The scene was a bit surreal as a controversial Toronto City Council budget debate was suspended by bonsai.

On September 26, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone "formally acknowledged" Mr. Susumu Nakamura as a Director of the Nippon Bonsai Association who was sponsored by the Japanese government to promote bonsai in Canada and who was also accompanied by Toronto Bonsai Society past president David Johnson.

Perhaps the tension of the meeting invited a distraction. As Deputy Mayor Pantalone made the introduction, many city councillors turned in their chairs as Mr. Nakamura rose to received their acknowledgment.

After a photograph with Deputy Mayor Pantalone in the Council Chambers, Mr. Nakamura had discussions with Ms. Rita Davies, Executive Director of Culture and Ms. Brenda Librecz, General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division in the councillors' lounge. Also participating were Jason Laszio from Deputy Mayor Pantalone's office and Chris Fernandes from the Culture Division. Mr. Nakamura donated a Koku-fu album to the Toronto City Hall library.

The official minutes of the Toronto City Council for September 26, 2007 that summarized Deputy Mayor Pantalone's comments read as follows:

"Deputy Mayor Pantalone, during the morning session of the meeting, with the permission of Council, introduced Mr. Susumu Nakamura, Director of the Nippon Bonsai Association in Japan, present at the meeting." Mr. Nakamura was impressed by the warm reception he received at City Hall and said that his sponsor, the Japanese government, would be pleased as well.

A special thanks have been extended to Ms. Rita Davies and Deputy Mayor Pantalone for making this event happen.

David Johnson, Mr. Susumu Nakamura and Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone in Toronto City Council Chamber September 26, 2007

Mr. Nakamura donating Koku-fu album to Ms. Rita Davies for Toronto City Hall Library