Item - 2021.RM38.6

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on December 15, 16 and 17, 2021.

December 15, 2021

Speaker Nunziata called upon Mayor Tory to address City Council.  Mayor Tory, on behalf of City Council, acknowledged the passing of the 62nd Mayor and First Mayor of the amalgamated City of Toronto, Mel Lastman.  Mayor Tory spoke of Mr. Lastman's career in politics which started in 1969: that he was elected Mayor of North York in 1973, an office he held for ten terms, and that he was elected Mayor of the amalgamated City in 1998 and retired in 2003.  Mayor Tory remarked what an enormous job it was to be the Mayor of the amalgamated City and to try to bring together a group of people, 54 Members of Council, who were married in forced circumstances by the Province, and to try to move forward a united City. Mayor Tory noted the success of former Mayor Mel Lastman in the creation of the first Mayor's Committee on Child Abuse, and the first Mayor's Committee on Drinking and Driving, as well as his keen interest in Race Relations and Elder Abuse issues. Mayor Tory noted that these were issues that Mel Lastman took leadership of and addressed the challenges in a forthright way. Mayor Tory remarked on the work of Mr. Lastman with the Provincial and Federal levels of government on Toronto's waterfront, work that continues today.  Mayor Tory spoke of how people loved Mel Lastman because of his authenticity, and that he was extremely kind-hearted and respectful to everyone no matter what their station in life. Mayor Tory commented that Mel Lastman was larger than life and that he defended, promoted and advanced the interest of the City. Mayor Tory, on behalf of Members of City Council and the people of the City of Toronto for which he served for so long, thanked Mel Lastman for this service and thanked Mel Lastman's family for supporting him during his service.  Mayor Tory, on behalf of Members of City Council and the people of the City of Toronto, expressed his sincere condolences to Mel Lastman's family.

December 16, 2021

Mayor Tory, during the morning session of the meeting, provided an update to Members of Council about the urgency to ramp up efforts to get everyone their COVID-19 booster vaccination.  Mayor Tory also advised Members of Council of his intention to submit a Member Motion to this Council meeting in regards to the legal challenge against Bill 21 in the Province of Quebec.

December 17, 2021

Speaker Nunziata called upon Mayor Tory to recognize the departure of Omo Akintan, Chief People Officer, from the City of Toronto. Mayor Tory remarked that Ms. Akintan is an outstanding member of the Toronto Public Service, extremely intelligent, balanced and straightforward. Mayor Tory spoke of Omo Akintan's extraordinary leadership during the pandemic and her commitment to public interest and public well-being. On behalf of the people of Toronto and the Members of City Council, Mayor Tory thanked Omo Akintan for her public service and wished her well in her new endeavours.  Mayor Tory invited Chris Murray, City Manager, to address City Council. Mr. Murray spoke of Omo Akintan's many accomplishments including the success of collective bargaining with the unions, the transition to remote work as well as the health and safety measures during the pandemic, and the implementation of Success Factors and Team Central.  Omo Akintan addressed City Council and thanked Mayor Tory and Chris Murray for their kind words.  Ms. Akintan spoke of her seventeen years with the City of Toronto, beginning her career as an articling student in Legal Services and for the last three years as the Chief People Officer.  Omo Akintan remarked on the commitment of  the Toronto Public Service to build a better City and of the all the good work of the Public Service during the pandemic.  Ms. Akintan thanked the City Manager, the members of the Senior Leadership Team, her team and assistants and Members of City Council. Omo Akintan also thanked her mother and family for their support and for their sacrifices.