The filed record
Appointment of Public Members to the Toronto Zoo Board
The Public Gallery wrote no story on this item. What follows is the city’s own record of what happened to it, as filed: nothing on this page is summarised or scored by us.
The decision
2026-04-22 · Toronto City Council · adopted
As filed
City Council on April 22 and 23, 2026, adopted the following: 1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on March 28, 2030, and until successors are appointed: Camilo Garay Fernando Valencia 2. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (April 7, 2026) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
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Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (April 7, 2026) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
On the agenda
As the city filed it
The Civic Appointments Committee will conduct interviews and recommend two candidates to City Council for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management.
Staff recommended
The City Clerk recommends that: 1. Civic Appointments Committee recommend two candidates to City Council for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on March 28, 2030, and until successors are appointed. 2. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
Considered
2026-04-17 · Civic Appointments Committee · amended
Decision as filed
The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that: 1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on March 28, 2030, and until successors are appointed: Camilo Garay Fernando Valencia 2. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (April 7, 2026) from the City Clerk remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.
Clerk’s note
Candidates' Biographies Camilo Garay Camilo Garay is a fundraising and partnerships executive with over a decade of experience in the non-profit and public sectors. He has raised over millions for education, innovation, and equity-focused initiatives through roles at Seneca Polytechnic, CivicAction, and Visions of Science. Camilo brings expertise in governance, strategic partnerships, and civic engagement, with a strong commitment to conservation, education, and community-building.
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Fernando Valencia Fernando Valencia is a Toronto scientist and holds a PhD in Cell and Systems Biology from the University of Toronto. His research examines how biological systems respond to physical and environmental cues and has been published in scientific journals and academic textbooks. His work has been recognized with awards and grants. Fernando wants to share his love of science and biology with everyone he meets. He has formal training in science communication from the Royal Canadian Institute for Science and is strongly committed to science education. He has taught and mentored university students and led science workshops for high school students. He has also served in leadership roles within academic organizations, including co-chairing international scientific conferences. Fernando has a personal connection to the Toronto Zoo, where he was married, and holds a deep appreciation for the Zoo's role as a trusted public institution dedicated to conservation, education, and community engagement.
2026-04-22 · Toronto City Council · adopted
Clerk’s note
Appointees' Biographies Camilo Garay Camilo Garay is a fundraising and partnerships executive with over a decade of experience in the non-profit and public sectors. He has raised over millions for education, innovation, and equity-focused initiatives through roles at Seneca Polytechnic, CivicAction, and Visions of Science. Camilo brings expertise in governance, strategic partnerships, and civic engagement, with a strong commitment to conservation, education, and community-building.
Show the rest of Clerk’s note, 1,249 more characters as filed
Fernando Valencia Fernando Valencia is a Toronto scientist and holds a PhD in Cell and Systems Biology from the University of Toronto. His research examines how biological systems respond to physical and environmental cues and has been published in scientific journals and academic textbooks. His work has been recognized with awards and grants. Fernando wants to share his love of science and biology with everyone he meets. He has formal training in science communication from the Royal Canadian Institute for Science and is strongly committed to science education. He has taught and mentored university students and led science workshops for high school students. He has also served in leadership roles within academic organizations, including co-chairing international scientific conferences. Fernando has a personal connection to the Toronto Zoo, where he was married, and holds a deep appreciation for the Zoo's role as a trusted public institution dedicated to conservation, education, and community engagement. During the review of the Order Paper on April 22, 2026, City Council adopted a procedural motion to remove this item from the jurisdiction of the Civic Appointments Committee and bring it forward for consideration by City Council.