Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism. Appointment to the Enterprise Toronto Advisory Committee

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1 STAFF REPORT June 11, 2002 To: From: Subject: Economic Development and Parks Committee Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Appointment to the Enterprise Toronto Advisory Committee All wards Purpose: To appoint one member from the Economic Development and Parks Committee to the Enterprise Toronto Advisory Group, to describe the role and responsibilities of the Advisory Group, and to outline Enterprise Toronto's core services and new initiatives. Financial Implications and Impact Statement: There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report. Recommendations: It is recommended that: (1) the Economic Development and Parks Committee appoint one of its members to the Enterprise Toronto Advisory Group for the balance of the Council term; and (2) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. Background: Created in 1999, Enterprise Toronto formed an Advisory Group consisting of representatives from its core funding partners. Its purpose was to formulate a Strategic Business Plan to guide operations over the next three years, with a central mandate to foster small business growth.

2 Comments: The Enterprise Toronto Advisory Group includes a member of the Economic Development and Parks Committee along with representatives from the three Chambers of Commerce, the Board of Trade, the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE) corporate sponsors, and government agencies, including the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Opportunity and Innovation (MEOI) and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). The Group selects a chair from among its members and meets three times a year to assist with development of Enterprise Toronto s annual work plan and to monitor operations and projects. Of note is that sponsorship funding from the Advisory Group has provided 25 per cent of Enterprise Toronto s operating budget over the last three years. These contributions directly contribute to expanding program activity, supporting core services to the small business community such as small business information, research, business registrations, consultations and seminars. In 2001, these core services resulted in 140,000 web hits, completion of 2500 business registrations, 30,000 visits to the four offices, and 600 business consultations. In addition to its core services, Enterprise Toronto has also completed several major projects such as the 2001 Small Business Forum in association with the Board of Trade, the three Chambers of Commerce, and the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE). This event attracted over 4500 people and will be repeated again in Also underway is a survey of Toronto s small businesses to identify barriers in conducting business with the City; focus sessions with new business immigrants resulting in the Passport to Business Success program; and, participation in Summer Company, a youth employment initiative, with provincial partnership. Most recently, in April 2002 the Advisory Group adopted staff s recommendation that Enterprise Toronto should establish a City-wide small business network, with the goal of developing small business organizational capacity, advocacy, policy development and promotion. Conclusions: The Enterprise Toronto Advisory Group is an essential component of Enterprise Toronto s success, consisting of a representative appointed by the Economic Development and Parks Committee as well as private and public sector members who provide a significant portion of Enterprise Toronto s operating budget. The Advisory Group assists in setting future directions, developing work plans, and monitoring program delivery. Since new appointments have now

3 - 3 - been made to the Economic Development and Parks Committee, the Committee should select a new representative to the Advisory Group to serve for the balance of the current term of Council. Contact: Brenda Librecz Managing Director, Economic Development Tel: Fax: blibrecz@city.toronto.on.ca Joe Halstead Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism List of Attachments: Attachment No.1: Enterprise Toronto Advisory Group

4 - 4 - Attachment No.1 ENTERPRISE TORONTO ADVISORY GROUP Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs, Wilbert Lai, President Centennial College, Phil Smith, Acting Director, Centre of Entrepreneurship Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Anne Solomatenko, Regional Manager, Business Partnership Project Regional Manager, Business Partnership Project Dye & Durham Co. Inc., Cathy Robinson, Director of Business Development Global Teknion, David Glass, Executive Director of Business Development Industry Canada, Marjorie Bell, Senior Marketing Officer Economic Development Division, Brenda Librecz, Managing Director Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce, Karyanne Newton, General Manager Jane Enright Consulting, Jane Enright, Program Management Human Resources Development Canada, John Fox, Director Toronto North Office Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity & Innovation, Philipp Wood, Consultant, Entrepreneurship Mirror & Guardian Newspapers, Deborah Bodine, Editor in Chief North York Chamber of Commerce, Donna Metcalfe, Executive Director RBC Financial Group, Sherry Robinson, Sales & Marketing Manager Rogers Business Solutions, Jacqueline Grossman, Marketing Manager

5 - 5 - Scarborough Chamber of Commerce, Debra Bonk, Executive Director The Toronto Board of Trade, Richard Lewis, Local Business Network Manager