Protecting Paul Martel Indigenous Botanical Garden - by Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Paul Ainslie

Unfortunately, the park was then neglected. After Paul Martel's death in 2020, Paul Richard, an Indigenous retired City of Toronto gardener, launched a revitalization. His goal was to bring together the Aboriginal community and the Annex neighbourhood to restore the ecological plantings and clean up the neglected park. In doing so, he has had the strong support of the Annex Residents Association. Since that time, Toronto Parks staff have not maintained the plants in this park. In a unique partnership arrangement, Indigenous volunteers have devoted enormous time and effort to create an Indigenous Botanical Garden in Paul Martel Park. This has included curating, planting, and tending a wide variety of native and medicinal plants. Parks, Forestry and Recreation agreed to recognize this Indigenous Botanical Garden in appropriate signage in 2024, see 2024.IE14.13. Recognizing the importance of Indigenous place-keeping and cultural programming, the City has repeatedly claimed that it is committed to building an ongoing partnership with Indigenous groups to enhance this park as a site for Indigenous-led training, gardening, and cultural education. See, for example, the motion at this Council to Enter a Nominal Agreement with The Indigenous People Garden Incorporated at Paul Martel Park, which states that it aligns with the City's ongoing commitments to equity, cultural recognition, and environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, the Indigenous Botanical Garden is being destroyed by reckless abuse, especially during nighttime hours. Although Parks, Forestry and Recreation installed a low fence with an unlocked gate, patrons exiting the adjacent bar habitually trample and urinate on the native plants, which cannot withstand such treatment. For this reason, Paul Richard and the Annex Residents Association have repeatedly requested permission to lock the garden at night. This permission has consistently been denied, and the consequences for the garden have been devastating. It is time to recognize that this special garden requires additional protection, including being locked at night.