Honouring Canadian Music Legend Gordon Lightfoot - by Councillor Mike Colle, seconded by Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie

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The decision

2023-05-10 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on May 10, 11 and 12, 2023, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the City Manager to report back to City Council by the third quarter of 2023 on a plan for the creation of a statue honouring the life of Gordon Lightfoot including: a. a suitable location within the City of Toronto such as Massey Hall; and b. recommending a funding strategy which may include sources such as Section 37 funds, private donations and possible partnerships.

The vote

Adopt Item · Carried, 22-2

Against (2)Chris Moise, Shelley Carroll

Absent (1)Alejandra Bravo

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On the agenda

As the city filed it

On May 1, 2023, Canada lost a living legend when world renowned folk music icon Gordon Lightfoot passed away at the age of 84. Lightfoot was a long-time resident of Toronto. He settled in the City in 1959 where he began performing in front of small audiences and then at numerous other music venues including 171 times at the iconic Massey Hall where he first performed at the Kiwanis Music Festival at age 13. As Toronto's folk music scene gained momentum, Lightfoot rose to national prominence in the late 1960s reaching international fame in the 1970s with songs that celebrated and captured the essence of being Canadian.

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He was a prolific and poetic storyteller, shining a world-wide spotlight on themes of Canadian life. Lightfoot made significant contributions to the local Toronto music scene and his legacy endures in Canadian music history. Over the course of his lifetime, he became a role model and mentor to countless artists who followed in his footsteps and found inspiration in his authenticity and his enduring embrace of Canada as his home. This Motion requests that the City Manager explore options for the creation of a statue within the City of Toronto to honour and celebrate the life of Gordon Lightfoot and the eternal contribution he made to life in Toronto and Canadian culture.

Staff recommended

Councillor Mike Colle, seconded by Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, recommends that: 1. City Council request the City Manager to report back to City Council by the third quarter of 2023 on a plan for the creation of a statue honouring the life of Gordon Lightfoot including: a. a suitable location within the City of Toronto such as Massey Hall; and b. recommending a funding strategy which may include sources such as Section 37 funds, private donations and possible partnerships.

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