Poverty is a top economic and social issue in Scarborough

Local candidates from four of the six provincial ridings in Scarborough gathered on May 18th to highlight the social and economic issues that are unique to this community. Official census numbers put the population at nearly 630 thousand, but local agencies and businesses estimate the real popluation is more than 800 thousand.  Public transit, affordable housing and healthcare top the list of issues. But poverty and the need for social assistance and support is the real issue. More than one in ten adults in Scarborough rely on a government welfare cheque or a disablity pension to live in one of the most expensive cities in Canada. I hosted and moderated the townhall discussion organized by the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization, Rotary in Scarborough and the Scarborough Business Association. Mitzie Hunter is a candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party in the riding of Scarborough Guildwood. Doly Begum is the NDP candidate in Scarborough Southwest. Priyan de Silva represents the Green Party in Scarborough Rouge-Park and Rane Vega is the New Blue Party of Ontario candidate in the riding of Scarborough-Agincourt.