Municipal Calls to Action

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report calls on municipalities to deliver specific outcomes for the following 5 Calls to Action:

Call to Action	Description	Specific Outcome
C2A # 43	UN Declaration (UNDRIP)	Fully adopt and implement UNDRIP as the framework for reconciliation
C2A # 47	Royal Proclamation and Covenant	Repudiate Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius
C2A # 57	PD and Training for Public Servants	Provide education to civil servants on Indigenous issues, histories and treaties
C2A # 75	Missing Children and Burial Information	Develop and implement strategies and procedures for ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration and protection of residential school cemeteries
C2A # 77	National Centre for Truth and reconciliation	All archives to collaborate with National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on collection of all records

City of Toronto Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

2022 – 2032 Reconciliation Action Plan

The City of Toronto’s first Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2032 will guide its actions to advance truth, justice and reconciliation for the next 10 years. It builds on the City’s existing commitments to Indigenous Peoples and takes them even further through 28 meaningful actions across five themes:

Actions to Restore Truth

1. Conduct City-wide Reconciliation Audits
2. Enhance Indigenous Education
3. Apologize to the Métis.
4. Establish a Commitment to Reconciliation with Businesses and Organizations 

Actions to Right Relations and Share Power

• Improve Relationships with Treaty and Territorial Partners
• Improve Relationships with Indigenous Organizations and Collectives
• Enhance Indigenous Civic Engagement
• Advocate for Indigenous Peoples to Provincial and Federal Governments

Actions for Justice

• Address Racism
• Promote Prosperity
• Improve Community Safety and Well-being 
• Implement the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
• Support Indigenous Health and Well-being
• Increase Access to Affordable Housing
• Support Indigenous Placekeeping
• Celebrate Indigenous Arts and Culture
• Support the Revitalization of Indigenous Languages
• Improve Access to Traditional Foods and Medicines
• Return Land and Stewardship Rights 

Actions to Make Financial Reparations

• Improve Indigenous Economic Development
• Decolonize Honoraria Practices
• Enhance Indigenous Recruitment and Retention within Toronto Public Service
• Provide Sustainable Fiscal Supports for Reconciliation

Actions for the Indigenous Affairs Office

• Advocate for Indigenous Peoples within the City of Toronto
• Increased Indigenous Community Engagement
• Enhance Communication between Indigenous Communities and City Divisions
• Support Capacity within the Toronto Public Service
• Implement Accountability Processes

The commitments found in this Reconciliation Action Plan build on and are guided by: 

• the strategic directions provided in the City’s Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal Peoples (2010), 
• the Calls to Action set out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report (2015), 
• the principles detailed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), and the Calls for Justice outlined by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019). 

The Reconciliation Action Plan was developed over three years with input from First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Carriers, youth, and Indigenous employees and allies in the Toronto Public Service. Aboriginal Strategy/Framework.

Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal Peoples, 

“The City’s “Commitments to Indigenous Peoples (2010) identifies seven distinct goals to be fulfilled as part of the Urban

Commitment #1:

• The City commits to creating training opportunities for the Toronto Public Service to learn about the history and its current day impacts from Aboriginal Elders and other Aboriginal partners. T
• The City also commits to working with Aboriginal communities to improve public awareness of Aboriginal life in Toronto.

Commitment #2

• The City commits, when working with the Aboriginal communities in Toronto, to learning about the elements of an Aboriginal holistic approach from its Aboriginal partners.
• The City further commits to supporting this approach in the belief that this will provide the greatest benefit to the community being served.

Commitment #3

• The City commits to working with Aboriginal partners to explore ways to strengthen the capacity of Aboriginal organizations and associations to plan, lead and deliver initiatives for local Aboriginal communities.

Commitment #4

• The City also commits to engaging Aboriginal communities in the City’s decision making process, to removing barriers to civic participation and to increasing the representation and role of Aboriginal people on municipal boards and committees.

Commitment #5

• The City of Toronto commits to implementing employment practices that ensure that opportunities for employment are accessible to Aboriginal people and increases the number of Aboriginal employees at all occupational levels.”

Commitment #6

• The City of Toronto commits to working formally and informally with all orders of government and other municipalities, institutions and community organizations to continue exploring promising practices and opportunities for collaboration on Aboriginal initiatives and to promote the interests of Aboriginal people in Toronto, as defined by the Aboriginal communities.”

Commitment #7

• The City of Toronto commits to the development of an action plan in partnership with Aboriginal communities in Toronto. The City of Toronto also commits to ensuring an accountability process is established in order to measure the success of the Statement of Commitment.”

In 2015, City Council in consultation with the Aboriginal Affairs Committee, identified eight Calls to Action from the TRC as priorities for implementation. (23, 43, 57, 68, 77, 82, 88, 94). Those highlighted in bold are addressed below.

City of Toronto Progress on advancing Truth and Reconciliation: 3 out of 4 = 75%

Call to Action # 43       The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation

Yes. In Progress. As specified in “City Actions” in “Reconciliation Action Plan” City adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as part of the City’s year-long proclamation on Truth and Reconciliation 2013 – 2014. The City in its 2003 Vision Statement on Access and Equity acknowledged the unique status and cultural diversity of the Aboriginal communities and their right to self-determination. This aligns with Article 3 of the UNDRIP which calls for Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination. Article 11 of the UNDRIP states that Indigenous peoples have the right to practice and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs including the right to maintain, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures. The City acknowledges this right through the work of Heritage Preservation and other divisions that do environmental assessments that require consultations with Aboriginal peoples of the area as part of City staff’s legal duty to consult. The Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee (AAAC) support UNDRIP Article 18 which enshrines the right of Indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights through representatives chosen by themselves in accordance with their own procedures, as well as the right to maintain and develop their own indigenous decision-making-institutions. Further, the workings of the AAAC supports UNDRIP Article 23 which states that Indigenous peoples have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for exercising their right to development. In 2010, The City adopted the Statement of Commitment to the Aboriginal Communities of Toronto. Statement #1 commits the City to creating appropriate education for the Toronto Public Service on Aboriginal History and its current-day impacts which complements UNDRIP Article 15 on the need to appropriately recognize Aboriginal History in education and public information. Other Statements of Commitment include: * capacity building (#3), * representation and decision making (#4), * employment (#5), * working with exploring promising practices and opportunities for collaboration on Aboriginal initiatives (#6), and * working jointly with Aboriginal communities to evaluate the success of its Commitments (#7). In total, the Statement of Commitment supports the UNDRIP on many important issues facing Aboriginal communities in Toronto and entrusts the AAAC to oversee the implementation.Current Status: The City of Toronto will continue to ensure it supports the rights of Aboriginal Peoples as set out in UNDRIP and in its Statement of Commitment.The Aboriginal Employment Strategy Implementation Team is currently working on targeted outreach to ensure that opportunities for employment are accessible to Aboriginal people and that this increases the number of Aboriginal employees at all occupational levels. (Statement of Commitment #5).

Call to Action # 47    Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.

Not explicitly addressed.  The Reconciliation Action Plan, 2022—2032, states: “It is vital to the City of Toronto that Indigenous communities be respected in their rights to self-determination and sovereignty.” The City known as Toronto is a historically significant place where diverse Indigenous Nations gathered to exchange goods and conduct sacred cultural practices for thousands of years prior to the asserted sovereignty of the Crown and Canada.”(2022–2023)·        On August 19, 2022 Mayor John Tory “offered an apology to the Métis people on behalf of the City of Toronto for its role in contributing to the militarized action against Métis people during the Northwest Resistance of 1885, in what is now Saskatchewan”.

Call to Action # 57       Professional Development and Training for Public Servants We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Yes. As stated in the 2022-2032 Reconciliation Action Plan The City acknowledges the attempted erasure of Indigenous culture, knowledge, language and identity from residential and day schools, Sixties Scoop, Millennial Scoops and other harmful governmental policies and practices. In order to understand the truth, the entire Toronto Public Service needs to receive education about this history and how it continues to impact Indigenous Peoples in Toronto. By deepening the understanding of the past, and also of contemporary urban Indigenous issues, the public service will be more responsive to the needs of the Indigenous community.  All City divisions, with leadership from the People and Equity division will:  * Promote the e-learning modules: – “Introduction to Indigenous Learning” and the – “Equity, Reconciliation and Inclusion 101” series, which includes topics such as colonialism, systemic injustice and allyship.   Mandatory completion by all non-union members of the Toronto Public Service by 2023 Mandatory completion by all union staff by 2028. Deliver in-person/virtual Indigenous competency training to all City staff that will broaden Toronto Public Service’s understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis perspectives and cultures. Expand educational programs and initiatives that will:  * Deepen understanding of contemporary urban Indigenous realities and experiences * Address anti-Indigenous racism and how to address it in the workplace * Include impacts of intersectional identities of Indigenous People such as age, sexuality, gender, ability, race, religion, class and more  * Address divisional specific needs. * Provide participatory educational opportunities and hands-on learning  * Provide opportunities for Indigenous staff to access Indigenous-specific training, mentorship, networking and support  * Trainings will be based on their distinct, self-identified learning goals and objectives and will foster better retention and a more inclusive, respectful learning environment. The Ambe Maamowisdaa Employee Circle will support this process by gathering information on training topics and supporting Indigenous staff to access training. Commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 annually by providing specific learning opportunities to the Toronto Public Service on the history and legacy of residential and day schools. The City Solicitor, with support from People & Equity, will require City lawyers to participate in training on topics including the history and legacy of residential schools and Indigenous law by 2027.  The Economic Development & Culture division and all other relevant divisions will: Co-develop exhibits, features and other initiatives with Indigenous Peoples, that accurately tell the stories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis through art, music, language, literature and media. The People and Equity division and the IAO will: Continue to work with City agencies (e.g. Toronto Public Library, Heritage Toronto and CreateTO) to enhance their Indigenous education and learning programs. The Toronto Newcomer Office will: Create educational opportunities specific to newcomers to Canada to support their understanding of Indigenous history in Canada and the local Indigenous experience in Toronto.

Call to Action # 75       Missing Children and Burial Information We call upon the federal government to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, churches, Aboriginal communities, former residential school students, and current landowners to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. This is to include the provision of appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers to honour the deceased children.

Not applicable.  There were no Indian Residential Schools in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Region The Commitments to Indigenous Peoples identified 8 Calls to Action including # 6 Commemoration (Cal to Action # 82) that states: In 2014, the Toronto and East York Community Council adopted a report to consider enhancing the name of Allan Gardens to reflect the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation. The AAAC has also considered the possibility of creating a reconciliation pathway in Allan Gardens. The Indian Residential School Survivors (IRSS) Legacy project, led by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre in collaboration with the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario, identified the southwest corner of Nathan Phillips Square for the residential school sculpture in fall 2017. Current Status Consultations with the local community, stakeholders and local Councillor are needed before any further steps can be taken with regards to Allan Gardens.A Teaching, Learning, Sharing and Healing space will be the foundation of the IRSS Legacy with the Restoration of Identity sculpture being the central component. A co-developed Request for Proposal will be issued in 2019 with Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre.”(Toronto, 2023)

Call to Acton # 77     National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation We call upon provincial, territorial, municipal, and community archives to work collaboratively with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to identify and collect copies of all records relevant to the history and legacy of the residential school system, and to provide these to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Yes. As stated in the “Commitments to Indigenous Peoples”  City Action. The Aboriginal Affairs Committee has considered this Action and has asked City of Toronto Archives to review their collection for any records relevant to the history and legacy of the residential school system. If there are any documents, City Archives has been requested to notify the AAAC and provide the documents to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.”

Other Calls to Action

All municipal responses are as reported in the Indian Affairs Office (IAO) in consultation with TASSC, Elders, and Indigenous comm., Nbisiing Consulting, Sister Circle Consulting and the City’s Ambe Maamowisdaa Employee Circle (Indigenous employee circle at City of Toronto)’s, and the Toronto Reconciliation Action Plan, 2022–2032.

Other Calls to Action

Call to Action # 5        Child Welfare We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate parenting programs for Aboriginal families

Yes. As stated in Reconciliation Action Plan, 2022—2032. Strategic Action # 10: Promote Prosperity Enhance Indigenous-led programs and services that promote healthy child and family development.  Toronto’s First Indigenous Health Strategy 2016-2021 (A Reclamation of Wellbeing: Visioning a Thriving and Healthy Urban Indigenous Community).  Strategic Direction # 1: Reduce Health inequities for Indigenous peoples. Devise or support existing programs for seniors and families impacted by residential schools Strategic Direction #2: Influence the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health Influence supportive housing policy for the benefit of pregnant Indigenous women and Indigenous women involved with the child welfare system Expansion of culturally secure parenting support programs

Call to Action # 12       Education We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for Aboriginal families.

Yes. Not explicit but assumed.  As stated in Toronto’s First Indigenous Health Strategy 2016-2021 (A Reclamation of Wellbeing: Visioning a Thriving and Healthy Urban Indigenous Community).  Strategic Direction # 1: Reduce Health inequities for Indigenous peoplesDevise or support existing programs for seniors and families impacted by residential schools Strategic Direction #2: Influence the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health Influence supportive housing policy for the benefit of pregnant Indigenous women and Indigenous women involved with the child welfare system Expansion of culturally secure parenting support programs

Call to Action # 17       Language and Culture We call upon all levels of government to enable residential school Survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system by waiving administrative costs for a period of five years for the name-change process and the revision of official identity documents, such as birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, health cards, status cards, and social insurance numbers.

No. Not explicitly addressed

Call to Action # 22       Health We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.

Yes. As stated in Toronto’s First Indigenous Health Strategy 2016-2021 (A Reclamation of Wellbeing: Visioning a Thriving and Healthy Urban Indigenous Community). “Indigenous Health in Indigenous Hands” section of A Reclamation of Wellbeing states: Strategic Direction # 1: Reduce Health inequities for Indigenous peoples Development of a 1-800# Indigenous healing and caring phone number in conjunction with a knowledge hub and clearing house for health providers and their patientsIntegrate more Indigenous system navigators into the existing system Ensure health care spaces are welcoming, accessible and inclusive of Indigenous people  Strategic Direction #2: Influence the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health  Advocate for affordable, healthy food for Indigenous people in Toronto using an Indigenous lens (including through the Toronto Food Strategy) Advocate for students in the education system to have experiential learning opportunities (in addition to cultural competency training) regarding Indigenous ceremonies and/or ceremonial teachings  Strategic Direction #3 Harmonize Indigenous and Mainstream Health Programs and Services Support new and existing public health promotion programs focusing on physical activity, healthy eating, mental health promotion, healthy parenting, youth resilience and chronic disease prevention to be culturally appropriate. Support new and existing palliative care programs for Indigenous peoples that integrate Indigenous world view Investigate the development of a live-in family healing and caring lodge Investigate the development of a harmonized, community-based healing and counselling team of highly trained and skilled providers as well as apprentices and community supports Mental health and addictions services for the Indigenous community are aligned and supported by a seamless network of culturally secure care and trauma based care providers both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. These services would include both Indigenous and Western modalities of treatment and would ensure the confidentiality and privacy of Indigenous clients is protected

Call to Action # 23       Health We call upon all levels of government to:Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health care field.Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communitiesProvide cultural competency training for all health-care professional

Yes. As stated in Commitments to Indigenous People City Actions Since 1989, the City has provided $4,500 annual Scholarships, to two Aboriginal Students Studying in Health Professions, undergraduate or graduate. Recipients are expected to serve their communities, creating greater retention of health care providers. Toronto Public Health’s Strategic Plan (2015-2019) identifies the development and implementation of Toronto’s first comprehensive Indigenous Health Strategy as a priority action. In 2015, TPH launched a multi-year Indigenous Cultural Competency Training program to provide staff and Board members with the knowledge and skills necessary to build/maintain trusting relationships, relevant programs and respectful services with and for Indigenous communities in Toronto. Current Status Aboriginal Students Studying in Health Professions scholarships are ongoing.The Toronto Indigenous Health Advisory Circle (including TPH) launched a holistic and comprehensive Indigenous Health Strategy in March 2016 that will guide the work of both TPH and the Toronto Central LHIN in improving health outcomes in Toronto.TPH trained Board members and 240 employees. The Division plans to train approximately 400 employees each year until 1200 (more than half of) TPH employees have completed the course.”

Call to Action # 55       National Council We call upon all levels of government to provide annual reports or any current data requested by the National Council for Reconciliation so that it can report on the progress towards reconciliation. The reports or data would include, but not be limited to: * The number of Aboriginal children—including Métis and Inuit children—in care, compared with non-Aboriginal children, the reasons for apprehension, and the total spending on preventive and care services by child-welfare agencies. * Comparative funding for the education of First Nations children on and off reserves. * Educational and income attainments of Aboriginal peoples in Canada compared with non-Aboriginal people. * Progress on closing the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in a number of health indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, and the availability of appropriate health services. * Progress on eliminating the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in youth custody over the next decade. * Progress on reducing the rate of criminal victimization of Aboriginal people, including data related to homicide and family violence victimization and other crimes. * Progress on reducing overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in justice and correctional systems

No. Not explicitly addressed

Call to Action # 66       Youth We call upon the federal government to establish multi-year funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation, and establish a national network to share information and best practices.

Yes. Actions for Justice # 11 Improve Community Safety and Well-being  Ensure that the Trans and Non-Binary Youth Plan is responsive to the health and well-being of Two-Spirit individuals. Enhance Indigenous-led programs and services that promote healthy child and family development.  # 15 Support Indigenous Placekeeping The Transportation Services division will: Continue to invest in, expand and promote StreetART17 and the Neighbourhood Improvement Program18, in order to support and promote the visibility of Indigenous artists, designers and youth.  #16 Celebrate Indigenous Arts and Culture Support First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists, youth, and arts and culture organizations by providing funding and space needed to enhance the visibility of Indigenous Peoples in Toronto through the proliferation of arts and culture.  Native Youth and Child Services of Toronto and the Indigenous Youth Shelter have a Community Engagement plan which is funded.

Call to Action # 76       Missing Children and Burial Information We call upon the parties engaged in the work of documenting, maintaining, commemorating, and protecting residential school cemeteries to adopt strategies in accordance with the following principles: The Aboriginal community most affected shall lead the development of such strategies. Information shall be sought from residential school Survivors and other Knowledge Keepers in the development of such strategies. Aboriginal protocols shall be respected before any potentially invasive technical inspection and investigation of a cemetery site.

Not applicable.   There were no Indian Residential Schools in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Region See CTA #77 above.

Call to Action # 87       Sports and Reconciliation We call upon all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, sports halls of fame, and other relevant organizations, to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history.

No. Not explicitly addressed. Commitments to Indigenous Peoples (2023) states (Call to Action # 88):City Actions:  The City of Toronto is the host City for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) for 2017. The Games are a multi-sport event and promote indigenous cultural activities, and local indigenous history.Current Status: EDC and other relevant City Divisions are working with NAIG organizers to facilitate the games.”

Land Acknowledgement (Indigenous Affairs Office Home Page)

The City of Toronto acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The City also acknowledges that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

NOTE: All content was submitted to the City of Toronto to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The City of Toronto did not respond to our correspondence. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Lead Researcher, Timothy Maton: Ph.D