Presentations, Introductions and Announcements

Councillor Saxe, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed grades 4 and 5 students from Huron St. Junior Public School who were present in the Council Chamber. Councillor Colle, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed Joe Xuereb, a vistor from Malta, and former MP and York City Councillor John Nunziata, who were present in the Council Chamber. Mayor Chow, during the afternoon session of the meeting, recognized the anniversary of the Yonge Street tragedy of April 23, 2018, and asked for a moment of silence to honour the memories of the victims of the incident: Renuka Amarasingha, Andrea Bradden, Geraldine Brady, So He Chung, Anne Marie D'Amico, Mary Elizabeth Betty Forsyth, Chul Min Kang, Ji Hun Kim, Munir Abdo Habib al-Najjar, Dorothy Sewell, and Amaresh Tesfamariam. City Council observed a moment of silence. Mayor Chow acknowledged the first responders and personnel involved in the aftermath and investigation, and announced that on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Canterbury Place in North York will be ceremonially renamed as "Heroes' Way." The following Members of Council, during the afternoon session of the meeting, made remarks to commemorate the Yonge Street tragedy: Councillor Cheng, Councillor Moise, and Councillor Bravo April 24, 2025 Speaker Nunziata, during the morning session of the meeting, called upon Mayor Chow to recognize National Poetry Month. Mayor Chow addressed City Council in celebration of National Poetry Month. Mayor Chow welcomed Lillian Allen, Toronto's Poet Laureate and Shahaddah Jack, Toronto's Youth Poet Laureate to the Chamber. Lillian Allen addressed City Council and read her poems "Arrivals" and "The Village Corner - Old Yorkville, Toronto." Shahaddah Jack addressed City Council and read her poem "I am a Poem." Mayor Chow, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed participants in the Toronto Community Housing Corporation's "The Next Surgeon" program, who were present in the Council Chamber. Mayor Chow recognized program staff and volunteers and presented them with a scroll. Mayor Chow, during the morning session of the meeting, acknowledged Abi Bond, Executive Director, Housing Secretariat on her last City Council meeting. Mayor Chow thanked Abi for her contribution to the City of Toronto and wished her all the best on her return to British Columbia. Deputy Mayor Malik, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed grades 3, 4 and 5 students from the Waterfront School who were present in the Council Chamber. Councillor Fletcher, during the morning session of the meeting, welcomed former City of Toronto Councillor and budget chief Gary Crawford who was present in the Council Chamber. Councillor Matlow, during the afternoon session of the meeting, welcomed students from the Centennial Infant and Child Centre who were present in the Council Chamber. Councillor Mantas, during the afternoon session of the meeting, advised Members of Council that today marked the day to commemorate the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, and made remarks in remembrance of the event.