Good jobs. Stable businesses. Better economy.
Canada needs businesses where workers and owners win together.
The Better Way Alliance is scaling its model: 94 businesses already show that quality jobs build stronger, more competitive enterprises.
Our research, tools, and advocacy help more businesses adopt these practices to drive stability in a chaotic world. Over the next three years, we’re growing to 250 members—from main street shops to immigrant and women-led businesses—building economic resilience from the ground up. With that scale, we’ll expand our tools, deepen research partnerships, pilot projects with governments, and tell powerful stories that turn proof into policy wins.
$2.2M gets us there - and builds the jobs Canada needs to improve our productivity and global competitiveness.
Workers and business owners on the same side
Canada's small businesses are facing great uncertainty. Our recent report, the Fixed Cost Crunch, found that in Toronto, commercial rent increased 1.4× faster than wages over five years. This means businesses have less to spend on productive labour and more revenue goes to unproductive rent, insurance and utilities. And it's not just in Toronto - from Chicoutimi to Kamloops, businesses are feeling the crunch.
Yet - we know most business owners WANT to pay more and maintain stable, long-term workforces. So we're building the tools and economic policies where both can succeed - by creating more predictability 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 economies and businesses that last.
This is the Local Multiplier Effect: BWA members recirculate revenue at 1.4× the rate of conventional businesses. Up to 74 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 more likely to weather stormy economic conditions - while remaining 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 (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.
"After hearing about the Better Way Alliance at a Tourism conference, I knew we wanted to be part of this amazing group of value-based businesses. The BWA's evidence-based advocacy and easy-to-use tools, helped us adopt a Paid Sick Days program for our dozens of core employees. We were able to tell our story to elected officials through the Better Business Day at Queen's Park in Ontario. Thanks in part to our work with the BWA, we achieved our B Corp certification earlier this year. We are building a sustainable business, with a triple bottom line, that will benefit both our employees and Canada's economy."
— Stephanie Soulis, Founder
What people are saying
"BWA's model proves that stability, fairness, and prosperity are the foundation of a stronger economy. BWA's data‑driven approach and growing national network make them a rare and essential voice in Canada's business ecosystem. Their work is practical, scalable, and deeply aligned with building inclusive prosperity."
"The BWA's commitment to quality employment standards helped shape Toronto's Sidewalks to Skylines economic development plan, which now explicitly recognizes that worker well-being drives business success and that economic growth must include good jobs and strong main streets."
"We see the work of the BWA as a critical nation-wide strategy that addresses the very forces threatening cultural districts like ours. Specifically, we support the efforts because they align directly with our on-the-ground experience and strategic goals of stabilizing small businesses, creating an environment of decent work and anchoring the values of complete communities."
"We've appreciated opportunities to collaborate with the BWA and see firsthand how policy ideas can emerge from real, on-the-ground experience. Their work helps create the conditions where businesses can thrive, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and provide stable, good jobs. We're pleased to support their efforts and believe their contributions will continue to influence productive national conversations."
Building a better economy, three ways
BWA gives business owners the tools to create quality jobs and governments the advice they need to create the conditions for business and worker success. $1.2M scales us to 250 businesses in jurisdictions ready to move policy - giving Canada a network of stable, high-performing employers ready to take action in media and with their local governments.
Policy Lab
Research and development of first-phase policy tools for governments at all 3 levels.
Good Jobs Accelerator
Practical support for business owners. We're expanding our suite of tools that connect job quality to business stability and policy change. Next-phase tools include:
- Fixed Cost Impact Tracker
- Local Multiplier Dashboard
- Decent Work ROI Forecaster
- BIA Rent Volatility Scorecard
- Commercial Rent FAQ for Business Owners
Network & Research
Develop more robust data on rent, small business wages, and pursue additional research pipelines. Deploy tools and concepts through our network and then scale out to the general business owner population. Accelerate publishing velocity of media-ready case studies and policy papers.
Our research changes conversations—and moves policy.
Media Impact
Our Fixed Cost Crunch report landed front-page Toronto Star coverage, driving public awareness of how high business costs like rent and insurance cause employee wage lag and Canada's economy.
Member Growth
From 30 founding members in 2017 to 94 businesses across 5 provinces in 2025 - mostly through strong word-of-mouth networks and media engagement.
Data-Driven Advocacy
Our Toronto research revealed rent increased 142% over 5 years - with a one-year spike of 68.5% - vs a 23% increase in wages. Our growing data pools and storytelling resources are helping reshape how governments view small business policy.
Policy Traction
Active campaigns in Ontario, BC, Toronto, and Federally. Early wins: B-Corp procurement preference in New Westminster, commercial tenancy task force in Toronto.
Where governments are already moving
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
- Micro-Business Category: Small businesses in Canada are currently defined as 1-99 employees. Yet 72% have 1-9 employees. A small mechanic shop has far different needs than a start-up with 50 employees. This designation would help governments measure data with more clarity and develop more targeted policy to the majority of Canada's businesses.
- Expand Access to Capital: Expand Canada Small Business Financing Program to cover both business acquisitions via a new stream - and better rates + amounts for property purchases, in line with 2025 prices and lending rates/practices.
- Community Capital: Entrepreneurs need access to capital - yet Canada's banking system is often unfriendly to even long-time business owners. We're on the Coalition for Community Capital Steering Committee - with the end goal of democratizing capital access for businesses through greater types of capital - and allowing businesses to fund expansion through community bonds in registered savings accounts.
Provincial Level
- Commercial Rent Stabilization: Guarantee business owners basic rights in their rental contracts, access to affordable dispute resolution, and standard leases. Predictable businesses are greater contributors to Canada's GDP.
- Good Jobs Wage Subsidy: [Content to be added]
- The Good Jobs Accelerator/Business Owner Development Fund: Give business owners the skills they need to create good jobs.
- Incentivize Competition in Insurance: Remove IFT tax, launch a government funded insurer of last resort similar to BDC
️ Municipal Level
- Right-Sized Retail: Encourage developers to build ground-floor retail spaces under 2,000 sq ft in new developments.
- Expansive Procurement: Preference for local, independently-owned businesses in municipal contracts
Why fund the Better Way Alliance?
Economic development in 2025 and beyond requires deep collaboration. Canada's entrepreneurship rates have dropped over the last two decades, productivity has lagged, and few business groups are attacking the systemic issues behind this decline.
BWA connects and builds the infrastructure that benefits workers, businesses along with their economic and social communities. We build the tools businesses need to succeed - and the policy that governments use to create long-term success.
The Infrastructure Play
We're building reusable tools that scale: Good Jobs Scorecard, Sick Days Calculator, a data-first research model. Our deeply engaged members are sources of knowledge for media and elected officials.
Members get free access to calculators, guides, case studies, and 1-on-1 support - turning good intentions into revenue boosting 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 shifts conversations and move policy.
The Policy Leverage
We have ready-to-deploy solutions at federal, provincial, and municipal levels. We're adapting proven models from France's rent stabilization to BC's Paid Sick Days.
From Community Land Trusts to commercial rent reform, we champion systemic solutions that work.
The Local Multiplier Effect
Wages build economies. Our members recirculate revenue at 1.4× the rate of chains. Stable employment helps businesses plan and invest in quality jobs. When workers have stability, they spend locally.
Scaling our membership and velocity of advocacy will help us deliver business-building tools to more owners.
We're building this with mission-aligned partners
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.
The multiplier: $1.2M → 250 businesses → 2,000+ quality jobs → organic economic scalability. This is 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 every province and territory in Canada. By Year 3, we'll continue diversifying income and identify revenue-generation opportunities through our tools and events.
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 BC & Ontario
- Publish 3 research papers
- Adopt a members affinity program
- Budget: $350K
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
- Win right-sized retail guidelines 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
- Good Jobs Accelerator operational in 3+ provinces
- Budget: $450K
Membership Growth: Proven Trajectory + Funded Acceleration
Capital Allocation ($1.2M total)
By Year 3, BWA transitions to 60% membership + earned income diversified revenue model: membership fees (sliding scale), Good Jobs Accelerator earned revenue, research consulting. Foundation grants and events contribute the additional 40%.
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% - and how to build resilience into an enterprise. 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 builds the 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.
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 the Toronto Star.
94 businesses proving decent work drives results
From Toronto tech firms to Vancouver coffee roasters and Calgary manufacturers - BWA members span sectors, sizes, and cities. What unites them: commitment to quality jobs and sustainable business practices.
Deep dive: Everything funders ask
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 1.4× 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.
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)
- Events Sponsorships
Year 3 targets
- $450K annual operating budget
- 60% from earned revenue
- 40% from grants/events
- Reserve fund target: 3 months operating expenses