Item - 2025.EC25.13
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on December 16 and 17, 2025 without amendments.
- This item was considered by the Economic and Community Development Committee on December 2, 2025 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on December 16 and 17, 2025.
- See also DI14.6
EC25.13 - Expanding the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Caution: Preliminary decisions, motions and votes are shown below. Any decisions, motions or votes should not be considered final until the meeting is complete, and the decisions for this meeting have been confirmed.
City Council Decision
City Council on December 16 and 17, 2025, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, and the City Clerk to prepare a feasibility report with recommendations on establishing a part-time fellowship program for youth living with disabilities, including:
a. potential program delivery partners;
b. clear and collaborative processes for selecting Council members’ offices; and
c. a structured matching process to ensure quality work experiences that align with both the interests of the fellows and the needs of the Council members’ offices;
and to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the second quarter of 2026.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-260263.pdf
(October 24, 2025) Letter from Councillor Jamaal Myers on Expanding the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-260278.pdf
Communications (Committee)
(December 2, 2025) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (EC.New)
Motions (City Council)
Vote (Adopt Item) Dec-17-2025 3:32 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 19 | Members that voted Yes are Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Lily Cheng, Rachel Chernos Lin, Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, Parthi Kandavel, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Dianne Saxe, Neethan Shan, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 7 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Shelley Carroll, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Gord Perks |
EC25.13 - Expanding the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, and the City Clerk to prepare a feasibility report with recommendations on establishing a part-time fellowship program for youth living with disabilities, including:
a. potential program delivery partners;
b. clear and collaborative processes for selecting Council members’ offices; and
c. a structured matching process to ensure quality work experiences that align with both the interests of the fellows and the needs of the Council members’ offices;
and to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee by the second quarter of 2026.
Origin
Summary
At its meeting on October 24, 2025, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee considered Item D14.6 and made a recommendation to City Council.
Summary from the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee:
The City of Toronto has demonstrated strong leadership in promoting equity and inclusion through initiatives such as the Indigenous, Black, and Muslim Youth Fellowships — programs that empower young people to engage directly in civic leadership and policymaking. Youth with disabilities would bring vital lived experience and insight into accessibility and inclusion within our city.
Creating a Fellowship for Youth with Disabilities would extend the City’s commitment to representation and accessibility by providing meaningful mentorship, professional development, and hands-on experience in municipal government. This program would help ensure that Toronto’s future leaders include the voices and perspectives of people with disabilities, strengthening our collective work toward a truly inclusive city.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-260263.pdf
(October 24, 2025) Letter from Councillor Jamaal Myers on Expanding the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-260278.pdf
Communications
(December 2, 2025) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (EC.New)