Item - 2020.RM27.6

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020.

December 16, 2020

Councillor Pasternak, during the morning session of the meeting, recognize first responders who have recently responded to a number of fires in York Centre.  Councillor Pasternak remarked that in recent weeks there have been fires in the Stanley Greene neighbourhood, the Armour Gardens neighbourhood and at 6250 Bathurst Street, a Toronto Community Housing Corporation Building.  Councillor Pasternak thanked first responders for their quick response in saving lives and protecting property, and thanked a number of agencies who came to the aid of residents affected by the fire.

Mayor Tory, during the morning session, advised Members of Council that he had just returned from Queens Park where he took part in an announcement with Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Adam Vaughan, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Graydon Smith, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, regarding additional funds of $1,205,000,000. to the City of Toronto in addition to the $669,000,000 already provided through the Safe Restart Agreement earlier this year.  Mayor Tory further advised that funds from the Federal and Provincial Governments will cover the short fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic and balance the City's Budget for 2020.

Councillor Ford, during the afternoon session of the meeting, congratulated Speaker Nunziata on her son Michael having achieved his doctorate.

December 17, 2020

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Giuliana Carbone, Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to recognize Mike Williams, General Manager, Economic Development and Culture on his departure from the City of Toronto.  Ms. Carbone advised Members of Council that Mike Williams joined the City in 2009 in the depth of a recession and lead the City through the economy recovery.  Giuliana Carbone, on behalf of the staff at the City of Toronto, thanked Mr. Williams for his many contributions, for his passionate leadership and for his willingness to give so much of his time to promoting the City.

Mayor Tory recognized Mike Williams and spoke of his collaborative approach and how he gave equal attention to the economy/business and culture.  Mayor Tory remarked that the reputation of the City of Toronto in the last 10 years has grown exponentially due in part to the work of Mr. Williams as he sold the City of Toronto and got results.  Mayor Tory spoke of the numerous successful events that Mike Williams was involved in such as the World Pride, PanAm/Parapan Am Games and Invictus Games.  Mayor Tory thanked Mr. Williams for an exemplary 12 years of service to the City.

Speaker Nunziata thanked Mike Williams for his efforts over the years to help revitalize the Mount Dennis community.

Councillor Thompson spoke of Mr. Williams' leadership in transforming the City of Toronto and his work over the years in not only saving jobs but creating jobs for the people of Toronto.  Councillor Thompson noted that when Mr. Williams join the City he wanted to make Toronto a better place and that he had succeeded.

Councillor Fletcher presented Mr. Williams his own clapperboard from all his fans in the film industry. 

Mike Williams addressed City Council and thanked the Mayor for his leadership, Councillor Thompson for his enthusiasm and follow through, Councillor Crawford for his support of culture and the arts and Councillor Fletcher for being a champion of the film industry.  Mr. Williams also thanked Giuliana Carbone for being the best boss ever, his team at Economic Development and Culture and his wife for all her support.  Mike Williams announced that he has established a foundation for former staff to give to back and that the goal of the foundation is to give awards, bursaries and grants to aspiring new entries to municipal public service in Toronto to equity deserving groups.