A focus on equity will be essential to Toronto's approach to recovery and its ability to build resilience. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Toronto, while working with its partners, had developed and implemented various strategies and commitments to ensure Toronto is a leader in fairness and equity. COVID-19 has highlighted existing inequities through the disproportionately negative social, economic, and health impacts on vulnerable communities, potentially setting back the progress that was being made through the implementation of Toronto's varied actions. As we enter into the recovery phase, unless we design for equity and inclusion, the very people who were disproportionately affected by stresses before the pandemic will become more vulnerable.

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As a connecting thread, interwoven throughout the summit, the panel discussions will speak to the equity-related work and opportunities within these thematic areas and address important questions such as:  

• How is an equity perspective central to and/or considered in the work you are speaking to today? 

• What are examples of tools or approaches you are using to integrate a population focus, neighbourhood focus, and other equity-related considerations to this work? 

• Are there any data gaps present in this space, particularly if we are going to make an impact on Toronto residents, given the inequities we know exist? 

• Whose voice is and needs to be at the table to ensure full perspectives?