Item - 2021.RM31.6

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on April 7 and 8, 2021.

April 7, 2021

Mayor Tory, during the morning session of the meeting, spoke of the extraordinary circumstances that everyone has faced over the last year and stated that the pandemic is the greatest crisis that the City of Toronto has faced.  Mayor Tory also spoke about how, during this crisis, the City has provided extra support to those most vulnerable and has maintained and protected City Services.  Mayor Tory remarked that the City is at its best when Elected Officials and the public service work together.  Mayor Tory commented that there have been things that have happened and to ensure that they do not happen again, everyone must be mindful and treat each other with respect. Mayor Tory also noted Members have not always been at their best in their interactions with City staff and that Members must be respectful and courteous in the manner to which they hold staff to account.  Mayor Tory acknowledged that there have been many stresses and strains during the pandemic and there is a special need now to address how Members deal with each other and how Members deal with the public service. 

Chris Murray, City Manager, during the morning session of the meeting, addressed Members of Council and spoke of how the relationship with the elected officials matters to the Toronto Public Service.  Chris Murray noted that the pandemic has challenged everyone professionally and personally and that respect for each other is paramount.  Chris Murray thanked Members of Council for recognizing the work of the public service.  Chris Murray acknowledged that members of the public service are people and that people make mistakes, and as public servants they acknowledge those mistake and work to build trust and respect with the residents and elected official that they serve.  Chris Murray, on behalf of the City's leadership team, thanked the Mayor for his comments and thanked Members for the opportunity to address Council.

Councillor Thompson, during the morning session of the meeting, advised Members that Councillor Grimes was not able to attend the Council meeting as the Councillor was recovering from knee surgery and wished Councillor Grimes a speedy recovery.

April 8, 2021

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Tory to recognize Jim Baxter, the Director of Environment and Energy on his retirement from the City of Toronto. Mayor Tory spoke of Jim Baxter's important contribution in the development of a climate action plan that was crucial to the City and that transformed how residents live and work.  The Mayor noted that Jim Baxter and his team developed a number of strategies including the Electric Vehicle Strategy and the Pollinator Protection Strategy.  Mayor Tory stated that Jim Baxter was instrumental in leading the charge for climate change and through his efforts, Toronto has been recognized internationally for its work on climate change.   Mayor Tory thanked Jim Baxter for his dedication to public service and for advancing a better and cleaner environment for the residents of Toronto. Mayor Tory call upon Councillor McKelvie to say a few words. Councillor McKelvie remarked that as a result of Jim Baxter's vision and hard work, the City of  Toronto met its 2020 goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 30 percent and for this year, the City has invested $611 million in 439 projects for climate action. Councillor McKelvie also noted that the impact of Jim Baxter's 11 years of service to the City is illustrated in how climate action has been embraced in the City's corporate culture.   Councillor McKelvie wished Jim Baxter a retirement full of excitement, adventure and good times. Councillor McKelvie called upon Josie Scioli to say a few words.  Josie Scioli, Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, spoke of Jim Baxter as leader, colleague and friend and thanked him for his dedication and support.  Jim Baxter addressed Council and acknowledged a number of staff and Members of Council he was privileged to work with during his time at the City of Toronto. Jim Baxter spoke of climate action and how its impact is greatest on those who are least able to deal with it.  Jim Baxter stated that action is needed now to deal with climate change, that it is up to each person to work together to find a way out of it and that we must strive to do better. Jim Baxter thanked the Mayor and Members of Council, his colleagues and his family for their support.