HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-12-022 - Waterloo Region Collaborative Economic Research GrREPORT TO:
Finance & Corporate Services
DATE OF MEETING:
May 7, 2012
SUBMITTED BY:
Rod Regier, Executive Direction Economic Development,
519-741-2506
PREPARED BY:
Janette MacDonald, Economic Development Analyst,
519-741-2760
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT:
April 30, 2012
REPORT NO.:
CAO-12-022
SUBJECT: Waterloo Region Collaborative Economic Research Group
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a collaborative data collection and research
agreement satisfactory to the City Solicitor with Wilfrid Laurier University and such other parties
as participate in the arrangement, and further,
That the Director of Economic Development be authorized to exercise the City’s authorities and
powers of consent under the agreement.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Kitchener currently participates in the Community Data Consortium through our
partnership with the Region of Waterloo Social Services. This provides access to social and
demographic data (primarily from the Census), but limited economic data/research.
Any other data or research purchases required by the City of Kitchener are funded out of the
current operating budget.
The City of Kitchener currently maintains a relationship with the Laurier Centre for Economic
Research and Policy Analysis (LCERPA) in academic consultation on economic development
research. LCERPA is an international association of academic and professional economists
which produces and encourages high quality research and the development of synergies in
economic research.
REPORT:
Through consultation with research stakeholders, LCERPA identified and acted upon a need for
a co-ordinated approach to regional data purchasing and research. LCERPA proposed a
collaborative research group consisting of local government and related stakeholders, in
response to current gaps in research funding and duplication of purchases and analysis that has
occurred in the past.
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The proposed Waterloo Region Collaborative Economic Research Group (CERG) supports the
following objectives:
1. To collect and share data and economic analysis related to the economy of Waterloo Region
with a view to creating an accurate and consistent picture of the regional economy over time;
2. To explore important research topics related to the regional economy in a cost-efficient
manner and to co-ordinate research activities;
3. To provide a forum for the co-ordination and discussion of research issues and ideas.
The CERG will be governed by an Association Board with representation from all participants.
The current schedule of participants includes: Canada’s Technology Triangle (CTT), the City of
Cambridge, the City of Kitchener, the City of Waterloo, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo
and the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin. The Association Board is
responsible for decisions on expenditure of CERG funds, reviewing and determining the
research program and research topics, and providing budgetary oversight. The purchase of data
by the CERG will only be made with the consent of all participants.
LCERPA will act as the administrative member of the CERG, which includes collecting fees,
preparing budgets and financial statements, and housing and distributing purchased
data/research. LCERPA has entered into an open licence agreement with Statistics Canada,
which permits the university to purchase and share data with CERG participants. LCERPA will
create, host and maintain a website for this purpose. This website will provide participants with
secure access to shared data and analysis along with a forum for the discussion and co-
ordination or research activities.
Funds will be managed by LCERPA in a separate account and reported to participants annually.
In the event that unused funds remain at the end of the year, they will be applied to the budget
for the following year. At the end of the term of the agreement they can be used to reduce the
member’s renewal fees.
Participants may conduct independent research using data purchased through the CERG
provided that it does not breach confidentiality requirements. The City will be bound to protect
the confidentiality of data and research acquired through the CERG, and may not share it with
third parties, sell or commercialize any data or research purchased or shared within the
Association without the prior written consent of all participants except as may be required by
legislation, including applicable privacy legislation, or by order of a court or regulatory body.
The Association may admit new members upon unanimous consent of the existing participants.
Organizations that will qualify for membership include federal, provincial or municipal
governments, bodies or agencies, educational organizations or established non-profit
organizations having an interest or mandate related to the objectives of the CERG.
The proposed CERG is constructed to operate for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2012,
with an option for extension at the end of the current term. The annual fee is $3,000 for the term
of the agreement, with the option to increase the fee through unanimous consent of the
participants if desired (e.g., to purchase additional research or data in excess of available
funds). Participants will pay a membership fee of $500 to cover administrative and overhead
expense including the cost to create, host and maintain a website.
The proposed annual CERG fees will provide access to data/research valued between $8,000
and $17,246, depending on the consent of the Association Board to proceed with individual
data/research purchases. For every research dollar currently allocated in the municipal budget,
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the City will receive data and research valued between $2.30–$4.93 by leveraging the
purchasing power of the CERG
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The formation of the CERG aligns with the corporate foundation for efficient and effective
government. Through the group, the City leverages existing budgetary resources for data by
directing the funds toward a collaborative group with greater purchasing power. In this way, the
City also participates in a collaborative process that seeks to eliminate any duplication in data
purchases among the municipalities and our partners. This helps to ensure that greater value is
realized using existing funds.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None. Funded out of current operating budget.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Rod Regier
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