Item - 2020.RM14.5

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on January 29, 2020.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020:

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged Nick and Pat Di Donato, who were present in the Council Chamber, and offered condolences to their family.

Councillor Holyday, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged the family of Michael McGee, who was present in the Chamber: his wife Elizabeth, sons Lucas and Matthew, and his brother and sister Maureen and Paul, along with Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff. Councillor Holyday acknowledged Mr. McGee's work in his 28 years with the City and recognized his contributions to Aquatics and the Learn to Swim program across the City. Councillor Holyday offered condolences to Mr. McGee's family and offered thanks for the work that Mr. McGee did to build the City of Toronto and to improve the quality of life for its inhabitants.

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, invited Giuliana Carbone, Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to come forward to recognize Patricia Walcott, General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services, on her retirement from the City of Toronto. Ms. Carbone advised Council of Ms. Walcott's meaningful impact on the City's organizations, programs and services, and on the lives of Toronto's most vulnerable residents. Ms. Carbone further advised Council that Ms. Walcott is retiring after a 46-year career in public service, 40 years with the Federal Government, during which Ms. Walcott was awarded the Lieutenant Governor's Medal of Distinction in Public Administration, and the last six years with the City of Toronto, where Ms. Walcott has been instrumental in driving positive, sustainable change, focussed on improving the quality and level of services.

Mayor Tory came forward and advised Council that Toronto is the third-largest social assistance delivery provider in Canada and stated that Ms. Walcott had not only administered the function competently and with compassion, but also implemented projects such as a low-income fare pass. Mayor Tory presented Ms. Walcott with a scroll on behalf of the Members of Council and thanked Ms. Walcott for her wonderful contribution to the City.

Ms. Walcott addressed City Council and said that she was grateful for the opportunity to cap off her public service career at the City. Ms. Walcott spoke of how proud she is of the important changes and innovative work, and that she was honoured to have served the City's residents.

Councillor McKelvie, during the morning session of the meeting, rose to announce a special occasion taking place on Saturday, February 1st, and shared a short video commemorating the occasion: Councillor Mike Colle's 75th birthday. Councillor McKelvie thanked Councillor Colle for representing his residents well and wished him a happy birthday on behalf of City Council.

Councillor Colle thanked Members of Council for their well wishes and said how privileged he felt to have the opportunity to do good for the City and to have done so for so many years. Councillor Colle invited all Members of Council to have a piece of the Sicilian tangerine cake that he'd baked that morning.

Councillor Grimes, during the morning session of the meeting, rose to wish his wife Anne a very happy birthday.

Councillor Pasternak, during the morning session of the meeting, wished his wife a belated happy birthday.

Councillor Pasternak, during the morning session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that the North York Community Council, at its last meeting, paid tribute to two long-term employees at the City of Toronto who had retired. Councillor Pasternak acknowledged Joe Nanos, Director of Community Planning, North York District, who retired after 32 years with the City of Toronto, having shaped many of the large infrastructure and planning projects across the City during that time and making a major contribution to planning and building in North York. Councillor Pasternak also paid tribute to Francine Adamo, who retired after 48 years with the City of Toronto. Councillor Pasternak recognized Ms. Adamo as a major asset to the North York Community Council, making sure everything stayed on track, and that she did a remarkable job across the City, having touched almost every public policy issue regarding the Clerk's Office.

Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Tory to come forward to make a very special recognition. Mayor Tory recognized Francine Adamo, Administrator, North York Community Council, present at the Clerk's Centre Table, on her retirement, and thanked her for 48 years of service. Mayor Tory acknowledged the work that takes place at the Clerk's table and said that it was a privilege to honour Ms. Adamo before City Council. Mayor Tory remarked that it was an opportunity for the Members to thank Ms. Adamo, as she had spent most of her career working directly with elected representatives, and that he had heard that she carried out her work with distinction, competence, capability and compassion, and that she had been a great mentor. Mayor Tory wished Ms. Adamo a long, healthy and happy retirement.

Councillor Filion also addressed Council and said that he was the Councillor who has had the pleasure of working the most with Ms. Adamo in her career and that during the "old North York days" Ms. Adamo held the place together, knowing how to synthesize Councillors' passionate addresses into motions, and that's what kept the place going. Councillor Filion thanked Ms. Adamo and remarked that she was a North York institution. 

Councillor Karygiannis, during the afternoon session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that they were all invited to a dinner tomorrow at the Royale Fine Dining Banquet at 648 Silver Star Boulevard to show solidarity with their Chinese-Canadian constituents in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.