City of Toronto ushers in the 2022-2026 Council term

Today, the City of Toronto officially marked the beginning of the 2022-2026 Toronto City Council term at its ceremonial First Meeting of Council.

In advance of the First Meeting and in the spirit of unity, Elder Garry Sault from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Treaty Partners and Urban Indigenous leaders welcomed newly re-elected Mayor John Tory and Members of Council as partners in peace, friendship and respect on Nathan Phillips Square. The ceremony included smudging, the lighting and passing of the pipe and water teachings. This is the first time an Indigenous-led ceremony has ushered in a new term of office.

The remainder of the meeting focused on ceremonial business including Mayor and Councillor Declarations of Office and the presentation of the Chain of Office (www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/city-of-toronto-symbols/).

Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker
With consent from Mayor John Tory, in accordance with Toronto Municipal Code, Council today elected Speaker Frances Nunziata (York South-Weston) and Deputy Speaker Stephen Holyday (Etobicoke Centre).

The Speaker presides over Council meetings with the Deputy Speaker chairing Council meetings when the Speaker is absent.

The election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is for the term of Council.

Appointment of the Striking Committee
Also on the agenda for today’s First Meeting was the formation of the Striking Committee (http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&decisionBodyId=2463#Meeting-2023.ST1). The Striking Committee makes recommendations to Council on Council member appointments to fill positions on committees and boards. The following members were appointed to the Striking Committee:
•       Brad Bradford (Beaches-East York)
•       Gary Crawford (Scarborough Southwest)
•       Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park) – Committee Chair
•       Frances Nunziata (York South-Weston)
•       James Pasternak (York Centre)

The Striking Committee will meet tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. to make recommendations on the 2023 meeting schedule, as well as member appointments to committees and boards.

The full agenda for the First Meeting of the 2022-2026 Council term is available on the City’s website: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/decisionBodyProfile.do?function=doPrepare&meetingId=23057#Meeting-2023.CC1. A backgrounder detailing Council make-up as well as ceremonial elements of today’s meeting is available on the City’s Media Room: www.toronto.ca/news/first-meeting-of-the-2022-2026-toronto-city-council-term/.

Council resumes its meeting tomorrow, November 24 at noon, where it will consider the recommendations of the Striking Committee and other urgent business items on the agenda.

All Council meetings are streamed live on the Toronto City Council YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/TorontoCityCouncilLive.

Quote:

“I know Toronto’s best days are ahead. There is so much work to be done and we will be focused on getting more housing built and getting more transit built. I know this City Council can do it and will do it in the months and years ahead. I look forward to making real progress for all of the people we serve, for their families, and for all of those who come to our great city to build their lives here.”
– Mayor John Tory

SOURCE City of Toronto