Toronto Millennium Commemorative Coin Project

The Economic Development and Parks Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendations of the Millennium Task Force embodied in the following report (September 9, 1999) from the City Clerk:

Recommendation:

The Millennium Task Force on September 8, 1999, recommended to the Economic Development and Parks Committee, and Council, that the "Toronto Millennium Commemorative Coin Project" described in the report (August 30, 1999) from Mayor Mel Lastman, be endorsed; and that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to do whatever is necessary to promote this project.

Background:

The Millennium Task Force had before it a report (August 30, 1999) from Mayor Mel Lastman, entitled "Toronto Millennium Commemorative Coin Project".

The following persons appeared before the Millennium Task Force in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Ms. Doreen Cunneen, Project Manager;

-Ms. Jennifer Nicholson, Project Manager, and filed a copy of their submission; and

-Mr. Robert O'Brien, Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Toronto.

(Report dated August 30, 1999, addressed to the

Millennium Task Force from Mayor Mel Lastman)

As you may know, the City has been asked to partner with a number of excellent community-minded organizations on an exciting project, entitled "The Toronto Millennium Commemorative Coin Project" to properly recognize the new amalgamated City of Toronto, and to celebrate Toronto going into the 21^st Century.

With partners including the North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough Chambers of Commerce, the Royal Bank, and the Mirror/Guardian Newspapers, we will have a high-quality commemorative gift product, for corporations as well as for individual guests, visitors, and residents of our City.

Proceeds are going to several recognized charities in Toronto, and will benefit thousands of our citizens. No City funds are going into the development of the coin, and the costs are being seeded by the participating Chambers. Some of the designated charities will be on hand at the meeting.

Attached is a full information package on the coin project. Representatives have been working with City and will be on hand to provide our Millennium Task Force with a full overview on what we plan to accomplish by year-end 2000. Similar coin projects have been successfully done in Scarborough and also in North York in recent years, and we expect the new one-time only Toronto coin to do even better.

We also invite all Councillors to get involved in supporting the charities that these coins will support, and invite you to widely publicize the Toronto Millennium coin, to businesses and to all residents in your ward, through your householder Newsletter, as well as to other colleagues, friends, and supporters.

These coins also make a fabulous Corporate gift for large meetings, conventions, reunions, conferences or special celebrations. If you know of such occasions we would be delighted if you would pass on this information, and the project managers would be happy to follow up for you.

(Communication dated August 31, 1999, addressed to the

Millennium Task Force from Ms. Tracy Blyth,

General Manager, North York Chamber of Commerce,

Ms. Debbie Bonk, General Manager, Scarborough

Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Catherine Adam,

General Manager, Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce)

Thank you for providing us with an opportunity to present to you, this exciting millennium project.

The Toronto Millennium coin is a civic initiative spearheaded by the North York Chamber of Commerce in partnership with - the City of Toronto Mayor's Office, the Etobicoke and Scarborough Chambers of Commerce, the Royal Bank, the Rotary Club of Toronto and the Guardian/Mirror Newspapers. It is an exciting project that we are proud to be associated with and one which will provide our residential, corporate and visitor/tourism markets with a tangible reminder of this time in history.

The coin depicts a magnificent display of our wonderful city skyline on one side and on the reverse side, a head and shoulder portrait of the Mayor with City Hall in the background recording the first Mayor of the newly amalgamated City of Toronto and its headquarters. This beautiful commemorative piece will serve not only as a reminder of this historic occasion, but will also have a positive impact on our communities as a portion of the proceeds go to youth charities supported by the Royal Bank and the Rotary Club of Toronto.

All in all, a program that will build civic pride, promote our City and through the charitable donations, have a positive impact on our communities. The presentation provides more in depth details of the program. Should you however require additional information, please don't hesitate to give our project managers, Ms. Doreen Cunneen and Ms. Jenny Nicholson a call at the above number.

(A copy of the presentation referred to in the foregoing communication was forwarded to each Member of the Millennium Task Force with the agenda for its meeting of September 8, 1999, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)