Another Toronto
is possible.
MONTH OF ACTIONS
JOIN THE STRUGGLE
to demand SUPPORTS - NOT POLICE
We are coming together to oppose John Tory’s increase in the police budget which will lead to more violence against, and less community safety, for Black, and Indigenous people, unhoused and poor people, sex workers and for so many others. Defund the police and transfer the funding to community supports and services to meet people's needs.
This site hosts a series of community-based events working toward #SupportsNotPolice over the next month. Note that the events are independently organized, please read the event information for more details.
Calendar Of Events
SPEAK UP! A Webinar on the City Budget
January 10, 2023 – 7:00-8:15 PM EST
If you, like us, are deeply concerned by Tory's plan to INCREASE funding to Toronto Police in 2023, join us on January 10th, 7-8:15 PM, for a workshop on how to intervene in the city budget process. We will share tips and tools to help you prepare and discuss ways to bust the mayor’s pro-police rhetoric. Automated closed captioning is available.
Organized by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Toronto
Breaking the bank: A national conversation on defunding the police
January 12, 2023 – 6:30 PM EST
Despite the rise of the defund the police movement and widespread support for reinvesting funds in health-affirming public and community services, police budgets are up across Canada.
As cities across Canada begin the budget process for 2023, police forces continue to ask for more money, officers, weapons and equipment. Meanwhile, emergency rooms are overloaded, the housing crisis continues and inflation makes basic goods unaffordable.
In response to public pushback and major inquiries, police and their unions are exerting ever more political influence.
Join The Breach’s El Jones as she hosts activists and scholars from across Canada for a national conversation about strategies for organizing against police budgets.
Organized by The Breach
Community Conversation & Gathering
Who Dies While Police Budgets Rise? Families impacted by policing speak out.
January 14, 2023 – 6:00 PM EST
People directly affected by state violence are coming together and speaking out. Join us for a community dinner, and to hear about healing, accountability, and and end to state violence.
Church of the Holy Trinity (19 Trinity Square, behind the Eaton Centre). Please wear a mask. PPE provided. Light dinner and refreshments provided.
City of Toronto Budget Committee Deputations
January 16-18, 2023
January 16th at 4:30 PM is the deadline to register to speak at the Budget Committee. Email buc@toronto.ca or call 416-392-4666 to get on the list and receive instructions.
The Budget Committee meets on Tuesday, January 17 and Wednesday, January 18, 2023. The meetings will stream live on the Toronto City Council YouTube channel - tune in to hold the city to account!
PROTEST
Fund Community Supports Not Cops! Say NO to Tory’s Police Budget Increase! Defund and Abolish the Police!
January 24, 2023 – 11:30AM EST
Nathan Phillips Square
As the city’s Budget Committee wraps up for the year, gather with us at City Hall to demand that Toronto DIVEST from police and INVEST in communities. Say NO to John Tory's $48.3 million police budget increase! Say YES to reallocating 50% of the police budget to community supports!
Be masked. ASL Interpretation provided.
SPEAKERS:
Event MC: Robyn Maynard, No Pride in Policing Coalition
Opening and drumming: Wanda Whitebird, community knowledge keeper and Elder with No More Silence, Mi'kmaq from Paktnkek-Niktuek First Nation
Speakers will include: Claudette Beals-Clayton, mother of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, family members of Taresh Bobby Ramroop, and members of Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction, TTC Riders, Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty, SMASH, ESN Parkdale, No Pride in Policing
Organized by the No Pride in Policing Coalition, No More Silence, SURJ Toronto, Doctors for Defunding Police, Policing Free Schools, Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction, No One Is Illegal Toronto, Bloordale Community Response, Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty
PEOPLE’S BUDGET TO
February 1 - 10, 2023
People's Budget TO wants to hear YOUR thoughts on the City of Toronto's 2023 Budget. What do you imagine when you think of a budget that is truly reflective of your needs? Do YOUR priorities match The City of Toronto’s priorities? Fill out the survey by February 10th to have your voice heard!
If you have comments and/or questions, you can get in touch with us at peoplesbudgetto@gmail.com.
FLYERING ACTION
City-wide outreach against TTC budget and service cuts
February 2, 2023
Service cuts mean less safety, because we will be waiting longer for the bus, streetcar, and subway late at night. Cuts mean less space on the TTC for wheelchair users, for strollers, and for grocery carts. Cuts mean being late for work and school, and less time with our loved ones.
Sign up to help us reach thousands of transit users on Thursday, February 2nd. We will be handing out flyers at TTC stops and inviting people to contact Mayor Tory to stop the cuts.
Organized by TTC Riders
ZINE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS AND YOUTH
Kids and youth in Grade 4 and up are invited to a facilitated arts workshop to imagine a world without police that keeps everyone safe! They will create art that will be featured in a zine and shared with council and the wider community! Share with the kids and parents in your lives!
February 4, 2023
2:00-4:00 PM
Via Zoom
Organized by SURJ Toronto
CALL TO ACTION:
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
Feb. 6 at 11:30am
Speakers | Vigil | Die-in Protest: Divest From Policing Invest in People
In Front of City Hall
Light lunch provided
co-hosted by Shelter and Housing Justice Network & Health Providers Against Poverty
ZAP ACTION: Tell Council to fund public services NOT cops!
February 8, 2023 – 1:00-2:00 PM EST
The police target and brutalize marginalized communities, hoard much-needed public resources, and do not increase safety. But Tory has announced his intention to give them almost 50 million MORE dollars in 2023 than in 2022. We cannot let that happen. Join us in calling on the city to CUT the police budget by 50% and redirect resources to community services and supports!
HOW DOES A PHONE/EMAIL ZAP WORK? Join us by Zoom for a quick zap training (15-20 mins) - we’ll give you all the tools (contact info, scripts/templates, etc.) you need! We’ll then collectively make calls & send emails for the remaining time (30-40 mins). At the end, we’ll debrief & share next steps to keep up the pressure!
Organized by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Toronto
Our TTC: Safety for All
Join the community conversation to share what a safe, dignified, and accessible public transit system means to you.
7:00pm-8:30pm
February 9, 2023
Moderated by Alok Mukherjee
Speakers: Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113; Tima Shah, President of Centennial College Students’ Association; Devika Parsaud, WomanACT; David Meyers, Centre for Independent Living Toronto; Lorraine Lam, Outreach worker; Jane Finch Action Against Poverty speaker; Other speakers TBA
Details:
Hybrid event: Online via Zoom and in-person at Centennial College Progress Campus (941 Progress Avenue)
Masks suggested; ASL interpretation provided; Food and tokens provided
Organized by TTC Riders
18th Annual Strawberry Ceremony
Back Together Again! to honour missing and murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans and Two Spirit People
February 14th – 12:30-1:30PM EST
Join us at Toronto Police Headquarters in person for our 18th Annual Strawberry Ceremony to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, trans and two spirit people. Covid protocols will be in place.
Message nomoresilenceorg@gmail.com for more information and to endorse/donate/support
***There are specific protocols for this event please read the event details in order to learn more about the event so that you are able to participate respectfully. This vigil is a time for grief and mourning, family and community members make up the inner circle close to Elder Wanda Whitebird and drummers. Please leave your organizational signs and banners at home.
Organized by the February 14th Planning Committee and No More Silence
