Niagara Community Benefit Network

Thinking Beyond the Market - Movie and Housing Panel Discussion Join us for a riveting documentary and panel discussion on Affordable Housing Solutions!

"The Casino Woodbine has released its 2025 CBA progress report , with a majority of its targets regarding local and equitable employment, good jobs and social procurement being met."

Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement Update The Casino Woodbine has released its 2025 CBA progress report , with a majority of its targets regarding local and equitable employment, good jobs and social procurement being met. In 2025, One Toronto Gaming spent $113.3 million across 18 local suppliers and $2.34 million across 7 diverse suppliers...

The Ontario government is considering a new initiative to add much-needed support for apprenticeship training in construction trades. The idea is to offer incentives for contractors to hire apprentices on provincially-funded infrastructure projects. It would help make government projects into training grounds for the next generation of builders in Ontario, something that is badly needed as the sector faces an oncoming wave of retirements.

NCBN wrote in support of this proposal. Read more here:

Apprenticeship in Ontario – Niagara Community Benefits Network Apprenticeship in Ontario January 23, 2026 by Alice DeganOntario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development recently announced that they are considering an initiative to address the shortage of training opportunities in the skilled trades. The proposal, if implemented, woul...

In collaboration with St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe, Niagara Community Foundation, and United Way Niagara, we are looking to work with the Province to secure significant community investment on the Garden City Skyway Bridge Twinning project. Join us for an information session online on Oct. 16 to learn more. https://lnkd.in/de3Y6BHB

Important details about the newly announced provincial bills, from our friends at HCBN:

Ontario’s Bill 5 and Bill 6 Fast-Tracking Development, Criminalizing Poverty

LOCO BC and Vancity did a study that offers a new perspective on what happens when you . We can attach some numbers to the positive ripple effect that we know intuitively should happen!

The Power of Local Purchasing – Niagara Community Benefits Network The Power of Local Purchasing May 6, 2025 by Alice DeganThe message to buy local often appeals to our emotions, emphasizing the human connection of supporting business-owners in our neighbourhoods. This lovely segment from the town of Lincoln is a great example: I want pie now …There’s another w...

What is a Community Benefits Agreement?

A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is a legally binding contract between a developer or public agency and a community coalition or organization that outlines specific community benefits that will be provided as part of a development project. CBAs are typically negotiated as part of large-scale development projects, such as infrastructure improvements, affordable housing developments, or commercial developments.

The purpose of a CBA is to ensure that a development project generates positive outcomes for the surrounding community, beyond just the physical structure being built. Community benefits outlined in a CBA can include affordable housing units, local hiring preferences, workforce training programs, environmental improvements, and other amenities that directly benefit the community.

CBAs are often used as a tool to address community concerns, promote equity, and ensure that development projects contribute to the overall well-being of the community. By formalizing commitments to provide specific benefits, CBAs can help build trust between developers and the community, create opportunities for local residents, and promote sustainable development practices.

(Art: Happy Meeting by Lucy, age 8)