Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement: 2023 Progress Update

2023 marked the fifth year since the establishment of the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement. This report provides a progress update on the status of the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement, the City's share of gaming revenues for 2023, and the opening of the expanded site. This report also includes key findings from a five-year review of the Agreement. The majority of the targets and requirements of the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement are being met or are on track to being met. Highlights of One Toronto Gaming's progress as of December 31, 2023, include: -Child Care Centre: One Toronto Gaming provided the required $5 million contribution to the City of Toronto in 2018. A feasibility study to identify the location of the future child care centre was completed in April 2023. The child care centre will be connected to a Toronto Community Housing Corporation building unit located near the casino. -International Marketing Plan: One Toronto Gaming submitted an International Marketing Plan to the City of Toronto in May 2023. -Local and Social Hiring (Operations): Of the 2,768 new hires since 2018, 44 percent (1,211 individuals) self-identified as a social hire and nine percent (239 individuals) were local hires. The target for local hires has not yet been met. Categories for self-identification are not mutually exclusive. Actions to meet this target are further detailed in this report. -Local and Social Hiring (Construction): Of the 2,740 people employed on the construction site since 2018, 28 percent (777 individuals) self-identified as a social hire and two percent (60 individuals) self-identified as a local hire. The target for local hires has not yet been met. Actions to meet this target are further detailed in this report. -Full-Time Employment: Of the 1,734 active employees, 63 percent (1,096 individuals) are employed on a full-time basis and 37 percent (638 individuals) are employed on a part-time basis. -Supply Chain Diversity: In 2023, One Toronto Gaming spent $87.7 million across 14 local suppliers, representing 32 percent of their total procurement spend. One Toronto Gaming spent $4.6 million across 10 diverse suppliers, representing two percent of their total procurement spend. -Community Access to Space: Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto's entertainment venue opened on December 31, 2023. One Toronto Gaming submitted a draft of the Community Access to Space Policy and Procedure to the City in January 2024 and the City is currently reviewing the draft policy and procedure. -Responsible Gambling: All Responsible Gambling measures are being met. As part of the redevelopment, Great Canadian Entertainment opened Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto (formerly known as Casino Woodbine) and a partially opened hotel in the summer of 2023. The entertainment venue was opened in December 2023. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto has reported that while the majority of the casino's mass hiring efforts took place in 2023, there are remaining opportunities to continue connecting the local Rexdale community to employment at the casino. One Toronto Gaming, the City, and the Community Steering Committee remain committed to working together to advance the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement to maximize positive outcomes for local and equity-deserving residents.