Toronto mayor's visit - Canada's largest cities sign historic cooperation and partnership agreement

MONTRÉAL, April 2, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre welcomed his counterpart, Toronto Mayor John Tory, at Montréal's city hall. As part of the visit, both mayors signed a historic cooperation and partnership agreement. The purpose of the agreement is to bring about collaboration between Canada's largest cities on common issues and concerns.

"Mayor Tory's visit marks the creation of a Montréal-Toronto axis, with the signature of a cooperation and partnership agreement between the two cities. I am convinced that our discussions will help us better serve our respective communities. Large cities have become key players in governing communities across the world. By uniting our efforts, we will increase awareness of this point. Our shared representations with other large Canadian cities with a view to the latest federal budget are just one concrete example," said Mayor Coderre.

"As the two largest urban centres in the country, Montreal and Toronto face similar opportunities and challenges. By formally working together through this agreement, we can learn from each other and compare notes on how to deal with these issues such as affordable housing and attracting foreign investment. Partnerships of this kind are beneficial to both cities and the entire country. We're all for building up Canada," said Mayor Tory. 

Key points of the agreement
Through this cooperation and partnership agreement, Montréal and Toronto have essentially committed to sharing information, knowledge and best practices in five specific areas: governance, economic vitality, the environment, social development and living together. The agreement also includes a baseball section, with a view to creating another friendly sports rivalry between the two cities. Details of the agreement are available online.

A major asset to Living Together
On behalf of the city of Toronto, Mayor Tory added his signature to the Montréal Déclaration on Living Together, a highlight of the International Mayors' Summit in Montréal in June 2015. Mayor Tory also signed the International Observatory of Mayors on Living Together. With the addition of Toronto, the Montréal Declaration now has 25 signing cities.

An afternoon of baseball
For the third consecutive year, Montréal is hosting the Toronto Blue Jays' exhibition games. Both mayors will attend the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox exhibition game this afternoon at the Olympic Stadium.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Source : Catherine Maurice, press attaché, Mayor's Office and Executive Committee, 514 872-6276; Information : Valérie De Gagné, communications officer, Communications Service, 514 872-6013