The Montreal Board of Trade, the Vancouver Board of Trade and the Toronto Board of Trade support CBAs as a good economic model to build local economies and to tackle looming skilled labour shortages.

A recent 2020 contractor survey completed by the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) highlighted that the biggest concern amongst Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) contractors was recruiting skilled workers (74%) while meeting community benefits expectations on public infrastructure contracts was of minimal concern (20%).

Construction companies, EllisDon, SNC-Lavalin, Aecon and ACS – Dragados said this about community benefits for the Eglinton LRT in Toronto, “We are committed to our work in the community. We have a solid plan to build infrastructure, as well as people... Our intent is to provide continuity of employment for the historically disadvantaged and equity-seeking apprentices and journeypersons on the project. Our priority is the development of the Toronto workforce and the growth of the individuals who work with Us.”