Presentations, Introductions and Announcements

Mayor Tory remarked how these Olympians inspired a City and a country. Mayor Tory, on behalf of Members of Council, congratulated the medalists on their outstanding achievement and thanked them for inspiring another generation of Canadian athletes. Natalie Spooner, Laura Stacey and Claire Thompson addressed City Council and thanked Members for recognizing them. Ms. Spooner spoke of bring the nation together, Ms. Stacey spoke of inspiring the next generation and Ms. Thompson spoke of looking forward to inspiring future athletes. Councillor Thompson, during the morning session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that Magali Simard, Program Manager, Film Development Section was leaving the City and her last day was April 13, 2022. Councillor Thompson spoke of Ms. Simard's efforts to help the film sector grow and thanked Magali Simard for her contribution to the City. Councillor Thompson, on behalf of Council, wished Ms. Simard great success in her future endeavours. Mayor Tory, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed the Young Creek Drum Group and introduced the following members of the group: Gabe Gaudet, Wayne Moberley, Nathan Roy and Rodney Stanger. The Young Creek Drum Group performed a drum ceremony prior to City Council's consideration of Item EX31.1 headed "Actions to Advance Truth and Justice for Indigenous People in the City of Toronto: Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2032." Speaker Nunziata, during the afternoon session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Tory to address City Council to recognize the COVID-19 Vaccine Engagement Team Community Ambassadors. Mayor Tory welcomed the Community Ambassadors in the Chamber and those attending remotely. Mayor Tory spoke of the key role that the Community Ambassadors had in Team Toronto's success in getting those in the community vaccinated. Mayor Tory remarked that the Community Ambassadors went door to door, building to building and event to event to reach those in the community to ensure that no one was left behind. Mayor Tory advised Members of Council that Team Toronto was composed of 17 geographic and population groups, made up with 200 different health, community and faith-based organization with more than 600 trusted ambassadors. Mayor Tory further advised that in 2021, 1.5 million community members were engaged as a result of the Community Ambassadors' work. Mayor Tory, on behalf of City Council, thanked the Community Ambassadors for their service to the City. Mayor Tory called upon Councillor Joe Cressy, Chair, Board of Health to address Council. Councillor Joe Cressy noted that the City of Toronto has the world leading vaccination rates and this is because of the work done by the Community Ambassadors. Councillor Cressy remarked that the Community Ambassadors are community leaders who built trust in their communities and reached everyone to ensure no one was left behind. Councillor Cressy noted that the work done by each and every Community Ambassador saved lives and on behalf of the Mayor and Council, thanked the Community Ambassadors. April 7, 2022 Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor John Tory. Mayor John Tory welcomed the students and principals from Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School, St. Demetrius Catholic School and St. Josaphat Catholic School present in the Chamber. Mayor Tory's Address to City Council on Ukraine Before we start the day we have the honour of welcoming Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, and Deputy Mayor Mykola Povoroznyk to address the start of today's meeting I want to convey our utmost respect and appreciation to both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor for joining us today. We are not sister cities by accident. We are both cities of about 3 million in population, both the largest in our respective countries. We are proud to be home to one of the largest populations of people of Ukrainian background in the world outside Ukraine. But today those bonds which forged a 30 year long close relationship bring us together at a time when there is a stark, tragic difference. Here, it is peaceful. We can meet and debate issues, people can go freely about their lives COVID notwithstanding. There, you are under illegal unjustifiable attack, many lives taken already, many others threatened - a way of life in a beautiful historic City shattered by an inhumane atrocious invasion. We thank you for taking time to address our City Council today while you and your residents are in the fight of your lives. Your courage and your determination to fight for your City and your residents is an inspiration to us here in Toronto and to people around the world. Let me make clear something I have said repeatedly to you, to our own people, for years not just weeks because this isn't the first chapter of this tyranny. Toronto stands in solidarity with Ukraine, its people and Canadian-Ukrainians. The unique bond between our two cities, anchored by that 30 year formal friendship and the fact that Toronto is home to thousands of Ukrainian-Canadians has brought this situation even closer to home. We have worked to add our voice as a City to those speaking out against the attack on Kyiv and all of Ukraine. What Russia is doing is illegal and wrong. We join you in mourning the completely unacceptable loss of innocent lives that is happening. We are working with the other governments here in Canada to help support any and all Ukrainian Refugees who come to Toronto. But while we are ready to welcome Ukrainians here, we want this war to end and we want people to be safe in their homes in Ukraine. We want Russia out and we want all responsible for these atrocities to be held to account. I have had the pleasure of meeting you Mayor Klitschko at a better time when you were able to visit Toronto City Hall, and I look forward to the day where we can meet again, once peace is restored in Ukraine, hopefully very soon. Today, I want to thank you for your courage and commitment to fight for all the freedom of your City, your people and all of Ukraine. And I want to thank you for sharing your message with our Council, our City and everyone listening here in Toronto today. Now I would like to formally welcome Mayor Klitschko and Deputy Mayor Povoroznyk of Kyiv to address City Council. Mo ays do boy o. Slava Ukraini! Mr. Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv addressed City Council. Mr. Klitschko expressed his appreciation to Canada for is support of Ukraine. Mr. Vitaliy Klitschko stated that the reason for the senseless war is due to Mr. Putin wanting to rebuild the Soviet Union, rebuild the Soviet empire and to take over Ukraine. Mr. Klitschko further stated that Ukraine wants to build a modern democracy and be a country that is part of the European democracy. Mr. Vitaliy Klitschko remarked that Ukraine is a peaceful country with peaceful people, never aggressive to anyone. Mr. Klitschko spoke of the women, children and elderly Ukrainian people killed in the war and that the exact number of civilians killed cannot be determined due to the devastation in the cities. Mr. Vitaliy Klitschko stated that the situation is critical as they do not know how far Russia will go and thanked everyone who supports Ukraine and the continued efforts in sanctions against Russia and sending defensive weapons to Ukraine. Mr. Klitschko further stated that he hoped the war would end soon but the Ukrainian people are ready to fight for their country. Mr. Mykola Povoroznyk, Deputy Mayor of Kyiv, addressed City Council. Mr. Povoroznyk stated that they are proud to belong to a nation that is standing up for democracy not only in Europe but for the entire world. Mr. Mykola Povoroznyk remarked that the war is very difficult for the Ukrainian people but they will stand and will win as they have no other choice. Mr. Povoroznyk thanked everyone in the entire civilized world, Canada and the City of Toronto for their political support, their humanitarian support and for the defensive weapons provided to Ukraine. Mr. Mykola Povoroznyk stated that together we will win and Glory to Ukraine. Councillor Michael Thompson thanked Vitaliy Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and Mykola Povoroznyk, Deputy Mayor of Kyiv for sharing their firsthand experience of the war. Councillor Thompson remarked that Canadians are aware of the efforts by Ukraine to protect its citizens and to free the country from its invaders. Councillor Thompson stated that the City of Toronto stands firmly behind its Sister City and the people of Ukraine as they defend their homeland. Councillor Thompson expressed his gratitude to the Ukrainian community in Toronto in their efforts to support their homeland. Councillor Thompson advised Members that the City has created a page on its website at www.toronto.ca/refugee that has up-to-date information to help refugees from Ukraine. Members of Council stood for the National Anthem of Ukraine. During the afternoon session of the meeting, Mayor John Tory, Speaker Frances Nunziata and the following Members of Council spoke in recognition of Councillor Joe Cressy and his departure from City Council: Councillor Gord Perks Councillor John Filion Councillor Paul Ainslie Councillor Paula Fletcher Councillor Michael Ford Councillor Mike Colle Councillor James Pasternak Councillor Brad Bradford Councillor Anthony Perruzza Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam Councillor Michael Thompson Councillor Mike Layton Councillor Joe Cressy stated that he was humbled by Members' remarks and that leaving the City is hard as he adores the City of Toronto. Councillor Joe Cressy noted that it was time for a new chapter in his life Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, during the afternoon session of the meeting, acknowledged Ann-Marie Nasr, Director, Parks Development and Capital Projects on her retirement from the City of Toronto after 34 years of service. Councillor McKelvie spoke of Ms. Nasr's numerous accomplishments and of her commitment and dedication to the City. Councillor McKelvie noted that Ann-Marie Nasr will leave a lasting legacy on the organization and wished her all the best on her retirement. Ann-Marie Nasr, Director, Parks Development and Capital Projects addressed City Council and thanked Members, her colleagues and her staff team for their support.