Canada: Olivia Chow takes office as Mayor of Toronto

The City Councillors, City staff and agency representatives, former mayors and guests of the Mayor-elect attended the ceremony

The program featured the Declaration of Office, a speech by the Mayor, ceremonial elements, Indigenous teachings and various performances.

Before the Declaration of Office ceremony and in the spirit of unity, Elder Garry Sault and Grandmother Tina Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation welcomed the Mayor-elect Chow as a partner in peace, friendship and respect.

Jean Yoon, renowned playwright, actor, ACTRA Award winner and Toronto resident, served as the Master of Ceremonies and delivered the land acknowledgment.

Explaining the significance of water that was shared at the morning’s Indigenous Welcoming Ceremony contained in the silver teapot displayed in the Chamber, Elder Garry and Grandmother Tina Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation said water is symbolic of the City’s commitment to its Reconciliation Action Plan.

African Ancestral Acknowledgement was also presented by Sandra Whiting, President of the Project for the Advancement of Childhood Education (PACE) Canada and a prominent voice in Toronto’s Black Canadian community.

Poetry reading by Lillian Allen, new Toronto Poet Laureate, JUNO Award winner and professor of creative writing at OCAD University was also included in the ceremony.

Following the Declaration of Office for the Mayor, the City Clerk presented the Chain of Office, containing elements from all of the municipalities which were amalgamated into the present-day city of Toronto, to Mayor Chow by placing it around the Mayor’s neck and was worn throughout the Mayoral Declaration of Office ceremony.

The occasion was marked by the musical performance by JUNO Award-winning singer and songwriter Lorraine Segato, with Retrocity.

Canada's national anthem was sung by award-winning singer Jennifer Uy.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)