A (Greater) Golden Opportunity for Inclusive Growth in Scarborough
This past week our class for PPG2017 — Urban Policy had the opportunity to meet with people who work for or have experience working with the not-for-profit sector and in particular United Way. Our discussions with United Way staff and their current initiative: the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity (ILEO) Initiative will actually serve as the basis for our classes final assignment in which we will develop an options report on examining different aspects of the Greater Golden Mile in Toronto and work towards developing strategies to promote inclusive growth and prevent gentrification.
The Golden Mile in Scarborough is an area that stretches along Eglinton Ave between Victoria Park and Birchmount that has been set for significant growth due to the development of the Eglinton Crosstown in which 5 stops will pass through this site. It provides a golden opportunity for developers and city builders to develop and intensify this site and bring more opportunity to an area that for too long has been on the decline. However, this being said, given the significant potential for such a site and the eagerness for developers to build up this area, it is faced with its own set of challenges in ensuring that all stakeholders are able to navigate the growth and anticipated changes in the area. There is a need to protect existing residents and allow them to reap the benefits of potential employment opportunities and access to a range of services given the significant opportunity gaps in the Greater Golden Mile. It is place populated with low to medium income families which a high concentration of rental properties and marginalized populations which makes them vulnerable in experiencing the impacts of gentrification.
Given the sensitive nature of such a project, United Way has developed the ILEO Initiative that has established a new strategy to work with a range of partners in addressing the challenges of providing employment opportunities to residents, access to training, education and other social services through a multi-stakeholder approach. Through a catalyst approach working with the private, public and not-for-profit sector it can allow for building capacity amongst citizens in understanding the issues that impact them and work towards rebalancing the opportunity equation. Through the development of this initiative, I found it quite unique in being to understand the policymaking and governance from the not-for-profit sector and how United Way has spearheaded an approach that wants to close knowledge gaps and help citizens become more involved in the decision making process while managing different timelines with the private sector and city planning officials. They provide a more human-centred approach in engaging with the public and giving a voice to individuals who for too long have been neglected in order to help them benefit from the changes and transformations that will take place. By addressing the existing power imbalances that are currently in affect, because of the vulnerable nature of residents, it will allow for executing a vision that will benefit all and mitigate any potential unintended barriers.
The public policy and governance capacity of United Way in my mind seems quite limited given the large scale of ILEO Initiative in implementing a multi-stakeholder approach. It makes me wonder who should take ownership and who has responsibility over ensuring the needs of the public are met and addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable populations. If it is government and they are not doing the due diligence required, then should additional resources be provided to not-for-profits doing the much-needed work to deliver on successful outcomes. Seeing as how the ILEO Initiative is a joint effort, how do you ensure an equal division of labour and what accountability mechanisms are in place to ensure effective involvement? The ILEO Initiative is an innovative approach in developing an effective stream of communication within a multi-stakeholder approach and one that I have become very keen on keeping up with given the potential to provide opportunities to vulnerable populations and promote inclusive growth in a much-needed community.
