The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends:

(1) the adoption of the following motion moved by Councillor Augimeri and seconded by Councillor Miller, which was referred to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee by City Council at its meeting held on March 4, 5 and 6, 1998:

"WHEREAS the federal government is in the process of negotiating the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) with the 29 member countries of the OECD, with the intention of having a signed agreement by September 1998; and

WHEREAS the citizens of the City of Toronto have had little access to information and informed debate on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment, and its implications at the federal, provincial and local levels; and

WHEREAS there are potential negative impacts of a Multilateral Agreement on Investment on the lives and livelihoods of the residents of the City of Toronto, especially small businesses; and

WHEREAS the draft of the MAI treaty further extends the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA in both the 'National Treatment' and 'Performance Requirements' provisions, which will impact on the entire Municipal, University, School and Hospital sector, and specifically on the City of Toronto's ability to implement purchasing policies and practices that favour local Toronto based businesses and suppliers; and

WHEREAS the MAI treaty, as drafted, would stop municipalities from limiting the use of property by foreign companies, which could have the effect of restricting Council's right to set planning By-laws;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Toronto urge the Government of Canada to consult widely and in depth with the people of Canada, especially and including, the soliciting of detailed responses from municipal councils, before taking any further action on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment.";

(2) that the Government of Canada be advised that the City of Toronto is opposed to the Multilateral Agreement on Investment and requests that further negotiations cease and desist immediately; and

(3) that the City of Toronto endorse the position taken by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities that the Prime Minister of Canada be petitioned to have the chief negotiator for the Multilateral Agreement on Investment file a permanent and explicit exemption in the Agreement limiting its application to areas of federal jurisdiction, and that City Council's action, together with the supporting material from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities be circulated to:

(a) all municipalities in Canada with a population of over 50,000 and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for support;

(b) all MPs representing the City of Toronto with the request that they endorse the City's action and that their responses as to whether or not they endorse Council's actions, and their respective names, be:

(i) forwarded to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual meeting; and

(ii) be made available to the public;

(c) the Consulates of the other member countries of the OECD.

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits the following communication (March 3, 1998) from Mr. R. W. Pritchard, General Manager of Corporate Services and City Clerk of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener:

This is to inform you that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener at its regular meeting held on Monday, March 2, 1998, passed the following resolution, namely:

"WHEREAS the federal government is in the process of negotiating the Multilateral Agreement on Investments with the 29 wealthiest countries in the world with the intention of having a signed agreement by September 1998; and

WHEREAS concerns about the agreement have already been raised by 565 organizations, with representatives in 70 countries around the world; and

WHEREAS the citizens of the City of Kitchener have had little access to information and informed debate on the Multilateral Agreement on Investments, from the federal government, and the mainstream media on its implications locally, provincially, federally and globally;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation of the City of Kitchener urge the Government of Canada to suspend negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investments until it has consulted more widely and in depth with the people of Canada, especially and including, the soliciting of detailed responses from municipal councils and their citizens; and further,

That the appropriate City staff be directed to discuss this issue with local MPs and to prepare a report on the implications of this Agreement on municipal government; and further,

That a copy of this resolution be sent to local MPs, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Ontario cities having a population greater than 50,000."

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee also submits the following communication (April 1, 1998) from Mr. Denis Casey, Acting President, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 79:

A motion has been proposed which resolves that the City of Toronto urge the federal government to hold widespread consultation with Canadians on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) before taking any further action.

The Multilateral Agreement on Investment is an international agreement, currently being negotiated with the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). There is growing and widespread opposition to the treaty by many individuals and organizations. They fear that it will further expand the power of multi-national corporations, guaranteeing them an open market and access to all areas of the Canadian economy.

The MAI is an important issue for municipalities because it will have an impact on some policies and practices currently in effect. Under the MAI treaty, municipalities would not be able to favour local companies over international firms when awarding contracts. In the past, Toronto governments have always recognized the economic importance of supporting local business whenever possible. This is how we have built a strong community. In addition, the MAI would limit municipalities' rights to set some planning policies, and their ability to act in a wide range of other areas. Clearly municipal governmental concerns have not been an important factor in shaping the MAI.

City Councils in Kitchener, Windsor, Woodstock, Owen Sound and Tecumseh have all passed resolutions calling on the federal government to hold public hearings. We urge members of this Committee to join with these cities by supporting the proposed motion.

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee also had before it the following material respecting the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) which has been circulated to all Members of Council under separate cover on April 8, 1998, and copies thereof are on file in the office of the City Clerk:

(i) (March 3, 1998) from Mr. R.W. Pritchard, General Manager of Corporate Services and City Clerk, City of Kitchener;

(ii) (April 2, 1998) from Ms. Helen Hansen and Mr. Robert Hansen;

(iii) (April 1, 1998) from Ms. Anne Hansen;

(iv) (April 1, 1998) from Mr. Denis Casey, Acting President, C.U.P.E. Local 79;

(v) (April 4, 1998) from Mr. Fred Roy, Willowdale Unitarian Fellowship, Social Action Committee;

(vi) (April 7, 1998) from Dr. Rose Anne Dyson, Steering Committee Member, People Against the MAI (PAMAI);

(vii) (April 7, 1998) from Ms. Linda Torney, President, Labour Council of Metropolitan Toronto and York Region;

(viii) (April 7, 1998) from Mr. Robert Olsen;

(ix) (undated) from Councillor Augimeri;

(x) (April 6, 1998) from Mr. Morry Smith;

(xi) (April 7, 1998) from Ms. Colleen Burke and Ms. Mary Roufail;

(xii) (April 7, 1998) from Mr. Brent Patterson;

(xiii) (April 7, 1998) from Mr. Richard Troy;

(xiv) (April 7, 1998) from Mr. Brian Milani, Research Coordinator, Eco Materials Group; and

(xv) (April 7, 1998) from Marjaleena Repo, obo Citizens Concerned About Free Trade, together with a copy of the Spring 1998, edition of a publication titled "True North".

The following persons appeared before the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee at its meeting held on April 7, 1998, in connection with the foregoing matter:

- Mr. Brent Patterson

- Mr. Bob Olsen

- Dr. Rose Dysan, o.b.o. People concerned about the MAI (PAMAI)

- Mr. Terry Gardner, o.b.o. Science for Peace

- Mr. Morry Smith

- Mr. Richard Troy

- Ms. Sarah Dopp

- Ms. Mary Roufail, o.b.o. the Women's Task Group of Stop MAI - Toronto

- Ms. Colleen Burke, o.b.o. the Women's Task Group of Stop MAI - Toronto

- Mr. Paul Hellyer, President, Waterfront Ratepayers' Association

- Mr. Brian Milani

- Ms. Marjaleena Repo, o.b.o. Citizens concerned about Free Trade

- Mr. Michael Baxter, o.b.o. Regent Park United Church

- Mr. John Valleau

- Ms. Helen McNeill

The following members of Council also appeared before the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee at its meeting held on April 7, 1998, in connection with the foregoing matter:

- Councillor Augimeri

- Councillor Layton