INCLUSIVE COVID-19 RECOVERY
Canada’s Federal Government has identified infrastructure as a key component of Canada’s economic recovery from the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. They are planning to invest over $187 Billion tax payer dollars on infrastructure projects across Canada over the next ten years.
It is imperative that government leaders leverage Community Benefit Agreements to create local workforce and business opportunities for Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, youth and newcomers. Commitment to infrastructure, employment, and improved outcomes for diverse communities must go hand in hand.
However, some construction and engineering firms are lobbying the government to remove community benefits requirements on these projects. Read the National Post article. We invite supporters of community benefits from community, labour, corporate and philanthropy to endorse a joint letter to the Federal government encouraging them remain steadfast in its commitment to integrate and expand community benefit expectations in publicly funded infrastructure projects. ENDORSE LETTER
REGENT 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
MACDONALD BLOCK RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT ($1.536 Billion)
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.
- The agreement commits to an aspirational target percentage (%)
- The percentage has been redacted in the document however, 10% has been the consistent goal on all pilot projects
- PCL will include community benefits language in all subcontracts
- Requirement for experiential learning and at minimum, 10 on site educational opportunities
- PCL is committed to collaborating with local businesses to gain understanding of the capabilities and capacity of local resources and use this information to help shape manageable scopes of work that can be executed safely
- Toronto Community Benefits Network
- Access Employment
- George Brown College
- Good Jobs for All Coalition
- Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training
- The Career Foundation
- YWCA Toronto
- Working for Change
- Carpenters Local 27
- LiUNA Local 506 & 183
- Operating Engineers Local 793
- Central Ontario Building Trades and its affiliates