Call to Order

Speaker Nunziata also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit. Speaker Nunziata called upon Mayor Tory to address City Council about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Mayor Tory addressed City Council with respect to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observed on September 30th in the City of Toronto and across the country. Mayor Tory remarked that the day was established to recognize the ongoing trauma caused by the residential and day schools and to recognize those who were lost, survivors, their families and communities. Mayor Tory noted that it was also a day to recognize the broader injustices on a broader scale and to commit to doing better to act in a manner consistent with values shared with the indigenous community as well as all Torontonians. Mayor Tory observed that National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is day to commemorate each year from this year forward, it is a day that indigenous community members advocated for and the decision to establish the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was the right thing to do. Mayor Tory stated that after a very tragic summer with the discovery of unmarked graves, we were all reminded of a hard truth of those parts of Canada's history that were shameful, and this Day was an important additional step in acknowledging that part of Canada's history. Mayor Tory commented that by having to acknowledge Canada's history, we can continue to move forward together and take tangible action to support indigenous communities and to ensure that we are doing everything we can as a City to make that happen. Mayor Tory noted that he was encouraged by the engagement that happened with people coming out to the events to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Mayor Tory advised Members that at the event at Evergreen Brickworks, he was incredibly moved by what he had heard from survivors of the residential school and day school system. Mayor Tory spoke of the grace, patience and strength shown by those survivors who shared their experiences as part of the residential school and day school system. Mayor Tory, on behalf of Members of Council and the Toronto Public Service, pledged that the City would do better and that the City is already trying to do better. Mayor Tory acknowledged the work done by the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee to help us forge the right path. Mayor Tory noted that Toronto is home to thousands of indigenous people who themselves are impacted, either directly or indirectly, by the residential school and day school system. Mayor Tory, on behalf of the City, said that our thoughts are with the survivors of the residential school and day school system who live with the tragic consequences of that history each day and every day and the families and communities of those children who never came home. Mayor Tory advised that the City's commemoration on September 30th was guided by consultations with indigenous leaders, the community and City staff, and was a great day for public education. Mayor Tory thanked everyone involved in bringing people together. Mayor Tory spoke of the Spirit Garden that will be located at Nathan Phillips Square and what an important place it will be to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in the future. Mayor Tory encouraged Members to work together and said he looked forward to seeing other work come to fruition such as the Healing Lodge in Scarborough. Mayor Tory committed that we will stand by our fellow residents who are indigenous and do what is right. Members of Council observed a moment of silence. 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. Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called upon Mayor John Tory to address City Council. Mayor John Tory acknowledged the passing of the Honourable William Grenville Davis, also known as "Bill Davis". Mayor Tory spoke of Bill Davis as his friend, his mentor, his colleague, his boss and as one of Canada's greatest leaders. Mayor Tory noted that Bill Davis was 18th Premier of Ontario, a position he held for fourteen years and was a Member of Provincial Parliament for twenty-five years. Mayor Tory remarked that Bill Davis was a decent man with incredible integrity and balance. Mayor Tory noted that Bill Davis was forward thinking for establishing an Anti-Racism Secretariat in the Province of Ontario over forty years ago, and for creating the first Ministry of the Environment in North America in 1971. Bill Davis also had an instrumental role in the establishment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mayor Tory acknowledged Bill Davis' place in the history of the City of Toronto in securing the location of the Sky Dome/Rogers Centre, ensuring that Ontario Place thrived and that it was kept as a family place, working in building the public education system, particularly the establishment of a network of colleges and helping stop the Spadina Expressway. Mayor Tory acknowledged the profound impact Bill Davis had on the City of Toronto and how the City evolved. Mayor Tory remarked that the role that Bill Davis was most proud of was the role as a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. Mayor Tory extended his personal condolences and the condolences of the Members of City Council and the people of the City of Toronto to the Honourable William Grenville Davis's family. Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered: Honourable William Grenville Davis (Bill Davis) Joseph "Jo Jo" Bennett Heather de Veber Gilbert LaForme Aldo Egidio Lista Graham Murray Thane Murray Captain Sardar Bakhshish Singh Ji Randhawa Francisco Rico-Martinez Adalbert Sausik Terence (Terry) Gordon Sheard Nancy Ellen Singer Allan Slaight Nicholas Peter (Nick) Volpe Councillor Wong-Tam acknowledged the passing of Thane Murray who was fatally shot on September 18, 2021. Councillor Wong-Tam advised Members that Thane Murray was a member of the Toronto Public Service and worked in the with the City's Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division. Councillor Wong-Tam spoke of Thane Murray's work with the community. Councillor Wong-Tam extended condolences to Thane Murray's family, his girlfriend, his friends and co-workers, and those in the community. October 4, 2021 Members of Council observed a moment of silence and remembered: Nicholas Brooks