Business Advisory Committee – Terms of Reference

Mandate

The mandate of the Business Advisory Committee is to provide a local perspective and advice to City Council, through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee, on City services and communications affecting Ottawa’s business community, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and the overall business climate.

Responsibilities

The Business Advisory Committee will:

Review and recommend appropriate communication strategies to disseminate City information to the business community;
Be a sounding board for City council and staff to share ideas and provide input before initiation of formal policy/program/by-law development and/or review process;
Assist in the development and/or review of policies, programs and by-laws (e.g. annual City budget and tax policies) that affect the business climate of the City;
Solicit and facilitate business input on matters of significance to the City;
Identify, research, consult and bring forward to Committee local, national and international issues which may affect Ottawa’s business climate;
Advise on economic and community development opportunities within the City of Ottawa;
Consult with and receive submissions from local business organizations and report with recommendations; and
Create and prepare an annual report and work plan.

Organization

The Business Advisory Committee shall have a maximum citizen membership of 14, composed of representatives of business organizations and of business persons-at-large. The Committee will have a representative cross-section of business organizations in Ottawa, as follows:

Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
Business Improvement Areas
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce (GOCC)
National Capital Business Alliance (NCBA)
An agricultural organization active in rural Ottawa
Regroupement des gens d’affaires (RGA)
Business persons-at-large (7), at least one of which shall be from the rural area.

Each organization will be asked to provide resumes or curriculum vitae of at least two nominees, one of whom will be appointed by Council. Nominated members must be residents of, or own businesses in the City of Ottawa.

In addition, the Business Advisory Committee shall have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:

One staff representative – Manager, Economic Development or other senior staff member from the Economic Development and Strategic Projects Branch;
Up to two (2) members of Ottawa City Council, appointed by Council to act as a liaison; and
A Committee Coordinator from the Clerk's office.

The Business Advisory Committee will hold a minimum of six official meetings per year.

The process for choosing the membership for the Business Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointment Policy.

Lead Department/Reporting Relationship

The Planning, Transit and the Environment Department shall be the lead department for the Business Advisory Committee. The Business Advisory Committee shall report through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee to City Council.

Resources

The Business Advisory Committee shall report annually to City Council through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and City Clerk) on the activities of the Committee in the current year and on the Committee’s work plan for the following year.