Item - 2023.RM5.6

Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on March 29, 30, and 31, 2023.

March 29, 2023

Speaker Nunziata called upon Deputy Mayor McKelvie to address City Council for a presentation to place the water vessel that was gifted to Council at the first meeting of City Council on November 23, 2022.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie acknowledged the anthem, and recognized the International Decade for Indigenous Languages and Indigenous Languages Day on Friday, March 31, 2023. Deputy Mayor McKelvie recalled the first meeting of City Council on November 23, 2022 when  Elders Garry and Tina Sault and presented the Water Vessel to City Council. Deputy Mayor McKelvie welcomed Elder Garry Sault and Fire Keeper Geoff Daybutch to the Chamber. Deputy Mayor McKelvie recounted the instructions given to Council to keep and shine the water vessel and presented the shined water vessel to City Council that will be on permanent display in the Chamber. The Deputy Mayor reiterated City Council's commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous people living in what is now Toronto and the ongoing work needed to restore relations with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people. On behalf of City Council, Deputy Mayor stated she looked forward to working with Indigenous communities as they continue to make progress towards Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie invited Elder Garry Sault to address City Council.

Elder Garry Sault addressed City Council and spoke about Indigenous teachings and the importance of ceremony. Elder Garry Sault commended Council for the untarnished state of the water vessel that was part of the Queen's Jubilee. He commented on the continued need for reconciliation in Canada and thanked City Council.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie thanked Elder Garry Sault for his words.

Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called up Deputy Mayor McKelvie to address City Council.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie congratulated Speaker Frances Nunziata on receiving the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Long-Standing Service Recognition certificate. Deputy Mayor McKelvie introduced a video from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Steve Clark, in which Minister Clark congratulated Speaker Nunziata on her long career in representing her constituents, and wished her all the best.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie addressed City Council in recognition of Speaker Frances Nunziata's long and storied career, and listed several career highlights. Deputy Mayor McKelvie commended Speaker Nunziata for her many accomplishments and remarked on her compassion, integrity and dedication to her constituents, and presented Speaker Nunziata with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Long-Standing Service Recognition certificate.

Speaker Nunziata addressed City Council and commented about the challenges she faced as one of the only women in municipal politics. Speaker Nunziata commented on her persistence and perseverance in the last 35 years, and she thanked her constituents for the support and friendship they have given her over the years and through the number of elections she has won, and recognized some of her constituents in the chamber. Speaker Nunziata thanked her constituents and City Council.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie recognized the third cohort of the Women4ClimateTO program and commented on the Women4ClimateTO project. Deputy Mayor McKelvie acknowledged Heather Taylor, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as a fellow champion of the program. Deputy Mayor McKelvie acknowledged the program's mentees, and outlined their projects, and welcomed mentees Ellise Gasner, Julia Morgan, Lisa Chen, and Natalie Duncan to the Chamber. Deputy Mayor McKelvie thanked the Mentors for sharing their knowledge with the mentees, and asked Council to thank everyone involved.

March 30, 2023

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Patricia McCarney, Chief Executive Officer of the World Council on City Data to address City Council.

Patricia McCarney congratulated the City of Toronto for receiving the Platinum Certification for ISO 37120 (building high calibre data) by the World Council on City Data. Ms. McCarney commended the City of Toronto on achieving this status and acknowledged that Toronto was a Global First as a Foundation City, as one of the first to be certified under this standard. Ms. McCarney acknowledged the work City staff has done to reach this standard and congratulated the City on its commitment to standardized and comparable city data. Ms. McCarney presented the certificate to Deputy Mayor McKelvie, Paul Johnson, City Manager, and Heather Taylor, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie thanked Patricia McCarney and the World Council on City Data for the award and congratulated City staff who worked hard to reach this certification standard. Deputy Mayor McKelvie commented on the importance of the City's data and how it is being used around the world to work towards sustainable futures. Deputy Mayor McKelvie thanked City staff for their dedication.

Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called up Deputy Mayor McKelvie to address City Council.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie, on behalf of City Council, congratulated Team Canada on winning the 2022 Davis Cup, the World Cup of tennis. Deputy Mayor McKelvie welcomed Michael Downey, President, Tennis Canada; Frank Dancevic, Team Captain; Jim Boyce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Tennis Association; and Diane Weatherby, Chair of the Board, Ontario Tennis Association and President, Charlottetown Tennis Club. Deputy Mayor McKelvie acknowledged that this was Canada's first win of the Davis Cup and commended the players for their talent, drive and grit. Deputy Mayor McKelvie commented on the bright future of men's tennis in Canada, and acknowledged the women of Team Canada who are currently competing in the Miami Open. Deputy Mayor McKelvie congratulated Team Canada and invited Frank Dancevic and Michael Downey to speak.

Michael Downey gave a brief history of the Davis Cup trophy and the Davis Cup tournament. Mr. Downey listed the countries that Team Canada defeated in the tournament. Mr. Downey acknowledged Jim Boyce also competed with Team Canada as a Davis Cup player. Mr. Downey welcomed Frank Dancevic, Team Captain and Junior Davis Cup Captain and invited him to speak.

Frank Dancevic thanked City Council for inviting them to celebrate their win. Mr. Dancevic acknowledged the pride he felt on behalf of Team Canada and thanked the Ontario Tennis Association for their support. Mr. Dancevic recognized the fan support they have received. Mr. Dancevic thanked Tennis Canada for seeing the future of world class tennis players. Mr. Dancevic acknowledged the work that had occurred over the years to make Team Canada a number one team. He recalled a few of the highlights of the tournament and commended Team Canada for pushing through and winning the Davis Cup. Mr. Dancevic thanked City Council for their support.

Mayor McKelvie invited City Council to visit the Members Lounge to see the Davis Cup.

March 31, 2023

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called up Deputy Mayor McKelvie to address City Council.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie congratulated the Women's Hockey team, the Toronto Six, for their win of the Isobel Cup Championship. Deputy Mayor McKelvie acknowledged how many champions Toronto has had this year. Deputy Mayor McKelvie welcomed Sami Jo Small, President, Toronto Six, Angela James, General Manager, Toronto Six, and many of the players to the Chamber. Deputy Mayor McKelvie acknowledged that the Toronto Six was the first Canadian team to win the Isobel Cup. Deputy Mayor McKelvie recognized the inspiration the team provided to girls playing hockey everywhere, and on behalf of City Council she thanked the Toronto Six for representing Toronto in the 2023 Isobel Cup.

Deputy Mayor McKelvie invited Sami Jo Small to speak.

Sami Jo Small thanked Deputy Mayor McKelvie and City Council for having the Toronto six to the Chamber. Ms. Small commended the players present in the Chamber and acknowledged their resilience and perseverance. Ms. Small commented on a few highlights of the tournament and acknowledged how important it was to celebrate women's hockey. Ms. Small recognized the members of the Toronto Six present in the Chamber,  listed some of their individual accomplishments in the tournament and thanked them for their hard work. Ms. Small thanked City Council for its support.

Councillor Bravo, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged a fatal fire that occurred in her ward on Wednesday, and thanked the first responders for their actions.

City Council observed a moment of silence for the resident who perished in the fire.

Councillor Colle, during the morning session of the meeting, asked City Council to recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility and support transgender citizens of Toronto.

Councillor Thompson, during the morning session of the meeting, recognized the retirement of reporter Austin Delaney. Councillor Thompson commended him for his integrity and professionalism, and thanked him for 40 years of outstanding journalism at CTV and on behalf of City Council, wished him well in his retirement.

Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged that this would be the last meeting for Kelly McCarthy, Deputy City Clerk before she goes on maternity leave. Speaker Nunziata congratulated Ms. McCarthy on her pregnancy and wished her well.

Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, advised Council of a hate crime at the Islamic Centre Mosque in her ward, with hateful graffiti sprayed on the mosque. Speaker Nunziata affirmed to the Mosque and all other mosques that the City of Toronto will not tolerate hate crimes. Speaker Nunziata thanked the Members of Council and the divisions who have responded to help remove the graffiti.