Applause filled the City Hall Council Chamber yesterday afternoon as Councillors voted unanimously to approve a revamped culture plan. Councillor Michael Thompson, Chair of the City’s Economic Development Committee, above centre, rose to thank Robert Foster, Karen Kain and Jim Prentice who co-chaired an advisory council of arts and business experts who worked with City staff to draft the report in record time.
“We believe that the recommendations and action plan it contains can help strengthen Toronto’s economy and enhance our competitive advantage on the world stage,” said Councillor Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre). “Culture is an economic catalyst we can and must maximize for the benefit of all our communities.”
All Councillors present voted to approve the plan including Mayor Ford, who the report calls upon to take a leadership role in Toronto’s creative capital strategy. Shortly after the vote, the Mayor Tweeted his congratulations to those who pulled the plan together noting it was “something all #TO Council could agree on.”
Council has directed the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture, Michael H. Williams, to report back to the Economic Development Committee in fall 2011 with an implementation plan, including financial impacts, within the context of the core service review, currently underway at City Hall.
Williams was clearly buoyed by the successful vote: “It was a very proud moment for you, me, the Division and the City,” he said in a note to staff.
“We believe that the recommendations and action plan it contains can help strengthen Toronto’s economy and enhance our competitive advantage on the world stage,” Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee, stated in the report. “Culture is an economic catalyst we can and must maximize for the benefit of all our communities.”
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Has Michael H. Williams reported to the Economic Development Committee about his implementation plan?