CITY OF VANCOUVER
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE

M E M O R A N D U M March 12, 2002

TO: Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

CC: Judy Rogers, City Manager

FROM: Syd Baxter, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Motion: Protection of Civic Democracy and Ensuring Local Decision- Making

At the City Council meeting of March 5, 2002 where notice was given for the above motion, I was asked to review the record and determine if Council has dealt with the matter before.

At its meeting on May 2, 2000, City Council dealt with the attached motion. The applicable clauses are repeated below.

May 2, 2000 Motion

(1) THAT City Council urge the Government of Canada to consult widely and in depth with the people of Canada, especially and including municipal councils, before taking any further action on the GATS;

(2) THAT the City of Vancouver, while recognizing trade can have beneficial impacts on our region, urge the Prime Minister to have Canada file a permanent and explicit exemption in the GATS limiting application to areas of Federal jurisdiction to ensure sub-national jurisdictions maintain local flexibility and control over the deliver of public services.

Discussion of the substance of the matter, i.e. opposition to the local application of GATS, is not in order since City Council has already taken that position in this term. A specific invitation requesting the Minister to meet with Vancouver City Council to discuss the matter is in order, although the previous motion did ask for consultation with municipalities in general.

Syd Baxter

Attachment

SB/dc

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver