A Framework for Advancing Community Benefits Within the Golden Mile

The creation of the Secondary Plan for the Golden Mile neighbourhood in Scarborough, Ontario and the construction of the Eglinton Light Rail Transit (LRT) system have sparked the potential for further development and growth. To leverage the anticipated changes being proposed in their neighbourhood, community members within the Golden Mile should enter into a Community Benefit Agreements with the respective developers to secure a wide variety of resources that may be shared by all. Building uponthe existingCommunityBenefitsFrameworkthat hasbeencreated by local non-profit organizations, this Major Research Paper (MRP) seeks to assist residents so that they may achieve their targets and goal. To support these efforts, a list of possible benefits that could be negotiated within a CBA was identified within three broad categories: addressing the need for affordable housing; building sustainable communities; and creating socio-economic opportunities for residents. Transforming recommendations into actual benefits can only be achieved by promoting collaborative efforts with other stakeholders, by mutual understanding and learning of each stakeholder’s respective position, and by creating value so that everyone involved may gain from the provisions of such benefits.