Item - 2022.SC33.61

Scarborough Community Council:

1. Requested the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report in the first quarter 2023, on establishing a permanent memorial in Scarborough honouring Grant Faulkner’s memory, such as a parkette in his name.

2. Requested the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consider the City-owned land on the north-east corner of Markham Road, and Stevenwood Road as an appropriate location for a memorial parkette.

In June 2018, City Council adopted to implement the 29 recommendations in the Coroner's Jury Inquest into the death of Grant Faulkner. Four years have passed, and the City has implemented recommendations and continues to advance to support those experiencing homelessness in our City.

Grant Faulkner, who was 49 years of age and a father of three, passed away in January 2015 in a plywood shelter that caught fire during sub-zero temperatures. The official cause of death was smoke inhalation.

Recommendation No. 6 of the Coroner’s Jury Inquest spoke on the establishment of a memorial for Grant Faulkner. A memorial is critical in raising awareness of Grant Faulkner's tragic death and the importance of prevention. Unfortunately, people continued to die in a similar manner.

The Coroner’s Jury Inquest recommendations have had a significant impact on how we today address and continue to learn to adapt to the needs of our most vulnerable residents. Recommendations 18 and 27, speak on the need for coordinated data collection. Implemented by the City of Toronto it has become increasingly useful, impacting our decisions on programming, staffing and funding. The Federation of Municipal Municipalities (FCM), is also reviewing data collection as a nationwide requirement.

I look forward to your support in requesting Parks Forestry and Recreation to report back in 2023, providing options for a memorial to honour Grant Faulkner and those who have sadly perished on our City streets.