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/ Canadian Government Executive
// December 2016
The Interview
Q:
You’re old enough to remember Canada’s last big
birthday bash. Any special memories about 1967?
All right, I’ll own up to it...yes, I am old enough to have been there,
and in fact I think I still have my red Expo 67 Passport with stamps
from many of the different pavilions kicking around somewhere.
As a native of the south shore of Montreal I was fortunate to visit
Expo 67 quite a bit and have vivid memories of the pavilions like
the striking Canadian building and others like the U.S. and French
pavilions. I also remember being amazed by the monorail and the
excitement that was in the air. And who can forget the song?
Q:
So you went from being a senior federal public
servant to being a senior executive in Canada’s larg-
est city. What was the transition like?
It was, and continues to be, a really fascinating transition. Un-
like the federal government, there is no “governing party” in the
municipal realm but 44 ward councillors who have independent
views on policy and issues. At any given moment we are in direct
contact with many of them and they are in continual contact with
their constituents.
Related to this, there is also real immediacy to things at the mu-
nicipal level. A great deal of our activity is operational in nature
and related to the direct provision of programs and services to citi-
zens. Those citizens can and do make their views known, often on
a first name basis! In my time at the City, I have also gained a real
appreciation for the challenges faced by municipalities and the
enormous range and complexity of the programs and services that
the City provides. From water to housing to public transportation,
infrastructure and cultural services, it is incredibly varied. If I re-
call my stats correctly, the City of Toronto is the 6th largest govern-
ment in Canada, something that I think is sometimes overlooked.
Q:
What are your primary responsibilities at the City?
Museums and Heritage Services (MHS) is part of the Economic
Development and Culture Division. The division is a reflection of
a simple yet powerful idea. A vibrant and dynamic cultural scene
and great livability requires a strong and thriving economy and to
attract investment and entrepreneurs you need a great quality of
life, which culture directly contributes to.
MHS supports the second part of that equation. We are mandat-
As Canada prepares to celebrate its Sesquicentennial in 2017, public servants from coast to coast are
planning a variety of special events and commemorations, bringing out their best artifacts and using
new technologies to help citizens discover and gain a greater appreciation for the rich history and
heritage this country offers. CGE Editor Patrice Dutil tracked down
Larry Ostola
, the Director of
Museums and Heritage Services and Acting Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Toronto to talk
about Toronto’s special plans next year. Prior to moving to Toronto, Ostola was a long-time federal
public servant and served as Vice-President of Heritage Conservation and Commemoration with Parks
Canada with a variety of responsibilities related to National Historic Sites, built heritage and World
Heritage. He holds a Ph.D. in Canadian History from Laval University.
Larry Ostola
2017: Toronto’s
Celebrations of
Canada’s 150th
Toronto’s Director of Museums and
Heritage Services