Item - 2023.RM10.1

CALL TO ORDER: 9:40 a.m.

Speaker Nunziata took the Chair and called the Members to order.

The meeting opened with O Canada.

Members of Council observed a moment of silence and reflected on the announcement of the discovery of 93 additional unmarked graves believed to be at the former site of the Beauval Indian Residential School, on the territory of the English River First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered:

The Honourable James K. Bartleman

Michael Freeman

Raymond Moriyama, and

Robbie Robertson.

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Olivia Chow to address City Council:

Mayor Chow spoke about the legacy of Toronto Architect Raymond Moriyama, whose imagination and creativity had a deep impact on the City's landscape. Mayor Chow remarked that Raymond Moriyama's life and work reminds us of the vital importance of public spaces and notes some of the buildings that Mr. Moriyama built across the city, including the Toronto Reference Library, the Scarborough Town Centre, and the Ontario Science Centre. Mayor Chow stated that Mr. Moriyama's deep commitment to democracy, equality and inclusion of all people should be a guide to all in the years to come. Mayor Chow, on behalf of the City of Toronto, expressed her condolences to Mr. Moriyama's family and loved ones.

Councillor Holyday, during the morning session of the meeting, thanked Mayor Olivia Chow for allowing him the privilege to second the condolence motion for Raymond Moriyama. Councillor Holyday remarked that the work of Mr. Moriyama was special and inspired him when he was studying architecture at school. Councillor Holyday further remarked that someone like Raymond Moriyama has large signature buildings, but also would have done small things in and around the city that truly delight people. Councillor Holyday expressed his gratitude for Mr. Moriyama's life's amount of work found all over the country and in the City.

Speaker Nunziata addressed Council as follows:

I would like to take a moment on behalf of Council to acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples of all the lands that we are on today.  We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations and to deepening our own understanding of Indigenous peoples and their cultures. It is a moment to reflect on the importance of this land, which we each call home.

Speaker Nunziata acknowledged that City Council was meeting on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Speaker Nunziata also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Speaker Nunziata advised Council of the following:

For the benefit of those who are connected to the internet, the City Clerk has posted all of the agenda materials for today's meeting at toronto.ca/council.

This meeting is being held as a hybrid meeting and is being streamed live on YouTube. I'd like to welcome the public who are with us here today, and who are watching the meeting online.