COMMUNITY BENEFITS SUMMIT AGENDA:
DAY 1: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Join us for a focused conversation on the business case for Community Benefits Agreements, and the standards and best practices required to deliver real, measurable outcomes. Led by the TCBN Youth Policy Table, this session brings together leaders from community, labour, industry, and government to drive action on youth pathways and inclusive economic growth in city-building.
LOCATION:
Woodbine Banquet & Convention Hall
30 Vice Regent Blvd, Toronto, ON M9W 7A4
AGENDA:
9:30AM Registration & Continental Breakfast
10:00AM Welcome & Opening
10:25AM Keynote Speaker - Irwin Bess, Executive Director, Buildforce Canada
10:45AM Report Launch: Business Case for Community Benefits Agreements in Publicly Funded Infrastructure Projects
Dr. Wendy Cukier, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute
11:15 AM Morning Panel: Community Benefits in Housing and Development Panel
William Mendes, Director of Program Delivery, Toronto Community Housing Corporation
Christine Durant, Program Coordinator, Prince Edward County Learning Centre
Courtney Ayukawa, Workforce Consultant, Community Benefits Unit, Social Development, City of Toronto
Jeaur, TCBN Youth Policy Table (moderator)
11:55 AM Morning Panel: Community Benefits in Transit and Infrastructure Panel
Robyn Gravelle, Senior Manager, Community Benefits at Metrolinx
Alice Degan, Network Coordinator, Niagara Community Benefits Network
Dr. Patience Adamu, Director, Social Impact at AECON Group Inc.
Ahsen, TCBN Youth Policy (Moderator)
12:45 PM Lunch
1:40 PM Afternoon Panel: CivicLabTO Research Case Study: The Journey to the Rexdale Casino Woodbine CBA
Reinaldo James, Workforce Consultant - Community Benefits Unit, Social Development, City of Toronto
Kumsa Baker, Director, Community Engagement & Campaigns, Toronto Community Benefits Network
Guled Warsame, President, UNITE HERE Local 75 and Canadian Director, UNITE HERE Canada
Researcher from Humber College
Watara, Youth Policy Table (Moderator)
2:30 PM Afternoon Panel: Social Procurement - Purchasing with a local and social impact
Joshua Barndt, Director of Strategy and Portfolio Development, The Neighbourhood Land Trust (NLT)
Chantal Cornu - Property Asset Manager, The Neighbourhood Land Trust (NLT)
Tarah Clark, Co-Executive Director, Building Up
Zaquia, TCBN Youth Policy Table (moderator)
3:10 PM Afternoon Panel: Growing Good Green Jobs in Canada
Bushra Asghar - Executive Director, Youth Climate Corps
How-Sen Chong - Climate Campaigner, Toronto Environmental Alliance
Sara, TCBN Youth Policy Table (moderator)
3:45 PM – Wrap and Close