Item - 2008.ED16.3

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council adopt the City of Toronto War of 1812 Bicentennial Steering Committee recommended program for the City’s Bicentennial Commemorations (outlined in Appendix A).

2.         Cultural Services staff report, for consideration, through the 2009 Budget process and submission, on any operating and capital budget requirements for the implementation of the program in 2009 and beyond.

3.         City Council authorize staff to solicit funding, partnerships and support from other orders of government and the private sector, in full accordance with existing City of Toronto guidelines, in order to carry out the recommended Bicentennial Commemoration program.

4.         City Council direct the appropriate staff to develop, deliver and report as appropriate and in a timely fashion on the necessary actions for achieving the City of Toronto’s Bicentennial of the War of 1812 Program.

At its September 25, 26, and 27, 2006 meeting, Council adopted the War of 1812 Bicentennial report that recommended the establishment of the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 Steering Committee. The Committee was established to provide recommendations to Council on the planning of Bicentennial events and on the development of supporting infrastructure. In addition, the Committee was mandated to work with stakeholders to expedite initiatives outlined in "Fort York: Adding New Buildings" and other documents previously endorsed by Council in time for the Bicentennial.

Furthermore, at its May 26, and 27, 2008 meeting, Council adopted the proposal to nominate Fort York for inscription in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.  Fort York National Historic Site has the largest collection of authentic War of 1812 structures in Canada. The nomination will be a significant project in the City of Toronto’s Commemoration of the War of 1812.

The purpose of this report is to request Council direction for City staff to proceed with the City's Bicentennial Commemorative Program recommended by the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 Steering Committee. This will ensure that staff can engage internal and external resources to pursue project funding for the Commemoration of the War of 1912 in June 2012 through to June 13, 2013.

Four legacy projects – Fort York’s revitalization, UNESCO World Heritage Designation for the Fort, the Fort York Pedestrian Bridge, and the Toronto Heritage Trail Network – will provide new and renewed facilities that will make the Bicentennial memorable and benefit our city for decades to come.

The program supports the Creative City Elements of the Agenda for Prosperity identified in The Creative City Planning Framework including:

-           The investment in major cultural infrastructure to brand Toronto as a global cultural capital and tourism driver.

-           The support for building creative convergence centres.

-           The development of tools to attract and retain cultural assets and to develop their commercial potential.

The War of 1812 was a bloody confrontation between British, American and First Nations that shaped the future, not only of Toronto, but also of North America. The four legacy projects will be a lasting commemoration of the War of 1812 for future generations.

Capital Budget

There are no direct capital financial implications arising from the adoption of this report.

The City’s main capital expenditure will be the revitalization of Fort York. As previously reported for “Fort York: Adding New Buildings,” the cost of the revitalization will be $12.4 million gross and $5.7 million net to the budget. Additional sources of funding will come from the Provincial and Federal governments and the private sector through the fundraising efforts of the Fort York Foundation.

Capital funds for preparation of the UNESCO nomination in 2009 are estimated at $100,000 and will be identified from outside sources, resulting in a net zero impact to the budget.

As previously reported, Waterfront Toronto estimates the total cost of the Fort York Pedestrian Bridge is in the range of $14 to $18 million, excluding property acquisition. To date, $440,000 from within the Waterfront Capital Program have been approved by Council for the environmental assessment that will be managed by the Waterfront Secretariat. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are mandated to seek funding from other levels of government and stakeholders for the design and construction of the bridge.

Capital funds for the preparation of content for the Heritage Trails Network in 2009 will be identified from external sources. The estimated cost is $50,000. Based on estimates established through work with other City departments and the provincial government, Cultural Services will report during the 2010 budget process on the capital costs of the Heritage Trail Network and on the operating impact after its completion. The network will be part of a province-wide initiative with expected funding from the provincial government and federal governments, and private sector partners resulting in net zero impact to the budget.

Operating Budget

The City’s primary contribution will be administrative support. For 2009, requirements for additional funding for staff and programming will be identified in the Operating Budget submission. The Province is estimating a contribution of at least 33 percent of administrative costs.

The events, programs and artistic commissions for Toronto’s bicentennial will cost between $5 million and $10 million. The scale of the events and programs will depend on available funding from the provincial and federal governments and the private sector.

Promotion, marketing and advertising funding for the whole 1812 program will be shared by the provincial government, Tourism Toronto, corporate partners and sponsors.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.