A blueprint for business growth in Scarborough. Government programs can help connect what Scarborough has to offer with the needs of key industries.
Scarborough should double down on what already works for its local economy. That would be its thousands of small businesses, combined with an available labour pool. These strengths can be put to work for upcoming transit and redevelopment projects to attract new offices and advanced manufacturing in key industries such as defense, technology and logistics.
Scarborough has always been a densely populated community with a high composition of new immigrants. A renewed focus to coach and train younger citizens in skilled trades is now becoming critical countrywide as tensions increase with the United States.
“Small businesses have already played an essential role in the ecosystem of Scarborough.”
The skilled trades sector in Ontario is facing a significant workforce shortage. As these workers approach retirement, there is a pressing need to fill these positions to maintain all the operations for all industries and ensure a steady supply of skilled professionals.
In these unique times now is the time to implement such programs as:
- Employer-led training compacts with institutions and workforce partners (e.g., trades, logistics, PSW/health support, building operations).
- Paid placements and co-ops tied to Scarborough employers; offer a small wage subsidy funded through existing workforce programs.
- Credential bridging and language support for internationally trained residents so skills translate into local jobs faster.
- Promote and expand skills infrastructure such as Scarborough-based training centres focused on high-demand careers.
Small businesses have already played an essential role in the ecosystem of Scarborough. They also continue to be challenged with tariffs and trade disruptions on the global front.
Working with the government to provide programs that connect people to small businesses to allow them to learn the key skills to succeed in the workforce of the future is common sense.
However, we also need to be aware of the needs of small businesses and of building neighbourhoods where these businesses can flourish and grow. We can begin with simple beautification programs: improving intersections, garbage clean up days, storefront restoration and branding campaigns.
These are all ways governments can assist to help small businesses succeed in Scarborough.
Our Canadian past has taught us that great cities were built off of well-founded integrated plans focusing on specific industries. Great politicians of the past built winning city planning not using technology tools but practical intuition based on experience.
Cities have deployed policy mechanisms such as:
- Offering significantly lower industrial property tax rates than surrounding cities;
- Establishing as-of-right zoning permissions on vacant lands which made it enticing to build quickly for new businesses, and
- Promoting federal research tax credits combined benefits with provincial innovative tax credits effectively
History has taught us that cities succeed with a meticulously planned blueprint that integrates visionary urban master-planning, aggressive pre-zoning, and academic synergy combined with developing the right skills that businesses require now and in the future. Now is the time we should create this blueprint for Scarborough.
Paul Micucci is a Scarborough business owner.
