Community Benefits & Supports

What are Community Benefits & Supports?

A truly connected transit system is much more than the sum of its parts. Transit connects people to the things that really matter – loved ones, health care, homes, schools, dream jobs… the possibilities are endless. As we are making progress towards an integrated and sustainable transit network, we are also navigating the challenges associated with building major infrastructure. Putting communities at the heart of everything we do is what being a good neighbour is all about.

Undertaking the largest transit expansion in North American history is not easy. We know that our work brings challenges, especially in intensely urban communities. We also know our work is vital to keeping our region moving, to boosting our economy and helping to fight climate change. As we work to build a better future, we are partnering with communities across the region, being clear about impacts, addressing concerns and improving projects where we can.

The Metrolinx Community Benefits & Supports Program ensures that measurable outcomes are achieved when Metrolinx designs, constructs or supports opportunities involving its transit projects, that seek to benefit the community. Through our Community Benefits & Supports Program we are driving economic change by creating jobs and training opportunities for equity-deserving communities, promoting the use of social enterprises, supporting local businesses during construction, and working with communities to better understand their needs and ensure their voices are heard.

Four-Pillar Program

Metrolinx Community Benefits & Supports will be implemented across our transit projects region-wide and delivered in a consistent way to mitigate impacts on local communities and businesses.

Pillar 1: Employment Opportunities

This pillar promotes apprenticeship training and workforce development opportunities for local communities and equity seeking groups including 10% hiring targets for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), women, apprentices and requirements for an anti-racism policy.

Pillar 2: Local Business Supports

This pillar builds and fosters relationships with local businesses to minimize and alleviate business disruptions & reduce the economic impacts as a result of construction, for example through shop local initiatives & procurement from local businesses.

Pillar 3: Public Realm Improvements

During the design and development phase of our projects, we are finding ways to leave the surroundings in an improved state when construction of the project creates temporary disruptions.

Pillar 4: Community Improvement Supports

We are working with communities as a connector to the right decision-makers to make improvements to public spaces surrounding transit project construction, where no funding is available.