Item - 2015.EX7.8

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council adopt the Street Naming Policy and the Property Naming Policy attached as Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 to the report (June 16, 2015) from the Acting City Manager.

2.  Subject to the adoption of Recommendation 1 above, City Council rescind the Honourific and Street Naming Policy effective October, 2015 when the Street Naming Policy and the Property Naming Policy come into force.

The Executive Committee referred the following motion by Councillor Ainslie to the Acting City Manager, with the request that he report directly to Council on the proposed amendments contained in the motion:

"That:

1.  Section 3.2 of Attachment 1 - Street Naming Policy be amended to include aboriginal significance and contributions so that it now reads:
 
"Street names, including ceremonial Street names should portray a strong positive image and have historical, cultural, aboriginal or social significance or contributions to the community, the City, the Province of Ontario or Canada."
 
2.  Section 3.3 of Attachment 2 - Property Naming Policy be amended o include aboriginal significance and contributions so that it now reads:
 
"Names of City properties will portray a strong positive image of the City of Toronto, have geographic, historical, cultural, aboriginal or social significance to the location of the property, and may recognize significant contributions made by individuals or organizations to the community, the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario or Canada."
 
3.  The following new Sections be added to Attachment 1 - Street Naming Policy - a new Section 4.1.3 under Section 4. Naming Streets on a Draft Plans of Subdivisions, a new Section 5.1.5 under Section 5. Naming an Unnamed Street, a new Section 6.1.5 under Section 6. Renaming City Streets and a new Section 7.1.6 under Section 7. Assigning a Ceremonial Name to a City Street to read:
 
"Proposals to name or rename a Street or assign a ceremonial name to a Street that portrays aboriginal significance or contributions or proposals to name or rename a Street or assign a ceremonial name to a Street after an aboriginal individual, organization or event will require consultation with aboriginal communities and adherence to appropriate aboriginal practices or protocols."
 
4.  The following new Section be added to Attachment 2 - Property Naming Policy - Section 4.2.1, to Section 4, Naming New City Properties to read:
 
"The Division Head will consult with aboriginal communities and adhere to appropriate aboriginal practices or protocols for proposed names of new City properties that portray aboriginal significance or contributions or propose to name a City property after an aboriginal individual, organization or event", and add Section 5.1.5 to Section 5, Renaming a City Property Including Honourific Naming, so that it reads, "Proposals to rename a City property that portrays aboriginal significance or contributions or proposals to rename a City property after an aboriginal individual, organization or event will require consultation with aboriginal communities and adherence to appropriate aboriginal practices or protocols." "

This report recommends that City Council adopt updated Policies for naming City assets – the Street Naming Policy and the Property Naming Policy.  The updated Street Naming Policy also includes criteria and an approval process for ceremonial street dedications requested by City Council.  

The two separate Policies will replace the Honourific and Street Naming Policy.  Separate Policies for naming City streets and properties is easier for the public to understand and will streamline the administration of the Policies by relevant City divisions.

The Individual and Corporate Naming Rights Policy will continue to apply to individual or corporate naming rights.