Item - 2025.CA28.2
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 23 and 24, 2025 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Civic Appointments Committee on July 21, 2025 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on July 23 and 24, 2025.
CA28.2 - Appointment of a Public Member to the Toronto Zoo Board
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on July 23 and 24, 2025, adopted the following:
1. City Council appoint Edward McDonnell to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on July 21, 2027, and until a successor is appointed.
2. City Council appoint Nora Boyer to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office starting on November 11, 2025, ending on November 11, 2029, and until a successor is appointed, to succeed Matthew Cole whose term ends on November 10, 2025.
3. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (July 7, 2025) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (July 7, 2025) 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 Toronto Zoo Board.
City Council Decision Advice and Other Information
Appointees' biographies:
Edward McDonnell
Edward McDonnell has been Chief Executive Officer of the Greenbelt Foundation since 2017, leading work on climate resilience, outdoor recreation, local food, and natural spaces. With over 20 years of experience in public policy and non-profit leadership, he is an entrepreneur and long-time community volunteer with a strong commitment to inclusive, sustainable institutions. He recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contributions to Ontario's environmental and conservation movement.
Nora Boyer
Nora Jane Boyer (Seegwin Nibi Manitou Kwe – Spring Water Spirit Woman), adopted by the Migizi (Eagle) and Condor Clans, is a proud Anishinaabe mother, community builder, and federal civil servant with over 20 years of experience. Guided by the 7 Grandfather Teachings, she brings deep expertise in climate action, Indigenous governance, and animal and land stewardship. As Vice President of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, she champions teamwork, inclusion, and respect for all living beings.
Confidential Attachment - Personal matters about identifiable individuals who are being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-257272.pdf
Confidential Attachment 1 - List of Candidates, Qualifications, Confidential Diversity Information Summary, and Applications for Appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board
Confidential Attachment 2 - Diversity Data for Current Public Members on the Toronto Zoo Board
Confidential Attachment 3 - Skills matrix for the Toronto Zoo Board
Confidential Attachment 4 - Interview schedule for July 21, 2025 (to be circulated under separate cover)
Communications (Committee)
Motions (City Council)
CA28.2 - Appointment of a Public Member to the Toronto Zoo Board
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Confidential Attachment - Personal matters about identifiable individuals who are being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
Committee Recommendations
The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:
1. City Council appoint Edward McDonnell to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on July 21, 2027, and until a successor is appointed.
2. City Council appoint Nora Boyer to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office starting on November 11, 2025, ending on November 11, 2029, and until a successor is appointed, to succeed Matthew Cole whose term ends on November 10, 2025.
3. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
Decision Advice and Other Information
Candidates' biographies:
Edward McDonnell
Edward McDonnell has been Chief Executive Officer of the Greenbelt Foundation since 2017, leading work on climate resilience, outdoor recreation, local food, and natural spaces. With over 20 years of experience in public policy and non-profit leadership, he is an entrepreneur and long-time community volunteer with a strong commitment to inclusive, sustainable institutions. He recently received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contributions to Ontario's environmental and conservation movement.
Nora Boyer
Nora Jane Boyer (Seegwin Nibi Manitou Kwe – Spring Water Spirit Woman), adopted by the Migizi (Eagle) and Condor Clans, is a proud Anishinaabe mother, community builder, and federal civil servant with over 20 years of experience. Guided by the 7 Grandfather Teachings, she brings deep expertise in climate action, Indigenous governance, and animal and land stewardship. As Vice President of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, she champions teamwork, inclusion, and respect for all living beings.
Origin
Summary
The Civic Appointments Committee will conduct interviews and recommend one candidate to City Council for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/ca/bgrd/backgroundfile-257272.pdf
Confidential Attachment 1 - List of Candidates, Qualifications, Confidential Diversity Information Summary, and Applications for Appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board
Confidential Attachment 2 - Diversity Data for Current Public Members on the Toronto Zoo Board
Confidential Attachment 3 - Skills matrix for the Toronto Zoo Board
Confidential Attachment 4 - Interview schedule for July 21, 2025 (to be circulated under separate cover)
Communications
Motions
That the Civic Appointments Committee delete recommendation 1 in the report (July 7, 2025) from the City Clerk and adopt instead the following recommendation:
1. City Council appoint Edward McDonnell to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on July 21, 2027, and until a successor is appointed.
That:
1. City Council appoint Nora Boyer to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office starting on November 11, 2025 ending on November 11, 2029, and until a successor is appointed, to succeed Matthew Cole whose term ends on November 10, 2025.