In a report titled “Who Controls Toronto? People or Developers,” ACORN Canada alleges that over one third of Toronto City Council donor funds are from people who have ties to the real estate development industry.

Is it acceptable that of the more than $4M in donations given to winning candidates in Toronto’s 2018 City Council election, one-third (34%) came from those with personal or professional links to the city’s development industry?

We think not. That’s why we are asking Mayoral, City Council, and School Board Trustee candidates to commit to reducing the influence of the corporate development industry at Toronto City Hall.

AND we need your support to pressure these candidates to signing on to the pledge, hold them accountable, and work towards people-focused housing justice in this city. 

Here's what the #NoDeveloperMoney pledge involves: 

1. Will you commit to not taking Development Industry Donations (see definition below) in the 2022 Toronto election?
2. Recognizing the influence of the corporate development industry at Toronto City Hall, will you commit to proactively work to balance the playing field by meeting with community organizations, renters, and housing advocates?
3. Will you commit to advancing the creation and expansion of new affordable rental, social, non-profit, and co-operative housing in the City of Toronto wherever possible?

Although this pledge is predominantly to hold Mayoral and council candidates accountable, we want to collect signatories from residents across Toronto to show support for this #NoDeveloperMoney pledge. 

DEFINITION:

It is ultimately up to each campaign to determine what they consider a “developer-connected donation”. We are asking candidates who sign the pledge to specifically not take money from executives and senior managers who work for:

• Real estate development and property management companies
• Large corporate landlords
• Real estate investors (e.g. real estate investment trusts (REITs))