Presentations, Introductions and Announcements

Mayor Tory spoke of the continuing determination of the City of Toronto to be free of fear, hate and discrimination. Mayor Tory, during the morning session of the meeting, addressed City Council with respect to the terrible and tragic discovery of the bodies of 215 children found in an unmarked grave on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory. Mayor Tory shared lessons he had learned while visiting the Ki and Bearskin Lake communities in 2016 and spoke of the experiences of a senior citizen named Dora who is a residential school survivor and how she, like thousands of other Indigenous children, were forcibly taken from their homes and stripped of their culture, of their language and even their names in a deliberate way. Mayor Tory spoke of the importance of learning the history of Canada and the impact that history has on different Canadians and to address those impacts especially with our Indigenous communities. Mayor Tory spoke of the City's continued support for the reconciliation process and the Indigenous communities across the City and across the country. Mayor Tory, on behalf of City Council and people of the City of Toronto, expressed condolences to all the Indigenous children and their families and the survivors of those children that did not come home. Mayor Tory reaffirmed the City of Toronto's commitment to the Indigenous people and acknowledged the ongoing work towards advancing truth, justice and reconciliation across the Toronto public service at City Hall and across the City at large. Mayor Tory stated that the City remains committed to ensuring that Indigenous voices remain front and centre as the City moves forward to redress the systemic injustice faced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Mayor Tory extended condolences to the Kamloops Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc Nation and all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Mayor Tory commented to Members that he had contacted Chief Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit directly to express condolences. Mayor Tory advised that on May 30th, the City symbolically lowered its flags for 215 hours to represent each child lost in this tragedy. Mayor Tory also advised that flags were also lowered for the thousands of children who were sent to residential and day schools and for those who never returned home, and to mourn with their families whose lives were changed and the lives of those in subsequent generations. Mayor Tory noted that to further commemorate the lives of the children, the Toronto sign was dimmed on the evening of Sunday, May 30th and then lit orange over the past few days. Mayor Tory remarked that together action must be taken to pay approapriate homage to the memory of the 215 children, the many other children, their families, the survivors and members of these communities in Toronto and across the country. Mayor Tory invited Chief Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit to address City Council. Chief Laforme, on behalf of his Nation, offered thoughts, prayers and support to the families in London, Ontario and to the Muslim community for the terrible tragedy that befell them on Sunday. Chief Laforme thanked the Mayor, the Councillors and the people of Toronto for inviting him and said a prayer for the City Council meeting. Chief Laforme spoke of the victims and thanked the City of Toronto for lowering its flags to pay respect and support for the children, the families, the Indigenous people and the non Indigenous people who grieve. Chief Laforme remarked that the news of finding bodies of 215 children has caused a lot of pain but sadly that there is a lot more to come as more children are discovered still within the confines of the ground upon which the residential schools sit. Chief Laforme said that this is an awakening, a called responsibility not only for those involved but for all of us and a call to action. Chief Laforme noted that we need to recognize that these children are all our children and that there are no more excuses to be made or accepted. Chief Laforme remarked that is a moment in the life of this country that will determine where we go in the future. Chief Laforme spoke of the path before us and that it's a time to choose which direction we wish to take; let us choose to go forward together, let us choose a path of understanding, peace and friendship. Chief Laforme remarked that we should let this moment of sorrow be a light that guides us to a better path. Chief Laforme concluded his remarks by reciting his poem "Reconciliation." Members of City Council observed 2 minutes and 15 seconds of silence in memory of the 215 children. June 9, 2021 Speaker Nunziata called upon Mayor Tory to recognize the retirement of Giuliana Carbone, Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services. Mayor Tory spoke of Ms. Carbone's 30 years of dedicated public service, of her leadership that went far beyond the titles or positions she held and of her empathetic nature and well guided leadership style. Mayor Tory remarked that Giuliana Carbone is someone that everyone looks up to as a leader, as a role model and is the epitome of public service. Mayor Tory recognized Ms. Carbone's herculean tasks of re-engineering the tax system for the previous seven municipalities at amalgamation. Mayor Tory acknowledged Giuliana Carbone's landmark accomplishments such as the Tenants First Strategy, the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, the Shelter Expansion Plan, the Seniors Strategy, the Housing Opportunities Toronto Plan, the Childcare Growth Strategy, the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Facilities Master Plan, the Housing Now Plan and Policing Reform work. Mayor Tory commented that Ms. Carbone's work has touch every aspect of City life and as impacted the lives of many people in Toronto. Mayor Tory noted that Giuliana Carbone postponed her retirement to help during the pandemic. Mayor Tory acknowledged that Ms. Carbone has been involved with the United Way in a way beyond anyone else has done and this year, the City will start giving out the Giuliana Carbone Spirit of Philanthropy Award on an annual basis. Mayor Tory remarked on Giuliana Carbone's sense of caring about the City and caring about each other and how people trust and like working with Giuliana. Mayor Tory said that is was an absolute pleasure working with Ms. Carbone and she will be missed dearly. Mayor Tory, on behalf of City Council, thanked Giuliana Carbone for her service to the City of Toronto and wished her well on her retirement. Mayor Tory called upon Chris Murray, City Manager. Mr. Murray spoke of the leadership qualities of Giuliana Carbone and remarked on her dedication and commitment to Toronto and the public service. Chris Murray, on behalf of the leadership team thank Ms. Carbone for her support. Giuliana Carbone addressed City Council and thanked Mayor Tory and Chris Murray, City Manager, for their kind words. Ms. Carbone noted that she is only one person and that all of the successes are because of her great staff. Giuliana Carbone noted that it has been an honour and privilege to serve City Council and the City. Ms. Carbone spoke of her time working at North York Public Health that inspired her public service. Giuliana Carbone remarked that she has had the privilege to watch the City mature and evolve over the years. Ms. Carbone spoke of the work to connect the community and private sector partners, and through everything that the City has been through, the public service has built a solid foundation which will help drive a strong economic recovery for the City. Giuliana Carbone thanked Mayor Tory and City Council for their exceptional leadership over the years and particularly over this past year and a half. Ms. Carbone remarked that is has been an honour of a life time to support Council as the Deputy City Manager and thanked Council for placing its trust and confidence in her leading Community and Social Services these past six years. Giuliana Carbone thanked her husband Bruce, her daughters and their partners for their encouragement and for putting up with her long hours. Ms. Carbone thanked her Chairs, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Bailão and Councillor Cressy for their support. Giuliana Carbone thanked the Senior Leadership colleagues for their unwavering trust and for their friendship, and thanked her leadership team and staff for their dedication and accomplishments, noting that it has been a privilege to work with them. Giuliana Carbone remarked that she will miss everyone in the corporate leadership team and thanked them for their friendship and support. Ms. Carbone commented that, to borrow the words from former City Manager, Joe Pennachetti, please continue to take care of yourself, this organization and of each other. Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, thanked Giuliana Carbone for bringing her a double espresso before the start of each Council meeting. Mayor Tory, during the afternoon session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that Councillor Grimes will be celebrating his 60th birthday on June 21st and wished Councillor Grimes a Happy 60th Birthday.