Using Regional Capital Projects to Benefit the Community

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s):

On April 21, 2021, Regional Council passed a resolution to form an ad hoc steering committee with councillors and supported by staff to look at Community Benefits Agreements/Workforce Development Agreements.

What are community benefits?

Community benefits can be described as additional physical, social, economic and environmental benefits for the local community, made possible by taking advantage of dollars already being spent by the Region. There are many approaches to community benefits, but currently the Region of Waterloo is exploring the use of community benefits agreements in tenders for construction builds. Community Benefits Agreements can include specific language within contracts that require successful bidders to incorporate workforce development activities or other actions that benefit the community.

The Region of Waterloo is joining other world-class communities in Ontario and across the country by reviewing the potential to improve the representation of equity–deserving groups in the local labour market through workforce development activities specifically through existing capital projects (new buildings). For this initiative, equity-deserving groups are defined as Indigenous people, women, Black and people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, veterans, newcomers, Ontario Works recipients and other designated groups.

What are workforce development activities?

Workforce development activities support the labour market participation of under-represented groups in specific employment fields. These activities could include:

• Customized Recruitment
• Training and Work-based Learning Skills Development
  • Programming for formal skill development
  • Learning in a real work environment and through practice on the job
• Opportunities for apprenticeships
• Other activities that provide employment-related opportunities
  
  

An initial pilot is being proposed to incorporate Community Benefits Agreements into two upcoming affordable housing capital projects located at 416 Kingscourt in Waterloo and 82 Wilson in Kitchener. These pilots would include workforce development opportunities for members of equity-deserving groups to gain experience and employment in the construction trades and supporting roles in the industry.

Regional staff and Council are seeking feedback on the proposed pilot in a number of ways including stakeholder consultations and a public input meeting. We are also looking for your input on this platform, so please feel free to share your thoughts in the survey and ask questions below.