Hello:

My Name is Miguel Avila. a Latino Canadian , Resident of the City of Toronto. I have campaigned long and hard with the Board of Management of the Toronto ZOO to propose the creation of an advisory committee to the Toronto Zoo. a committee made up of Residents, visible minorities and a worker of the Toronto ZOO. ( such committee could deal in resolving the status of the Elephants that are dying at the ZOO in a more intelligent manner as per general opinion : moving the Elephants to a sanctuary for instance)
 
They have listened to my deputations but decided NOT TO ACT as per letter from the acting C.E. O of the Toronto ZOO Mr Peter Evans "citing"  By-Laws that this item have been heard and not merit to be heard again in about a year time.

 I am quite perplexed this happened  after I received a letter from the City of TORONTO ( which reveals a secret agenda) :

Council-member appointments:
The majority of Council member board and committee appointments are recommended for Council approval by the City's Striking Committee. In some cases, the relevant Community Council or other committee of Council is involved in the appointments process.

"""The City lately nominated  and appointed two new (2) board members to the "Toronto ZOO board of Management" new fresh faces to a tired board."""


 PLEASE note I have nothing against other majorities  I am making a point that the Toronto ZOO Board,  has to be equally represented as in other  CITY own division, commission and  board  unlike the Toronto ZOO this seems to be short of complying with the directives from the City Engagement and Diversity policy.

The City of  Toronto is a rich  MULTICULTURAL society ..." Diversity our Strength"  says the LOGO of the City of TORONTO.



I ask you Torontonian  and  animal friends from all over the world , to all caring people to join me in this struggle to an unfair position of the Toronto ZOO , Miguel Avila is just proposing a positive change to a "scandal riddle Board of Management". This petition would be deliver to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Stephen Harper . He has  made publicly his support to help bring Pandas for the ZOO "without him knowing the truth behind close doors at the Toronto ZOO" 

Please see my letter added to this petition for further info addressed to the Prime Minister of Canada Mr Stephen Harper.

I  will continue searching for an answer. There must be some thing very, very wrong with the Toronto ZOO board of Management.  The Mayor of Toronto , Mr  David Miller encourage civic participation and grass roots groups cooperation to help build up a great City.

But ( the Mayor Mr Miller   )his words fall short to the ears of the Toronto ZOO Board of Management .... Arrogance maybe?

Miguel Avila

Latino Canadian
TORONTO RESIDENT

December 26. 2009
 
 
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa
K1A 0A2
 
 
Dear Prime Minister Harper:
  
 
I would like to congratulate Mr Harper for supporting the ambitious program of the Toronto ZOO to bring Pandas for exhibit. I have received many comments online on this regards and find that Torontonians have divided opinions on this matter.
 
Torontonians feel that the ZOO currently is underfunded to complete urgent and necessary repairs of the ZOO infrastructure. I was at the ZOO on Boxing day (Dec 26.09) with my family, while visiting the ZOO grounds noted mayor issues, and have to agree and concur with the general opinion that the decaying structures need an influx of money not available at this time from the coffers of the City of Toronto or/and the Private Sector.

See the following news article to enlighten you  Mr Harper:

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2008/11/13/7393196-sun.html 

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/731023--escape-could-have-been-grizzly-at-toronto-zoo

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/732444--zoo-s-fundraising-goals-too-lofty-councillor-says


Mr Harper the Toronto zoo is in need of $80 million dollars Right Now to complete such a great tasks. If your government wishes to provide a gift to this "pearl of the east" it would be most welcome by Torontonians and perhaps reestablished some sympathy to your government . I heard that you lately provided with $3 million dollars to the Toronto Public Library., Mr Harper would you consider a financial gift to the Toronto ZOO to help them overcome this financial hurdle? 
 

Mr Harper once the repairs (with your generous gift) are in place we could seriously be thinking of achieving having Pandas at the ZOO. Maybe   Hon. Mr Haper could come and visit the Toronto ZOO next time you come to town. Would you accept my invitation to visit the Toronto Zoo? I could be your guide and show you the areas I am speaking about lines above.
 
My Name is Miguel Avila, Creator and founder of the "Citizens Advisory Committee for the Toronto ZOO"  I am a Latino Canadian seeking to form this group at the ZOO to provide honest opinion and citizen support to the Toronto ZOO board of Management. Such group would be made up of residents, minorities and a worker from the ZOO.
 

Mr Harper  I am hopeful that your office would continue supporting the Toronto ZOO quest for Pandas but in the meantime we need to repairs the decaying ZOO infrastructure. Thus I am a fan of the Pandas ..Nice and cute Bears.. a Childs dream.. a copy to  officials and members of the ZOO board  of this petition would be deliver as well. I am very positive that they are monitoring this request of financial help with great interest.
 
 
"One step at the Time"
 
 On Behalf of The  Worldwide Care Community.



MIguel Avila

TORONTO