Item - 2023.RM2.5

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on December 14 and 15, 2022.

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Tory to recognize Brad Ross, Chief Communications Officer on his retirement from the City.

Mayor Tory commended Brad Ross on his instrumental role in handling communications for the City throughout the pandemic. Mayor Tory noted that Mr. Ross, as the City's first Chief Communications Officer, was a consistent spokesperson for the City in how he said things and how he communicated to the public with professionalism and great skill. Mayor Tory stated that Mr. Ross had done his job, communicating the strategic direction of the City and Council's priorities to the public, with clear language with an approachable style that earned him the respect of the media, his peers and the rest of the public service, and of the Council and the City at large. Mayor Tory, on behalf of the Members of Council, expressed his gratitude and affection and presented a plaque to Brad Ross.

Brad Ross addressed City Council and thanked Mayor Tory. Mr. Ross said that it had been a privilege to lead Communications and speak on behalf of the City of Toronto. Mr. Ross expressed his pride in the City's team of communications professionals and thanked the Senior Leadership Team, colleagues on the Corporate Leadership Team, the Mayor and other City officials for their leadership in the City's response to--and ultimate recovery from--Covid-19. Brad Ross also recognized his wife and children, thanked the members of the Toronto media, and wished the Members of Council a successful new term.

Councillor Myers addressed City Council and recounted an assault that took place on December 12 on an Imam during prayer at Islamic Foundation Toronto. Councillor Myers noted that while no one was seriously injured in the assault, the incident has shaken the sense of safety and peace and that Members of Council must offer their collective support to the Imam and members of Islamic Foundation Toronto. Councillor Myers recognized two congregants who subdued the assailant, and thanked Mayor Tory for his support of Islamic Foundation Toronto, Toronto Police 42 Division for protecting the mosque, and Councillor Bravo, Councillor Malik, and Speaker Nunziata for their expressions of support and offers of help.

Councillor Cheng, during the afternoon session of the meeting, thanked Members of Council who registered to be part of the secret Santa. Councillor Cheng advised Members of Council that she brought cookies and key chains for everyone, and that the cookies were made by two refugees from Ukraine, and the key chains were made by an individual who is experiencing homelessness.