A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is a legally binding contract between a community and a developer that ensures the community receives specific benefits from a project. In Ontario, CBAs have been increasingly used as a tool to create more equitable and sustainable development projects in the province.
Ontario`s Local Employment and Training Program (LEAP) has been a leader in creating CBAs, which prioritize local hiring, training, and apprenticeship opportunities for residents in the project area. CBAs can also provide other benefits, such as affordable housing, public space improvements, and community services.
CBAs are important because they prioritize local communities and ensure that development projects benefit everyone, not just the developer. They help to create job opportunities and training programs for people who may not otherwise have access to them, and they help to build stronger communities.
However, CBAs are not without controversy. Critics argue that they add additional costs to development projects and may discourage investment in certain areas. There is also concern that CBAs may give too much power to community groups, potentially stalling or blocking development altogether.
Despite these concerns, CBAs have become an important tool for creating more equitable and sustainable development projects in Ontario. As development continues to grow across the province, it is important to find ways to ensure that everyone benefits from new projects in their communities. CBAs offer an opportunity to do just that.