Why location may matter for rejigged proclamation policy at city hall
Organizations seeking official proclamations from city council may soon need to show a stronger link to London.
In January 2020, city council launched a pilot project resuming the issuance of proclamations that acknowledge a wide range of community initiatives and events.
Twenty-nine proclamations have been approved to date, including Black History Month, Respiratory Therapy Week, and World Migratory Bird Day.
Organizations must apply to the city clerk’s office six weeks prior to the intended proclamation date, explain the significance of the event, and its connection to London.
On Monday, the Corporate Services Committee (CSC) recommended continuing the proclamation process on a permanent basis, but with several modifications:
- proclamations include acknowledgement on city hall’s official social media accounts
- organizations be permitted to apply for more than one proclamation each year so long as they focus on separate events or issues
- a local sponsor be identified as part of the application process
Deputy Mayor Josh Morgan said having a local individual back the application will ensure the proclamation has ties to London.
“This is anybody in the city, whether they’re a client, or someone who benefits, or who believes in this organization and would like to see their city council issue a proclamation,” Morgan said at committee.
Meanwhile, Councillor Michael Van Holst told the committee he hopes to see proclamations with a local focus.
“Who we want to help are those groups that have been established in the city,” said Van Holst.
City hall stopped issuing proclamations in 1997 after the Ontario Human Rights Commission ruled against then-Mayor Dianne Haskett and city council who refused to proclaim the 1995 Pride festival in London.
Council will consider updating and extending the Issuance of Proclamations Policy at its meeting on July 6.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.