Item - 2021.RM36.6

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on October 1 and 4, 2021.

October 1, 2021

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session.  called upon Mayor Tory to address City Council about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  Mayor Tory addressed City Council with respect to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observed on September 30th in the City of Toronto and across the country.  Mayor Tory remarked that the day was established to recognize the ongoing trauma caused by the residential and day schools and to recognize those who were lost, survivors, their families and communities.  Mayor Tory noted that it was also a day to recognize the broader injustices on a broader scale and to commit to doing better to act in a manner consistent with values shared with the indigenous community as well as all Torontonians.  Mayor Tory observed that National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is day to commemorate each year from this year forward, it is a day that indigenous community members advocated for and the decision to establish the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was the right thing to do. Mayor Tory stated that after a very tragic summer with the discovery of unmarked graves, we were all reminded of a hard truth of those parts of Canada's history that were shameful, and this Day was an important additional step in acknowledging that part of Canada's history.  Mayor Tory commented that by having to acknowledge Canada's history, we can continue to move forward together and take tangible action to support indigenous communities and to ensure that we are doing everything we can as a City to make that happen. Mayor Tory noted that he was encouraged by the engagement that happened with people coming out to the events to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  Mayor Tory advised Members that at the event at Evergreen Brickworks, he was incredibly moved by what he had heard from survivors of the residential school and day school system.  Mayor Tory spoke of the grace, patience and strength shown by those survivors who shared their experiences as part of the residential school and day school system.  Mayor Tory, on behalf of Members of Council and the Toronto Public Service, pledged that the City would do better and that the City is already trying to do better.  Mayor Tory acknowledged the work done by the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee to help us forge the right path.  Mayor Tory noted that Toronto is home to thousands of indigenous people who themselves are impacted, either directly or indirectly, by the residential school and day school system.  Mayor Tory, on behalf of the City, said that our thoughts are with the survivors of the residential school and day school system who live with the tragic consequences of that history each day and every day and the families and communities of those children who never came home.  Mayor Tory advised that the City's commemoration on September 30th was guided by consultations with indigenous leaders, the community and City staff, and was a great day for public education.  Mayor Tory thanked everyone involved in bringing people together.  Mayor Tory spoke of the Spirit Garden that will be located at Nathan Phillips Square and what an important place it will be to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in the future.  Mayor Tory encouraged Members to work together and said he looked forward to seeing other work come to fruition such as the Healing Lodge in Scarborough.  Mayor Tory committed that we will stand by our fellow residents who are indigenous and do what is right.

Councillor Lai, during the afternoon session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that October 1st is Chinese National Day.  Councillor Lai noted that locally the day has become a celebration of Chinese heritage. Councillor Lai advised that over the years, Chinese Canadians have contributed so much to the community and the City.  Councillor Lai spoke of the 1,000 Lanterns Ceremony that she attended on September 18th at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto during the Mid Autumn Moon Festival that commemorated the lives of indigenous children that were lost in the residential schools and also acknowledged the acceptance of the Chinese railroad workers by the indigenous people during the time of hard truth in that part of Canadian history.  Councillor Lai wished the People's Republic of China a Happy 72nd Anniversary and a Happy National Day.

October 4, 2021

Speaker Nunziata called upon Mayor Tory to address City Council to recognize the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Medalists from Toronto. Mayor Tory said that he was honoured to welcome some very special guests to the City Council meeting.  Mayor Tory noted that an unprecedented number of Torontonians were Olympians in this past Olympics in Tokyo.  Mayor Tory welcomed Aaron Brown, bronze medalist from the men's 4 × 100 metre relay team, Jenna Caira  and Joey Lye, members of the bronze medal winning woman's softball team, Paralympian Marissa Papaconsantinou, bronze medalist in the T64 100 metre sprint and Sydney Payne, member of the gold winning women's eight rowing team.  Mayor Tory congratulated the athletes on their outstanding achievements and let them know they have made Toronto proud.  Mayor Tory shared a short video showcasing athletes from Toronto.  Mayor advised Members of Council that Canada brought home 21 Paralympic medals and 24 Olympic medals.  Mayor Tory invited Jenna Caira to address Council on behalf of the Olympians.  Ms. Caira spoke of how Toronto had stepped up to ensure that the athletes had safe access to training facilities.  Jenna Caira stated the Team Canada and the support staff were proud to represent Canada and that it was a privilege to be in Japan during these unprecedented times. Ms. Caira thanked Members of Council and the City for its continued support for high performance athletics,  Jenna Caira also noted that it is the commitment from government and fans that help make the athletes dreams come true.  Mayor Tory invited Marissa Papaconsantinoum to address City Council on behalf of Paralympians.  Marissa Papaconsantinoum spoke of the support she felt from the City  and of the very challenging experience for high performance athletics during a pandemic. Marissa Papaconsantinou thanked the City of Toronto for realizing the importance of high performance sport and putting the athletes in the best position in being able to prepare for Tokyo by keeping the training facilities open during the pandemic.  Marissa Papaconsantinoum thanked Members of Council and the City for their support.  Mayor Tory thanked all athletes for joining the Council meeting today and congratulated them on their achievements.

Speaker Nunziata, during the evening session of the meeting, welcomed Paul Johnson, the new Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services.