Item - 2019.GL2.15

Tracking Status

GL2.15 - Request for Report on the Feasibility of Changing the City of Toronto's Policy on Statutory Holidays

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Adopted
Wards:
All

City Council Decision

City Council on March 27 and 28, 2019, adopted the following:

 

1.  City Council request the Executive Director, People, Equity and Human Rights, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to report back to the General Government and Licensing Committee in the second quarter of 2019 on the feasibility of allowing City staff whose religious holidays do not fall on statutory holidays to take their religious holidays off as paid time off work without using sick days, vacation days, or lieu time.

Background Information (Committee)

(February 4, 2019) Member Motion from Councillor Jim Karygiannis, seconded by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam on Request for Report on the Feasibility of Changing the City of Toronto's Policy on Statutory Holidays
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/gl/bgrd/backgroundfile-124486.pdf

Motions (City Council)

1 - Motion to Refer Item moved by Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Lost)

That the Item be referred to the City Manager for consideration during the upcoming labour negotiations.

Vote (Refer Item) Mar-27-2019 5:21 PM

Result: Lost (tie) Majority Required - GL2.15 - Minnan-Wong - motion 1 - Refer the item
Total members that voted Yes: 11 Members that voted Yes are Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, John Filion, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson
Total members that voted No: 11 Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Joe Cressy, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that were Absent: 4 Members that were absent are Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Michael Thompson, John Tory

Motion to Adopt Item (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item) Mar-27-2019 5:27 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - GL2.15 - Adopt the item
Total members that voted Yes: 19 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Mark Grimes, Jim Karygiannis, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 4 Members that voted No are Mike Colle, Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair)
Total members that were Absent: 3 Members that were absent are Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, John Tory

Point of Privilege by Councillor Stephen Holyday

Councillor Holyday, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he regrets that Councillor Karygiannis feels heckled and further stated that he is not able to speak on a Point of Privilege without Councillor Karygiannis interrupting him.  Councillor Holyday remarked that he was conversing with the City Clerk regarding clarification of the speakers list.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata accepted the Point of Privilege and thanked the Member for his comments.


Point of Privilege by Councillor Jim Karygiannis

Councillor Karygiannis, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he can't hear himself as there are too many conversations in the Chamber and that his questions were not out of order.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata accepted the Point of Privilege and ruled Councillor Karygiannis' questions were not out of order but that staff do not have the answer to Councillor Karygiannis' question regarding the breakdown on the number of City staff who observe religious holidays that do not fall on statutory holidays.


Point of Order by Councillor Jim Karygiannis

Councillor Karygiannis, rising on a Point of Order, stated that he feels insulted as some of his colleagues had said that his next motion would be about dental care.  Councillor Karygiannis further stated that it is not about dental care but doing what is right for the City.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata ruled that Councillor Karygiannis did not have a Point of Order.

GL2.15 - Request for Report on the Feasibility of Changing the City of Toronto's Policy on Statutory Holidays

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Adopted
Wards:
All

Committee Recommendations

The General Government and Licensing Committee recommends that:

 

1.  City Council request the Executive Director, People, Equity and Human Rights, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to report back to the General Government and Licensing Committee in the second quarter of 2019 on the feasibility of allowing City staff whose religious holidays do not fall on statutory holidays to take their religious holidays off as paid time off work without using sick days, vacation days, or lieu time.

Origin

(February 4, 2019) Member Motion from Councillor Jim Karygiannis, seconded by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam

Summary

City Council, on January 30 and 31, 2019, referred Member Motion MM2.7 to the General Government and Licensing Committee.

 

The City of Toronto has been voted as one of the ten best cities to live in the world. Toronto is Canada's largest City with over 2.9 million residents with various ethnic beliefs and religious practices. To be truly considered multicultural, our City's policies and practices have to reflect these norms. This motion is asking for a report on the feasibility of changing the City's policies on religious observances so that they are representative of our rich and diverse multicultural population.

Background Information

(February 4, 2019) Member Motion from Councillor Jim Karygiannis, seconded by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam on Request for Report on the Feasibility of Changing the City of Toronto's Policy on Statutory Holidays
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/gl/bgrd/backgroundfile-124486.pdf

Motions

1 - Motion to Defer Item Indefinitely moved by Councillor Stephen Holyday (Lost)

2 - Motion to Defer Item moved by Councillor Jim Karygiannis (Withdrawn)

That consideration of the item be deferred until the April 23, 2019 meeting of the General Government and Licensing Committee.


3 - Motion to Adopt Item moved by Councillor Paul Ainslie (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item) Mar-05-2019

Result: Carried Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 4 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie (Chair), John Filion, Jim Karygiannis, Josh Matlow
Total members that voted No: 2 Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, Frances Nunziata
Total members that were Absent: 0 Members that were absent are
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council