Following the certification of the election on June 28, Mayor-elect Olivia Chow will take office on Wednesday, July 12, after making the Declaration of Office administered by Toronto City Clerk John D. Elvidge. The ceremony will be attended by City Councillors, City staff and agency representatives, former mayors and guests of the Mayor-elect. Commencing at 11 a.m., the program will feature the Declaration of Office, a speech by the Mayor, ceremonial elements, Indigenous teachings and various performances.
Indigenous Welcoming Ceremony
In advance of the Declaration of Office ceremony and in the spirit of unity, Elder Garry Sault and Grandmother Tina Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation will welcome the Mayor-elect Chow as a partner in peace, friendship and respect.
This closed ceremony on the podium roof of City Hall will include smudging, the lighting of the fire and water teachings. The circle will include the Mayor-elect, Members of Council, and senior City staff.
Entrance of the Mayor-elect
Mayor-elect Chow will be welcomed to the Council Chamber by ceremonial drumming and singing by Young Creek Big Drum, Anishinaabe from the Wikwemikong First Nation.
Land acknowledgement and Indigenous greetings
Jean Yoon, renowned playwright, actor, ACTRA Award winner and Toronto resident, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and deliver the land acknowledgment.
Elder Dr. Duke Redbird, from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, will also offer welcoming remarks.
Elder Garry and Grandmother Tina Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation will explain the significance of water that was shared at the morning’s Indigenous Welcoming Ceremony, contained in the silver teapot displayed in the Chamber. The teapot is symbolic of the City’s commitment to its Reconciliation Action Plan.
African Ancestral Acknowledgement
Sandra Whiting, President of the Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (PACE) Canada and a prominent voice in Toronto’s Black Canadian community, will present the African Ancestral Acknowledgement.
Poetry reading
The ceremony will include a poetry reading by Lillian Allen, new Toronto Poet Laureate, JUNO Award winner and professor of creative writing at OCAD University.
Declaration of Office by the Mayor and Presentation of the Chain of Office
Following the Declaration of Office for the Mayor, the Chain of Office will be presented to Mayor Chow by the City Clerk. The Chain of Office is placed around the Mayor’s neck following the taking of the Declaration and is worn throughout the Mayoral Declaration of Office ceremony.
A modern Chain of Office is composed of several elements joined together with pieces of chain with a medallion hanging from it. Toronto’s Chain of Office contains elements from all of the municipalities which were amalgamated into the present-day city of Toronto.
More information about the Chain of Office is available on the City of Toronto Symbols webpage.
Musical performance
Following the speech by the Mayor, JUNO Award-winning singer and songwriter Lorraine Segato, with Retrocity, will perform to mark the occasion.
O Canada
The Declaration of Office ceremony will conclude with the singing of our national anthem, performed by Jennifer Uy, classically trained, multi-award-winning singer and local small business champion.
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