing services where they live. Staff will be providing a transition plan from today’s inadequate status quo to where we want to be over the next two years. With Council’s support, the Toronto’s Seniors Strategy 2.0 was adopted unanimously.