Item - 2021.RM37.6
Tracking Status
- City Council considered this item on November 9, 2021 and received the item for information. No further action will be taken on this item.
RM37.6 - Presentations, Introductions and Announcements
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Received
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
Various presentations, introductions and announcements were made to City Council on November 9, 10 and 12, 2021.
November 9, 2021
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.
November 10, 2021
Councillor Thompson, during the morning session of the meeting, advised Members of Council of a phone call he received from the Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic Packaging on October 23. Councillor Thompson stated that he was told that a water main had broken the day before and that the resulting volume of water flow had been causing concern that it may be impact the Atlantic Packaging building at 111 Progress Avenue. Councillor Thompson advised that he had reached out to Lou Di Gironimo, General Manager, and Toronto Water and asked what could be done to fix the situation. Councillor Thompson said that a crew from Toronto Water was dispatched to fix the problem and thanked those involved including Bill Shea, Director, Distribution and Collection, Derek Thomas, Manager, Customer Field Services, Albert Ruvuza, Coordinator Customer Care, Magdalena Grabowski, Supervisor Customer Care, Anthony Hogarth, Water Maintenance Worker, Daniel Mensah, Water Maintenance Worker and Chad Cholmondeley, Back-hoe operator.