DEPUTATION

Toronto ZOO Board of Management

Thanks for allow me to speak this afternoon, In my last deputation to this board on June
06 2010 I emphasize the important relevance to have the input of Torontonians via a
Citizens Advisory Committee for the Toronto ZOO.

I am a strong believer the Toronto Zoo could go even further to better

connect with its patrons, fans and Torontonians as a whole and who knows
what ideas can present to the board in connection to the Panda Project.. why
this board does not allow public engagement and participation at the ZOO?

For example, I am a strong supporter of the establishment of the Rouge

Valley National Park (as are some members of the Toronto Zoo Board).
Hopefully this initiative will also allow for the Toronto Zoo to be
included in its proposal to the Federal Government at some point. Well I
have not hear yet from Mr Harper on this regards. I did however receive a
kind letter from Mr Harper declining to visit the ZOO at this point in time
due to conflict with his schedule dated August 17 2010. ( attached letter)

On the local point, Mr Smitherman who is running for Mayor of Toronto has
spoken on supporting a Rouge Valley National Park and he also has said that
one of his priorities if he becomes Mayor for the City of Toronto he has
pledged to promote “Newly Designated "Signature Parks", Citizen Advisory
Councils and a City-Wide "Adopt-a-Park" Program will be at the Heart of the
Recreational Renaissance” “Modeled on the successful High Park Community
Advisory Council, new Advisory Councils would be established” “Local City
councilors and City staff representing park operations and programs would sit
as non-voting members of the Councils. “While public participation in parks
management would seem like common sense to most people, bureaucratic
resistance at City Hall or its ABC’s agencies have all but killed previous
attempts to promote similar programs. Yes I have to confirm receiving a
letter from the CEO on the decision of the Board dated June 06 2010 in which
the board is asking to volunteer at the City , I am glad to report that your
wishes are producing outstanding benefits. I am happy to announce that
yesterday at the TTC Commission meeting the “ Customer Service Advisory
Panel” has included as PRIORITY advise to the TTC to establish an advisory
group to the TTC ( See report on TTC Website). However the ZOO is missing
out on the importance of havin your very OWN Advisory Group why not get
on the wagon with the TTC as well?

Back to the report from Mr John Tracogna, CEO for the ZOO, dated
2010 08 19,

I have three questions to ask Mr Tracoqna:

First: in the proposal trip to China is at $7,000 per ZOO official

correct?. however Mr Tracoqna it fails to provide the length of time
for the trip . It is a week, two weeks , a month maybe? The regular
taxpayer would certainly would like to know How much is going to
cost this trip. If you ask any regular Torontonian they are feed up with
spending at City Hall and their ABC’ agencies.

Two: The Zoo has informed via email that the “Giant Panda Task
Force” has not schedule another meeting so the MINUTES of July 08
2010 are not available yet.. this is an important piece of information
that the public should be able to read to understand this proposal. I
don’t make sense to me yet withouth the full minutes released . Mr
Tracogna is however relasing bits of information concerning the July
08 2010 meeting on on Page 2 paragraph 4 and what about the rest?
I request that the minutes of the July 08 2010 be release out to the
public and the media who are following this story as well.

Third: It would be beneficial to know how the other ZOO feel about to
cooperate financially towards the project? What ZOO would be cover
the cost the first year and onwards? The minutes of the meeting with
the other ZOO CEO’s should be also posted for the public to get a
better understanding where the money is coming from ? I don’t forsee
the City of Toronto paying for this project although it has the support
of out going Mayor David Miller for the record he is not making any
promises of funds coming from the City Budget.

Thank You again for this opportunity.

Sincerely yours,
Miguel Avila