September 9, 1998
To:Corporate Services Committee
From:Commissioner of Corporate Services
Subject:Requests for Permanent Commemorative and Memorial Installations at Toronto City Hall
Purpose:
To respond to a request to erect a memorial statue and plaque at Toronto City Hall in tribute to Metropolitan Toronto Police
officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and other requests for permanent commemorative and memorial
installations at City Hall.
Source of Funds:
N/A
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
- the Commissioner of Corporate Services, in consultation with other relevant City officials, report back to the Corporate
Services Committee on policies and procedures for decision-making regarding permanent commemorative and memorial
installations at Toronto City Hall, as part of the City's policies and procedures for public art and decorations.
- the Commissioner of Corporate Services, in consultation with other relevant City officials, report back to the Corporate
Services Committee on the request for the City to commission the installation of a memorial statue and plaque at
Toronto City Hall in tribute to Metropolitan Toronto Police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, in the
context of Recommendation No. 1 above.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At its meeting on September 14, 1998, the Corporate Services Committee will be considering a motion submitted by
Councillor Frances Nunziata requesting that "...the City of Toronto commission the erection of a memorial statue and
plaque at Toronto City Hall to recognize and honour all the Toronto police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty".
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The request from Councillor Nunziata and similar requests frequently received by the City from a variety of local
community organizations and special interest groups for the placement, on a permanent basis, of commemorative and
memorial items at Toronto City Hall, such as pictures, plaques, statues, and tree plantings, raises the need for a corporate
policy to evaluate these types of requests. This policy would also assist the City to respond to the possible relocation of
these types of items from Metro Hall and possibly some of the civic centres in the near future.
The policy should include establishing eligibility criteria and guidelines regulating the design and placement of these
installations and evaluating the budget implications, along with a review and approval process through a civic advisory
committee consisting of councillors, staff from relevant departments, and public art and heritage stakeholders.
As well, the policy should be part of the development of broader corporate policies and procedures to guide the City's quest
and acquisition of public art and decorations. Further, the former area municipalities had a variety of policies and
procedures which should be assessed and harmonized as part of this policy formulation process.
Conclusions:
With the establishment of the seat of government at Toronto City Hall, there is a need for policies and procedures for
considering requests for commemorative and memorial installations at City Hall, as part of the City's policies and
procedures for public art and decorations. If the Corporate Services Committee wishes, I can report back on a framework,
including development of a corporate policy and establishment of a civic advisory committee to deal with these issues, as
well as any budgetary implications.
Contact Name:
Sheila Glazer, Facilities and Real Estate Division, phone 392-0879, fax 392-0029, e-mail sglazer@city.toronto.on.ca
(cs98170.wpd)
Commissioner of Corporate Services
