Council endorses proposed Global Economic, Culture, and Tourism Engagement Committee

Town Council has endorsed the proposed establishment of a new Global Economic, Cultural, and Tourism Engagement Committee of Council, designed to help Oakville build stronger international connections and take advantage of emerging global opportunities. The committee will be formally confirmed in the coming month, following mayoral direction.

Council’s endorsement responds to significant shifts in the global economy – changes many national leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, have described as a growing economic emergency that requires action at every government level. The move aligns the Town with both federal and provincial efforts to diversify trade relationships and build new international partnerships.

As Canada and Ontario work to expand their global connections, in trade diversification, cultural exchange, and tourism, municipalities like Oakville act as gateways for investment and international collaborations. With Oakville’s strong reputation for livability, diversity, and economic strength — and with the Council approved  Economic Development Plan 2025 to 2029 identifying a need to evaluate the Town’s role in foreign direct investment — this committee will help elevate Oakville’s presence on the world stage. 

Committee membership

The committee, as endorsed by Council, will include seven voting members of Council. It will meet and vote on recommendations to be presented to Council. Other Council members may attend meetings. The committee members and roles endorsed by Council are:

1. Mayor Rob Burton
2. Councillor Scott Xie (Chair)
3. Councillor Nav Nanda (Vice-Chair)
4. Councillor Ray Chisholm
5. Councillor David Gittings
6. Councillor Marc Grant
7. Councillor Natalia Lishchyna

Role and responsibilities 

Working closely with the Town’s Economic Development department ‘Invest Oakville’, the proposed committee will identify opportunities and advise Council on how the Town can support Canada’s global trade, cultural and tourism expansion. Key responsibilities include:Supporting national initiatives: Finding ways Oakville can contribute to Canada’s efforts to diversify international relationships.

• Supporting national initiatives: Finding ways Oakville can contribute to Canada’s efforts to diversify international relationships.
• Risk management: Identifying strategies to reduce the impact of global economic uncertainty on local businesses and their staff.
• Strengthening key sectors: Building global ties in the Town’s key sectors: advanced manufacturing; health and life sciences; digital media, information and communication technology (ICT), and film; and professional services.
• Policy development: Laying the groundwork for long-term international engagement strategies for the next term of Council. 
• Staying aligned with senior levels of government: Monitoring federal and provincial economic outlooks to ensure Oakville remains responsive to national economic challenges. 
• Leveraging global employers: Using Oakville's position as a home to major international companies, such as Ford Motor Company of Canada and Siemens Canada, to support and expand global partnerships and sister-city relationships.

To learn more, read the Global Economic, Cultural, and Tourism Engagement Committee staff report.

Quotes:

“Oakville supports the leadership and strategic vision of Prime Minister Carney, Premier Ford, and Minister Anand to both strengthen North American trade and develop new opportunities in emerging markets, especially China and India. By aligning with these national and provincial priorities, we are growing Oakville’s reputation as a competitive, globally-connected municipality. Canada’s municipalities are where federal and provincial initiatives and policies are implemented, and Oakville is on board with Ontario and Canada in meeting the challenges of the economic uncertainty from the south.” 
– Mayor Rob Burton

“Oakville’s Economic Development Plan recognizes the importance of global connections to our local prosperity. This proposed committee will give us a new way to identify and act on international opportunities in our key sectors. Once established we look forward to working alongside the committee to ensure Oakville remains a destination of choice for global investment and partnership.” 
– Rebekah Diec Stormes, Director of Economic Development