Item - 2021.RM37.1

CALL TO ORDER:

Speaker Nunziata took the Chair and called the Members to order.

The meeting opened with O Canada.

November 9, 2021

Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered:

Valdemar and Fatima Avila

Jason Doyle
Robyn Israel

Edward Leman

Christine Ralphs
Jean Elizabeth Rider

Faye Schulman
Peter Soumalias

Speaker Nunziata acknowledged that City Council was meeting on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.  Speaker Nunziata also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Speaker Nunziata, introduced a video from the Royal Canadian Legion commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the use of the Poppy as a symbol of Remembrance in Canada.

Speaker Nunziata called upon Mayor Tory to address City Council about Remembrance Week and the Year of the Poppy.

Mayor Tory addressed City Council by acknowledging the proclamation of Remembrance Week and by noting that the iconic and familiar symbol of the Poppy was brought about by the hard work of Canadian veterans and others including Madame Anna Guérin who encouraged the use of the Poppy, on behalf of the people of France, and presented the first Poppy wreath to Toronto Mayor Tommy Langton Church in 1921 at what is now called Old City Hall. Mayor Tory noted that the Royal Canadian Legion has marked 2021 as the Year of the Poppy in honour of Canadians who gave their life for their country, including almost 10,000 from Toronto alone. Mayor Tory told City Council that he was honoured to have helped unveil a new Poppy symbol on the Toronto sign, in Nathan Phillips Square, which will return for Remembrance Week observances and other military anniversaries in years to come. Mayor Tory encouraged Members of Council and all Torontonians to wear a Poppy in honour of Remembrance week and noted that the sale of Poppies helps the Royal Canadian Legion continue to provide services and support to its members. Mayor Tory encouraged Torontonians to take time to observe Remembrance Day on November 11 by attending one of the services, by visiting a cenotaph or by viewing Remembrance Day ceremonies live online. Mayor Tory acknowledged and thanked, on behalf of City Council, the contributions made by the Government of Canada, through the Veterans Affairs Commemorative Partnership program, in support of Remembrance Week ceremonies and thanked the Royal Canadian Legion for their support in the use of the Poppy symbol on the Toronto sign and on City vehicles throughout Remembrance Week.

Mayor Tory called on Bruce Stewart, District Sergeant-at-Arms and District Parade Marshall, District D, Royal Canadian Legion, to address City Council.

Bruce Stewart thanked Mayor Tory and encouraged Torontonians to observe Remembrance Day by attending a cenotaph or Remembrance Day service. Bruce Stewart informed City Council of a project he had been working on, the Veteran Banner Program, which will be highlighted in Coronation Park, High Park, and Colonel Sam Smith Park next year. Mr. Stewart expressed his thanks to City staff for their help and support bringing the Veteran Banner program to City parks in 2022.

Speaker Nunziata thanked Mr. Stewart for his remarks and reminded City Council that in 1998 City Council made a unanimous decision to exempt the Legion from paying property tax.

Speaker Nunziata advised Council of the following:

For the benefit of those who are connected to the internet, the City Clerk has posted all of the agenda materials for today's meeting at toronto.ca/council.

Members, although Civic Buildings, including City Hall are currently closed to the public, I want to emphasize that today's Council meeting is being conducted publicly and is being streamed live on YouTube.  I want to welcome the public who are watching our meeting this morning.