Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Sa '~A ABBOTSFORD
Report No. CM03-2010 February 15, 2010 File No. 250-004
To: Mayor and Council
COUNCIL REPORT
Executive Committee
From: Subject:
Mayor George Peary, Councillor Moe Gill, and Frank Pizzuto, City Manager Trip to India; Sister City Opportunities
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. THAT Report No. CM03-2010, dated February 15, 2010, from Mayor Peary, Councillor Gill, and the City Manager, regarding their trip to India and the Sister City opportunities, be received;
2. THAT the City of Abbotsford continues to pursue a sister city relationship with Chandigarh, India; and
3. THAT all Cities considered be sent correspondence thanking them for their hospitality and welcome.
BACKGROUND
The Sister City Committee was established to provide advice on relationships with other cities in the world that had like interests in Abbotsford. A sister city relationship exits with Fukagawa, Japan. Recently the Provincial government provided the City with a $50,000 grant to pursue a relationship of an educational, economic, and cultural nature with a City in the Pacific Rim. The Sister City Committee has also pursued Chandigarh, India, for a Sister City relationship for the past two years.
The opportunity for the Mayor to visit India arose from several initiatives. The Attorney General was leading a delegation to India to open an opportunity office in Chandigarh and also to discuss the softwood lumber opportunities in India. This provided the Mayor the opportunity to be part of the Attorney General's delegation for the first part of the trip and to lead his own delegation in an effort to better understand the Punjab and to attempt to solidify a sister city relationship with a city in the Punjab.
The Punjab holds a particular interest for Abbotsford as approximately 20,000 residents emigrated to Abbotsford from the Punjab. A better understanding of the cultural and social realities of the Punjab area helps us deal with South Asians who now call Abbotsford home.
REPORT
The first week in India was spent with the Attorney General and his delegation in Delhi and Chandigarh. The Attorney General's delegation included representatives frorn the Provincial government. The highlights of this part of the itinerary included:
• Visit and rneetings al the Canadian High Commission to discuss the softwood lumber industry, general trade, and the process regarding sister city relationship;
Report No. CM03-2010 Page 2 of 3
• Meetings with Indian Ministers of Agriculture, Finance and Social Development;
• Meetings and reception at the Canadian Consul General's residence;
• A series of meetings on the softwood industry, trade in general and tour of factories and call centres;
• The opening of the BC Opportunity office in Chandigarh; and
• A forum and discussion with University of the Fraser Valley in Chandigarh .
The second part of the trip was a delegation lead by Mayor George Peary and included Councillor Moe Gil l, Police Commissioner Jatinder Sidhu, Businessman - Aird Flavelle, Journalist - Gurdeep Grewal, Cultural Promoter - Avtar Gill , and Frank Pizzuto, City Manager. The purpose of this delegation was to better understand the cultural and social norms of the Punjab and to strengthen the potential to establish a sister city relationship. The highlights of this portion of the trip included:
• A meeting with the Mayor, members of Council , and Administration of the City of Chandigarh. The delegation was warmly received and the Mayor and Council members of Chandigarh gave a strong indication that they would welcome a sister city relationship.
Chandigarh has a population of 1.3 million, is well planned, and diversified with a significant high tech sector. Chandigarh is the home of the BC Opportunity office and the University of the Fraser Valley. It also has a Canadian Counsel General present. The City has significant infrastructure and government. Infrastructure issues are similar to any large Canadian city.
• Visits to Ludhiana, Jagraon, Jalandhar, and Amritsar. These cities are all much larger than Abbotsford but similar in issues from funding to infrastructure deficits.
The delegation was well received in all cities and each city indicated an interest in establishing either a sister city or an exchange relationship with Abbotsford.
• Visits to schools, universities, and villages to get an appreciation of the cultural and social norms of the Punjab.
• Attendance at receptions, meetings, and discussions to receive a better appreciation of the culture of the Punjab.
• Visits to Councillor Gill's, Gurdeep Grewal's and Jatinder Sidhu's villages.
As a result of the visit the delegation believes it accomplished what it set out to do. This includes appreciating the cultural and social workings of the Punjab; understanding rural Punjab, moving forward the sister city discussion and generally getting a better understanding of India in general.
The sister city discussions went extremely well and the delegation was well received by all cities. After a careful analysis the delegation believes that continuing to pursue a potential sister city relationship with the City of Chandigarh continues to make the most
Report No. CM03-2010 Page 3 of 3
sense. As previously stated Chandigarh has a BC Opportunity office, the University of the Fraser Valley, is well diversified , is a high tech centre. Chandigarh made it abundantly clear they would like to establish a sister city relationship with Abbotsford.
The terms of reference for the city's Sister City committee and the criteria for Sister City selection are attached as Schedule "A". It calls for relationships with population density, accessibility, safety, economies, industry, and cultural likeness to Abbotsford . This guide is a good starting point. Chandigarh is a small city in India with a population of 1.3 million people but is similar in assets and issues.
Establishing a sister city relationship is not possible without involvement of the Provincial and Federal authorities of India and is coordinated through the Canadian High Commission. Once letters of intent are exchanged between the cities a request will be made through the BC Trade representatives in India to the Canadian High Commission who will then request this relationship. It is hoped and expected that Chandigarh officials would visit Abbotsford within two years .
The visit to India by the Mayor and his delegation was not only memorable but it was also the first time a Mayor from Abbotsford has visited the Punjab. The trip met all of the pre-established goals and provided for significant step forward in solidifying a true and genuine partnership with our Indo-Canadian community.
FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION
The cost of the trip, for all delegates, was approximately $15,000 and was funded by the grant to Abbotsford from the Province for the purposes of establishing better linkages with South Asian countries. No local tax dollars were used for this trip.
George Mayor
City Manager
Moe III Councillor
SCHEDULE A -
ABBOTSFORD Terms of Reference
I Page 1 of 2
CHAPTER: COUNCIL
SECTION: COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS
SUBJECT: SISTER CITY SELECT COMMITTEE
APPROVED BY: COUNCIL
EFFECTIVE DATE: 2006-6-06 REVISION DATE: October 15, 2007
PURPOSE:
To advise Council on matters relating to the Sister City program, such as publicity, programs, budget and protocol.
AUTHORITY:
Council , Community Charter, Section 142
MANDATE:
1. The mandate of the Sister City program, which twins Abbotsford and Fukagawa, Hokaido, Japan, shall be to encourage understanding and friendship through education in culture, economics, history and other areas of mutual interest.
2. In keeping with Abbotsford Council 's goal to use minimal funds, local citizens, service clubs, community groups, and businesses, shall be asked to participate in the Sister City Program.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Committee shall consist of:
1. two Counci llors - one appointed by Council, as Chair; 2. other members, as appointed by Council from time to time; and 3. Director, Administration and Corporate Planning, and City Clerk;
PROCEDURE
1. The Council Procedure Bylaw applies to all meetings of the City's Committees, Commissions and Boards .
2. A quorum shall be a majority of the tota l membership.
3. The Commi ttee meets at City Hall once every two months starting in January, or at the call of the Chair.
4. Minutes of each Committee meeting shall be recorded and forwarded to Council for approval, immediately following adoption by the Committee.
5. The mandate of the Committee sha ll be reviewed annually.
ABBOTSFORD I Page 2 of 2
Terms of Reference
6. The following are sub-committees of the Sister City Select Committee:
• Canada Day; • Communication; • Fundraising; • Gardens; • Membership; and • Selection of Sister Cities
7. As a member of a select committee, which is appointed by Council under Section 142 of the Community Charter, committee members are provided with conditional immunity from action for damages for anything said or done or omitted in the performance of their duties .
8. The City's general liability insurance policy with the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C . includes coverage for members of any other boards, commissions, committees, councils and special bodies authorized under the B.C. Community Charter and Local Government Act, only whi le, and to the extent that they are acting for, or on behalf of, or in conjunction with the subscribing member in connection with the business of the subscribing member.
SISTER CITY SUB - COMMITTEE REPORT Criteria for Sister City Selection
The Sister City Selection Sub-Committee will focus on the following :
PURPOSE
The Sister City Selection Sub-Committee ("Sub-Committee") supports the mandate of the Sister City Select Committee to serve, as a catalyst for peace and understanding , by enriching the community through information sharing and encouraging and fostering global group opportunities to experience and be immersed in other cultures.
SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
The Sub-Committee is to be comprised of a representative from each of the following categories:
A. City Council B. Community wide groups C. "At large" Citizen Representatives D. Issue-Specific Representatives E. Public Agencies (non-voting) F. City Staff and Council
PROCESS FOR SELECTION
To select another Sister City, the Sub-Committee will initially look at the proposal. Once reviewed, it wi ll then go to the Sister City Committee for review; and subsequently, to City Council for approval. An MOA wi ll then be written upon acceptance.
CORE STRATEGY
Mobilizing the Sister City Community Strategic Plan Vision
KEY INITIATIVE
1. Mobilizing the Vision
A. New relations: Every three years, explore and evaluate one international city suitable to twinning
B. Create a list of possible cities for twin'ning C. Implement criteria for twinning D. Develop assessment tool[s] for success
The Sub-Committee will begin to develop criteria, and will include some suggestions about assessment tools for success.
SISTER CITY SUB - COMMITTEE REPORT Criteria for Sister City Selection
2. Develop criteria for twinning:
A. Population Density:
As many cities have a high population density, this should be ranked as a lower priority when looking at potential Sister Cities.
B. Location/Accessibility:
a. The city should be geographically similar to Abbotsford . b. The city should be near an airport terminal, and/or a good train system and
available taxis.
C. Safety:
The country and the city must be safe.
D. Economics and Industry
a. There are comparable industries. b. There should be Tourism potential. c. Linkages - We can trade and invest
i. Check to see if there are existing linkages and/or Sister Cities d. Check to see if there are opportunities for student/university/high school
exchanges. e. There should be economic and business opportunities.
D. Social and Cultural:
The city should share mutual goals, leading to a better internalional understanding of people from countries other than Canada.
ASSESSING A POTENTIAL SISTER CITY
A. Assessment:
It is difficult to measure performance; however, the following are some suggestions to evaluate the Sister City Twinning. The assessment questions asked should be closely connected to the Sister City Criteria for Selection ,
B. Goal of assessment of Sister Cities :
To provide useful feedback to the Sister City Committee about the va lue of cities in the twinning program.
C. Participants.
The people involved in the evaluation are those who organized the program; and those who have been in a delegation to a Sister City. (Please note: Private partiCipants and members of the Sister City Committee are invited to give feedback about their experiences in delegation[s].)
2
SISTER CITY SUB - COMMITTEE REPORT Criteria for Sister City Selection
DATA ASSESSMENT FOR POTENTIAL SISTER CITY
A. When data is collected:
Data is collected upon delegate's return.
B. Collecting Evaluation Data:
1. Likert Scale 2. Questionnaire with open-ended questions 3. A combination that includes both the Likert Scale and questionnaire with
open-ended questions 4. Meet participants as a group before they leave and when they return to
discuss why we are asking them to participate in the evaluation - perhaps wri te a memo? (Or, at least, meet after they return)
There are MANY choices of which data collection one should use. The above are four of the simpler and direct evaluations that usually get direct results .
C. Data Analysis :
The Likert Scale will distinguish ratings on a scale of 1 to 5. The evaluative component and the questionnaire with open-ended question will be developed at a later date.
REPORTING RESULTS
Recommendations will be formulated and reported to the Sister City Committee. (Please note: Private participants and members of the Sister City Committee are invited to give feedback about their experiences in delegation[s] .)
3
India Itinerary
Monday January 18, 2010
3:30 pm Depart on Air Canada/ Lufthansa from YVR for Frankfurt - Fit 493 Airbus A340 - 300
Tuesday January 19, 2010
10:45 am Arrive Frankfurt - Flying Time 10: 1 0
1 :30 pm Depart Frankfurt - Lufthansa Fit 760 W - Boeing 747
Wednesday January 20, 2010
9:00 am
12:00 pm
3:00 pm
Wake up Call, organizational meeting with Attomey General and delegation, Delhi India (3 hrs sleep)
Lunch at the Canadian High Commission
Roundtable Discussion on Canadian Wood
Thursday January 21,2010
10:00 am
12:30 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
7:25 pm
9:45 pm
Meet with Mr. Basu , Special Secretary - Ministry of Agriculture
Lunch at Gulati Restaurant with Canadian High Commission and delegates
Chief Minister Dikshit
Imperial Hotel Delhi - A glimpse of India's imperial past. A very majestic hotel with classic historical art and photos adoming its walls.
Shatabdi Express to Chandigarh
Hotel Mountview - very late arrival (actually 1 :00 AM)
Friday, January 22, 2010
10:00 am Tea with Finance Minister Manpreet Badal - very gracious, well educated gentleman who quoted JFK and Shakespeare. Inspirational and visionary
12:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:30 pm
7:30 pm
Page 2
BC Reception at Centre for Research in rural & Industrial Development and BC Opportunity Office - an impressive affair. Mr. Sidhu, Satwinder, Sandy Power and others. UFV has a great base in India.
Tea with CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda at his office. Chief Minister of Hiryana Hoodha received us in his fortress. This state seems poised for greatness. They flank Delhi on the north. They are actively courting companies to activate five airports.
Business Event at Centre for Indian Industry. Fifty or so entrepreneurs looking for opportunities. Largely SME's. RBC co-sponsored the event
Cocktail Reception at Hon Helen Economo Amundsen 's residence (Consul General of Canada in Punjab) Fifty or so movers and shakers trying to impress the Canadian delegation
Call Renee at CBC
Saturday January 23, 2010
9:00 am
11 :00 am
5:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
Breakfast with Chief Minister Badal , Punjab - Another armed camp with the grand old man. High level encouragement but lots of bureaucratic interference.
Tour of UFV Campus - Fun time with staff and students. Mike gave me a chance to speak and OJ asked me to speak by telephone to the Finance Minister of Djibuti as an advocate. The fun never ends.
Interview with Hamdad. Gurdip was proud of our performance for his colleague
Meet with Mayor of Chandigarh - we were late but well received by Mayor Anu and her colleagues. It was a scrum with the press but the dialogue was encouraging. We will provide a draft MOU for their consideration . Interesting confrontation with the police after our meeting but Mayor Anu rescued us.
Reception at Chandigarh Golf Club - noisy but worthwhile
Sunday January 24, 2010
7:00 am Work out on elliptical/bike (Mount View Hotel)
10:00 am Brief Shopping Excursion to Sector 17 (Chandigarh)
12:00 pm Lunch with MP Dhinsdha
2:00 pm Leave for Ludhiana
Page 3
Monday January 25,2010
9:00 am
12:30 pm
3:00 pm
Jagroan for Breakfast - politician encouraging us to engage in Sister City discussion
Chanawal for Lunch - an almost tearful homecoming for Moe. Rural India at its finest
Wedding Celebration in Raiaot
Tuesday January 26, 2010
10:00 am
11 :00 am
12:00 pm
2:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
Check out of the Ritz Plaza (Ludhiana) Jesse Khanghura paid all costs for the delegation at his hotel.
Tea with Hardeep Jawanda (His Home) - Mr. Jawanda is a real gentleman. His blind son is quite a vocalist/musician
Republic Day Celebration (Ahmedgarh Public School) Wow! A police escort to an out-door celebration with a crowd of 2500+ people. A wonderful Republic Day Festival!
A visit to Gurdeep Grewal's Uncle's House (Amadgarh) We will stay here overn ight tonight. The house is a real mansion
A visit to Phaliwal - an epic endurance contest. 3+ hours of never-ending speeches, presentations, photos, and interviews.
Overnight at Gurdeep's Uncle's Place (Ahmdaghar)
Wednesday January 27,2010
9:00 am 9:00 am
10:00 am
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
9:00 pm
Cycling in Phaliwal Mayor World School- possible visit (India??)
Visit Engindering School in Ludhiana (Ludhiana)
Visit a Teaching Hospital (Jalundhar) A very impressive 750 bed private-public health care facility
Visit a Publishing Empire (Jalundhar)
Visit Mohini in Beas (Beas) - Mohini is anxious to host us to dinner. She was very enthusiastic when we talked on the phone.
Check in the Hotel in Amristar - Mi lK Hotel
Page 4
Thursday January 28, 2010
9:00 am
10:00 am
12:00 pm
4:00 pm
7:30 pm
8:30 pm
Visit the Golden Temple (Amristar)
Visit Hindu Mundir (Amristar) One of the largest Hindu Temples in northern India
Meet with Mayor, Councillors (Amristar) Very warm reception . I believe that they are interested in an on-going relationship. A beautiful civic precinct with dioramas and gardens
Visit Airport (Amristar)
Visit the Pakistani Border
Dinner at Yo China
Friday January 29, 2010
10:00 am
12:30 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:15 pm
Visit School in "Chuk Vende/" - wonderful reception in Reimer Middle's sister school. Delegation made a donation to their computer labs.
Moe finds his house (Buttar)
Lunch at the Kooner Mansion. Nice meal in spectacular home. Mr. Kooner is into construction, motel Kamloops Gold Course.
Coffee in Phagke More of Moe's past at his grandmother's village. Another nice home!
Coffee with Avtar (Alamghir)
Bicycle Pedal Factory (Ludhiana)
Brief visit with Gurdeep's Brother and family (Maherna)
Back to stay with Hardeep (Amedegarh)
Saturday January 30, 2010
10:00 am
12:00 pm
9:00 pm
10:00 am
Meet Credit Union Board (Malerkotla)
Lunch at Gurdeep's wife's parent's home (Issi)
Find OJ and Mike at the Imperial Hotel (Dehli) - We could not find the hotel so we went directly to the airport
Arrive at Indira Ghandi International Airport
Page 5
Sunday January 31,2010
3:00 am
6:50 am
11 :00 am
12:30 pm
1:50 pm
6:00pm
Depart Delhi - Lufthansa Fit 761 W
Arrive Frankfurt - Flying Time 7:15
Meet Sergei and Russian Figure Skaters in Frankfurt (Frankfurt) We encountered the Russian Figure Skating Team in the waiting room at the airport
Depart Frankfurt - Lufthansa - FLt 492W Airbus 340 - 300
Arrive Vancouver - 10:25 Flying Time
Dinner with India High Commissioner - Abbotsford Banquet Centre
