Good jobs. Stable businesses. Resilient Economy.
Scale proven solutions across 250 Canadian businesses already creating quality jobs, keeping wealth local, and pushing for policy that works.
Workers and business owners on the same side
Canada's small businesses are facing a fixed-cost crisis. Our recent report, the Fixed Cost Crunch, found that in Toronto, commercial rent increased 1.4× faster than wages over five years. Business owners now spend 26% of revenue on rent (up from 18%), while operating expenses jumped 33% in just two years.
This isn't about choosing between workers and business owners. It's about building an economy where both can succeed—by creating more stability in the cost structures that make long-term planning possible.
Economic resilience during uncertain times
In a trade landscape marked by tariff threats and economic volatility, Canada needs businesses that keep wealth circulating locally. Fixed costs like rent, insurance, and utilities flow outside local economies. But quality jobs build resilient economies and businesses that last.
This is the Local Multiplier Effect: BWA members recirculate revenue at 1.4× the rate of multinational chains. Up to 66 cents of every dollar paid in wages cycles through neighborhood shops, services, and other local enterprises - strengthening the entire community.
Our 94 members already prove that decent work drives stability. They're less likely to close or relocate, more likely to weather downturns, and more invested in their communities' long-term success.
When businesses have predictable costs, they can invest in quality jobs. When workers have stability, they spend locally. BWA's network proves decent work is foundational to economic growth - and resilience during tough times.
Good jobs + policy advocacy = B-Corp certification
Little Mushroom Catering Little Mushroom Catering (Cambridge) joined BWA in 2023. After discussions, they implemented paid sick days, joined us during our Better Business Day at Queen’s Park, and recently achieved B-Corp certification.
"BWA's evidence-based advocacy helped us adopt a Paid Sick Days program for 50+ employees - and tell our story to elected officials through Better Business Day at Queen’s Park in Ontario. Recently we gained B-Corp status, partially because of our work with the BWA. We're building a business that’s sustainable for us, our employees, and Canada’s economy."
— Stephanie Soulis, Founder of Little Mushroom Catering
What people are saying
"BWA's research gave us the evidence we needed to move commercial rent reform forward. Their business owner testimony was impossible to ignore."
"The Good Jobs Accelerator gave us a clear roadmap. We implemented paid sick days and raised wages—and our retention improved immediately."
"This isn't feel-good CSR—it's economic development that actually works. BWA members keep money local and create stable jobs."
"BWA proved that decent work businesses aren't outliers—they're the model we should be scaling. Their data changed the conversation."
Building a better economy, three ways
BWA gives business owners the tools to create quality jobs and the policy wins to make those jobs sustainable. $1.2M scales this to 250 businesses in jurisdictions ready to move policy—giving Canada a network of stable, high-performing employers when economic resilience matters most.
Policy Advocacy
Provincial and federal campaigns for commercial rent protections, CPP expansion, wage subsidies tied to decent work.
Good Jobs Accelerator
Practical support for implementing paid sick days, wage increases, and employee benefits—with calculators, guides, case studies.
Network & Research
Original data on rent, wages, and business closures. Member community. Media-ready case studies that move policy.
Our research changes conversations—and moves policy
Media Impact
Our Fixed Cost Crunch report landed front-page Toronto Star coverage, driving a City Council motion on commercial rent reform within weeks.
Member Growth
From 12 founding members in 2017 to 94 businesses across 5 provinces in 2025—sustained by word-of-mouth and proven results.
Data-Driven Advocacy
Our Toronto research revealed rent increased 142% over 5 years vs 23% wages—with a one-year spike of 68.5%. This data now shapes municipal policy conversations.
Policy Traction
Active campaigns in Ontario, BC, and Manitoba. Early wins: B-Corp procurement preference in New Westminster, commercial tenancy task force in Toronto.
Membership Growth: Proven Trajectory + Funded Acceleration
Jurisdictions ready for policy wins
We've identified municipal and provincial governments open to commercial renter protections, decent-work standards, and inclusive procurement—backed by business owner testimony and original data.
Policy solutions tested elsewhere, ready here
We're not inventing policy—we're adapting proven solutions from France, Australia, California, and other jurisdictions that already protect small businesses and decent work. Every proposal is backed by evidence, international precedent, and ready for implementation.
️ Federal Level
- CSBFP Modernization: Expand Canada Small Business Financing Program to cover first/last/rent deposits, not just equipment
- CPP Expansion: Accelerate contribution rates to provide stronger retirement security for workers in small businesses
- Good Jobs Wage Subsidy: Replace generic hiring credits with subsidies tied to living wages, benefits, and employee voice
️ Provincial Level
- Commercial Rent Stabilization: Cap annual increases at inflation + 2% (modeled on France's commercial lease regulations)
- Micro-Business Category: Create exemptions from costly reporting requirements for businesses under 10 employees
- Right to Organize: Simplified union certification for workplaces under 20 employees
️ Municipal Level
- Small-Format Requirements: Mandate ground-floor retail spaces under 2,000 sq ft in new developments
- Commercial Renter Bill of Rights: Transparency in lease terms, dispute resolution, anti-retaliation protections
- Inclusive Procurement: Preference for local, independently-owned businesses in municipal contracts (B-Corp/social procurement tied to good employment)
Why fund the Better Way Alliance?
You're not funding charity—you're funding economic development infrastructure that amplifies the impact local businesses have on local economies when they're stable enough to create quality jobs.
The Infrastructure Play
We're building reusable tools that scale: Good Jobs Scorecard, Sick Days Calculator, Fixed Cost Crunch research model. One investment → 250 businesses use them → thousands of workers benefit.
Members get free access to calculators, guides, case studies, and 1-on-1 support—turning good intentions into implementable practices.
The Research Engine
Our Fixed Cost Crunch report landed front-page Toronto Star coverage and drove a City Council motion on commercial rent reform within weeks.
We produce research that changes conversations and moves policy. Other cities can replicate this model—Vancouver, Winnipeg, and beyond.
The Policy Leverage
We have ready-to-deploy solutions at federal, provincial, and municipal levels—not untested theories. We're adapting proven models from France's rent stabilization to California's worker protections.
From Community Land Trusts to commercial rent reform, we champion solutions that work.
The Local Multiplier Effect
Wages build economies. Our members recirculate revenue at 3× the rate of conventional businesses. When businesses have predictable costs, they invest in quality jobs. When workers have stability, they spend locally.
This isn't theory—it's measurable economic impact we're scaling to 250 businesses.
The multiplier: $1.2M → 250 businesses → 1,600+ quality jobs → policy wins in 5 jurisdictions → proven model for national replication. Not charity—economic development that keeps wealth circulating locally.
From 94 members to 250—with policy wins in 5 jurisdictions
$1.2M over three years scales BWA's proven model to 250 businesses across Ontario, BC, Manitoba, and emerging markets. By Year 3, we're revenue-diversified and self-sustaining—with commercial rent protections moving in at least two provinces.
Build & Prove (2025-2026)
- 150 members (56 net new)
- Launch Good Jobs Accelerator 2.0 with sector-specific guides
- Win commercial rent task force in Toronto + one BC municipality
- Publish follow-up research on wage-to-rent ratios in Vancouver
- Budget: $450K
Scale & Win (2026-2027)
- 200 members (50 net new)
- Secure provincial commercial rent stabilization pilot in one jurisdiction
- Expand Good Jobs Accelerator earned revenue stream
- Launch municipal procurement advocacy in 3 cities
- Budget: $400K
Sustain & Replicate (2027-2028)
- 250 members (50 net new)
- 60% revenue from membership + earned income
- Commercial rent protections law passes in at least one province
- Proven model ready for national replication
- Budget: $350K
Capital Allocation ($1.2M total)
By Year 3, BWA transitions to self-sustaining model with diversified revenue: membership fees (sliding scale), Good Jobs Accelerator earned revenue, research consulting for municipalities, and ongoing foundation grants.
Who's building this
Aaron Binder
As a 4× business owner (currently partner at Segway of Ontario & Go Tours Canada), Aaron knows firsthand what happens when insurance doubles or rent jumps 20%. He brings two decades of business ownership experience to policy conversations with everyone from shop owners to premiers.
Aaron served on Toronto's Economic Advisory Panel and helped shape the Sidewalks to Skylines report. He organizes BWA's annual advocacy day at Queen's Park and leads media outreach—his work has appeared in Global News, CBC, Globe & Mail, and The Conversation.
Liliana Locke
Lili built BWA's suite of business tools—including the Good Jobs Scorecard, Sick Days Calculator, and Wage Raise Calculator—which are now the most-visited pages on the BWA website. A Toronto hotel used these tools to create a new employment program for 300 employees.
An economist and Fellow with Social Capital Partners, Lili leads BWA's research on rent, wages, and employment policy. Her work has been featured on CTV, Globe & Mail, and multiple podcasts exploring innovative ways to make commercial spaces more affordable.
94 businesses proving decent work drives results
From Toronto tech firms to Vancouver coffee roasters to Winnipeg manufacturers—BWA members span sectors, sizes, and cities. What unites them: commitment to quality jobs and sustainable business practices.
Deep dive: Everything funders ask
We've identified key risks and built mitigation into our model:
- Risk: Membership growth stalls → Mitigation: Proven acquisition funnel (94 members in 8 years); 18-month runway built into budget; diversified revenue streams by Year 3
- Risk: Policy advocacy doesn't land → Mitigation: Multi-level strategy (municipal, provincial, federal); early wins already secured in ON/BC; evidence-backed proposals proven elsewhere
- Risk: Economic downturn impacts members → Mitigation: Counter-cyclical value prop (members save more during tough times); fixed-cost advocacy becomes more critical in downturn
- Risk: Key staff transition → Mitigation: Documented processes; advisory board oversight; succession planning begins Year 2
By Year 3, BWA transitions to self-sustaining model.
Revenue diversification
- Membership fees (sliding scale)
- Good Jobs Accelerator earned revenue
- Research consulting for municipalities
- Foundation grants (ongoing)
Year 3 targets
- $350K annual operating budget
- 60% from earned revenue
- 40% from grants/partnerships
- Reserve fund established
Our impact model moves from inputs to systems change:
Inputs
- Member fees + foundation grants
- Original research on fixed costs
- Business owner testimony and case studies
Activities
- Policy advocacy (municipal, provincial, federal)
- Good Jobs Accelerator support for employers
- Peer learning network + knowledge sharing
Outcomes
- Commercial rent stabilization in 2+ jurisdictions
- 250 businesses implementing decent work standards
- Proven model for other regions to replicate
- Shift in narrative: good jobs = good economics
Three forces converge to make this moment urgent:
- Economic volatility: Tariff threats and trade uncertainty make local resilience critical. BWA members recirculate 3× more revenue locally—keeping wealth in communities when external shocks hit.
- Policy windows: Ontario, BC, and Manitoba have progressive governments open to commercial rent reform. Toronto City Council already has a task force underway based on our research.
- Proven traction: We've grown from 12 to 94 members with minimal funding. Imagine what's possible with real capacity: 250 businesses, coordinated advocacy, policy wins in 5 jurisdictions.
We're building a diversified funding base aligned with our mission:
- Credit unions & co-op banks: Mission-aligned financial institutions that understand community wealth-building (Alterna Savings, Coast Capital, Vancity)
- Foundations: Max Bell Foundation, Atkinson Foundation, others focused on economic inclusion and decent work
- Earned revenue: Good Jobs Accelerator tools, research consulting for municipalities
- Member contributions: Sliding-scale fees based on business size (launching 2026)
We're seeking lead investors to anchor this round—your participation signals credibility to others and helps us close the full $1.2M.