The Etobicoke Voice Is 1 Year Old!
The first post was written Dec 2nd 2022 and we have evolved into such an amazing community that I never thought was possible! There are over 65 posts and our community is almost at 300 and growing everyday! I have so many exciting plans for year two and I look forward to celebrating this huge milestone which will be a month long celebration!
To all those who have been so supportive this year and continue to read each post, I send you so much thanks and appreciation! I did not know if anyone would even see The Etobicoke Voice when I started but I knew our neighbourhoods needed a way to connect and keep up with all the great things that happen in our part of the city! I hoped to be a small part of those connections but I never imagined the connections and friendships that I would make that have come of this newsletter and forever I am grateful!
This year has seen so many ups and downs that I think we all need to have some fun and so starting next week our Anniversary Month begins so keep an eye out for some reflection on 2023 sprinkled with a whole lotta fun thrown in! Today’s council update would normally just be for paid subscribers but I want to celebrate with EVERYONE and there is some important Etobicoke issues on the agenda so lets all take a look!
This week at City Hall we have a couple more important committees meeting and it starts today with the Executive Committee.
Link to view -
Here is the agenda - https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2468/23272
The Executive Committee is personally my favourite meeting that leads into council because you really get to see the priorities of Mayor Chow. Most of the issues monthly at this meeting pertain to all wards but today we have two items that are specific to Etobicoke.
EX 10.19 - Integrating City Council Adopted Housing, Net-Zero and Office Optimization Strategies to Develop Etobicoke Centre via the award of nRFP No. Doc 3768637145 for General Contracting Services for the New Etobicoke Civic Centre
Link To Report - https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EX10.19
This will take us one step closer to seeing our new Civic Centre come to be on the lands in the Six Points area. This is good timing as locally we have a public meeting tonight hosted but the Central Etobicoke Hub Initiative and those details can be found in the next section of today’s post!
EX10.20 - Etobicoke Coat of Arms Displayed in the Etobicoke Civic Centre
Link To Report - https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-241007.pdf
Other Documents to Consider - https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-240819.pdf
I have written about this issue briefly as Councillor Stephen Holyday brought this to City Council last month as a members motion. This item concerns a disagreement between the Councillor and City Staff in how to handle concerns about the Coat Of Arms that became part of Etobicoke in the 1970’s. The image contains what today is considered by many to be anti-indigenous which can be very disturbing to many, especially as one very large carving hangs front and centre in the council chambers at the Etobicoke Civic Centre. City Council decided to move the motion from that meeting and to have it discussed by the Executive. This also gave the city time to prepare a report on the issue that will be discussed today.
All other matters being discussed today can be found by clicking on the agenda.
Local In-Person Public Meeting ….
TONIGHT
Central Etobicoke Community Hub Initiative
St. Andrew’s Church - 3819 Bloor Street W
Tues. Dec. 5 - Starting at 7pm
Focus on the evening:
Public meeting to discuss the new Etobicoke Civic Centre with guests Councillor Stephen Holyday and Deputy Mayor Amber Morley.
Just a reminder …
Just a reminder that Etobicoke Centre MP Yvan Baker’s office has opened the nomination period for his 2023 Community Recognition Awards. There are multiple categories and all the information can be found on his website.
Nominations are open until December 20 and the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place January 28, 2024.
https://yvanbaker.libparl.ca/2023/10/27/1083/
One Last Thing …
You can always leave a comment or send an email to TheEtobicokeVoice@gmail.com
Let me know if you have story ideas, tips, or event listings that you would like to see appear on these pages and I will try to make it happen!
The Etobicoke Voice is now on Threads and Instagram! You will find posts for even more events and news stories frequently updated throughout the week - just look us up by name.
Congratulations on one year Jennifer! That is quite an accomplishment as you are contiuing to serve your local community and providing inspiration for the work I am doing in my own hometown. Thank you!
Thanks so much William! I am excited to hear you are doing the same for your hometown and I wish you all the best!