Item - 2022.EC31.24

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto, to negotiate and execute on behalf of the City an agreement with the non-profit charitable organization of the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation (known as of the date of this report as "Lassonde Art Trail") to accept the donation of two permanent public art works, consistent with the terms of the Public Art and Monuments Donation Policy and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Managers and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto, to negotiate and execute on behalf of the City a long-term renewable operating license agreement with the non-profit charitable organization of the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation (known as of the date of this report as "Lassonde Art Trail") to manage the public art trail in future City parks in the Port Lands Flood Protection Area in collaboration with the City on terms and conditions satisfactory to General Managers and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in 2023 with an update on the terms of the donation agreement and operating license agreement for the art trail.

The Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, gave a presentation on New Waterfront Public Art Trail.

The Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation has approached the City of Toronto and Waterfront Toronto with a proposal to make a transformative philanthropic investment that will create a new landmark on Toronto's waterfront. Valued at up to $25 million, this proposed donation represents the largest gift offered to the City since the development of The Bentway. The Foundation's proposal includes:

- Commissioning two major permanent public art works through an invitational competition open to internationally-recognized Canadian and global artists, with a budget of $10 million; and

- Establishing a new waterfront public art trail spanning three future City parks along the new mouth of the Don River in the Port Lands, showcasing additional temporary and permanent works by local, national and international artists.

With the two new permanent art works as its centrepiece, the art trail, envisioned as part of the revitalization of the Port Lands, will serve as a free, accessible outdoor museum for visitors and residents. The Foundation has proposed to establish a new non-profit charitable organization - to be known as the "Lassonde Art Trail" - to commission the two permanent art works and develop, curate and manage the art trail, and will fund the organization's operations with an investment of up to $15 million, with a target to raise an additional $30 million to sustain it over the long term.

This report seeks authority from City Council to negotiate and enter into agreements to accept the public artwork donations in the coming months. This will include an agreement to accept the donation of the two permanent public art works, in accordance with the terms of the Public Art and Monument Donations Policy. In addition, staff will negotiate a renewable license agreement with the Lassonde Art Trail to manage the art trail in future City-owned parks in partnership with the City. Each of the agreements will set out roles and responsibilities for costs and site maintenance, while also affirming shared priorities between the City and the donor, including community use of the space for art, recreation and events.