PROPOSED FRAMEWORK FOR A THREE-YEAR ECONOMIC COOPERATION PLAN BETWEEN THE TOWN OF MARKHAM AND THE CITY OF LAVAL

A) PRIORITIES:

1- Information technology: a strength for the Town of Markham, an opportunity to be shared with the City of Laval, Quebec.

2- Bio-Technologies, Bio Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences and medical devices: a strength for the City of Laval, and an opportunity to be shared with the Town of Markham, Ontario.

3- Nanotechnology: to be developed progressively over the next three years.

Emphasis on small and medium sized companies. Regular promotion of partnership to local business community through publications and special event publicity.

B) HIGHLIGHTS:

Year 1 and 2 plans are detailed, and Year 3 plan will be developed in due time based upon on-going evaluation

Year 1 – 2004

Action Plan:

· Creating an electronic bilingual brochure with a repertoire of companies and their profiles from Markham and Laval (IT/Biotech/Pharma) with links to professional associations & events, including current economic web sites of the Town of Markham and the City of Laval. This brochure could also include business opportunities that might be of interest to both parties.

· Invitation for Laval technology business executives to attend and make presentations at TVG Venture Fair (showcase of venture capital ready firms), in Toronto March 3 and 4, as guests of Markham. www.venturefair.com

· Commencing a knowledge/information transfer on IT development and innovation based on the model used by the Tech Action Town Hall of Markham held in November, 2002 (Broadband, Markham, I.S.C.M.). This will require a survey to be filled out by participating companies and an interactive meeting both by the Town of Markham and the City of Laval companies. This process, in collaboration with the York Technology Association (YTA) will be initiated in 2004 and will cover the 3-year plan.

· Preparing for a Laval Trade Mission to Markham during the second quarter of 2005.

· Annual report Year 1 for Markham and Laval Councils

Year 2 – 2005

· Trade mission of City of Laval officials and businesses will visit the Town of Markham. There will be an emphasis on IT

(including a visit to the Innovation Synergy Centre).

· Markham Board of Trade business lunch: The Markham-Laval Vision (to coincide with the Trade Mission)

· Continuation of knowledge/information transfers between the City of Laval and the Town of Markham (on-going)

· Mid-Term Review after 18 months to serve as an orientation document for Year 3

· Preparation of 2006 Trade Mission, second quarter.

· Annual Report Year 2 for Laval and Markham Councils

Year 3 – 2006

· A visiting trade mission from the Town of Markham (to include officials and business people) to the City of Laval including Laval Technopole, with emphasis on Biotech. (York Region Biotech cluster and Laval Technopole), Pharmaceutical and IT.

· Laval Chamber of Commerce Lunch: the Laval-Markham Vision

(to coincide with the Trade Mission)

· Program to be expanded.

C) SCHEDULE TO FINALIZE 3 YEAR PLAN BETWEEN TOWN OF MARKHAM AND CITY OF LAVAL:

- A working meeting took place in Markham Dec. 10/03 between Pierre Bélanger & Bernard Saint Denis from the City of Laval, and Stephen Chait and Bertrand Walle from the Town of Markham. The preceding proposed framework was agreed upon, subject to approval by the two Mayors and Councils.

- February or March, 2004: Approval of the plans by the two Mayors and Councils.