Committee votes to stop official proclamations [Video]

On Monday, the Corporate Services Committee (CSC) needed little time to reach consensus that city council should no longer accept applications for official proclamations.

Coun. Corrine Rahman put forward the motion that was quickly seconded by Coun. Susan Stevenson.

“I do think that there still remains many opportunities for us as members of council to continue to recognize dates of importance,” Rahman explained to the committee.

A report by city staff determined that at least nine other cities in Ontario do not issue proclamations, including Mississauga, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo.

Since early 2020, city staff have reviewed applications to ensure they adhere to community standards and don’t imply that the city is taking a position on controversial issues, religious matters, or international disputes.

Ultimately, it is up to council to approve an official proclamation.

“Each city is different in terms of how they want to make those recognitions,” Coun. Hadleigh McAlister told CTV News after …