The latest tranche of Freedom of Information files from EcoJustice exposes the internal wiring of Government as never before. 

Astonishing as it may seem, as late as 15 November 2022, senior officials in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing were completely unaware that parts of the Bathurst lands in King, owned by the developer Michael Rice, were to be gifted to Southlake for a new acute hospital. (Photo: Ford blusters in Legislature this morning)

A package of materials relating to the proposed development of the Bathurst lands was given to Ryan Amato by Michael Rice on 27 or 28 September 2022. It made no mention of the hospital. Why not? Was Rice planning to gift land to Southlake elsewhere? If so, where was this other site?

First anniversary

Tomorrow (1 November 2023) is the first anniversary of the meeting at King Municipal Centre when developer Michael Rice offered land to Southlake Chief Executive Arden Krystal for a new hospital in the protected countryside of the Greenbelt in King at Bathurst.

King’s Mayor Steve Pellegrini - who cannot be relied upon to tell the truth - says he has been searching for a suitable site for a new Southlake for years. 

“ I have been moving this idea forward since 2019—on different lands, with different landowners.”

Two simple questions. Where are these different lands? Who are these different landowners? I am hoping to get the answers from the Township Clerk, Denny Timm, by 6 November 2023.

Knock on the door

The Toronto Star tells us the RCMP are now starting to interview people in connection with their criminal investigation into the Greenbelt Scandal. 

Those involved in this drama should tell us what they know now rather than wait for the inevitable knock on the door.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click "read more" for email exchanges between senior officials concerning the second Southlake in King, released yesterday by Environmental Defence and EcoJustice. Access the EcoJustice FoI material here.

From TVO: Zoning Orders given to guests at Ford family wedding

Update on 31 October 2023: From Newmarket Today "Released documents reveal more secrets on Greenbelt boundary scandal"

From: Fraser, Sean (MMAH)

To: Amato, Ryan (MMAH)

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH); Manson-Smith, Kate (MMAH)

Subject: GB deck

Date: November 9, 2022 1:29:00 PM

Attachments:

image001.png

As per your request.

_______________________________________________________________

From: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH)

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:56 PM

To: Poulos, Chris (MMAH)

Subject: FW: King CR-URGENT

Attachments: King Township Resolution re Proposed New Southlake Regional Health Centre

Location (log#5018 ).eml

Chris, do you think Ryan would have more info?

_______________________________________________________________

From: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:55 PM

To: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues Management

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Hi Chris,

Staff advise: The information we can confirm is the location of the property in the GB proposal that is described as “Land located in the Township of King east of Dufferin Street, south of Miller’s Sideroad and west of Bathurst Street”. MO likely has more information about municipal support and the owner’s proposal for housing.

Basically, they can confirm that the description of the land is correct, but wouldn’t be able to speak to any proposed projects on that land. They suggest MO would have further details on this proposal.

Also, please find the requested resolution attached.

Thank you,

Melissa

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:33 PM

To: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues

Management <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Also from the NR:

King is sending a copy of this resolution to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Health, and to the President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre.

If this was sent to us not sure why we were not made aware when we have been

requesting staff update the KMQA on municipal support? Can we confirm that we did receive a resolution?

Thanks,

Chris Poulos

Director of Issues Management

Office of the Hon. Steve Clark

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

(416) 219-7616

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Poulos, Chris (MMAH)

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:13 PM

To: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues

Management <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Thanks. Please ask Sean or Anna to take a quick look and confirm this is the same lands and let us know. Once confirmed we can work on working it into the KMQAs but just confirming quickly would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Chris Poulos

Director of Issues Management

Office of the Hon. Steve Clark

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

(416) 219-7616

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:11 PM

To: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues Management

<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Hi Chris,

We’re checking and will get back to you asap.

Melissa

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:02 PM

To: @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues Management <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: King CR-URGENT

King asks to fast-track approval for new Southlake Regional Health Centre site | Township Of King

Hello,

On the issue over municipal support for changes to the Greenbelt can we confirm this is the land we are proposing to remove? If so we should work into our messaging this and talk about the request and how it relates to expanding the hospital.

Can we confirm ASAP.

Thanks,

Chris Poulos

Director of Issues Management

Office of the Hon. Steve Clark

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

(416) 219-7616

From: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sent: November 9, 2022 4:16 PM

To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Subject: King Township Resolution re Proposed New Southlake Regional Health Centre Location

Attachments: Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing re King Resolution - Bill 23 and the New Southlake Regional Health Centre.pdf

CAUTION -- EXTERNAL E-MAIL - Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Diane Moratto <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 9, 2022 4:03 PM

To: Clark, Steve <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Steve Pellegrini <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; Stephen Naylor <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: King Township Resolution re Proposed New Southlake Regional Health Centre Location

Hon. Clark,

On behalf of King Township, please find attached a Resolution put forth and unanimously supported at the King Township Council meeting on Monday, November 7, 2022 pertaining to the proposed New Southlake Regional Health Centre Location.

Regards,

Diane M. Moratto

Admin. Clerk – Council/Committee

Corporate Services Department - Clerks Division

(905)833-4068

ATTENTION – KING TOWNSHIP SERVICES DURING COVID-19

King is pleased to welcome you in person to our Township facilities, programs and services, with Provincial COVID-19 safety

protocols in place. Many services are also available online by visiting www.king.ca. All staff can be contacted directly by email or

phone. Your health and safety is our top priority. For COVID-19 information, visit York Region’s website at www.York.ca/covid19

and the Ontario Health website at www.Ontario.ca/covid19

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

King Township Phone: 905.833.5321

2585 King Road Fax: 905.833.2300

King City , Ontario Website: www.king.ca

Canada L7B 1A1 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

November 9, 2022

Hon. Steve Clark This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

17th Floor, 777 Bay St.

Toronto, ON M5G 2E5

Honourable Clark,

RE: Township of King

Resolution - Proposed New Southlake Regional Health Centre Location

At its Council meeting of November 7, 2022, Council of the Township of King

received and supported the following Resolution:

“WHEREAS the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing introduced Bill 23 titled “More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022” on October 25, 2022, the intent of which is to streamline the development approval process to expedite the delivery of housing to the market;

AND WHEREAS on November 4, 2022 the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and

Housing proposed changes to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001 and posted its intentions on the Environmental Registry of Ontario as number 019-6218;

AND WHEREAS on November 4, 2022 the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and

Housing proposed changes to the Greenbelt Area boundary regulation and posted its intentions on the Environmental Registry of Ontario as number 019-6217;

AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has identified “Land located in the Township of King east of Dufferin Street, south of Miller’s Sideroad and west of Bathurst Street” and illustrated those lands on Map 1 of the registry posting;

AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing no changes to the portion of those lands that contain Oak Ridges Moraine Natural Core Area;

AND WHEREAS the noted lands are considered to be an ideal candidate site for the new Southlake Regional Health Centre site;

AND WHEREAS the lands satisfy our understanding of the locational criteria for the new Southlake Regional Health Centre site;

AND WHEREAS the landowner is committed to providing the necessary lands for the Southlake Regional Health Centre site for a nominal fee;

AND WHEREAS it is also proposed that a portion of lands in the Oak Ridges Moraine be redesignated to “Settlement Area”;

AND WHEREAS based on our understanding of the locational criteria for the new hospital, the area designated as “Settlement Area” is not required;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of King:

1. Supports the location of the new Southlake Regional Health Centre site on these lands; and

2. Formally requests the Province of Ontario to fast track to approval of the new Southlake Regional Health Centre site on these lands; and

3. Does not support the proposed redesignation of a portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine to “Settlement Area”; and

4. Directs staff to work with the landowner, Province, and Southlake Regional Health Centre to expedite development approvals for these lands; and

5. Directs the Clerk to forward a copy of this resolution to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Health, and to the President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre.”

Motion Carried Unanimously.

Yours truly,

Denny Timm

Township Clerk

cc. Hon. Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Arden Krystal, President & CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mayor Steve Pellegrini, King

Stephen Naylor, Director of Growth Management Services, King

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

s.12 Cabinet records

s.12 Cabinet records

s.12 Cabinet records

s.12 Cabinet records

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Spezowka, Conrad (MMAH)

Sent: November 15, 2022 4:10 PM

To: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH); Poulos, Chris (MMAH)

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH); @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues Management

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Hi Chris

We tried to get a bit more clarity on the land referenced in the CR and we can confirm, yes, this CR is related to the land being proposed for removal via the ERO re: “map 1” in the ERO posting. That being said, it is not clear if the proposed location for the Southlake Regional Health Centre is the same location as the proposed removal and redesignation. This would be a question for the municipality to confirm.

Thanks

- Conrad

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:55 PM

To: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues Management

<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Hi Chris,

Staff advise: The information we can confirm is the location of the property in the GB proposal that is described as “Land located in the Township of King east of Dufferin Street, south of Miller’s Sideroad and west of Bathurst Street”. MO likely has more information about municipal support and the owner’s proposal for housing. Basically, they can confirm that the description of the land is correct, but wouldn’t be able to speak to any proposed projects on that land. They suggest MO would have further details on this proposal.

Also, please find the requested resolution attached.

Thank you,

Melissa

­­­­­­­­­­­­––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:33 PM

To: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues

Management <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Also from the NR:

King is sending a copy of this resolution to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Health, and to the President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre.

If this was sent to us not sure why we were not made aware when we have been

requesting staff update the KMQA on municipal support? Can we confirm that we did receive a resolution?

Thanks,

Chris Poulos

Director of Issues Management

Office of the Hon. Steve Clark

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

(416) 219-7616

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Poulos, Chris (MMAH)

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:13 PM

To: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues

Management <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Thanks. Please ask Sean or Anna to take a quick look and confirm this is the same lands and let us know. Once confirmed we can work on working it into the KMQAs but just confirming quickly would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Chris Poulos

Director of Issues Management

Office of the Hon. Steve Clark

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

(416) 219-7616

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Diakoumeas, Melissa (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:11 PM

To: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;; @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues Management

<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: RE: King CR-URGENT

Hi Chris,

We’re checking and will get back to you asap.

Melissa

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

From: Poulos, Chris (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Sent: November 15, 2022 2:02 PM

To: @MMAH-L-BMD - Issues Management <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Cc: Rashidi, Mariam (MMAH) <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Subject: King CR-URGENT

King asks to fast-track approval for new Southlake Regional Health Centre site | Township Of King

Hello,

On the issue over municipal support for changes to the Greenbelt can we confirm this is the land we are proposing to remove? If so we should work into our messaging this and talk about the request and how it relates to expanding the hospital.

Can we confirm ASAP.

Thanks,

Chris Poulos

Director of Issues Management

Office of the Hon. Steve Clark

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

(416) 219-7616

s.12 Cabinet records