Challenge

Revitalization failing local residents

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Solution

Cross-sector collaboration

Time and again, we’ve seen large-scale redevelopment projects that ultimately do little to improve the lives of those living nearby. The Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity (ILEO) initiative in the Greater Golden Mile is a long-term commitment to building better into growth. In a neighbourhood on the vanguard of transit-linked revitalization, it brings corporate, community, labour and government efforts together to ensure that development benefits local residents.

In fact, at a transition roundtable co-convened by the newly elected Toronto mayor and United Way, Olivia Chow cited ILEO as a successful model that she wants to see replicated across the city.

What makes ILEO so special? It starts with bringing 32 partners to the table to work together under a paradigm-shifting corporate charter. ILEO includes an employment program that links residents to well-paid and stable jobs; provides supports for local entrepreneurs and businesses; and offers a majority community-owned construction joint venture — bringing profits right back to community. In short, it is a recipe for shared prosperity that is delivering: Three years after the five complementary pilots launched, ILEO has generated an estimated $9.2 million in financial returns to the Greater Golden Mile community through increased payroll, local business revenue and other gains — including the hiring of 150 residents. And that’s all before shovels have hit the ground.

Work behind the scenes has driven that progress:

• 20,000 copies of the Golden Mile Register were delivered to households across the Greater Golden Mile early this spring, bringing good news of training and job opportunities to local residents. A win-win collaboration with Centennial College, the special edition proved to be an inspiring outreach tool and gave journalism students a real-life challenge to sink their teeth into.
• A subsequent hiring fair featured 20 top employers — AECON Group Inc., BMO, Choice Properties, The Daniels Corporation, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, RioCan, Sun Life, Michael Garron Hospital, Scotiabank and more — and hosted 1,000 job seekers, with 100 interviews taking place on the spot.
• Storefront Starter Golden Mile entrepreneurs entered the big leagues as vendors at the semi-annual craft and makers show One of a Kind — thanks to sponsorship by ILEO partner the Daniels Corporation — selling more than $20,000 in products.

And we are looking to seed other successful community innovations elsewhere, too: