Toronto - 100 Resilient Cities

Toronto’s Resilience Story

Despite recognition as a prosperous city of opportunity that has attracted over 2 million immigrants, Toronto tops Canada in levels of working poverty and has seen the greatest increase in income inequality in the country. The city has begun taking substantial steps to increase affordable housing and to address income inequality and transit equity. City officials predict that without further action, 60% of the city’s neighborhoods will be classified as low or very low-income by 2025.

Toronto is also vulnerable to a number of climate related shocks including rainfall flooding, blizzards, and heat waves. Severe flooding in 2013 was the most costly natural disaster in the city’s history, as 4,579 homes were flooded and 750,000 people lost power. Officials are concerned that a stronger storm could lead to even power disruptions that would impact the entire city and region, disproportionately affecting the city’s neediest.

SHOCKS AND STRESSES

Blizzard
Economic Inequality
Energy Insecurity
Extreme Cold
Extreme Heat
Inadequate Public Transportation Systems
Infrastructure Failure
Insecure Municipal Finances
Lack of Affordable Housing
Poor Governance / Regulatory Climate
Power Outage
Rainfall Flooding
Traffic Congestion

Meet The Chief Resilience Officer

Elliott Cappell is the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Toronto. In this role he is leading the development of Toronto’s Resilience Strategy and the City’s participation in the global 100 Resilient Cities network.

A native Torontonian, Elliott also held various roles in the Government of Ontario and worked with Global Affairs Canada. He is passionate about adaptation, urban development, the environment, and wildlife.

Elliott has also worked in over 20 countries internationally, including in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. He has worked with and for a range of government clients including international donors such as the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and UNDP. Most recently, he was the head of North America and head of Infrastructure and Climate Change strategy at Adam Smith International, a consulting firm. Elliott holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and a B.A. Honours from McGill University.