Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are a strategic tool used in the process of building community wealth. CBAs support communities by creating jobs and training opportunities, supporting social enterprise activity and advocating for other community amenities like parks, green spaces, etc. They offer an opportunity to engage youths, newcomers, and historically disadvantaged and equity seeking populations, in a range of quality job opportunities as part of a large infrastructure investment.
What are Community Benefits Agreements?
Learn About CBAs
In 2015, The Province of Ontario enshrined Community Benefits into legislation with the Infrastructure for Jobs and Prosperity Act (IJPA), becoming the first Canadian jurisdiction to pass legislation to enable consideration of community benefits in infrastructure planning and investment. The purpose of this Act is to establish mechanisms that support job creation and training opportunities, economic growth and protection of the environment, and incorporate design excellence into infrastructure planning.
From this legislation, in November 2017, the Ministry of Infrastructure has developed their: Building Better Lives: Ontario’s Long-term Infrastructure Plan (LTIP) which highlights Community Benefits as “one way for the government to pursue multiple policy goals, including poverty reduction, employment and training, especially for under-represented groups, and support of small business.”
There is a considerable amount of expectation from the provincial government that:
- Projectco’s bidding on large infrastructure projects will include community benefits in their proposals.
- ProjectCo: companies that submit a proposal or respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Read more at Infrastructure Ontario: https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/Community-Benefits/
The Region of Peel serves almost 1.5 million residents and approximately 175,000 businesses in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.
The Region’s 20-year vision for is “Community for Life”, with the goal of creating a place where everyone enjoys a sense of belonging and has access to the services and opportunities needed to thrive in each stage of their lives.
Currently, Peel Region’s economic growth and development is largely due to its innovative programs and ability to respond to the needs of the community. Today, it is also the site of major infrastructure developments that aim to deliver lasting benefits to the community, including the Hurontario LRT.
Community Benefits Agreements are focused on realizing these benefits:
- Job creation, particularly for equity-seeking groups and historically disadvantaged populations
- Affordable housing
- Neighbourhood improvements in line with infrastructure developments
- Support for local businesses and social enterprises, and more.