Item - 2023.RM12.6

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on November 8 and 9, 2023.

November 8, 2023

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Olivia Chow to address City Council to commemorate Indigenous Veterans Day and Treaties Recognition Week. A procession of the Eagle staff entered the Chamber, accompanied by the drum and the singing of the traveling song.

Speaker Nunziata, called upon Elder Larry Frost to speak.

Larry Frost remarked on the Indigenous Veterans Day Celebration and shared a prayer for Remembrance Day to the Creator:

Today, we remember all men and women who died in defense of our country and this freedom. Help us to honor their sacrifice through our world, and through our prayers and actions for peace in our world. Send your spirit to help us to let go of misunderstandings, hatred, and prejudice, so that we may grow together as one family; guide our steps in the way of peace.

Mayor Chow thanked Elder Larry Frost and Lori Boros for the honor song, and the presence of the Canadian Forces Eagle Staff. Mayor Chow remarked that Indigenous Veteran’s Day honors the thousands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Indigenous veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect Canada, and its freedom and democracy. Mayor Chow remarked on the importance of commemorating Indigenous Veterans Day to ensure that all indigenous service members and veterans receive the recognition and the support they deserve.

Mayor Chow remarked on the addition of plaques to the Hall of Memory in the City Hall Rotunda, to honor the contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit to national defense, and to remember all the Treaty Partners who participated in the Battle of York.

Mayor Chow also recognized the week as Treaties Recognition Week and reiterated the City of Toronto’s commitment to advance truth, justice, and reconciliation with First Nations people.

Mayor Chow, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed the 2023 Leaders Lab Program Fellows from the Toronto Arts Council. Mayor Chow recognized the Fellows for their efforts to build a network of creative problem solvers and innovative thinkers from across arts disciplines to strengthen leadership capacity in the arts sector.

Councillor Moise, during the morning session of the meeting, rose to recognize and celebrate the dedication and service of Toronto Centre resident, Connie Langille, recipient of a 2023 Ontario Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes volunteers for providing committed and dedicated service to an organization. 

Deputy Mayor Malik, during the afternoon session of the meeting, welcomed grades 5 and 6 students from Downtown Alternative School, and their teachers and parents, who were present in the Council Chamber.

November 9, 2023

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Olivia Chow to address City Council to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Toronto Youth Cabinet.

Mayor Chow recognized the 25th anniversary of the Toronto Youth Cabinet. Mayor Chow remarked that since Toronto Youth Cabinet was established in 1998, it has offered meaningful ideas to make the City better not only for young people, but for everyone who calls Toronto home. Mayor Chow also acknowledged several of the Toronto Youth Cabinet’s accomplishments, including: the creation of the Identify 'N Impact Grant Program (2006); the campaign to create the Chief Youth Advisory Group with the Toronto Police Service; the proclamation and observance of Youth Week in May 2017; and the advocating for skateboard parks, basketball courts and a number of infrastructure projects that provide community and social services for young people. Mayor Chow recognized Toronto Youth Cabinet as one of the most essential voices in deciding the City’s present and future and thanked Toronto Youth Cabinet staff for their contributions.

Mayor Chow presented Steven Mensah, the Executive Director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet with a commemorative scroll.

Steven Mensah addressed City Council and thanked Mayor Chow and Council. Mr. Menash stated that together they have tackled many issues successfully, by advocating for more youth outreach workers, more youth hubs and preventing cuts to programs and spaces. Mr. Mensah remarked on the Toronto Youth Cabinet’s accomplishments, including leading the City of Toronto’s youth vaccine engagement strategy, advocacy for free meal products across Ontario schools, the incorporation of financial literacy into the Ontario education curriculum, and de-streaming education to tackle anti-Black racism in Ontario’s education system. Mr. Mensah remarked that investment into Toronto Youth Cabinet is an investment into young people and the impacts lead to a safer, more equitable and youth-friendly City. Mr. Mensah thanked Toronto’s young people for entrusting the Toronto Youth Cabinet to be their voice.

Councillor Morley congratulated the Toronto Youth Cabinet on its 25th year anniversary and thanked the Toronto Youth Cabinet for their continued dedication. Councillor Morley stated that she entered politics because of youth advocacy and that she looked forward to the ongoing work of capacity building and ensuring young people have space in the Council Chamber to inform the shape of the future of the City.

Councillor Pasternak, during the morning session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that he attended the Fourth Global Summit of the Strong Cities Network, a global network of cities dedicated to addressing all forms of hate, extremism, and polarization, in New York, on behalf of Mayor Chow. The New York City Mayor’s Declaration, signed by Mayor Chow, enumerates a series of practical steps that mayors commit to, to address threats while promoting human rights, consistent with the Strong Cities mission. Councillor Pasternak also brought attention to United Nations Interfaith Harmony Week to promote harmony between all peoples, regardless of their faith and the related motion on City Council’s agenda.

Councillor McKelvie, during the morning session of the meeting, announced that the Toronto Women4Climate Toronto Mentorship Program is accepting applications for its fourth cohort. Women4ClimateTO helps female-identifying entrepreneurs advance their climate related business or project, through one-on-one mentoring with industry leaders, knowledge labs, and networking opportunities. Following the mentorship program, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a pitch competition with the chance to win cash prizes in support of their business or project.

Councillor Bravo, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged the vigil outside of City Hall, on the evening of November 8, to mourn the loss of children’s lives in Gaza. Councillor Bravo remarked that no children should ever be targeted by any act of violence and invited those in the Chamber to observe a moment of silence to reflect that there shouldn't be another life of a child lost in this conflict, which is threatening to spread beyond those borders and is heartbreaking for many people in the City of Toronto.

Councillor Colle, in response to Councillor Bravo’s announcement, remarked on representing the largest Jewish population and expressed the anguish and the outrage his constituents are faced with in terms of the conflict.

Councillor Matlow, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called attention to the attendance in the Chamber of Member of Provincial Parliament, and former Toronto City Councillor, Kristyn Wong-Tam.