Item - 2024.CA12.4
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on February 6 and 7, 2024 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by Civic Appointments Committee on January 12, 2024 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on February 6 and 7, 2024.
CA12.4 - Appointment of Public Members to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on February 6 and 7, 2024, adopted the following:
1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until successors are appointed:
Gideon Arthurs
Emily Schimp
Samantha Summer, and
Simon Wong
2. City Council appoint Gideon Arthurs as Chair of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until a successor is appointed.
3. City Council appoint Kim McDonald as the member nominated by the Metropolitan Toronto University, and Sheila Jennings as the member nominated by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until successors are appointed.
4. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (December 18, 2023) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (December 18, 2023) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
City Council Decision Advice and Other Information
Appointees' biographies:
Gideon Arthurs
Gideon Arthurs is the Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. From 2014-2022, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre School of Canada, and has worked his whole life in creating public spaces to support engaged communities. He serves on several boards and works tirelessly in service of creating stronger, healthier and safer communities.
Sheila Jennings
Sheila Jennings joined Cadillac Fairview in 2005 and has worked as the General Manager at four of its shopping centres, including Shops at Don Mills – the first urban outdoor shopping village – and, most recently, at its flagship property – the Toronto Eaton Centre. She has interacted with various groups throughout her career, including office and retail clients, developers, and homeowners. Sheila is one of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area's nominees on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Kim McDonald
Kim McDonald is the Director of University Events and Strategic Initiatives at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the Toronto Metropolitan University’s nominee on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Emily Schimp
Emily Schimp (she/her) is an arts manager with a passion for program development, cultural event production, and community engagement in the arts. Emily is currently the Director of Operations and Communications at New Music Concerts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Arts Administration and Culture Management from Humber College, with honours. Previous work experience includes the Toronto Biennial of Art, Humber College, ArtsPond and more.
Samantha Summers
Samantha Summers (she/her) is the Manager of Donor Circles for Royal Ontario Museum. Prior to this she worked in fundraising and communications for a variety of Toronto cultural organizations, including Toronto International Film Festival. She currently serves on the Boards of Breakthroughs Film Festival and the Future of Film Showcase. Samantha is passionate about the power of art and culture to inspire meaningful change in the world and believes community spaces have an important role to play in that mission.
Simon Wong
Simon Wong is a marketing strategist who has been building brands for the past 10+ years. With previously held positions at Loblaw Companies Limited, Samsung, Nestle and Kraft Heinz his professional experience ranges across various disciplines from brand to event management. He has partnered with the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area to bring many events to Yonge Dundas Square, including Illumnite, National Hockey League Face-Off, Toronto International Film Festival and Pride and constructed one of Canada’s largest digital outdoor LED boards.
Confidential Attachment - Personal matters about identifiable individuals who are being considered for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-241878.pdf
Confidential Attachment 1 - List of Interview Candidates, Qualifications, Confidential Diversity Information Summary, and Applications for Appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
Confidential Attachment 2 - Diversity Summary of Current Members of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
Confidential Attachment 3 - Interview schedule for January 12, 2024
Confidential Attachment 4 - Skills Matrix for the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
4a - Additional Vacancy and Appointment of Members Nominated by Organizations to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-242162.pdf
Attachment 1 - Letter from the Toronto Metropolitan University (November 20, 2023)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-242163.pdf
Attachment 2 - Letter from the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (December 12, 2023)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-242145.pdf
CA12.4 - Appointment of Public Members to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Confidential Attachment - Personal matters about identifiable individuals who are being considered for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Committee Recommendations
The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:
1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until successors are appointed:
Gideon Arthurs
Emily Schimp
Samantha Summer
Simon Wong
2. City Council appoint Gideon Arthurs as Chair of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until a successor is appointed.
3. City Council appoint Kim McDonald as the member nominated by the Metropolitan Toronto University, and Sheila Jennings as the member nominated by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until successors are appointed.
4. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (December 18, 2023) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Decision Advice and Other Information
Candidates' biographies:
Gideon Arthurs
Gideon Arthurs is the Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. From 2014-2022, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre School of Canada, and has worked his whole life in creating public spaces to support engaged communities. He serves on several boards and works tirelessly in service of creating stronger, healthier and safer communities.
Sheila Jennings
Sheila Jennings joined Cadillac Fairview in 2005 and has worked as the General Manager at four of its shopping centres, including Shops at Don Mills – the first urban outdoor shopping village – and, most recently, at its flagship property – the Toronto Eaton Centre. She has interacted with various groups throughout her career, including office and retail clients, developers, and homeowners. Sheila is one of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area's nominees on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Kim McDonald
Kim McDonald is the Director of University Events and Strategic Initiatives at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the Toronto Metropolitan University’s nominee on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Emily Schimp
Emily Schimp (she/her) is an arts manager with a passion for program development, cultural event production, and community engagement in the arts. Emily is currently the Director of Operations and Communications at New Music Concerts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Arts Administration and Culture Management from Humber College, with honours. Previous work experience includes the Toronto Biennial of Art, Humber College, ArtsPond and more.
Samantha Summers
Samantha Summers (she/her) is the Manager of Donor Circles for Royal Ontario Museum. Prior to this she worked in fundraising and communications for a variety of Toronto cultural organizations, including Toronto International Film Festival. She currently serves on the Boards of Breakthroughs Film Festival and the Future of Film Showcase. Samantha is passionate about the power of art and culture to inspire meaningful change in the world and believes community spaces have an important role to play in that mission.
Simon Wong
Simon Wong is a marketing strategist who has been building brands for the past 10+ years. With previously held positions at Loblaw Companies Limited, Samsung, Nestle and Kraft Heinz his professional experience ranges across various disciplines from brand to event management. He has partnered with the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area to bring many events to Yonge Dundas Square, including Illumnite, National Hockey League Face-Off, Toronto International Film Festival and Pride and constructed one of Canada’s largest digital outdoor LED boards.
Origin
Summary
The Civic Appointments Committee will conduct interviews and recommend three candidates, including the Chair, to City Council for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-241878.pdf
Confidential Attachment 1 - List of Interview Candidates, Qualifications, Confidential Diversity Information Summary, and Applications for Appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
Confidential Attachment 2 - Diversity Summary of Current Members of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
Confidential Attachment 3 - Interview schedule for January 12, 2024
Confidential Attachment 4 - Skills Matrix for the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
Motions
That:
1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until a successor is appointed:
Simon Wong
Emily Schimp
Samantha Summer
Gideon Arthurs
2. City Council appoint Gideon Arthurs as Chair of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending February 7, 2028, and until a successor is appointed.
That:
1. The Civic Appointments Committee adopt Recommendation 2 in the supplementary report (January 9, 2024) from the City Clerk.
4a - Additional Vacancy and Appointment of Members Nominated by Organizations to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board
Origin
Summary
This is a supplementary report to provide the Civic Appointments Committee with the names of the candidates nominated for appointment to the Yonge-Dundas Square Board by the Metropolitan Toronto University and the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area. One other member by a local resident's association is expected to be nominated for appointment at a future date. This supplementary report is also to inform the Civic Appointments Committee of an additional vacancy on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board due to a recent resignation.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-242162.pdf
Attachment 1 - Letter from the Toronto Metropolitan University (November 20, 2023)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-242163.pdf
Attachment 2 - Letter from the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (December 12, 2023)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-242145.pdf