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←Toronto City Council · 2020-12-16 · 2020.MM27.1

The filed record

Keeping Santa On Track - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Mayor John Tory

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The decision

2020-12-16 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the Government of Ontario to deem Santa Claus an essential service and that the Government of Canada take the necessary actions required to exempt Santa Claus and his reindeer from any and all quarantine measures so that his annual mission safely delivering joy to children around the world is not in any way impinged.

The vote

Adopt Item · Carried, 23-0

For (23)Ana Bailão, Anthony Perruzza, Brad Bradford, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata, Gary Crawford, Gord Perks, James Pasternak, Jennifer McKelvie, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Josh Matlow, Kristyn Wong-Tam, Mark Grimes, Michael Ford, Michael Thompson, Mike Colle, Mike Layton, Paul Ainslie, Paula Fletcher, Shelley Carroll, Stephen Holyday
Absent (2)Jaye Robinson, John Tory
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On the agenda

As the city filed it

Boughs of holly, jingle bells, cups of cheer, mistletoe, candy canes, pine trees, eggnog, twinkling lights and other elements of the Christmas cornucopia will provide some Yuletide joy as we face the coming winter but they will, alas, come up short without the magic of Santa. With other countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland, Belgium and Australia already taking steps to exempt Santa from COVID-19 related restrictions, governments in Canada should similarly take action to assure Canadian children that, despite the current pandemic, Santa will still be able to visit Canadian homes and make spirits bright.

Show the rest of As the city filed it, 705 more characters as filed

Children have had a difficult 2020 with challenges including disruptions to their education, decreased recreational activities and less playing with friends. They should not be made to suffer any unnecessary anxiety. In regards to public health concerns, world renowned immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci has advised that Santa is exempt from COVID-19 and has innate immunity, similar to the Easter Bunny. As for possible enforcement challenges, Santa can be easily recognized through a series of identifiers: wears boots and suit of red; has a beard that is long and white; a long cap on his head; a big red cherry noise; laughs this way - ho ho ho; and eight reindeer pull his sleigh (not counting Rudolph).

Staff recommended

Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Mayor John Tory, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Government of Ontario to deem Santa Claus an essential service and that the Government of Canada take the necessary actions required to exempt Santa Claus and his reindeer from any and all quarantine measures so that his annual mission safely delivering joy to children around the world is not in any way impinged.

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