Through 2017 and 2018, the Parkdale People’s Economy has developed a Community Benefits Framework to build a proactive response to the rise of developments and investments in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. The framework was developed through a series of community workshops, public lectures, and grounded experience organizing for community benefits in new developments.
The framework was first proposed through a community planning process led by over 30 community-based organizations and hundreds of residents to build Decent Work, Shared Wealth, and Equitable Development in Parkdale. Through a series of community-based consultations, the Parkdale Community Planning Study identified the establishment of a Community Benefits Framework as a key direction for advancing unified community needs and demands from infrastructure investment and development.
Parkdale People’s Economy envisions a future in Parkdale where equity-seeking community members can live with dignity and benefit from changes happening in their own backyard. They call upon
- community members and workers to unite and ensure that new developments address local needs in the community;
- community organizations to pave the way for equitable development and participatory democracy;
- local planners and political representatives to champion their causes; and
- developers and investors to work collaboratively with community to ensure that new developments equitably benefit all residents.
