CBA Campaigns
Build A Better Fairview
Since 2022, the TCBN has supported the Build A Better Fairview coalition, a group of residents, community and service organizations dedicated to the responsible, equitable and sustainable development of the Fairview area. BABF is actively working with local City Councillor, Shelley Carroll to ensure Cadillac Fairview meets the community’s expectation for equitable and responsible development as part of its Fairview Mall development plan. Read the updates from the North York Community Council meeting last month, BABF’s letter and deputations from local residents here.
Toronto FIFA2026 Men’s World Cup
Last week, the City Executive Committee received an update on Toronto’s FIFA2026 Men’s World Cup planning. With six games now confirmed in Toronto, new projected costs are estimated at $380M. TCBN and allies are calling for the City to commit to good, green jobs and a human rights approach that includes living wages commitments, local and equity hiring targets for apprenticeship hours, professional and operational roles, social procurement targets and a supply chain diversity plan with public oversight and transparency. Thank you to Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik and City Councillor and Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee, Alejandra Bravo for your continued support in championing a strong community benefits approach to FIFA2026. Read letters submitted by TCBN, Toronto & York Region Labour Council and Buy Social Canada.
Transit Oriented Communities
Infrastructure Ontario and the provincial government are planning 14 new transit oriented communities, many of which are on public owned land, including 11 along the Ontario Line. Last month, the TCBN and community benefits ambassadors participated at public consultation meetings hosted by Infrastructure Ontario to highlight the importance of Community Benefits Agreements, affordable housing and an equitable approach through meaningful engagement with local communities for each project. Many residents and community organizations continue to raise concerns of gentrification and rising rents that are already pricing them out of their neighbourhood. Read the CBC article here
$30B+ In New Public Transit Projects
With the four new transit projects including Ontario Line underway, TCBN remains concerned with Metrolinx and the provincial government’s silence on a Community Benefits Agreement. The TCBN continues to work with members and local organizations in impacted neighbourhoods to ensure Metrolinx upholds its commitments made to the community. In February at Queen’s Park, MPP Stephanie Bowman (Don Valley West) called on the provincial government to keep its promises to local communities like Thorncliffe Park and sign a Community Benefits Agreement.
CLC Downsview Arbo District Plan
Canada Lands Company is moving forward with its Downsview Arbo District Plan with a proposal to build 1,100 to 1,400 residential units for a total of 3,600 to 4,000 units. The current plan includes 20% affordable housing at 80% Average Market Rent for 25 years and commitments to support a Downsview community centre.
On January 24th, TCBN participated at the North York Community Council meeting and urged support for our CBA for Downsview campaign which calls for:
- A Community Benefits Agreement with targets for apprenticeships, local and equity hiring
- Commitments to neighbourhood improvements, environmental sustainability and investments in community infrastructure, recreation and services
- Commitments for minimum 30% affordable housing and ownership with 50% of that being deeply affordable or Rent-Geared-to-Income for 99 years
You can view the letter submitted to North York Community council here, the CLC Arbo District Plan here as well as the Zoning By-law Amendment report here.
TCBN Ontario Line Advocacy
On Jan 24th TCBN attended the City of Toronto’s Toronto East York Community Council, where Rosemarie Powell presented on the Ontario Line. TCBN continues to advocate for Metrolinx to commit to a Community Benefits Agreement as part of the estimated $18 billion Ontario Line public transit project and that all contracts include requirements for Community Benefits and Workforce Development plans that ensure local and equitable hiring targets with transparency and community oversight. Metrolinx has yet to fulfill its promise to update Ontario Line RFPs and project agreements to include community benefits.
We thank the TEYCC and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik who supported a motion asking Metrolinx to include updates on these items in the next quarterly report.
Advancing the CBA Framework
On Friday February 05, 2021 Toronto City Council approved the report on ‘Advancing the Community Benefits Framework’ which outlines key action steps and activities to implement the Framework over the next year.
Since November 2020, the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) with support from community, labour and institutional partners has encouraged City Council to take bolder steps in the implementation of its Community Benefits Framework in response to the immediacy of the health, social and economic crisis facing Black, Indigenous and other racialized people in our City.
Read moreAdvancing the City of Toronto's Community Benefits Framework
On Wednesday, the Toronto Community Benefits Network and partners deputed at the City of Toronto Executive Committee to make recommendations on improving the City’s Community Benefits Framework which was established in 2019.
While TCBN is encouraged by the details of the staff report, which outlines key actions steps for advancing the municipal Community Benefits framework, we are disappointed that the City Executive Committee failed to address our key recommendations to require bolder steps in the implementation of its Community Benefits Framework in response to the immediacy of the economic crisis facing Black, Indgenous and other racialized people in our City.
Read moreMacDonald Block Reconstruction
In January 2020, Infrastructure Ontario released the Project Agreement (redacted) with Fengate PCL Consortium for the MacDonald Block reconstruction project - a $1.536 Billion at Queens Park.
TCBN would like to thank our labour member AMAPCEO, the union for Ontario's Professional Employees. AMAPCEO has been a leading champion to ensure that the MacDonald Block Reconstruction Project includes a Community Benefits Agreement.
Read moreRegent Park Community Benefits Coalition
Since the Winter QGM in Regent Park, the TCBN has been active in supporting the Regent Park Neighbourhood Association (RPNA) in leading a local Community Benefits Coalition of residents, community groups and organizations. The goal of the coalition is to secure a legally binding agreement with Toronto Community Housing (TCH) and selected developer that commits to both short and long term community benefits in Regent Park. After weeks of negotiations with TCH, the Coalition is excited to announce a Community Benefits Framework Agreement for Phase 4 and 5 of revitalization in Regent Park. More details to come. LEARN MORE