Item - 2020.RM20.1

CALL TO ORDER: 10:02 a.m.

Speaker Nunziata took the Chair and called the Members to order. Speaker Nunziata advised that, as Council is conducting an electronic meeting today, they would dispense with the National Anthem.

Speaker Nunziata further advised that today is the first meeting of City Council held with Members participating remotely.  The Speaker asked the City Clerk to call the roll to confirm that a quorum of Members is present.

Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered:

Toronto residents who have passed away due to COVID-19             

The victims of the tragedy in Nova Scotia

Joseph Dan Bartholomew Bancroft

Vasil William (Bill) Evanov

Norene Gilletz

Aleksandra Kozhevnikova

Yvonne Murray

Lorna Rosenstein

Speaker Nunziata acknowledged that City Council was meeting on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.  Speaker Nunziata also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Speaker Nunziata advised Council of the following:

Members of Council, this special meeting has been called for the following purposes:

1. To consider amendments to the Council Procedures to permit electronic participation in meetings during periods of Provincial or municipal emergency and to authorize local boards of the City to amend their own procedures to permit electronic participation in meetings during emergencies without the need for further Council approval.

2. To consider a report from the Mayor under Municipal Code Chapter 59, Emergency Management, including the Mayor's exercise of Council's authority during an emergency period.

3. To consider a presentation and reports from the Mayor and senior City officials on the management of the current emergency, including any actions requiring Council decision to aid in the ongoing management of the emergency.

4. To consider any other matter deemed urgent by the Mayor, in consultation with Members and City officials, and published on the main agenda.

and

5. To introduce and enact general Bills and a Confirming Bill for this special meeting.

The City Clerk has posted all of the agenda materials for today's meeting at toronto.ca slash council.

Members, this is a special meeting.  Under Council’s Procedures, no other business such as Notices of Motions, may be introduced.   This rule cannot be waived. 

Members, before I begin our opening routines, I want to emphasize that today's Council meeting is public.

Although City Hall is closed and physical distancing measures and limits on public gatherings prevent Council from meeting in person, today's meeting is being conducted publicly and is being streamed live on YouTube.  I want to welcome the public who are watching our meeting.

With me today are the City Clerk and her staff, along with IT and AV staff.  Senior staff are located in an adjacent room and will be available to answer questions. Members, you will also have dedicated IT support throughout today's meeting.  If you need to reach them, the City Clerk has provided you contact information.

As we progress through today's meeting I will advise how our meeting practices have been adapted to facilitate electronic participation.  I ask that Members be patient as we work through the agenda.