Date:July 9, 1998
To:Corporate Services Committee
From:Women Members of City Council
Subject:Constance E. Hamilton Award - 20th Anniversary - 1999
Recommendations:
- That City Council approve the 20th anniversary program for the Constance E. Hamilton
Award and the continuation of this award to recognize Person's Day.
- That the Commissioner, Corporate Services make the arrangements for the
Constance E. Hamilton Award and that joint advertising take place with the Access Award
and the William Hubbard Race Relations Award as outlined in this report.
- That this report be forwarded to the Task Force on Community Access and Equity for
information.
Background:
Every year on October 18, Person's Day is celebrated across Canada to recognise the 1929
Privy Council decision in which women were declared persons and therefore became
eligible to be appointed to the Senate of Canada. In 1979, to recognise the 50th anniversary
of this decision, the former Council of the City of Toronto established an annual award. The
Award was named after Constance E. Hamilton who was the first woman elected to a
municipal council in Toronto in 1920. The recipients have been selected by the Constance
E. Hamilton Award committee which is comprised of the Women Members of Council.
Aside from celebrating Person's Day and women's participation in the political process, the
Award recognises contributions made by up to three persons towards improving the status of
women in the city. The Award is intended to honour individuals whose work has not been
previously recognised. Nominations are sought through a publicly advertised process and
selections are made by the Women Members of Council. Advertising has taken place with
other civic awards, in particular the Access Award and the William P. Hubbard Race
Relations Award.
Comments:
In 1989, to recognise the 10th anniversary of the Award, a special pin was commissioned,
which was presented to the recipients at the civic honours ceremony when all other civic
awards are presented. We recommend that this pin continue to be presented at an annual
civic awards ceremony when this has been established.
In addition, to the formal civic awards ceremony a special presentation program has been
held to include people working on women's issues and was combined with the scholarships
in women's studies which have been endowed by the City at the University of Toronto.
It is proposed that the launch for nominations take place during the second week of October
with a deadline for receipt of nominations by the end of November. The Award will be
presented in early March in conjunction with a program to recognise International Women's
Day - March 8.
Annual funding of approximately $9,000 for the Constance E. Hamilton Award was
established by the former Toronto City Council in the City Clerk's budget. Additional costs
for printing in conjunction with the Access Award and Race Relations Award were provided
through the Equal Opportunity Program, Human Resources Division.
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Councillor Maria Augimeri - Ward 7Councillor Irene Jones - Ward 2
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Councillor Ila Bossons - Ward 23Councillor Joan King - Ward 12
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Councillor Elizabeth Brown - Ward 5Councillor Gloria L. Luby - Ward 3
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Councillor Sandra Bussin - Ward 26Councillor Pam McConnell - Ward 25
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Councillor Olivia Chow - Ward 24Councillor Frances Nunziata - Ward 27
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Councillor Betty Disero - Ward 21Councillor Judy Sgro - Ward 6
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Councillor Joanne Flint - Ward 9Councillor Sherene Shaw - Ward 17
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Councillor Anne Johnston - Ward 22
