Business Plan: Governmental Liaison How does this service contribute to the results identified in the City of London Strategic Plan? A Strong Economy A Vibrant and Diverse Community To leverage investment from other orders of government and other broader public sector partners through an extensive understanding of provincial and federal funding programs. As well to develop and foster strong liaison, communication and business relationships with community partners and the provincial, federal, municipal, and First Nations governments and agencies, to advocate corporate objectives and achieve policy goals. To attract and retain newcomers to London though regular Immigration Portal initiatives, as well as the development and maintenance of relationships with Team London stakeholders. Name the main activities done to provide this service: Name The Activities Done To Provide This Service 1. Write formal briefing notes, resolutions, position papers, and submissions for Council and members of Ministerial delegations in order to inform Council of the details of key Intergovernmental priorities and give them the tools to advocate with other orders of government. How Much Did We Do? (optional) Is The City Mandated To Provide This Service? 38 No Yes 2. Meetings with Ministers/MPs and MPPs 14 No Yes Can The Level Of Service Be Changed? 1
Name The Activities Done To Provide This Service 3. Networking with decision makers and influencers (face-to-face; phone calls, and other events) How Much Did We Do? (optional) Is The City Mandated To Provide This Service? Daily No Yes 4. Prepare reports to Council 14 No Yes 5. Undertake Special Projects hosting international delegations, enhancements to London and Middlesex Immigration Portal to attract international students, working on transportation policy; supporting Mayor s role as co-chair on housing for Big Cities Mayors Caucus (BCMC); working with Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) s Municipal Immigration Committee on immigration issues; working with community partners to host a Welcome Event for International Students; working with FCM s Standing Committee on Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements to advance big cities interest in international economic development opportunities; working with Chair and Mayor to support Mayor s Sustainable Energy Council and to advance corporate objectives in finding sustainable energy solutions; providing support to the French language capability of the Province s Immigration Portal and the www.london.ca site; providing support to Mayor and Councillors attending LUMCA, MARCO, AMO and FCM meetings. 13 delegations Mayor s Sustainable Energy Council 1 BCMC Roundtable Portal Projects (3) Immigration Committees Meetings No Can The Level Of Service Be Changed? Yes What is the current state of this service? Our current primary objective is to re-develop and redefine our Intergovernmental Relations (IG) strategy for the City of London, in consultation with our Senior Leadership Team and Municipal Council. With limited available federal and provincial funding, it is important that the City s funding requests to governments are related to a clear vision. We will be looking at possible city-wide opportunities with key partners, and bundling of funding from multiple ministries and community partners. 2
2014 Key Achievements Intergovernmental Relations Strategy (implementing recommendations from Strategy Corp Report) will be completed Planning and hosting AMO Annual Conference and Trade Show will be completed Participated in the 2014 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Sustainable Communities Conference (SCC) Trade Show - completed Developing and co-leading the FCM SCC 2015 Conference Planning Committee will be completed Continue advocating for the Industrial Land Development Strategy (ILDS) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), identified as priorities by the Senior Leadership Team and Council - ongoing Working with regional partners to advocate for implementation of high speed rail between London and Toronto Pre- and post-election planning at the provincial level and engagement with new Ministers and staff Developed and execute 2014 General Provincial Election Questionnaire to Candidates - completed Assisting with orientation with incoming Municipal Council will be completed Hosted a Housing Roundtable in consultation with FCM and BCMC completed Made the London Middlesex Immigration Portal WCAG 2.0 accessible and mobile friendly Pursuing our policy goals in concert with the London Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest Ontario Economic Alliance (SWEA), LEDC, Western University, Fanshawe College and other educational partners in a Team London approach The Division continues to cultivate and develop a network of contacts within the federal and provincial governments and other key stakeholders. Pre-budget submissions for federal and provincial governments. Coordinated visit by Chinese Consul General Coordinating incoming delegations for the FCM Canada-Ukraine Municipal Local Economic Development (MLED) and FCM Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) programs continuing. Collaborated with Realty Services, LEDC and the Province of Ontario as London became the first community in Ontario with a Certified Site under the new Ontario Investment Ready Program. 3
What has been done to manage the budget? The service area has been actively managing its budget by implementing management lead initiatives aimed at creating efficiencies, avoiding costs and generating revenue. These include the following: Efficiencies / Costs Avoided Previous 3 Years We have increased our level of partnerships and collaborative efforts with various organizations to increase opportunities for successful outcomes. For example in partnering with Western University, Fanshawe College and the London Economic Development Corporation through the position of Special Advisor, External Relations. We have an ongoing service agreement with the Cross Cultural Learner Centre to maintain and update the London-Middlesex Immigration Portal Service thus avoiding the need to dedicate staff resources to this work. Some travel costs are being avoided through increased use of teleconferencing and online meetings where feasible. We have engaged volunteers from partner organizations to assist with our FCM international work. We have drawn on the Chamber of Commerce, the business and education communities and local multicultural associations to assist in the hosting of international delegations. Some event costs have been offset through sponsorships, contributions and user fees (AMO Conference, delegations). Revenue Generation / User Fee Increases Previous 3 Years We have had numerous funding agreements with the Province of Ontario in the last three years to enhance the London Middlesex Immigration Portal. 4
What is the future direction of this service? What future initiatives can be contained within the maintain existing service level budget? 2015 Budget Our work in 2015 will respond to the prioritization of the Intergovernmental Strategy by the Senior Leadership Team and Municipal Council. These priorities could include such focus as the Industrial Land Development Strategy, affordable housing; funding the Transportation Master Plan (including Bus Rapid Transit), High Speed Rail, Urban Reserves or attracting new immigrants to London. There will be an ongoing reporting, measuring of outcomes and validation process to ensure that the priorities continue to be relevant and any new opportunities such as elections or new government are maximized. The 2015 workplan will involve Divisional work on some of the following events and projects: Implementing Intergovernmental Relations strategy Supporting the Mayor s political involvement with associations such as Large Urban Mayor s Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO), the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO), The Southwest Economic Alliance (SWEA) and the FCM Big City Mayor s Caucus (BMC). Supporting members of Council at FCM and AMO Hosting the 2015 FCM Sustainable Communities Conference February 10-12 Supporting hosting of the 2015 Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA) Conference in June Continuing to advocate for the Industrial Land Development Strategy (ILDS) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), identified as priorities by the Senior Leadership Team and Council - ongoing Working with regional partners to advocate for implementation of high speed rail between London and Toronto Pre-election planning at the federal level Liaising and coordinating work with AMO, FCM and government relations staff of other municipalities Supporting Water Sector Strategy and the Southern Ontario Water Consortium Possible host to Municipal Information Immigration Online workshop on behalf of the provincial government Hosting international delegations Continued enhancement of London and Middlesex Immigration Portal Continued involvement with MLED program in Ukraine and Caribbean Continued engagement with London Chamber of Commerce committees on municipal affairs (federal, provincial, local) and global business opportunities 5
Explore the possibility of organizing a Queens Park and Parliament Hill day with the newly elected Council Enhancing London and Middlesex Immigration Portal to attract and retain immigrants Enhancing London s ability to attract international students Collaborating with LEDC and SWEA on the Intelligent Region initiative Pursuing regional transportation goals in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, SWEA and other partners 2016-2018 Forecast Our work beyond 2015 will respond to the needs of Council and the Senior Leadership Team and will be driven by the results of the Intergovernmental Strategy. As major priorities are identified, we will work with the Mayor and Council, local MPs and MPPs, and local partners to ensure results. In addition, the 2016-2018 workplan will involve Divisional work on some of the following events and projects: Implementing Intergovernmental Relations strategy Supporting Mayor s participation at Large Urban Mayor s Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO) or the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO), SWEA and Bit City Mayor s Caucus Supporting members of Council at FCM and AMO Post-election planning at federal level Liaising and coordinating work with government relations staff of other municipalities Supporting Water Sector Strategy and the Southern Ontario Water Consortium Possible host to Municipal Information Immigration Online workshop on behalf of the provincial government Hosting international delegations Enhancing of London and Middlesex Immigration Portal to attract and retain immigrants Continued involvement with MLED program in Ukraine and Caribbean Working with regional partners to advocate for implementation of high speed rail (HSR) between London and Toronto. Continued engagement with London Chamber of Commerce committees on municipal affairs, federal-provincial relations, and global business opportunities Enhancing London s ability to attract international students Engagement with London Chamber of Commerce committees on government affairs (federal, provincial, local) and global business opportunities Pursuing regional transportation goals in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, SWEA and other partners 6
Key Performance Indicators How Much? Description of measure 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 1. Meetings with Ministers/MPs/MPPs 10 12 14 14 14 14 2. Special Projects international Delegations 17 10* 12 12 12 12 * The number of special projects was unusually high in 2013. It will decrease in 2014 due to the hosting of the AMO Conference. 3. Immigration Portal visits 58,087 60,000 65,000 70,000 75,000 80,000 Description of measure 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 4. Engagement of educational partners on 10 12 12 12 12 12 immigration Much of the intergovernmental work is not quantifiable but does bring tangible results. As an example of this, together with other municipalities, the City of London wrote a submission to the Ontario government on Bill 69: The Prompt Payment Act regarding its concerns with the Bill. After two days of Committee hearings, and heavy criticism, the bill did not proceed. Similarly, we will work with regional partners to ensure implementation of the Toronto-Kitchener-London high speed rail that was announced by the previous Ontario government. High speed rail is an issue that we have been advocating for years, and will continue to work with our partners to ensure that this becomes a reality. The implementation of high speed rail would bring thousands of jobs to London and would transform our position in the region. 7