City Council members, former politicians and a contentious labour leader are among donors to a noted left-wing political advocacy movement.
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Progress Toronto, which most recently took credit for former journalist Anthony Furey’s failed bid to win a City Council seat in November’s byelection, is a grassroots campaign pushing for progressive issues within City Hall, including supporting campaigns for candidates sympathetic to their causes.
That includes the 2023 mayoral byelection that saw John Tory replaced with Olivia Chow – whose name appears on a list of Progress Toronto donors obtained via an access to information act request.
Chow, the longtime municipal-turned-federal politician, donated $200 to Progress Toronto on Oct. 17, 2022 – six months before launching her ultimately successful mayoral campaign that saw Progress Toronto Executive Chair Michal Hay leave her post to become Chow’s chief-of-staff.
Progress Toronto, who endorsed Chow’s campaign, celebrated her win as a “new progressive era at City Hall.”
Ward 9 Davenport City Councillor Alejandra Bravo, who prior to being elected in 2022 was a frequent candidate in municipal and at least one federal election, donated $150 to Progress Toronto in 2021 – the same year she narrowly lost a federal election race to unseat Liberal MP Julie Dzerowicz.
Bravo’s successful 2022 City Council campaign was endorsed by Progress Toronto, who also served as the organization’s board chair.
That same election saw five Progress Toronto backed candidates win seats on council – including Amber Morley, Chris Moise, Jamaal Myrs and Ausma Malik.
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Donors to Progress Toronto include numerous notable business owners, executives, community leaders and activists.
Controversial labour leader Fred Hahn is also listed as a donor, giving $250 to Progress Toronto in 2021.
Also listed are noted Toronto-based author Margaret Atwood, donating $125 to Progress Toronto in 2022, as well as former Parkdale-High Park MP Peggy Nash ($250 in 2021,) and former Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall ($200 in 2021.)