Social Justice & Advocacy - Diocese of Toronto

07/24/2026

07/22/2026

While this article is written from a US perspective, recent provincial legislation and municipal bylaws in Ontario have also contributed to the criminalization of homelessness, and the underlying principles are the same:

"It is not uncommon for governments to attempt to address complex issues by criminalizing them, be it poverty, mental illness, drug use, or homelessness. It may not actually solve the problem, but it offers a solution that is often agreeable enough—through willful ignorance—to those with power: Move the problem out of sight, at the expense of human rights....
[Yet] The law, and the circumstances of its enforcement, is no substitute for the priorities of God’s desires for the world. At times, they are even in stark contrast, especially when those with power prey on the vulnerable. The way of Jesus refuses to sacrifice the most vulnerable for the comfort of the community. In the same way, we must prioritize the wellbeing of the most vulnerable as the pathway to communal flourishing. No human is expendable, and wherever society’s castoffs forge community is where the gospel finds its most generative soil.
To know this, though, we must be near to the poor—not just intellectually or philosophically, but literally. The lies that fuel these hollow laws are exposed best when we are enmeshed in community with the people they misrepresent. We have been cultured to fear and flee from the unhoused, but I’ve spent the last decade of my life in their company, and I know this to be true with all my heart: Salvation—for all of us—is found in our meeting and mutual transformation."

The church has a better solution to homelessness than what the government is offering.

07/20/2026

The last Sunday in July has been formally designated by General Synod 2025 as Emancipation Sunday. Emancipation Sunday commemorates the coming into effect of the Slavery Abolition Act on Aug. 1, 1834, which freed approximately 800,000 enslaved people throughout the British empire, including Canada. It is an opportunity to reflect on the struggle for freedom and justice, past and present, and to lift up and celebrate the experiences, voices, history and leadership of Black Anglicans in Canada.
Our own Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Fields was deeply involved in the development of liturgical and educational resources for Emancipation Sunday, which you can find at

Quickly explore pages, resources and news across this website. Looking for a local congregation? Use findachurch.ca. Researching our history? Check the General Synod Archives.

07/15/2026

Mark your calendars! Our annual Outreach & Advocacy conference will be taking place online on Saturday, October 17. This year's theme invites us to consider how the church might be a catalyst for liberation. We are excited to have Dean Detloff of Development and Peace - Caritas Canada as our keynote speaker. We are including an extended time for discussion and networking after the keynote address, with workshops in the afternoon. Registration will open after Labour Day at www.toronto.anglican.ca/outreachconference

07/13/2026

Flemingdon Park Ministry is holding a fundraiser this Saturday, July 18 at 1 p.m. with a meal showcasing fresh produce from their urban farm. All proceeds go directly to supporting their farm and community programs! Click on the link below to register!

The mocktails are on us! 🍹✨ Join us for The Common Table Farm Experience, a beautiful summer afternoon celebrating the harvest season and our farm’s stunning mulberry trees!
Guests will be welcomed with a handcrafted mocktail before enjoying a guided farm tour and an exclusive live cooking demonstration by Chef Stephen Field, featuring seasonal ingredients fresh from our farm. Plus, every guest will receive an artisanal gift package to take home!
Space is strictly limited to maintain an intimate, small-group experience. Tickets are $100 per seat, and all proceeds go directly to supporting our urban farm and community programs!
📅 Saturday, July 18th, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 1 Laurentide Dr, North York, ON M3A 3C6
Secure your spot today! Scan the QR code on the flyer or click the link here to register: https://bit.ly/4vyPmme 🎟️🔗
UrbanAgriculture SupportLocalFarm TorontoEvents SummerHarvest CommunityFood

07/10/2026

During the summer months, many First Nations hold powwows. In our Diocese, Alderville First Nation is holding their powwow this weekend, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island are holding theirs next weekend. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Indigenous culture - but there is some powwow etiquette that non-Indigenous visitors should know!
- show honour to speakers and elders
- respect dancers and their regalia
- do not bring pets, alcohol or other substances (incl. cannabis)
See the attached photos for more details.

07/08/2026

How can you help unhoused and underhoused neighbours during the heat of summer? One City PTBO has a list of essential items they are seeking for community members in Peterborough. If you're not in Peterborough, contact your local street outreach organization to see how you can help.

07/06/2026

Municipalities across Ontario will be holding elections on Monday, October 26, 2026. Municipal governments play a key role in providing services that directly impact our daily lives (see the green column below), so it's important to choose wisely. Our nonpartisan 2026 Municipal Election Guide is now available on the Diocesan website, with key dates, information about new legislative changes affecting municipal government, questions to ask candidates about justice issues, and more! Check it out at www.toronto.anglican.ca/sjac