Authorization to Release Section 37 and Section 42 Funds for Improvements to the Jose Rizal Memorial in Earl Bales Park - by Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers

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The decision

2025-05-21 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on May 21 and 22, 2025, adopted the following: 1. City Council amend Parks and Recreation's 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan to create a new capital sub-project known as the Jose Rizal Memorial Project in the Park Development project, with a project cost and cash flow of $60,000 gross and $0 debt in 2025, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 700, 702, 714 and 716 Sheppard Avenue West secured for improvements to park assets (Source Account: XR3026-3701248) for the purpose of asset improvements at the Jose Rizal Memorial in Earl Bales Park.

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2. City Council increase the 2025 Operating Budget for Economic Development and Culture on a one-time basis by $15,000.00 gross and $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained in the development at 700, 702, 714 and 716 Sheppard Avenue West (Source Account: XR3026-3701248), to fund maintenance of the Jose Rizal Memorial in Earl Bales Park (Cost Centre: AH0033).

On the agenda

As the city filed it

The Jose Rizal Memorial by F.B Caede in Earl Bales Park was gifted by the Philippine government to the City of Toronto in 1998 on the centennial of Filipino independence. The memorial's bronze bust honours Dr. Jose P. Rizal, a doctor, philosopher and poet whose writings influenced the nationalist movement that led to independence of the Philippines from Spain. Dr. Rizal is known as the foremost national hero of the Philippines, the father of Filipino independence, and is a symbol of deep national pride for the Filipino Canadian community in Toronto and Filipino communities around the world.

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Dr. Rizal is also said to have been the first Filipino to set foot on Canadian soil, on May 12, 1888. Earl Bales Park was chosen as the memorial site in 1998 as it is centrally located, easily accessed, and had hosted many Filipino community events. Proposed upgrades to the memorial include landscaping improvements to increase the monument's accessibility for casual visitors and during cultural celebrations and ceremonies. As part of the upgrades, the statue's bust and plaques will be rotated 180 degrees providing an opportunity to utilize the open area to the east of the monument as a point of orientation.

Staff recommended

Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers, recommends that: 1. City Council amend Parks and Recreation's 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan to create a new capital sub-project known as the Jose Rizal Memorial Project in the Park Development project, with a project cost and cash flow of $60,000 gross and $0 debt in 2025, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 700, 702, 714 and 716 Sheppard Avenue West secured for improvements to park assets (Source Account: XR3026-3701248) for the purpose of asset improvements at the Jose Rizal Memorial in Earl Bales Park.

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On the record

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