The controversial and well-liked Etobicoke Coat of Arms is not being removed without a fight.
The removal of a controversial Coat of Arms from Etobicoke Civic Centre is going down with a fight.
Councillor Stephen Holyday is seeking an administrative inquiry from City Council as to why the long-standing symbol was removed.
The matter will be heard by City council on June 26.
A motion by the Ward 2 councillor said two articles that appeared in the Toronto Sun prompted a number of questions which he wants answered.
Etobicoke Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Councillor does not see anything wrong with the Coat Of Arms and want to see it returned to the Etobicoke Civic Centre.
“What City symbols, including Coats of Arms, flags, monuments and art have been removed?” Holyday asked. “Who made the decision to remove them?”
In an earlier interview he said the Coat of Arms, which features an Aboriginal person, was made decades ago with good intentions.
“Why were they removed?” Holyday asked. “Were they the subject of a complaint, and if so, what was the complaint, when was the complaint, and where did it come from?”
He would like to know if any more historic symbols have been removed from City buildings.
The Etobicoke Civic Centre with the Coat of Arms have been in the same spot for decades and now a few people want it gone for political reasons.
“Are there any more symbols, including Coats of Arms, flags, monuments and art expected to be removed?” the councillor asked. “If so, what is under consideration and why?”
The newspaper articles suggest the removals were conducted by some City staff in secrecy. It speculates that staff wanted to keep the removal of the Coat of Arms away from journalists, politicians and the public.
The Coat of Arms has stood above a Civic Centre hearing room for decades without any complaints.
The times they are a’changing as the new Etobicoke Civic Centre is being built leaving everything old behind.
“We want to be proactive and transparent about sharing this good news story about how the city is righting wrongs and furthering reconciliation,” according to the Toronto Sun. “If we don’t, there is risk that it will look like we are trying hide this.”
Holyday has said he didn’t see anything wrong with the symbol and would like to see it replaced.
The Civic Centre is slated to be demolished for possibly housing after a new one is built in the Six Points neighbourhood area by 2028.