CITY OF VICTORIA

Committee of the Whole Report For the Meeting of June 23, 2016

To: Committee of the Whole Date: June 14, 2016

From: Jocelyn Jenkyns, Deputy City Manager

Subject: Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Donation Request

RECOMMENDATION

That Council direct staff to facilitate a discussion between with the Province of and the The World Lebanese Cultural Union- BC Council's (WLCU-BC) to site the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant" on The Province of British Columbia land based on the advice and recommendation of the Art in Public Places Committee and report back to Council by September 2016.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On March 12, 2015, Councillor Isitt and Councillor Thornton-Joe, put forth a Council Member Motion, directing staff to work with The World Lebanese Cultural Union - BC Council and the local Lebanese-Canadian community to identify and report back to Council on potential sites within the City's right-of-way, plazas, greenspaces or parks in proximity to Downtown Victoria or Inner Harbour that would be suitable for the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant".

Staff worked with the WLCU-BC to identify potential sites that met the proponent's criteria and were technically feasible. In the donation proposal, The WLCU-BC indicated a strong desire for the statue to be within or within close proximity to the Inner Harbour and in a highly visible location. Based on this desire, the proponents identified Centennial Park as their preferred site for installation. Consistent with the City's policy for public art donations, the WLCU-BC has agreed to cover all costs related to the project including site preparation, installation, plaque and base design and ongoing maintenance.

As per the Art in Public Places policy, staff provided the Art in Public Places Committee an opportunity to review the WLCU-BC's donation proposal as well as information on potential sites. The Committee has expressed several concerns regarding the artistic merit, site suitability, and significance of the subject to local history. The recommendation of the Committee is to facilitate a discussion with the Province of British Columbia to site the statue on provincial land based on the provincial significance of the migration of Lebanese immigrants to the Province.

Committee of the Whole Report June 14, 2016 Commemorating Lebanese Donation Request Page 1 of 7 PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to update Council on the staff analysis regarding potential sites within the City of Victoria for the installation of the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant".

BACKGROUND

In February of 2015, the WLCU-BC Council submitted a letter to Mayor and City Council to present a proposal to gift a bronze statue depicting a Lebanese peddler to commemorate the arrival of the first Lebanese emigrant to British Columbia 126 years ago.

On March 12, 2015 a Council Member Motion by Councillor Isitt and Councillor Thornton-Joe, directed staff to work with the WLCU-BC and Lebanese community to identify potential sites in the City rights-of-way, plazas, greenspaces or parks in proximity to Downtown Victoria or Victoria Harbour that would be suitable for the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant".

Committee of the Whole Report June 14, 2016 Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada Donation Request Page 2 of 7 The World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU-BC), British Columbia chapter has commissioned Mexican sculptor, Ramiz Barquet, to design and execute a bronze statue entitled The Lebanese Emigrant' and wished to gift the statue to the City of Victoria, as the capital city of the Province. The statue is a token of the Lebanese community's appreciation to the province that welcomed their ancestors and continues to welcome emigrants from . This statue is one of five identical works located in Mexico City, Beirut, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Accra.

The first Lebanese in the province were two brothers, Abraham and Farris Ray, who began their careers in Victoria as peddlers in 1888, their brother Richard joined them in 1889. By the end of the 1880s the first Lebanese families began to arrive in , and establish their homes in the Lower Mainland. The bronze statue solidifies the link between the peoples of Canada and the Lebanese who immigrated to their shores.

ISSUES & ANALYSIS

The Art in Public Places Committee, whose responsibility it is to review and make recommendations to Council on public art matters, has reviewed the proposal. As stated in the Art in Public Places Policy, The City of Victoria may consider the offer of donations and gifts of artwork for placement in a public space. The Art in Public Places Committee shall evaluate each proposal using established criteria that considers artistic merit, site suitability, and significance of the subject, municipal liability and maintenance. Protocol gifts shall be vetted through the Art in Public Places Committee on placement and appropriateness of the site.

The Art in Public Places Policy outlines criteria for acceptance of donations. The factors for consideration include:

• The artistic merit of the work • The ability of the City to care for the work. • The type of work being offered • The significance of the subject • Availability of an appropriate site • Suitability of subject for public display • Public safety and vandalism • Municipal liability

In considering this statue on City property, the Committee has expressed several concerns regarding the artistic merit, site suitability, and significance of the subject. Based on the site requirements of the WLCU-BC and the Committee's concerns it is the recommendation that Council direct staff to facilitate a meeting with the Province of British Columbia to find a site on provincial land to signify the provincial migration of Lebanese to British Columbia.

Although this is the recommendation of the Art in Public Places Committee, the Council motion directed staff to identify potential site options. Over the past several months staff has worked with the WLCU-BC to identify and evaluate potential areas for the installation of "The Lebanese Emigrant' statue.

Committee of the Whole Report June 14, 2016 Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada Donation Request Page 3 of 7 The proposal from WLCU-BC requests that the statue be highly visible within the Inner Harbour, with their preference being a location on the main promenade within the Inner Harbour. Based on the links to the Inner Harbour and a highly visible location, staff narrowed the site options to areas around the Inner Harbour on City property. In addition to considerations noted by the proponent, staff assessed factors such as ease of maintenance, accessibility, maintaining a safe corridor for pedestrians and vehicles, crime prevention, impacts to existing monuments, public art works and memorials located at the site, as well as the use and character of the immediate area.

Locations around the Inner Harbour were assessed by staff and three locations have been identified for Council consideration based on the criterion. During a site visit with staff, the preferred locations identified by the WLCU-BC were not City property, but owned by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority or the Province of British Columbia. The limited inventory of city owned property within the Inner Harbour narrowed the scope of available locations for consideration. Staff reviewed three potential locations with the proponents on City property; Centennial Park, Quadra Park and Cridge Park. The proponent's most desirable location among these options was located within Centennial Park.

Sitel: Centennial Park

Centennial Park includes a circular rock bed and plantings that were gifted to the City by the Province of British Columbia during the 1971 Centennial celebrations for the Province. The site is in close proximity to the Morioka Bell and a plaque commemorating the park by the Province.

Committee of the Whole Report June 14, 2016 Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada Donation Request Page 4 of 7 The Committee recommends avoiding the location of several memorials, public art works, and commemorations in any one location, however, based on the green space around this site, this is the recommended location for the statue.

Site 2: Quadra Park

Quadra Park includes a bust and plaque that commemorates the Spanish-American explorer Juan Francisco Bodega y Quadra. The Art in Public Places Committee and staff have concerns with siting another commemoration in the Park based on the strong historical reference to Quadra and the proximity of the Quadra bust to the proposed statue.

Committee of the Whole Report June 14, 2016 Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada Donation Request Page 5 of 7 Site 3: Cridge Park

Cridge Park provides a half hectare of valuable green space consisting of a lawn bowling green and treed area. The park was named after philanthropist Bishop Edward Cridge for his work in the community during the 1800s.

It's current use as an important supporting landscape for three designated historic sites - Church of Our Lord, St. Ann's Academy and the Crystal Garden and constitutes a 'natural village green' for the Humboldt Valley neighbourhood.

The tree canopy within the park, proximity to historical information panels about the Cridge Family and distance from the Inner Harbour, make this site selection less desirable for the statue.

OPTIONS & IMPACTS

Option 1 (Recommended) Advise The World Lebanese Cultural Union to make a request to the Province of British Columbia for the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant" to be sited on provincial land. City staff can facilitate and assist the World Lebanese Cultural Union with this request.

Option 2 Accept the donation from the WLCU-BC organization and direct staff to install within one of the designated park locations identified in the report and direct staff to do further assessment of the site.

Committee of the Whole Report June 14, 2016 Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada Donation Request Page 6 of 7 a. Direct staff to assess the costs associated with preparing the selected site for installation. b. Direct staff to create a Service Agreement with the WLCU-BC to ensure all funding associated with installation, as well as a donation of 10% of the assessed value of the work for the maintenance of the sculpture will be provided by the WLCU-BC.

The WLCU-BC agrees to cover all costs related to the project including site preparation, installation, plaque and base design and maintenance.

As per the public art policy, an agreement outlining the responsibilities of the parties would be required. The artwork would be included in the Art in Public Places inventory for ongoing care and maintenance by the City.

CONCLUSIONS

Staff have worked on the proposal to address Council motion to identify potential sites suitable for the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant", the desires of the WCLU-BC organization as well as follow the art in public places policy for the donation and gifts of public artworks. The complexity of this proposal was in addressing the Council motion that did not follow Council approved policy that directs donations to be reviewed by the Art in Public Places Committee as well as the WCLU-BC desire for an Inner Harbour location and the limited opportunities for siting statues on City property in this area.

Rpsnprtfi illv suhmittprl

Date:

List of Attachments

Appendix A: Site map Appendix B: WCLU-BC Proposal Appendix C: Art in Public Places Committee letter

Committee of the Whole Report June 14, 2016 Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada Donation Request Page 7 of 7

MAYOR'S OFFICE-

•^8 2 6 2015

VICTOR/A, BjC.

World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU) British Columbia Council

23 February 2015

Dear Mayor Lisa Helps and Victoria City Council Members:

We would like to submit for your consideration a project to erect a statue in the City of Victoria to commemorate the arrival of the first Lebanese emigrant to British Columbia 126 years ago.

We have attached a detailed project plan and express our willingness to present, as a gift to the city of Victoria, a statue entitled "The Lebanese Emigrant." This statue is a token of our appreciation to the province that welcomed our ancestors and continues to welcome emigrants from Lebanon. The WLCU - BC Council commits to cover all costs related to this project.

Kindly inform us of the date the Council is scheduled to discuss this proposal that we may attend and provide all the necessary information. We are also ready to meet with the planning committee whenever this is useful. In the hope of a favourable outcome for this request, I am,

Yours sincerely,

i / '/

John Badr WLCU-BC Council President [email protected]

From Lebanon to British Columbia

INTRODUCTION:

The BC Council of the World Lebanese Cultural Union is proud to submit to the Victoria City Council this proposal for a permanent site for "The Lebanese Emigrant" statue. Commemorating the 127th year anniversary of the arrival of the first Lebanese emigrants to British Columbia, this bronze statue concretizes the link between the peoples of Canada and the Lebanese who immigrated to their shores.

BACKGROUND:

The World Lebanese Cultural Union (Canadian Registered charitable organization U 82537 1149.RR) is part of a world-wide association, which serves as an umbrella for several groups active in British Columbia, including The Lebanese Canadian Society of BC, The Christian Canadian Lebanese Association - Victoria, and the BC Youth Chapter. Numerous members of these groups are descendants of the first Lebanese settlers who arrived in in 3 882 to escape economic hardship and religious and political persecution under the Ottoman Empire. The first Lebanese in the province were two brothers, Abraham and Farris Ray, who began their careers in Victoria as itinerant peddlers in 1888, their brothers Richard joined them In 1889. By the end of the 1880s the first Lebanese families began to arrive in Vancouver, and establish their homes in the Lower Mainland. Among the Lebanese pioneers on the west coast, the names of Rahi (became Ray), Shumas, Saba, Naaoom, Mussallem, Haddad, Gillette, Brady and Kalley stand out. Some of them went to Vancouver Island to work in the forestry industry, and some settled in Victoria as peddlers.

To cement the tics that bind the to life in western Canada, the WLCU, encouraged by a verbal approval from Mayor Alan Lowe (1999-2008), had arranged for the shipment of the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant" for placement in Victoria. Designed and executed by Mr. Ramiz Barquet, a sculptor and Mexican national of Lebanese decent, this statue is one of few identical pieces standing prominently in various cities around the world: Mexico City, Beirut, Brisbane, Melbourne, Accra, and soon we hope, Victoria. "The Lebanese Emigrant" represents the world-wide spread of Lebanese culture as well as the love, honor and respect Lebanese emigrants feel for the nations that so generously received them. MAKING OF THE STATUE:

The statue was manufactured in Mexico and brought to Victoria by boat. It is currently standing in a private location at Douglas Street, at the corner of the Traveler's Inn Hotel. The Lebanese Canadian community is ready to fund the cost of movine and mounting the statue to a new and permanent location.

DONATION TO THE CITY:

The WLCU hopes the City of Victoria will accept our gift of "The Lebanese Emigrant" statue as a token of appreciation to the province that welcomed our ancestors for the last 127 years with open arms and provided them freedom, opportunity and a bright future. STATUE SPECIFICATIONS: "The Lebanese Emigrant" is made of high quality bronze, 2.25 metres high and weighs 600kg. The statue could sits atop a stone base with a 2 x 2 m footprint and measuring 1 m high.

THE ARTIST. Ramiz Barquet: A Mexican national of Lebanese decent, Ramiz is the creator of several monumental sculptures on permanent public display in Puerto Vallarta and worldwide

El-Emigrante Li bancs (The Lebanese Emigrant) 2010 FJ-Emigrante Libanes (The Lebanese Emigrant) 1979 Brisbane, Queensland, Mexico City, MEXICO PROPOSED SITE:

We request a placement in the Downtown of Victoria. The waterfront area being a focal point for the Lebanese since their arrival to Victoria, might be the best area to erect "The Lebanese Emigrant." The next best option would be the space in the centre of a large roundabout; the business district with many streets and plazas features a suitable metropolitan setting. We look forward to working with you to find a suitable placement for this statue to commemorate the Lebanese emigrant experience in BC.

CONCLUSION:

The World Lebanese Cultural Union - BC council and the Culture & Heritage Affairs committee of the World Lebanese Cultural Union (NGO) would like to express its utmost gratitude for the support of the Victoria City Council and its officers in their involvement with this project, helping to provide a space to erect a statue that symbolises and commemorates 127 years of contribution by the Lebanese community to British Columbia.

To Contact us: DrNick Kahwaji, Georges Murr Nick.Kahwnii -if oiv Georges c/a11 babapi //a.c.i ((i) (>iM -ItiO I So I. I eU Otl S 77 5 lib.1 250 XX5 X571 June 14, 2016

Dear Committee of the Whole,

Arising from the Council Member Motion put forth on March 12, 2015 by Councillor Isitt and Councillor Thornton-Joe, the Art in Public Places Committee has worked with staff to review the proposed donation of the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant" from the World Lebanese Cultural Union - BC Council. The Council Members directed staff to identify and report back to Council on potential sites for the statue within the City's right-of-way, plazas, green spaces or parks in proximity to Downtown Victoria or Inner Harbour.

On April 10, 2015 the Art in Public Places Committee met to review the donation application and agreed that the proposed artwork would not be well suited for placement on City of Victoria owned lands.

• The City of Victoria has limited sites for the placement of significant works of art and need to be cognizant of the City's need for these locations to be available for the implementation of works commissioned through the Art in Public Places Policy. • The prominent nature of the three proposed sites and their importance to the city indicates that a full competitive process for the procurement of public art be employed. This process would reflect the level of interest, from all artists, that could be expected with this type of opportunity. • There was concern that the proposed work would not aesthetically compliment the existing diversity of public art in the city centre as it resembles in form many of the other monuments in the area. The committee identified the need to represent a range of approaches to public art in the City's most important public locations. • There was concern with all three proposed sites regarding siting another commemoration in a location which already houses memorials, public art works, and/or commemorations.

The complexity of this proposal was in addressing the Council motion that did not follow Council policy that directs donations to be reviewed by the Art in Public Places Committee. Based on the review, the Committee recommends that the City of Victoria respectfully decline the offer of the proposed artwork.

In the review of the proposal, the committee did not consider private or other crown lands as it is outside our mandates. Therefore, the WCLU-BC could seek an alternative location with crown agencies or private land owners.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that Council approve the motion of the Art in Public Places Committee that the City of Victoria respectfully decline the offer of the proposed art work.

Respectfully submitted,

Doug Jarvis

Chair, Art in Public Places Committee TW CITY OF • VICTORIA\/irTr»D

Council Member Motion for the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting of March 26, 2015

Date: March 12,2015 From: Councillors Isitt and Thornton-Joe Subject: Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada

BACKGROUND

The World Lebanese Cultural Union - BC Council has requested the co-operation of the City of Victoria in identifying potential sites within the City for the installation of the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant," commemorating immigration from Lebanon to Canada and the contribution of Lebanese- to Canadian society.

The Lebanese-Canadian community has offered to cover all costs relating to the installation of the statue.

MOTION

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs staff to work with the World Lebanese Cultural Union - BC Council and the local Lebanese-Canadian community to identify and report back to Council on potential sites within the City of Victoria for the installation of the statue "The Lebanese Emigrant," including possible sites in the City right-of-way, plazas, greenspace or parks in proximity to Downtown Victoria or Victoria Harbour that would be suitable for this statue.

Respectfully submitted,

Councillor Ben Isitt Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe

Attachments.

Letter from World Lebanese Cultural Union - BC Council

Council Member Report Date Mar. 12, 2015 Subject / Title Commemorating Lebanese Immigration to Canada Page 1