Item - 2023.EX3.10

The Executive Committee:  

1. Received the report (March 7, 2023) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration for information.

In 2018, City Council adopted the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement as a condition of expanded gaming at the Woodbine Racetrack site. The Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement established a range of community benefits requirements that One Toronto Gaming must fulfill.

The terms of the Agreement require One Toronto Gaming to provide annual progress reports to the City and for staff to provide annual update reports to City Council. This report provides a status update on the implementation of the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement. It also provides an update on the timeline for the opening of the expanded site and the City's share of gaming revenues for 2022.

 
The report indicates that 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. As of December 31, 2022, One Toronto Gaming's progress to date includes:

- Child Care Centre: One Toronto Gaming provided the required $5 million contribution. A potential location for the child care centre has been identified and is currently undergoing a feasibility study. The 2023-2032 Approved Capital Budget for Children's Services includes funding of $5.0 million for the construction of the child care centre.

- International Marketing Plan: One Toronto Gaming is on track to meet the March 31, 2023 deadline for submission of the International Marketing Plan.

- Local and Social Hiring (Operations): Of the 1,982 new hires since 2018, 48 percent (956 individuals) self-identified as a social hire and 10 percent (206 individuals) were local hires. The target for local hires has not yet been met; One Toronto Gaming has committed to prioritizing local hiring in 2023 and expects to see an increase given community interest in non-gaming positions that will be available in 2023.

- Local and Social Hiring (Construction): Of the 2,381 people employed on the construction site since 2018, 28 percent (657 individuals) self-identified as a social hire and two percent (56 individuals) self-identified as a local hire.

- Full-Time Employment (Operations): Of the 1,291 active employees, 66 percent (855 individuals) are employed on a full-time basis (minimum 35 hours per week) and 34 percent (436 individuals) are employed on a part-time basis.

- Supply Chain Diversity: In 2022, One Toronto Gaming spent $9.9 million across 27 local suppliers, representing 11 percent of their total annual non-construction spend. One Toronto Gaming did not report any procurement through diverse suppliers in 2022. 

- Community Access to Space: One Toronto Gaming is on track to meet the requirement to develop Community Access to Space Policy and Procedures prior to the opening of the Entertainment Venue in 2023.

- Responsible Gambling: All Responsible Gambling measures are being met.  

Despite the challenges and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, One Toronto Gaming was able to regain progress towards the majority of the targets and requirements of the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement in 2022. With the completion and opening of the first phase of redevelopment expected by One Toronto Gaming in the first half of 2023, it is anticipated that progress will continue to be made, particularly on the local hiring target for operations. 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.