Item - 2020.RM20.4

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on April 30, 2020.

Mayor Tory, during the morning session of the meeting, thanked Members of Council for gathering to take part in the first virtual meeting of City Council.  Mayor Tory also thanked the City Clerk, the Deputy City Clerk and their team for helping Councillors get ready for the virtual meeting.  Mayor Tory noted that he is committed to having regular meetings to deal with urgent business as Council is doing today.  Mayor Tory advised that it has been over a month since declaring a state of emergency in City of Toronto and that the decision was made on the advice of the Medical Officer of Health which was for as many people as possible to stay home, for people to keep their distance from one another, to protect the vulnerable and to keep from overwhelming our health care system.  Mayor Tory noted that the pandemic emergency continues to this day and likely will continue for some time to come, however, the City is making progress and is seeing the slowing of the spread of COVID-10 due to physical distancing actions of the people of the City of Toronto. Mayor Tory advised that there have been many COVID-19 tragedies as over 300 people have died in the City.  Mayor Tory, on behalf of Members of Council, extended condolences to those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19.  Mayor Tory confirmed that the City remains committed to saving lives and fighting the virus.  Mayor Tory thanked the residents of the City of Toronto for continuing to do the right thing by staying home, staying safe to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and saving lives. Mayor Tory noted that he was proud of City Council as they responded to the challenge collectively by working with the Toronto Public Service and the other levels of government. Mayor Tory thanked the Medical Officer of Health, the Fire Chief and General Manager of the Office of Emergency Management, the Deputy Fire Chief, the City Manager, the Deputy City Managers and the entire staff team across the divisions for their efforts during this pandemic emergency. Mayor Tory also thanked the non-profit and community organizations who have partnered with the City to help residents during this pandemic emergency. Mayor Tory thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford for the initiatives from their respective governments to assist people during these difficult and challenging times.

Mayor Tory, during the afternoon session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that six members of the Canadian Armed Forces were on board a helicopter that crashed during a NATO training exercise in Greece.  Mayor Tory further advised that of the six members of the Canadian Armed Forces, one has died and five are still missing.  Mayor Tory, on behalf of City Council and the residents of the City of Toronto, extended condolences to the family and the extended military family who are mourning the loss of Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough.