This enactment amends the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act to provide the Minister with the authority to require an assessment of the benefits that a community derives from a construction, maintenance or repair project.

1996, c. 16

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Definition of community benefit

20.‍1 (1) For the purposes of this section, community benefit means a social, economic or environmental benefit that a community derives from a construction, maintenance or repair project, and includes job creation and training opportunities, improvement of public space and any other specific benefit identified by the community.

Community benefit — requirement

(2) The Minister may, before awarding a contract for the construction, maintenance or repair of public works, federal real property or federal immovables, require bidders on the proposal to provide information on the community benefits to be derived from the project.

Report to Minister

(3) A contracting party shall, upon request by the Minister, provide the Minister with an assessment as to whether community benefits have derived from the project.

Report to Parliament

(4) The Minister shall cause to be tabled before each House of Parliament, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal  year  or,  if  Parliament  is not then sitting, on any ofthe first 90 days next thereafter that Parliament is sitting, a report on community benefits provided by construction, maintenance or repair projects.