Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 9 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
AA18.1received
Our Plan Toronto: Draft Official Plan Chapter 1, Directions for Consultation
The Manager, Official Plan, City Planning and the Planner, Policy and Research, City Planning, will give a presentation on Our Plan Toronto: Draft Official Plan Chapter 1, Directions and Principles, which include a draft section on Indigenous Planning Perspectives.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee received the item for information.
AA18.2amended
Next Phase of Waterfront Revitalization
The Project Manager, Waterfront Secretariat, City Planning, will give a presentation on the Next Phase of Waterfront Revitalization. In 2021, City Council directed staff to reflect on the two-decade history of waterfront revitalization and to report back with a renewed vision for a further phase of waterfront revitalization work. A core priority for the next phase is to advance truth, justice and reconciliation, including through Indigenous engagement. This presentation will provide an overview of the project and Indigenous engagement process.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. City Council reassert the Mission of the Reconciliation Action Plan which states that "The City will dedicate time, space, and money with the goal of Returning land to Indigenous governments, communities, collectives, and organizations" and further include that the mission of the Reconciliation Action Plan applies to agencies, boards and commissions, including Waterfront Toronto and CreateTO, and should be a core consideration in redevelopment of all City-owned properties.
AA18.3received
Toronto Bid for FIFA World Cup 2026
The Director, Arts and Culture Services, Economic Development and Culture, and the Project Manager, FIFA 2026 World Cup Bid, Arts and Culture Services, Economic Development and Culture, will give a presentation on the status of FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City bid and key programming and capital aspects.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee received the item for information.
AA18.4received
Current Economic Development and Culture Initiatives with Indigenous Communities
The Director, Arts and Culture, Economic Development and Culture, will give a presentation on the current initiatives with Indigenous communities to advance the Reconciliation Action Plan and seek the Committee Members' advice on the Cultural Districts Program Proposal and engagement.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee received the item for information.
AA18.5received
Toronto History Museums Indigenous Arts Festival and Indigenous Peoples Month Strategy Planning
The Indigenous Tkaranto Collective Consultants and the Museum Administrator, Fort York National Historic Site, will give a presentation on the work plan for the development of a three-year strategy for Indigenous Arts Festival and Indigenous Peoples Month at Toronto History Museums. The strategy will advise on governance, scale, partnerships, and programming approaches.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee received the item for information.
AA18.6amended
Potential to Review a Voluntary Property Tax Contribution to Support Reconciliation and Justice
The City of Toronto's reconciliation efforts between non-Indigenous Torontonians and Indigenous communities in Toronto continues with the recent release of the Reconciliation Action Plan. There is a program that originated in Victoria, B.C., which provides homeowners with the opportunity to tangibly, directly, and meaningfully participate in Toronto's reconciliation efforts through a voluntary financial contribution. The City and its residents economically benefit from the enduring process of colonialism, and the voluntary financial contribution is a method that can help undo the colonial process that allows the City to profit from operating on stolen Indigenous territory. For homeowners to make this contribution, they can decide to add a certain percentage (in Victoria, homeowners can add between five and 10 percent) to their annual property tax bill. The City will then delegate these contributions to Indigenous communities, along with Indigenous-led organizations, projects, and programming confronting social ills, such as inaccessibility to affordable housing, afflicting Indigenous communities. This action can help ensure that City Council will not redirect these contributions. The voluntary financial contribution is a symbolic and collective action that can provide Toronto's Indigenous communities with additional resources. It could be a meaningful step toward reconciliation, and provide financial means to make reconciliation possible.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the City Manager to, as part of the 2023 budget process, develop a dedicated source of revenue to fully implement the Reconciliation Action Plan and present any recommendations to the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee in 2023.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Mike Layton recommends that: 1. City Council request the City Manager to review the Voluntary Property Tax Contribution option used in Victoria, British Columbia, and determine if a similar program can be implemented in Toronto.
AA18.7received
Indigenous Naming Initiative in Ward 14 - Update
Attached is a letter from Councillor Paula Fletcher that provides an update on the Indigenous Naming Initiative in Ward 14 that was discussed at the last meeting on March 8, 2022 (Item AA16.8). This is being submitted for the Committee's information.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee received the item for information.
AA18.8received
Two New Downtown Parks in the North St. Lawrence Neighbourhood
The Senior Public Consultation Coordinator, Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, will give a presentation to the Committee. Two new parks are being built in the north St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. The area around the parks has a higher than average population of Indigenous residents, including Indigenous serving organizations. Seeking feedback on consultations with Indigenous organizations in the area.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee received the item for information.
AA18.9received
City of Toronto's Commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2022
The Senior Consultant, Talent Management, People and Equity, and the Chief of Protocol, Strategic Protocol and External Relations, City Clerk's Office, will give a presentation to the Committee and seek feedback on the focus of internal education and public recognition for commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2022.
The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee received the item for information.