title: The Bruce Report and social welfare leadership in the politics of Toronto’s “Slums”, 1934–1939.
abstract: Slum clearance and rebuilding first became a serious political project in Toronto during the 1930s. Following the release of a systematic housing survey known as the Bruce Report (1934), a set of actors distinguished by their planning authority with respect to social agencies, influence over social work education, coordination of social research, and role as spokespersons of religious bodies inaugurated a political struggle over state power. While the campaign failed, it called forth a reaction from established authorities and reconfigured the local political field as it related to low-income housing. This article gives an account of these processes by drawing upon correspondence and minutes of meetings of city officials and the campaign’s organizers, newspaper clippings, and published materials.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: George
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000208:ethnology; D006078:Government Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006798:Housing / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000266:history; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011632:Public Assistance / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D058028:Research Report / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012923:Social Class / Q000266:history; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D014506:Urban Renewal / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence