RECOMMENDATION:
That
the report entitled “Knowledge Community Task Force Terms of Reference” be received,
And
that the Task Force Co-Chairs adopt a Terms of Reference for the Task Force,
And that the Task Force Co-Chairs advise staff on the
next steps for establishing the Task Force and the objectives for 2004 (year
one).
PURPOSE:
In his inaugural speech, Mayor Cousens announced three new, special
initiatives for this term of Council. One of these initiatives is for Markham to become “A Knowledge Community”. The purpose of this report to the Task Force
Chairs is to introduce the concept of Markham as a Knowledge Community, provide
a situation analysis for the initiative, identify potential attainable
objectives for the initiative (over the 3-year term of Council), and propose a
plan of action for the Task Force Chairs to consider in formally establishing
the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
DISCUSSION/SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The
Town of Markham is Canada’s High-Tech Capital and
home of a well-educated, highly skilled and entrepreneurial population. To
continue to prosper in the global knowledge economy, Markham residents of all ages need
easy access to a broad range of relevant knowledge, current research, higher
education institutions, and continuous learning opportunities. Similarly, for Markham to remain attractive to
high-tech companies, Markham companies must have easy
access to a growing pool of well-educated labour, state of the art R&D
resources, and skilled mentors and entrepreneurs possessing globally
competitive intelligence.
In
order to sustain its status as one of the best communities in North America to live, work, and play,
and prosper, Markham must continually assess and
strategically invest in its physical and human infrastructures. The
establishment of a Knowledge Community Task Force provides a focus for
examining the state of the community’s knowledge-based infrastructure and the
needs and opportunities for enhancing its condition as a strategy for improving
Markham’s economic competitiveness and the quality of life
for its residents. A quick analysis would suggest that Markham has the potential and need
to distinguish itself as one of Canada’s true knowledge communities:
- Markham’s residents are among
the best educated in Canada but fewer than 50% of
current high school grads proceed to university the year after graduating;
- Deployment of high
speed Internet among Markham households is among
the highest in Canada;
- Markham businesses are early
adopters of e-Commerce technology;
- Town of Markham is a pioneer of
e-Government technology;
- Town of Markham residents are above
average library users;
- Seneca College to open Markham Campus
in September 2005;
- Growing interest and commitment
by school boards, York and U of T, and Seneca College to collaborate with
Town and leading technology firms (e.g., IBM) to establish shared learning
networks, and customized programs for continuing education at all levels;
- Threat of movement of
high-tech engineering jobs and other R&D functions to India and China
makes it particularly important that Town places priority on development
of superior human and technological infrastructure to protect and sustain
competitive location advantage;
- A high proportion of
newly arrived foreign-trained professionals are not able to find
work/qualify for work at their assumed level of competency in their fields
of expertise.
PROPOSED TASK FORCE TERMS OF REFERENCE:
The Objective Over 3-Year Term of
Council
To
develop and implement a comprehensive plan of action that supports Markham as a
Knowledge Community, and that results in the launch of a stream of sustainable
initiatives and key performance indicators that are regarded as welcome and
highly valued competitive advantages by Markham residents and by Markham
companies.
A Draft Plan of Action
Year
One -- The Task Force Chaired by Councillors Horchik and Virgilio will assemble
leaders from the Markham community along with young
people and external advisors to assess the current situation and develop the
comprehensive plan. The key product of Year One will be research findings, a
set of key indicators (benchmarks), and a recommended set of strategies and
associated prioritized initiatives for approval by Council.
Year
Two – The Task Force will oversee the implementation of the first series of
priority initiatives, within the scope of resources available to it. A key
characteristic of the implementation program will be to engage in partnerships
and to empower a variety of allied interests in the Markham and GTA communities
to take ownership and responsibility for these projects. The key product of
Year Two will be the evaluation of the effectiveness and success/failure of the
launched initiatives, and recommendation to Council of an appropriate set of
projects for launch or continued support in Year Three.
Year Three – The Task Force will oversee the implementation of the
second series of priorities and the continued operation of on-going Year Two
initiatives. Year Three will culminate in a report to Council of the
achievements of the Knowledge Community Task Force, and a presentation to the
community (perhaps at the Markham Theatre) of the report findings and
recommendations for sustaining the Knowledge Community program for future
years.
Reporting Relationship to Council
The Task Force
will keep minutes of its proceedings (to be handled by the Town Clerk’s
Secretariat) and report semi-annually to Council through the Economic
Development Committee.
Examples of Possible Resources Available to Task Force
The
following resources should be considered for inclusion in the Task Force:
- YRDSB and YCDSB
- York
University/Schulich School of Business
- University of Toronto at Scarborough
- Seneca College
- Ontario Ministry of
Education (Colleges & Universities)
- Ontario Ministry of
Economic Development and Trade
- Human Resource
Development Canada
- IBM, Motorola, York Technology Association
- Markham Library Board
- Mayor’s Youth Task
Force
- Major banks, BDC
- Statistics Canada
Financial
support may be available through “Pilot Study Funding” by:
- Government of Ontario (Education)
- Government of Canada (Heritage)
- Bell Canada
(Community Economic Development Fund)
- Education and/or immigration related groups or funders
NEXT STEPS:
In order to proceed, the Task Force
Co-Chairs are requested to:
- Approve a Terms of Reference for the Task
Force
- Decide on the size of the Task Force, and
how its members are to be nominated and recruited
- Decide on an appropriate schedule of Task
Force meetings for Year One (2004)
- Direct staff to make arrangements for the
next meeting of the Task Force
FINANCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS:
None at this time. Once the Task Force is
underway, it will request Council approval if a need for town-funded
expenditures is identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSIDERATIONS:
none
ACCESSIBILITY
CONSIDERATIONS:
none
ENGAGE 21ST
CONSIDERATIONS:
The
Knowledge Community initiative is consistent with the Town’s economic
development and community goals.
BUSINESS
UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The Commissioner
of Corporate Services
has reviewed this report, and is
supportive of its contents.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen
Chait, Director of Economic Development
|
|
John Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
|
