Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Better Way Alliance?
The Better Way Alliance is a network of 100+ Canadian business owners working to create systemic change that strengthens workers, business owners, and Canada’s economy. We believe these three aren’t in competition—they rise together. When workers earn decent wages and have stable jobs, they spend locally. When business owners have predictable costs, they can invest in their people. When both thrive, main streets and local economies become resilient.
We pursue this through policy advocacy, original research, practical tools for business owners, and a growing network of members who prove the model works—from cafes and breweries to manufacturers and professional services, many in industries known for low wages and high turnover.
What does the BWA actually do?
A lot! Here’s what it looks like in practice:
Research: Original reports like the Fixed Cost Crunch documenting how rent, insurance, and utilities are outpacing wages for small businesses.
Tools: Practical resources business owners can use today—paid sick days and wage calculators, the Good Jobs Scorecard, and the Lease Survival Toolkit/Rent FAQ.
Advocacy: Policy change at all levels of government—testifying at committees, contributing to budget consultations, meeting with elected officials, and running commercialrent.ca as a hub for commercial rent reform.
We also amplify member stories through media, social campaigns, and public events—giving business owners both practical support and a collective voice.
What makes the BWA different from other business groups?
Most business groups represent industries or regions. We represent a philosophy: that workers and business owners win together. Our members span different industries and provinces, but they share a commitment to treating employees as partners in their success—not just a cost line-item. We’re run by and for business owners who know this approach works because they’ve built their own companies this way.
Why does the BWA exist?
There’s a common assumption that workers and business owners are on opposite sides—that paying better wages or offering sick days comes at the owner’s expense. Our members know that’s not how it works. Workers with decent wages and stable jobs are more productive and stay longer—reducing the constant churn of hiring and training. And when they spend those wages, they spend locally.
The BWA exists to connect business owners who see this—to share what works, build on each other’s experience, and advocate for policies that let good employers succeed. We’re here so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Who are BWA members?
We have 100+ member businesses across Canada—from Counterpoint Brewing in Waterloo to Moo Shu Ice Cream in Ottawa to Chudworth Technology Solutions in St. John’s. Our members include restaurants, bakeries, salons, breweries, manufacturers, IT consultants, food banks, tour operators, and professional services firms. Many operate in industries known for low wages and high turnover—and they’re proving there’s a better way.
What they share: the belief that investing in workers is a business strategy, not a sacrifice—and a willingness to say so publicly.
Visit our directory to find a BWA member near you.
How do I become a member?
To join, businesses demonstrate they’re implementing at least two of our core practices: wages 15%+ above minimum wage, three or more employer-paid sick days, or stable scheduling that lets workers plan their lives. Visit betterwayalliance.ca/do-you-qualify to check your eligibility and apply.
What's included in membership?
Members get listed in our public directory—a backlink that helps your SEO and a signal to customers that you’re a verified good jobs employer.
You can use the BWA member badge on your website and marketing materials. And if you want to tell your story more broadly, we’re actively working to get our members in front of journalists, on our social channels, and into conversations with policymakers.
We pitch member stories to media, feature businesses in our campaigns, and bring member voices to provincial legislatures, city halls, and Parliament Hill. The level of involvement is up to you.
How do I start offering good jobs at my business?
We’ve built a practical guide and set of tools to help you get started. Visit our How to Offer Good Jobs page (betterwayalliance.ca/how-to-offer-good-jobs) to learn what good jobs mean, why they work, and how to implement them at your own pace.
Can I join if I'm not yet meeting the criteria but working toward it?
Yes. If you’re committed to getting there, we want to hear from you. We’d rather help you implement good jobs practices than wait until you’ve figured it out on your own. Reach out and tell us where you are and where you’re headed—we can point you to tools and resources, and when you’re ready, membership is there.
I have an idea for a collaborative event or partnership, who do I connect with?
Send us an email at info@betterwayalliance.ca with your idea and we will get in touch with you.
We’re always on the lookout for great locations for in-person events, organizations with similar missions for collaborative events, and other allies that are interested in amplifying each others’ work. Basically, if values align and we can come up with the budget, the more the merrier!
Does the BWA work with government?
Yes. We meet regularly with elected officials and staff at all levels—municipal, provincial, and federal—to share what our members are experiencing and advocate for policy changes.
We’ve presented to legislative committees, contributed to pre-budget consultations, and build relationships with policymakers across party lines. Our goal is to make sure Canadian business owners have what they need—whether that’s a calculator to plan their next wage increase or a seat at the table when policy gets made.
Where is the BWA active?
We’re a national organization with members from British Columbia to Newfoundland. Most of our policy advocacy has focused on Ontario—that’s where we started and where we have the deepest relationships—but our research, tools, and resources are built for Canadian business owners everywhere. In 2026, we’re increasing activity in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. As our membership grows, so does our reach.
What is CommercialRent.ca?
Commercialrent.ca is the BWA’s dedicated resource for commercial rent reform in Canada. We launched it because our members kept telling us the same thing: they wanted to invest in their workers, but volatile rent costs made it impossible to plan.
When your rent can jump 50% at lease renewal with no warning, you can’t commit to wage increases or new hires. Stable businesses need stable costs. Commercialrent.ca brings together research, policy proposals, business owner stories, and practical resources for anyone affected by Canada’s commercial rent crisis.
Can I join if I'm not yet meeting the criteria but working toward it?
Our Fixed Cost Crunch research found that for a typical Toronto micro-business, commercial rent increased 142% over five years—adding $5,534 annually. Meanwhile, minimum wage increases added $3,994.
Fixed costs like rent, insurance, and utilities rose 1.4x faster than wages, and unlike wage increases, they provide zero return on investment. They don’t improve productivity or retention—they just leave the community. When rent eats your budget, you can’t invest in your people.
That’s why the BWA advocates for both good jobs practices AND commercial rent reform. They’re two sides of the same coin. Read the full report at commercialrent.ca/fixed-cost-crunch-2025
I'm facing a big rent increase - where do I start?
If you’re facing a large rent increase or a difficult lease renewal, start with our Lease Survival Toolkit—a free PDF guide to understanding your options and negotiating from a stronger position. Our Commercial Rent FAQ for Business Owners walks through common scenarios and what you can do.
And if you want to share your story or connect with other business owners facing similar challenges, reach out to us at commercialrent.ca. You’re not alone in this.