EED Update and Communication Strategy Highlight SDP Planning Committee Meeting

By -

The Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) Network’s March 19, 2026 Planning Committee meeting opened with an update from Elena Tagizadeh, Co-chair of the Employment and Economic Development (EED) Working Group, who introduced the Workforce Integration Project.

The initiative is designed to connect Regent Park residents with local job opportunities by addressing systemic barriers to employment. Through partnerships with employers and community agencies, the project aims to create a more inclusive and accessible employment system.

Following the presentation, committee members raised questions about the initiative’s effectiveness and sustainability. Concerns centred on the need for measurable outcomes and greater transparency. One member called for clearer data on how many residents have secured employment through the program, as well as more detailed information on funding sources to ensure the project’s long-term viability.
The discussion then led to a proposal from Deany Peters to establish a formal Local Hiring Policy. This policy would set shared expectations across organizations operating in Regent Park, making local hiring a structured requirement rather than a voluntary goal. The proposal reflects ongoing efforts to ensure that economic opportunities generated within the community directly benefit its residents.

Adding context to the conversation, longtime SDP member and former EED Co-chair Gail Lynch emphasized that the EED Working Group is not an employment agency, but a connector. Gail highlighted its role in advocating for training, hiring, and partnerships that strengthen the community’s economic fabric.

The meeting also addressed internal communication. A new Regent Park SDP Network website has been launched as a public-facing hub for updates and resources, alongside a dedicated WhatsApp group to support real-time coordination among members.

Together, these developments signal a continued push toward more structured, accountable, and connected community development efforts in Regent Park.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Regent Park Portrayed in Film and Television

By -
Image
Toronto has a rich history of being a go-to shooting location for many television and film production companies. Some notable films shot here over the years include Good Will Hunting (1997), Billy Madison (1998), American Psycho (2000), and X-Men (2000). Regent Park has also had its share of showcases in film. This article aims to review the general content of movie dramas and televisions shows shot in Regent and explore their relationship to the community. Clement Virgo is a director, producer, and writer from Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was born in 1966 and moved to the Regent Park area in Toronto in 1977. During this time Regent Park was generally populated by low-income families and as a hot spot for drugs. Virgo is most recently known for his roles in Greenleaf (2016-2018), The Book of Negroes (2015), and The Wire (2002) as Director and/or Producer. His first feature-length film, however, was Rude (1995), which was filmed almost entirely in the old Regent Park. “The film told...
Read more

MIGUEL AVILA-VELARDE – A portrait of a Regent Park Community Activist

By -
Image
Miguel is a long-time resident of Regent Park area. He is also a member of the Regent Park Neighborhood Association, the Coalition for Community Benefits, and the Tenant Representative for 220 Oak St, a Toronto Community Housing building. Miguel is also an Indigenous man originally from Peru. Miguel’s activism is born from his personal lived experience as an indigenous person, and as someone who is living with physical and mental issues. In his own words, Miguel has said, “my life long project.. is to leave a better society, a better place for everyone, and a living legacy.” In May of 2021, with the discovery of residential school burial grounds of indigenous children, Canadian society was rudely awakened to a history that had remained hidden, forgotten and set aside… a history of oppression, and some say genocide. “The remains of 215 children, some as young as 3 years old, have been found buried on the site of what was once Canada's largest Indigenous residential school —...
Read more

Regent Park Roots: Paul Tobias’ Story of Breaking Barriers

By -
Image
Paul Tobias’ journey from growing up in Regent Park to becoming a published author and community leader is a testament to resilience and the power of generational change. His life story, shaped by the challenges of public housing, systemic inequities, and racial discrimination, speaks to larger societal issues that demand collective attention. Dimitrije Martinovic – Local Journalism Initiative Paul’s book, written as a reflection on his struggles and triumphs, challenges social stigmas often attached to public housing residents and immigrants. By sharing his personal narrative, Paul highlights the persistence required to rise above systemic barriers while calling for reforms in housing policies and social service accountability. His experience also underscores the need for equitable access to education as a means of breaking cycles of poverty. Education played a central role in Paul’s life and became the legacy he passed on to his children. Through his deter...
Read more