HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 08-12
Report to
Council
PICKERING Report Number: CAO 08-12
Date: April 16, 2012 0
From: Paul Bigioni
City Solicitor
Subject: Authority to Sign Friendship Agreements
- File: L-4100-005-12
Recommendation:
1. That Friendship Agreements and agreements of a similar nature with national and
subnational governments of the People's Republic of China, and with other foreign .
jurisdictions, be signed by and at the discretion of the Mayor on behalf of the City,
without binding the City financially or otherwise;
2. That the Memorandum of Understanding between City of Taicang, Jiangsu
Province of the People's Republic of China and City of Pickering of Ontario
Province of Canada; the Memo of Friendship Cooperation between Yuhang
District of the People's Republic of China and City of Pickering of Canada; and the
Memorandum of Understanding between Xianning City of the People's Republic of
China and City of Pickering of Canada signed on behalf of The Corporation of the
City of Pickering be ratified and adopted; and
3. That such agreements once executed be circulated to City Council and the Chief
Administrative Officer and filed with the City Clerk.
Executive Summary:. The signing of a formal Friendship Agreement is an
expectation of many foreign countries in the process of establishing a partnership. It
does not require concrete financial commitments, but.rather signals the beginning of a
cooperative relationship in which ideas for future projects may be formulated for the
mutual benefit of both parties.
The Office of the Mayor has a central role with regard to Friendship Agreements
because the Mayor has a legal obligation to act as representative of the City, to promote
the City internationally and to foster activities that enhance the economic well-being of
the City and its residents.
The Mayor has already traveled to China for the purpose of exploring opportunities to
promote the City's economic and social well-being, and to encourage foreign direct
investment in the City. Granting the Mayor authority to enter into Friendship Agreements
on the City's behalf will serve to continue this important work.
~eport CAO 08-12 April 16, 2012
Subject: Authority to Sign Friendship Agreements Page 2
The Mayor has executed the following Friendship Agreements on behalf of the City:
1. Memorandum of Understanding between City of Taicang, Jiangsu Province of the
People's Republic of China and City of Pickering of Ontario Province of Canada.
(Attachment No. 1);
2. Memo of Friendship Cooperation between Yuhang District of the People's
Republic of China and City of Pickering of Canada. (Attachment No. 2); and
3. Memorandum of Understanding between Xianning City of the People's Republic of
China and City of Pickering of Canada. (Attachment No. 3).
It is the recommendation of staff that these Friendship Agreements be ratified and
adopted by Council for the purposes of continuing and deepening the economic
dialogue already underway between the City and the aforementioned jurisdictions.
Financial Implications: No direct costs are anticipated as a result of the proposed
recommendation.
Discussion:
Opportunities Abroad
The Province of Ontario considers China to be a priority market for commercial
partnerships and direct investment. China is a leading source of foreign students at
Ontario universities and students receiving a PhD in Ontario are fast-tracked for
permanent residency status. Ontario is also home to more than a half million people of
Chinese ethnic origin.
At the same time, China has implemented its "Going Global Strategy", which sets goals
for inward and outward investment as follows:
(a) more emphasis on the need for Chinese industry to undergo "self-reliant
renovations" and the need for more state support for big firms and their
competition in both domestic and international markets; and
(b) further liberalization of the capital market and capital controls, which
simultaneously enhances both "inviting in" and "going global" - allowing more
foreign capital into the Chinese market, while encouraging more Chinese
transnational corporations, small and medium firms, or even individuals to
invest abroad. This is seen as an effective way to direct money from China to
overseas investment opportunities.
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report CAO 08-12 April 16, 2012
Subject: Authority to Sign Friendship Agreements Page 3 92
Opportunities for the City of Pickering to partner with Chinese jurisdictions include:
• foreign direct investment
• high-tech research and development
• education exchanges
• sector growth in agriculture, energy, environment and culture.
By entering into Friendship Agreements, the City can establish international
relationships which open up opportunities such as:
• investment
• real estate investors
• tourism investment
• job opportunities
• local business expansion by means of enhanced export of goods and services
and strategic alliances.
Friendship Agreements
Many foreign governments expect that some form of Friendship Agreement will be
entered into as a precursor to meaningful discussion of any economic partnership. It is
sometimes difficult to continue or deepen discussion of economic cooperation without
such an agreement in place. The purpose of a friendship agreement is not to bind the
city to concrete financial obligations. The purpose is to express a joint intent for mutual
economic, social and/or educational cooperation and to foster ongoing discussion of
possible future joint projects or undertakings which would themselves be subject to
Council approval.
The Mayor's Role
Under section 226.1(c) and (d) of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor, as head of
Council, is subject to a legal duty to:
(c) act as the representative of the municipality both within and outside the
municipality, and promote the municipality locally, nationally and
internationally;- and
(d) participate in and foster activities that enhance the economic, social and
environmental well-being of the municipality and its residents.
Signing Friendship Agreements with foreign jurisdictions is one important means by
which the head of Council may fulfill the legal obligations imposed upon him by these
provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001.
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report CAO 08-12 April 16, 2012
93
Subject: Authority to Sign Friendship Agreements Page 4
Existing Friendship Agreements with the City
In the course of pursuing economic development opportunities for the City, the Mayor
has entered into three Friendship Agreements for the purpose of commencing and
deepening dialogue with foreign governments regarding investment opportunities with
the City of Pickering. These Agreements do not impose any financial obligations upon
the City.
Attachments:
1. Memorandum of Understanding between City of Taicang, Jiangsu Province of the
People's Republic of China and City of Pickering of Ontario Province of Canada.
2. Memo of Friendship Cooperation between Yuhang District of the People's
Republic of China and City of Pickering of Canada.
3. Memorandum of Understanding between Xianning City of the People's Republic of
China and City of Pickering of Canada.
Prepared y
w,
r
Paul Bigion,
City Solicito s
PB:ks
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
20`7
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
CORP0227-07/01 revised
ENU-1-ToREPORU .1 _ 1o R CAD 09~ l
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CITY OF TAICANG,
JIANGSU PROVINCE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND
CITY Of PICKERING OF ONTARIO PROVINCE OF CANADA
Taicang City Peoples Government of Jiangsu Province, China and City of Pickering
government in Durham Region of Canada made an extensive and in-depth discussion of
the future cooperation and exchanges for "business, economic, education tourism, health
and culture" in general terms in Taicang city of Jiangsu Province, China during March
13-14, 2012 . Thus, the two parties have reached the following initial understanding:
1. Both parties will continue all-round communication and work out practical and
"results-driven" business, economic cooperation, investment or partnership. projects and
initiatives to be carried out in near and long-term future years, working together to
facilitate and implement annual cooperative plan and exchange projects between two
parties.
II. Promote and assist the higher education of the city of Pickering and Durham Region
as a whole to develop a strategic partnership relations with the education institutions of
the city of Taicang.
III.Durham Chinese Canadian Culture Centre (DCCC) will continue act as the "friendly
ambassador " between the cities of Taicang and Pickering to sustain the implementation
of cooperation and
exchange programs.
IV. Done in duplicate in the Chinese and English langua
des, both texts being equally
authentic. This memorandum of understanding shall enter into force on the date of its
signature.
The said memorandum of understanding is signed in the city of Taicang, Jiangsu,
Province, China on March 13, 2012.
(Signature (Signature)
The City of icang The City of Pick , ng, rham
Jiangsu Province Ontario Provin
The People's Republic of China Canada
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MEMO OF FRIENDSHIP COOPERATION BETWWEN
YUHANG DISTRICT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA AND CITY.OF PICKERING OF CANADA
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Hangzhou Yuhang District Government of China and City of
Pickering Government in Durham met second time in China on March
15-17, 2012 and discussed further in detail the future cooperation and
exchange for "business, economic, education and culture" in general
terms. The two parties have reached the understanding to establish a
"Friendship Exchange Cities" relationship between City of Pickering
and Yuhang District, with an action plan:
I) Exchange programs of various forms will benefit the growth
of both cities.
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ATTACHMENT# TO REPORT# 0-~~
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II) Follow up to identify practical and "results-driven" business,
economic cooperation, investment or partnership projects and initiatives
suitable for execution in near and longer-term future years. A joint
"Liaison Working Committee", sponsored by the Mayor of Pickering and
Yuhang District Chairperson, will be established and assisted by Durham
Chinese Canadian Culture Centre to execute an annual cooperation work
plan.
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III) Promote and assist Durham Region as a whole to develop a
strategic partnership among the education institutions in Durham and "
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Hangzhou Mega City (e.g. University of Ontario Institute of Technology,
Durham College & Hang Zhou University, Yuhang vocational schools).
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IV) Durham Chinese Canadian Culture Gen H TO REPORT#C~
continue act as the "bridging ambassador" between YHD and City of
Pickering to sustain the execution of cooperation and exchange
programs.
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V) Made in duplicate in both Chinese and English languages, this
memorandum is signed in Yuhang on 14th of March 2012.
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Yuhang District, Hangzhou City City Of Pickering
Zhejiang Province, China Durham, Canada
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ATTACHMENT# TO REPORT# 07kO 09- ( 2
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
MANNING CITY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND
CITY OF PICKERING OF CANADA
Xianning City Government of China and City of Pickering Government in Durham met
first time in Xianning on March 17, 2012 and discusseu in detail the cooperation and exchange
for "business, economic, education and culture" in general terms. The two parties have
reached the understanding to establish a "Friendship Exchange Cities" relationship between
City of Pickering and Manning City, with an action plan:
I) Exchange programs of various forms will benefit the growth of both cities.
II) Follow up to identify practical and "results-driven" business, economic
cooperation, investment or partnership projects and initiatives suitable for
execution in near and longer-term future years. A joint "Liaison Working
Committee", sponsored by the Mayor of Pickering and Manning Mayor, will be
established and assisted by Durham Chinese Canadian Culture Centre to execute
an annual cooperation work plan.
III) Promote and assist Durham Region as a whole to develop a strategic partnership
among the education institutions in Durham and Xianning.
IV) Durham Chinese Canadian Culture Centre (DCCC) will continue to act as the
"bridging ambassador" between Xianning and City of Pickering to sustain the
execution of cooperation and exchange programs.
V) Made in duplicate in both Chinese and English languages, this memorandum is
signed in Manning on 17`h of March 2012.
•
Xianning City, Hitbei City Of Picker , DLCrham