2009 Demographic Survey

Sixty-three percent of the women in this survey indicated that TTC fare was the most helpful service that community-based organizations offer. Furthermore, 30% of participants reported that not having access to public transportation was an obstacle to accessing community support services.

1. Sistering, in collaboration with program participants, the broader drop-in network and other partner sectors (e.g. anti-poverty organizations), should develop and implement a strategy to lobby the municipal, provincial and federal governments for access to public transportation for populations that experience low income.

Sixty percent of survey respondents reported that their preferred spoken language was one other than English. The most prevalent languages reported by participants were Mandarin, Spanish, Cantonese and Portuguese. Additionally, 51% of survey participants reported that they experience language barriers when accessing community support services.

2. Sistering should continue to provide programs and staff in the most prevalent languages spoken by participants, noting that language needs of populations served will change over time.

Fifty-eight percent of survey respondents worked a minimum of six years ago.

3. Sistering should continue to provide programs that develop income and employment capacity of participants (e.g. On the Path Pre-Employment program, Inspirations Studio) and ensure participants access all eligible government supports

Forty-eight percent of the women in this survey currently receive a government transfer as their main source of income. These transfers provided participants with an estimated annual income that ranges from $5,874 to $19,356. It is important to note that the after-tax low income cut-off (LICO) for unattached individuals in the City of Toronto was $18,373 in 2008.¹

4. The Street Health Report 2007 Research Bulletin #2 on Women and Homelessness recommends that, “The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services should raise benefit levels for Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program by at least 40% (to reinstate the 23% cut made in the 1990s and adjusted to reflect a current minimum standard of living), then index and adjust rates annually to meet this minimum standard of living.”²

Thirty-nine percent of women in this survey had been homeless or under-housed in the past (in the thirty days prior to participating in the survey)

5. Street Health’s Research Bulletin on Women and Homelessness also recommends that, “The City of Toronto, with adequate funding from the Governments of Canada and Ontario, should increase the availability of affordable and adequate housing in Toronto. This should include the construction of new affordable homes, improvements to sub-standard existing social housing to make it safer for women, and rent supplements that follow the individual rather than the housing unit.”³

6. Sistering should continue to provide housing support for participants that experience or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Thirty-seven percent of survey participants have had personal contact with the mental health system, and 25% currently experience physical health issues.

7. Sistering should continue to offer on-site, comprehensive and non-judgmental primary health care services through its partnership with Inner City Health Associates. These services should include referrals to addiction, mental health and counselling supports, as well as care for HIV-positive and transitioning individuals.

Between childhood and adulthood, experiences of sexual assault increased by 2% (13% to 15%) among survey respondents. The majority of participants, who experienced violence as children or adults, did not receive support for this trauma.

8. In the broader context, Sistering should continue to participate in campaigns, coalitions etc that advocate for the end of violence against women (including transgendered women). Internally, Sistering should continue to support participants who experience or are at risk of experiencing violence.

The majority of survey participants (80%) were born in a country outside of Canada. Fifteen percent indicated non-permanent resident status.

9. Sistering should continue to offer immigration and settlement support on-site and with partner agencies. Externally, Sistering should continue to work with coalitions and campaigns that advocate for the end of deportations and detentions and the implementation of a full inclusive regularization program for all non-status people.

Two percent of survey participants identified as First Nations.

10. Sistering should connect with First Nations women, agencies, coalitions and groups to increase our knowledge of issues, programming needs and advocacy initiatives specific to the needs and issues of First Nations women.