Place Names in the Port Lands - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Ausma Malik

Given, the waterfront's historical, cultural and ongoing significance to Treaty partners and Indigenous communities the City can use the opportunity of re-naturalizing the Don River and the revitalization of the Port Lands to further advance truth, justice, reconciliation and placekeeping by renaming the Island and recommending names for the remainder of the existing and proposed civic assets. The Island's current name is a "working title" with no formal status, although it mimics Villiers Street, named after Villiers Sankey, City surveyor for Toronto from 1888 to 1905 and a Major of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Naming of the Island and other civic assets in the community is an opportunity to advance aspects of the City's Reconciliation Action Plan , including: - Action 15. Support Indigenous Placekeeping, by "elevating Indigenous languages in placemaking and placekeeping initiatives" and "balancing the representation of the historic presence of treaty and rights holders with the diverse contemporary Indigenous population in the City" - Action 17. Support the Revitalization of Indigenous Languages I), "work with language speakers and Knowledge Carriers, and ensure that Indigenous language is given priority in the naming and renaming of City Streets, parks and other City assets." City staff should consider the City Council's recently approved Principles for Commemoration , which emphasize the importance of being informed by historical research, traditional knowledge, and community insights, as well as honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and prioritizing commemorations significant to Indigenous peoples, Black communities, and equity-deserving groups, to undertake consultation and make recommendations relating to: a. a preferred formal name for the Villiers Island Precinct; b. recommendations for addressing the naming of other civic assets in the community including: a. Centre Street (a working name); b. Foundry Street (a working name); c. Old Munitions Streets (an existing street that will be re-aligned); d. New Munitions Streets (a working name); e. Trinity Boulevard (a working name); f. Villiers Park Street (a working name); g. Villiers Street (an existing street); h. River Park (a working name); i. Promontory Park (a working name); and j. Villiers Park (a working name); and c. a work plan with estimated costs to implement the recommendation above.