As Ottawa rockets into an era of major infrastructure investment, United Way East Ontario and Buy Social Canada have brought people across many sectors together around a shared vision: a sustainable future for our city where every person thrives and every neighbourhood prospers, using the power of Community Wealth Building.
Consider this: we can alleviate poverty if we change the systems that cause it in the first place.
Community Wealth Building aims to address the discrimination inherent in our economies so we can create more equitable and inclusive communities. Anyone who manages people or holds a budget has a role to play in Community Wealth Building.
The good news is Community Wealth Building is already in motion in Ottawa and local social service providers, the building trades, the municipal and federal public service, economic development agencies, and many others are on board.
Here’s how we’re forging ahead:
- Ensure local investments and financial assets remain local.
- Promote fair work and training.
- Prioritize equitable use of land and property.
- Implement progressive procurement policies.
- Champion democratic and inclusive business models.
In Ottawa, the momentum has already started:
- The Ottawa Community Land Trust launched a campaign to raise $1.7 million through Housing Forever Bonds, which will maintain and acquire affordable housing properties. United Way East Ontario was an early investor, committing $100,000 to the fund that will keep housing affordable in the face of an affordability crisis.
- Social enterprises are businesses that sell goods or services; have a social, cultural or environmental purpose; and reinvest profits into that mission. Ottawa-based institutions have begun diversifying their supply chains to include social enterprises like FoodWorks, Good Nature Groundskeeping, and EcoEquitable.
- United Way brings together employers, employment service providers, job seekers and others to create more welcoming workplaces for Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, and newcomers. Through the Employment Accessibility Resource Network, Hire Immigrants Ottawa, and the Indigenous Employment Leadership Advisory Table, more people can fully participate in the labour market and break the cycle of poverty.
- With connections to many sectors, industries, businesses, governments, social services and community leaders, United Way bridges the gaps between these players and removes the barriers we may have in building community wealth.
Ottawa’s future is bright. We look forward to seeing every single person shine as we get there together.
This article first appeared in the September 2024 special “City Building” issue of the Ottawa Business Journal. That publication is available in its digital edition below:
