Request for Report on Feasibility of Naming of City Facility After Dr. Gordon Chong - by Councillor Michael Thompson, seconded by Councillor Gary Crawford

After graduation, he launched a dental practice in downtown Toronto and began building a family in North York. Dr. Chong was in the vanguard of Chinese-Canadian participation in politics, community activism and public service. In 1979, in his first election attempt, he was elected Alderman of Ward 6 in downtown Toronto, where he grew up and practiced dentistry. His election to City Council launched a political career that spanned decades, including a seat on Metropolitan Toronto Council and two terms as Councillor representing a North York ward in the newly-amalgamated City of Toronto. Dr. Chong's contribution to the City went far beyond electoral politics. His focus on transit, housing and municipal affairs led to a myriad of directorships and chairships including Toronto Transit Commission (Vice-Chair), GoTransit (Chair), Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority (Chair), Social Housing Services Corporation (Founding Chair and Chief Executive Officer), Toronto Police Services Board (Member), ParticipACTION (Board Member) and the Greater Toronto Services Board (Chair). He served the YMCA of Greater Toronto as Chair of the Board. Dr. Chong was also passionate about Chinese Canadian and other race relations activities. He served on the Board of Governors for the Mon Sheong Foundation, was a Founding Director of the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals and a Charter Member of the Toronto Cathay Lions Club, the first Chinese Lions Club in Toronto. He was also a founding member of the North York Mayor's Committee on Community and Race Relations, and was proud to serve as a Citizenship Judge in the Canadian Court of Citizenship. In 2012, in recognition of his leadership and significant contributions to public service, Dr. Chong was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Office of the Governor General of Canada. It is fitting that a significant City facility or roadway be named after Dr. Gordon Chong in honour of his exceptional, life-long service the City. The Property Naming Policy was approved by Toronto City Council in July 2015 and came into effect in October 2015. It outlines the process by which the public can initiate an application for naming or renaming city assets including requirements for community consultation and cost recovery. This Motion would give staff the authority to commence the process under the policy, in lieu of an application, and report back to the relevant community council with recommendations on the naming.

Gordon Chong, as outlined in the Property Naming Policy.