Who is building the city and who are we building it for?Heading into the municipal election this fall, a new group, Progress Toronto, plans to both ask those questions and advocate for the type of change that could shake up the status quo at city hall.The new non-profit, launching this week, is the brainchild of political organizer Michal Hay, 34, who as national campaign director recently led Jagmeet Singh to a first-ballot win in the federal NDP leadership race.Read more:Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti announces provincial run for PC partyToronto council’s executive committee pushes off controversial report that points to future fiscal problemsOpinion | Edward Keenan: Toronto councillors are letting the serious stuff slide as they run down the clock to the fall electionThe new political organization, Hay told the Star, plans to both influence decision-making at city hall through organized community activism and also advocate for progressive candidates to win seats in the upcoming election.“Toronto’s an amazing city that I love, and I know many people love and want to live in. And it’s a city that’s definitely growing and has increasing wealth, but at the same time it’s not a city that’s working for everybody,” Hay said. “I believe, and the people who are coming together around this all believe, that it doesn’t have to be this way and much of it actually comes down to choices that are being made at city hall.”The advisory board, comprised of about 30 people, behind the organization has a majority of women, youth and people of colour, comprised of both researchers and campaigners who come from across the city and with a range of experiences. Hay said that diversity is important to reflect the city when council itself does not.The board includes names like the Broadbent Institute’s Alejandra Bravo, the Toronto Youth Cabinet’s Edna Ali, as well as the CEE Centre for Young Black Professional ...
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