Item - 2023.MM13.29
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on December 13, 2023 with amendments.
MM13.29 - Confronting the Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: Renaming Civic Assets Bearing the Henry Dundas Name - by Councillor Chris Moise, seconded by Mayor Olivia Chow
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on December 13, 14 and 15, 2023, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to adopt the new name Sankofa Square selected by the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee and report to City Council through the Executive Committee as part of the report on the Governance Review of Yonge-Dundas Square, to adopt the recommended new name by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
2. City Council request the Toronto Public Library Board to rename the Jane/Dundas Library, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the two local Councillors, such that the name Dundas is removed, to be completed by the second or third quarter of 2024.
3. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission Board to:
a. rename the Dundas subway station in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and Toronto Metropolitan University such that the name Dundas is removed and there is no net impact on the City of Toronto’s or the Toronto Transit Commission's budget, to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024; and
b. rename the Dundas West subway station in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in consultation with the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee such that the name Dundas is removed, to be completed within the Toronto Transit Commission’s 10-year capital plan and preferably by 2025.
4. City Council direct the Executive Director of Social Development, Finance and Administration, in collaboration with the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture, the General Manager of Transportation Services, and the Chief Communications Officer of Strategic Public and Employee Communications to undertake public education campaign and strategic communication efforts to acknowledge the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery in keeping with the International Decade for People of African Descent and report to the Executive Committee in the fourth quarter of 2024 aligned with an update on the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, and request the Mayor consider $50,000 to fund this program in each of 2024 and 2025.
5. City Council direct the City Manager to pause work on the remaining recommendations in 2021.EX25.1 until Council provides direction to resume.
6. City Council request the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee to include among other candidates, as part of any future consultation to consider honouring and naming City of Toronto assets in the Dundas renaming process and in the development of the City’s next Confronting Anti-Black Racism Action Plan:
a. Dudley Laws - a Canadian civil rights icon who as Executive Director of the Black Action Defence Committee worked to combat anti-Black racism in policing and helped to establish Ontario's Special Investigation Unit; and
b. Charles Roach - a civil rights lawyer and activist who was a prominent leader in Toronto's Black community who fought tirelessly for social justice and equality for marginalized communities.
Background Information (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-241604.pdf
Fiscal Impact Statement from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-241617.pdf
Communications (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/mm/comm/communicationfile-174366.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That Councillor Chris Moise be permitted to add to the agenda of today's meeting an urgent Motion without Notice concerning:
Confronting the Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: Renaming Civic Assets Bearing the Henry Dundas Name
Reason for Urgency:
This Motion is urgent as it relates to considerations for the 2024 budget process.
Vote (Introduce Motion without Notice) Dec-14-2023 10:31 AM
| Result: Carried | Two-Thirds full Council Required - MM13.29 - Moise - Introduce the Motion without notice |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 22 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Vincent Crisanti, Parthi Kandavel, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Paula Fletcher, Jaye Robinson |
That:
1. City Council delete Recommendation 5.
Recommendation to be deleted:
5. City Council direct the City Manager to pause work on the remaining recommendations in 2021.EX25.1 until Council provides direction to resume.
and, adopt instead the following:
5. City Council rescind its decision to rename Dundas Street under Item 2021.EX25.1 and direct that no further work be done concerning the renaming of Dundas Street or remaining recommendations.
Vote (Amend Item) Dec-14-2023 7:51 PM
| Result: Lost | Majority Required - MM13.29 - Holyday - motion 1 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 5 | Members that voted Yes are Brad Bradford, Jon Burnside, Lily Cheng, Stephen Holyday, Frances Nunziata (Chair) |
| Total members that voted No: 16 | Members that voted No are Alejandra Bravo, Shelley Carroll, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Parthi Kandavel, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Vincent Crisanti, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson |
That:
1: City Council amend Recommendation 3.a so that it now reads as follows:
3. City Council direct request the Toronto Transit Commission Board to:
a. rename the Dundas subway station in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and Toronto Metropolitan University such that the name Dundas is removed and there is no net impact on the City of Toronto’s or the Toronto Transit Commission's budget, to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024.
b. rename the Dundas West subway station in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in consultation with the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee such that the name Dundas is removed, to be completed within the TTC’s 10-year capital plan and preferably by 2025.
Vote (Amend Item) Dec-14-2023 7:52 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM13.29 - Myers - motion 2 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 20 | Members that voted Yes are Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Stephen Holyday, Parthi Kandavel, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that voted No: 1 | Members that voted No are Brad Bradford |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Vincent Crisanti, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson |
That City Council amend Recommendation 2 by adding the words "and the two local Councillors" so it now reads as follows:
2. City Council request the Toronto Public Library Board rename the Jane/Dundas Library, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the two local Councillors, such that the name Dundas is removed, to be completed by the second or third quarter of 2024.
That:
1. Council request the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee to include among other candidates, as part of any future consultation to consider honouring and naming City of Toronto assets in the Dundas renaming process and in the development of the City’s next Confronting Anti-Black Racism Action Plan:
a. Dudley Laws – a Canadian civil rights icon who as Executive Director of the Black Action Defence Committee worked to combat anti-Black racism in policing and helped to establish Ontario's Special Investigation Unit; and
b. Charles Roach – a civil rights lawyer and activist who was a prominent leader in Toronto's Black community who fought tirelessly for social justice and equality for marginalized communities.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Dec-14-2023 7:54 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM13.29 - Colle - motion 4 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 21 | Members that voted Yes are Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Stephen Holyday, Parthi Kandavel, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Vincent Crisanti, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson |
Adoption of Recommendation 1 only:
1. City Council direct the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to adopt the new name Sankofa Square selected by the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee and report to City Council through the Executive Committee as part of the Report on the Governance Review of Yonge-Dundas Square, to adopt the recommended new name by the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Dec-14-2023 7:56 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM13.29 - Adoption of Recommendation 1 only |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 19 | Members that voted Yes are Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Parthi Kandavel, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, Jaye Robinson |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Vincent Crisanti, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson |
Adoption of Recommendation 2 as amended only:
2. City Council request the Toronto Public Library Board rename the Jane/Dundas Library, in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the two local Councillors, such that the name Dundas is removed, to be completed by the second or third quarter of 2024.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Dec-14-2023 7:57 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM13.29 - Adoption of Recommendation 2 as amended only |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 19 | Members that voted Yes are Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Parthi Kandavel, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, Jaye Robinson |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Vincent Crisanti, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson |
Adoption of Recommendation 3 as amended only:
3. City Council request the Toronto Transit Commission Board to:
a. rename the Dundas subway station in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and Toronto Metropolitan University such that the name Dundas is removed and there is no net impact on the City of Toronto’s or the Toronto Transit Commission's budget, to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024; and
b. rename the Dundas West subway station in collaboration with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in consultation with the Recognition Review Community Advisory Committee such that the name Dundas is removed, to be completed within the TTC’s 10-year capital plan and preferably by 2025.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Dec-14-2023 8:01 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - MM13.29 - Adoption of Recommendation 3 as amended only |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 17 | Members that voted Yes are Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Lily Cheng, Olivia Chow, Mike Colle, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that voted No: 4 | Members that voted No are Brad Bradford, Stephen Holyday, Parthi Kandavel, Jaye Robinson |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Vincent Crisanti, James Pasternak, Anthony Perruzza, Michael Thompson |
During the introduction of an Urgent Notice of Motion on Confronting the Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: Renaming Civic Assets Bearing the Henry Dundas Name, Councillor Holyday, rising on a Point of Order, stated that he would like to speak on the introduction.
Councillor Perks, rising on a Point of Order, stated that to be specific the only issue is whether or not Council puts this item on the agenda, and the Speaker has already ruled that she considers this to be an urgent matter. Councillor Perks further stated that the only thing debatable therefore would be if Council does indeed need to have this discussion before the 2024 budget; that is the only item in front of Council.
John D. Elvidge, City Clerk, advised City Council that the question before Council is: “Shall Councillor Chris Moise be permitted to add to the agenda of today's meeting this Urgent Notice of Motion?” - that’s what's before Council for debate at this juncture. The City Clerk further advised that the Speaker deemed the item to be urgent and now that it's before Council, the only question is: “shall it be added to the agenda?”
Speaker Nunziata ruled that Councillor Holyday can speak on the introduction of the Motion, or he can hold the item down later and you can speak on the motion.
Councillor Holyday, rising on a point of Order, stated that he has already brought up in the meeting that the Financial Analysis from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, on this matter has not been posted, and that he asked for this item to be held until that information is available to Council. Councillor Holyday further stated that the Speaker gave the hold to his colleague and that now it has been re-timed.
Councillor Holyday, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that financial analysis is normally put under RM13.7 with the Order Paper, like all of the rest of the analysis and he asked that this be distributed to Members of Council, and this is the first he is hearing about it. Councillor Holyday further stated that he wished to know how this was a fair process so that people can do the required analysis and prepare for a debate.
Councillor Holyday, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he is trying to make the best out of an item that has been brought to the Council floor with no notice, with very little time to process it and that all he asks is that the information can be brought so that Council can deal with it in a fair manner. Councillor Holyday further stated that the last he heard just a moment ago was that the item is suddenly being reordered to immediately, and that he is looking for the Financial Analysis where it is normally found and it has not been placed there.
After the recess, Speaker Nunziata made the following ruling:
Members, Councillor Holyday rose on a point of privilege concerning the financial impact statement for MM13.29. When the Clerk receives the financial impact statement for a motion, it is posted to the Member Motion in CMP. A summary of the financial impact statements received before Council considered the Members motions is also posted against the Order Paper item under routine matters. At Councillor Holyday’s request, the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer provided the Clerk a financial impact statement and it was posted on MM13.29. As we have now had a recess to allow interested members to review the financial impact statement, I am ruling that the privilege of the Council has been maintained and we are now ready to proceed with the debate on the item.