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Chief Administrative Office
Report
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Report To: General Purpose and Administration Committee
Date of Meeting: January 19, 2015
Report Number: CAO-001-15 Resolution: -
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: International Alliance Policy
Recommendations
1. That Report CAO-001-15 be received; and
2. That the International Alliance Program appended to Report CAO-001-15 be approved.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CAO-001-15 Page 2
Report Overview
To provide a policy framework for international cooperation and collaboration opportunities.
Report:
1. Clarington has been approached on several occasions in the past by international
municipal government interests to establish some form of relationship or tie which may
lead to the formalization of such relationship in the form of a Partner City Agreement,
Friendship City Agreement or an agreement that would further the cause of the
international tie.
2. In the absence of a formal policy, the past Mayors of the Municipality generally took on
the responsibility to respond to such enquiries or requests for international tie and often
declined such request. Recently, the Municipality has been approached by a municipal
government in central China wishing to establish an international tie with Clarington. In
view of the fact that many medium and large size municipalities in Canada have some
sort of agreement with sister municipalities internationally, it appears that Clarington will
need to give this matter serious consideration.
3. The decision to enter into any form of international relationship with a foreign municipal
government should not be made on an adhoc basis, regardless whether the decision is
to be made by the Mayor or the Council. Hence, the need to establish formal policies
would be necessary to guide the decision making process.
4. The policies appended to this Report sets out the policy objectives, criteria for the
evaluation of requests, and the subject matters that would be covered by an
international agreement such as delegation visits, exchange of information etc.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CAO-001-15 Page 3
Submitted by: _ � ✓" ' t
Franklin Wu
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachments:
Attachment 1 — Policy F10 — International Alliance/Agreement
ATTACN�LENT # TO
REPORT# c--No- \-\4.Municipal Policy Leading the Way a i L
POLICY TITLE: International Alliance/Agreement
POLICY#: F10
POLICY APPROVED BY: Council
EFFECTIVE DATE: January , 2015
REVISED: January , 2015
POINT OF CONTACT: Office of the Mayor
1. Objective:
The purpose of this policy is to establish formal guidelines for fostering relationships
with international municipalities, including, but not limited to, the following mandates:
a) Information exchange for the purpose of gaining valuable international, nation, or
local government perspectives and increase the understanding of global,
national, and local government issues;
b) Promote economic growth
c) Build business connections
d) Promote tourism;
e) Exchange cultural and educational experiences;
f) Other objectives as may be desired by Council.
2. Criteria for Evaluation of Requests:
Request for international tie will be considered if the following criteria are met to the
satisfaction of the Office of the Mayor:
a) The relationship will result in reciprocal benefits for both partner municipalities;
b) The relationship will provide Clarington with an opportunity to enhance its profile
on an international basis;
c) The relationship will enhance local economic and tourism opportunities and build
business connections for local entrepreneurs;
d) The potential partner municipality must be in a sovereign nation recognized by
the Government of Canada, and any proposal alliance must not conflict with the
policy of the sovereign nation;
e) Staff resources can generally be accommodated through the Office of the Mayor;
F10 — International Alliance/Agreement Page 1 of 2
Municipal Policy Leading the Way
f) Budgetary resources for international visits are provided for in municipal budget
or specifically provided by Council.
3. Activities
Office of the Mayor is responsible for the compliance and implementation of this
Policy and shall determine the appropriate activities for each request for
international relationship, including but not limited to the following activities:
a) Delegation visits;
b) Exchange of information and greetings via various forms of communication;
c) Exchange of gifts;
d) Signing of formal agreement;
e) Flag raising and proclamations;
f) Other activities deemed necessary.
4. Procedures
a) All requests for international relationship must be submitted to the Office of the
Mayor.
b) The Office of the Mayor shall involve the Council in the discussion and decision
pertaining to the matter of delegate exchange/visits.
F10 — International Alliance/Agreement Page 2 of 2