Item - 2019.RM6.5

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on April 16 and 17, 2019:

April 16, 2019

Councillor Thompson, during the morning session of the meeting, thanked Geoffrey James, the City's outgoing, and first, Photo Laureate for his contribution. Councillor Thompson welcomed Michèle Pearson Clarke, whose appointment as the second Photo Laureate of Toronto is to be ratified by Council at the current meeting, and remarked on Ms. Clarke's extensive body of work.

Councillor Cressy, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged Jann Houston, Director, Strategic Support, Toronto Public Health, who was present in the Chamber. Councillor Cressy advised Members of Council that Ms. Houston was attending her last meeting of City Council before her retirement, and remarked on her 35-year career at the City of Toronto.

April 17, 2019

Mayor Tory, during the morning session of the meeting, addressed City Council on the importance of organ and tissue donation. The Mayor advised Members of Council that they were given green ribbons to be worn in recognition that April was designated as Be a Donor month in Ontario. The Mayor relayed some statistics and shared a story regarding organ donation in the Province, and provided details on how to register to be an organ donor.

Councillor Carroll, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged Amanda Ross from the City Solicitor's office, who is the recipient of the Law Society of Ontario's J. Shirley Denison Award for her work with the Lawyers feed the Hungry organization. Councillor Carroll welcomed Ms. Ross to the Council Chamber and thanked her for her work.

Councillor Pasternak, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed to the Council Chamber members of the group Yiddish Glory, whose album of songs written during World War II by women, children, and refugees, titled The Lost Songs of World War II, was recently nominated for a Grammy Award for the Best World Music Album. Councillor Pasternak recognized Professor Anna Shternshis, creator of the group, singer Sophie Milman, singer Isaac Rosenberg, trumpet player David Buchbinder, and producer Dan Rosenberg.

Councillor Karygiannis, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed the Grade 2, 3, 4 and 5 students from St. Sylvester School, and their principal and their teachers, who were present in the Chamber.

Mayor Tory, during the afternoon session of the meeting, expressed the City's great regret at the fire at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris and advised the Members of Council that on the day of the fire his office had issued a statement on Twitter on the Members' behalf, and that the colours of the City of Toronto sign outside City Hall had been changed to the colours of the French flag.