During a recent CTV Toy Mountain broadcast at Oakville Place on December 9, The Salvation Army and CTV welcomed the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

Through an innovative partnership with CTV’s Toy Mountain campaign, The Salvation Army and the community come together to help families in need and put smiles on children’s faces by making sure there are toys under the tree on Christmas morning.

Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander, joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a live interview with Andria Case during the CTV Toy Mountain broadcast on CTV News Toronto.

“Thank you, Prime Minister Trudeau, for your continued partnership in support of The Salvation Army from your government, but also to Canadians all across Canada who regularly support The Salvation Army and our work across 400 communities,” shared Commissioner Tidd.

Prime Minister Trudeau said it is the resolve of Canadians working together and taking care of one another that has brought the country together over the last two years, a vision shared by The Salvation Army.

“It really has been the best of Canadians that we have seen through difficult times, and unfortunately even though we’re through the worst of COVID, this year is really tough for people, whether its groceries, inflation, interest rates, people are really worried, and that’s where organizations like The Salvation Army, but also individual Canadians stepping up to be generous, to be present, to be there for each other is how we get through this,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. “And certainly, as a government we support organizations like yours, but we’re also trying to help people directly because sticking together isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also how we make sure we come through the difficult times in the best possible way.”

A recent national survey conducted by The Salvation Army indicated a 30 per cent increase in families with children who need The Salvation Army’s help and as a result, this need will continue to increase over the winter months.

In Ontario, the report highlighted that 51 percent experienced food insecurity in the last  year and 46 percent expected to have less food on their tables in the next six months. Other areas of concern by respondents were housing security at 17 percent and managing limited resources at 30 percent for last year. The survey also revealed that 32 percent of respondents expect to face these challenges in the next six months.

“Last year, The Salvation Army in Ontario provided hope to 1.2 million struggling individuals and families in the province. Every day, our neighbours face tough decisions about how to make the choice between paying the rent or putting nutritious food on their tables. As a result, we are seeing a growing demand for food-related assistance,” says Glenn van Gulik, divisional secretary for public relations, Ontario Division. “The Salvation Army gives people the tools needed to rebuild dignity and renew hope—whether that means providing food, shelter, emergency disaster relief, spiritual guidance, substance-use recovery, or life-skills development.”