Item - 2024.EC13.5

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council approve the updated structure for Toronto's International Alliance Program (IAP) detailed in Attachment 1 to the report (May 14, 2024) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the City Clerk, including definitions for the two main relationship agreement categories of Partnership City and International Project.

2. City Council approve the eligibility criteria and policies for establishing new International Alliance Program Partnership City and International Project agreements detailed, respectively, in Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 to the report (May 14, 2024) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the City Clerk.

3. City Council, authorize the Mayor or their designate, or the City Manager, to execute International Alliance Program Partnership City agreements on behalf of the City, provided that the applicable criteria and policy for establishing a new Partnership Agreement has been followed and the agreement is in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, as detailed in Attachments 1 and 2 to the report (May 14, 2024) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the City Clerk.

4. City Council, authorize the City Manager, Deputy City Managers and Division Heads to execute, on behalf of the City, International Alliance Program International Project agreements with an anticipated project cost not exceeding their respective financial signing authority, provided that the applicable criteria and policy for establishing a new International Project has been followed and the agreement is in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, as detailed in Attachments 1 and 3 to the report (May 14, 2024) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the City Clerk.

5. City Council, authorize the Mayor or their designate to represent the City at ceremonial functions held in conjunction with an International Alliance Program Partnership City or International Project agreement.

6. City Council assign existing Partnership City, Friendship City and Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) to the updated International Alliance Program relationship agreement categories, as indicated in Table 1, and authorize the City Clerk to advise these cities of their status and, where feasible, amend these agreements to align with updated International Alliance Program requirements or terminate and enter into new agreements with these cities.

7. City Council approve an in-year 2024 Operating Budget transfer of $150,000 gross and net from the Economic Development and Culture division to the City Clerk’s Office, reflecting the expanded corporate role of the City Clerks Office - Strategic Protocol and External Relations unit for the International Alliance Program and related activities.

8. City Council authorize the City Clerk and General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to periodically review and, as needed, report to City Council on any recommended updates to the goals, structure, or associated policies of the International Alliance Program.

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Chief of Protocol gave a presentation on the International Alliance Program Review.

Toronto’s international activities are guided by an International Policy Framework (IPF) adopted by City Council in 2002. The purpose of the IPF is to position Toronto as a diverse, economically dynamic, creative and caring global urban centre which respects human rights and champions local democratic government.

Toronto has maintained formal bi-lateral relationships with other cities around the world for decades, under the auspices of its International Alliance Program (IAP). Through its city-to-city IAP relationships, Toronto advances several goals of the IPF, including facilitating international business development and investment; exchanging information and best practices; and supporting cultural development, expression and engagement.

The IAP’s goals, structure, resourcing and relationships were last reviewed and updated by City Council in 2005.

This report presents the findings of a review of the IAP, as directed by City Council. Among other elements, this review included a jurisdictional scan of effective practices used by cities engaged in international business development and para-diplomacy, an assessment of how Toronto’s relationships within and alongside the IAP have evolved over time, a survey of organizations which are part of Toronto’s international business development eco-system, and related research.

Drawing on this information and analysis, this report recommends: 

• changes to provide a more accountable, flexible and effective structure for the IAP, including the use of two main relationship categories – (i) long-term Partnership City agreements and (ii) short-term International Project agreements; and 
• updated eligibility criteria, assessment processes, approval and signing authorities for the establishment of any new IAP relationship agreements, including identification of the financial resources needed to deliver activities associated with the agreement and, as appropriate, consultation with other levels of government as key components of the assessment process. 

Finally, as requested by Council, this report advises whether Toronto’s ten existing IAP relationships (including four Partnership City and six Friendship City agreements) and nineteen Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be continued, modified or concluded in view of the City’s international engagement objectives and the IAP’s structure and requirements, as proposed to be updated.