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RECOGNITION OF DAVE MORRISON, FORMER ALDERMAN AND CHAIR OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE, FOREIGN RECIPIENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN’S 2019 AUTUMN IMPERIAL DECORATIONS ENTITLED “ORDER OF THE RISING SUN, GOLD AND SILVER RAYS”
Mayor Lehman welcomed Takako Ito, Consul-General of Japan in Toronto to the City of Barrie. He provided an overview on Mrs. Ito’s education and career accomplishments from 1985 to present.
Mayor Lehman invited Mrs. Ito to approach the podium to award the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” to Mr. Morrison, former Alderman and Chair of the International Relations Committee on behalf of the Japanese Government. She noted that the Order is awarded to those individuals who have made distinguished achievements in international relations and promotion of Japanese culture.
Mrs. Ito provided a presentation concerning the bilateral and economic relations of Japan verses Canada, a data comparison chart between Japan and Canada, Japan’s economic strengths, business opportunities to expand with Japanese companies, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), exciting events coming to Tokyo in 2020, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET Programme), and the Sister-City Relations between Japan and other Ontario municipalities.
Mayor Lehman thanked Mrs. Ito for her presentation and invited Mr. Morrison to say a few words.
Mr. Morrison expressed his appreciation, privilege and noted that he is humbled to receive such an honour from the Government of Japan. He commented that it takes a community to build a partnership. He noted that the reality is that the City of Barrie, the International Relations Committee and the volunteers for over 25 years have made the delegations to international destinations a reality. Mr. Morrison advised of a youth delegation taking place this summer to Murayama, Japan and that selection of the youth group will be moving forward shortly.
Mr. Morrison concluded by thanking Mrs. Ito and Mayor Lehman for sharing this honour with the City of Barrie.