In some cases, the terms of the community of an CBA may be incorporated into an agreement between the local government and the developer, by .B. in a development contract or lease. This agreement gives the local government the power to enforce the terms of community services. Another example of the community benefits on public infrastructure projects that CBA proponents point to is the Vancouver Island Highway Project Agreement, a project working agreement with Highway Constructors, Ltd., a government-created facility to oversee procurement and labour. It only used construction companies and workers. As noted earlier, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives documented evidence of positive employment outcomes for justice-seeking groups in this project from 1994 to 1999. 110 79) M. Baskin, « Government-Mandated Project Labour Agreements: The Public Record of Poor Performance », Associated Builders and Contractors, 2011, thetruthaboutplas.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Baskin-Report-on-Government-Mandated-PLAs-The-Public-Record-of-Poor-Performance-2011-Edition-032311.pdf; Constructeurs et entrepreneurs associés, « Die Wahrheit über Projektarbeitsverträge », thetruthaboutplas.com/get-the-truth/; Associated Builders and Contractors, « Government-Mandated Project Labour Agreements », www.abc.org/Portals/1/ABCN%20GMPLA%20One%20Pager%20032117.pdf; W. Burke et D. Tuerck, “The Effects of Project Labor Agreements on Public School Construction in New Jersey,” Beacon Hill Institute for Public Policy Research, August 2019, www.beaconhill.org/BHIStudies/PLA2019/BHI-PLA-NJ-Report-20190826FINAL.pdf; Burke and Tuerck, “The Effects of Project Labor Agreements on Public School Construction in Connecticut,” Beacon Hill Institute for Public Policy Research, January 2020, beaconhill.org/2020/02/11/the-effects-of-project-labor-agreements-on-public-school-construction-in-connecticut/. Significant statistics indicate the main reason for the discrepancy. In the 2018 Mainstreet Research survey, only about a quarter of respondents (4% were very familiar and 22% were moderately aware) knew what community benefits agreements were. 48 During the revitalization of municipal housing in Regent Park, 380 people were employed for revitalization projects and 503 for other employment initiatives in three phases from 2007 to 2017.

The data cited by Graser shows that 1,474 jobs were created when “wider connections” are included, and the project is still ongoing. 85 SHK-Gesetz. “First Nations Consultation and Impact Benefits Agreements”. March 2017. www.shk.ca/first-nations-consultation-impact-benefit-agreements/. These demands are often contradictory, leading to many political tensions and sometimes open conflicts. In recent decades, advocates have promoted community benefits agreements as a means of reconciling the four interests mentioned above. More and more governments at all levels are listening.

Since its origins in California, the concept has spread to other parts of the United States, and similar social procurement policies have developed in Australia and the United Kingdom. Canada is no stranger to the concept either, with several major applications in Ontario and British Columbia. The German government has announced its commitment to the related – though still largely undefined – principles of social public procurement. Edward (Ted) De Barbieri highlights the broader social context and sees ACAs as linked to broader social movements such as living wage campaigns, affordable housing campaigns, local attitudes, and social justice organizing. In addition, successful CBAs can solve difficult land use problems – by preventing them from going to court – and give developers the opportunity to receive community support.15 Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) are agreements that aim to bring community benefits to infrastructure and development projects. They are designed and implemented jointly by municipalities, the construction industry and government. The benefits demanded typically fall into the categories of employment, skills, and training, which adds social value to the supply chain, as well as opportunities for community development, such as .B support local art and culture. .