Toronto's Power Players Unite to Reshape Disability Inclusion

TORONTO, ON – June 04, 2026 – Community Living Toronto has announced a significant reinforcement of its leadership ranks, appointing five of the city’s most influential figures to its Patron’s Council. The move signals a strategic escalation in the organization's long-standing fight for the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. The new patrons—hailing from the highest echelons of energy, real estate development, media, public policy, and hospitality—bring a formidable combination of expertise, networks, and resources to an organization at the forefront of social change.

The new members are Todd Smith, Vice-President at Candu Energy Inc. and a former senior Ontario cabinet minister; Jim Ritchie, President and CEO of real estate giant Tridel; Heather Watt, a management consultant and former Chief of Staff to Ontario's Minister of Health; Andrew Saunders, President and CEO of The Globe and Mail; and Arron Barberian, owner of the iconic Barberian’s Steak House.

Their appointment is more than a ceremonial gesture. It represents a calculated move to leverage top-tier corporate and political acumen to dismantle the persistent barriers facing the more than 4,000 individuals and their families supported by the organization across Toronto. Under the leadership of Patron’s Council Chair John Tory, this expanded group is poised to amplify advocacy, drive policy change, and mobilize the resources necessary to build a more inclusive city.

A Strategic Alliance for Systemic Change

Established in 1998 to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary, the Patron’s Council has historically served as a high-level advisory and advocacy body. The addition of these five leaders injects a new level of strategic capability into its mission. This is not merely about philanthropy; it is about leveraging influence to effect systemic change.

“Community Living Toronto has a long history of standing up for the rights and choices of people who have an intellectual disability,” said John Tory, Chair of the Patron’s Council. “We’re proud to welcome these new patrons and grateful for the perspectives, networks and influence they bring.”

The collective experience of the new patrons reads like a blueprint for tackling complex urban challenges. Todd Smith’s 13-year tenure as a Member of Provincial Parliament, holding senior portfolios like Minister of Energy and Minister of Economic Development, provides invaluable insight into the machinery of government. His ability to navigate Queen’s Park is critical for an organization that receives 87% of its revenue from government sources and continuously advocates for sustainable funding.

Similarly, Heather Watt’s experience as Chief of Staff to Ontario’s Minister of Health during the pandemic places her at the nexus of public policy, healthcare, and crisis management. Her oversight of a $70 billion healthcare budget gives her a profound understanding of the fiscal and political realities that shape social services. Her expertise will be vital in advocating for the complex health needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, a group often facing significant healthcare disparities.

This fusion of political and policy expertise is designed to give Community Living Toronto a more powerful voice in rooms where decisions are made, ensuring that the needs of its community are not just heard but acted upon.

From Boardrooms to Blueprints for Belonging

Beyond high-level policy, the new patrons bring practical, sector-specific expertise to address the most pressing, tangible needs of the community: housing and employment.

Jim Ritchie, as President and CEO of Tridel, is at the heart of Toronto’s development landscape. His commitment to contribute his “experience in city building and community development” is not abstract. It has a track record. Tridel is already a partner in the Lawson redevelopment, an innovative project creating a mixed-use community that integrates supported living units for people with intellectual disabilities alongside market condominiums and affordable rentals. Ritchie’s presence on the council signals the potential for scaling such inclusive housing models, which are desperately needed in a city with a chronic shortage of accessible and affordable homes.

Andrew Saunders, as President and CEO of The Globe and Mail, wields a different but equally powerful tool: the narrative. “As a leader in Canadian media, I’ve seen how visibility and informed public conversation can help change attitudes and open doors,” Saunders stated. His involvement provides an unparalleled platform to challenge stigmas, celebrate achievements, and educate the public and corporate Canada about the value of inclusion. This is critical for opening doors to employment, another key focus for the organization.

Rounding out the group, Arron Barberian’s leadership in the hospitality industry and his extensive philanthropic work represent a vital link to Toronto’s business and charitable communities. His statement that “hospitality is about making people feel welcome” directly aligns with the organization’s mission. His network can help foster corporate partnerships, drive fundraising, and champion inclusive hiring practices within the city’s business sector.

“Our patrons are champions for inclusion opening doors, strengthening partnerships and helping remove barriers that still exist,” said Brad Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Community Living Toronto.

Amplifying a Legacy of Advocacy

The new appointments are the latest chapter in a story that began over 75 years ago. The “community living movement” was founded by families who rejected the prevailing wisdom of institutionalization, demanding that their children have the right to live, learn, and work in the community. This organization was born from that radical act of advocacy, and that spirit continues today.

This reinforcement of the Patron’s Council comes at a critical time. While significant progress has been made since the days of mass institutionalization, new and stubborn barriers have emerged. The fight for inclusion is now waged on multiple fronts: securing sustainable funding in a strained public finance environment, creating genuinely affordable and supportive housing in a hyper-competitive real estate market, and closing the persistent employment gap for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

By bringing in leaders who are masters of these specific domains—policy, housing, media, and business—Community Living Toronto is not just continuing its legacy; it is adapting its strategy for the modern era. The organization, which operates in over 80 locations, is a key affiliate of Community Living Ontario and part of a national movement connected to Inclusion Canada. The strength of its leadership has a ripple effect, influencing advocacy efforts at the provincial and national levels.

“Each Patron brings valuable experience, insight, and influence that will help strengthen our vision and ongoing efforts to create a future where people with an intellectual disability are fully included and valued,” said Stephanie Gawur, Chair of the Board of Directors. The new council members are not just lending their names; they are investing their strategic capital to help build a society where, as the organization’s mission states, everyone truly belongs.