King Township Council Meeting - May 11, 2026
- JA
- May 12
- 7 min read
Council heard presentations from Mackenzie Health on growing hospital capacity pressures across York Region and from York Region Housing Services on affordable housing initiatives currently underway. Staff also presented a one-year review of the Zancor Centre and Council approved an updated Ice Allocation Policy to ensure fair access to arena ice time as demand continues to grow.
Quick Links
Mayor's Comments
• King's municipal chamber is set up for civil weddings but now the 175 year-old King Christian Church is also available. Recently restored to its original glory, King Christian Church is an exquisitely preserved designated heritage building that offers an intimate and elegant setting for your wedding ceremony. Learn more here.
• Nobleton Victoria Day Fair and Fireworks Show, presented by Tim Hortons, is happening on Monday, May 18 from noon to dusk at the Dr. William Laceby Nobleton Community Centre. All the cherished traditions you’ve come to know and love - the parade, mid-way rides, games, live music, artisans, food trucks and fireworks show - will go on, with some modifications due to the Nobleton Park Revitalization project. Floats, classic cars and modern vehicles can still register to join the parade. Learn more here.
• Fireworks can only be set off in King on Canada Day, the Victoria Day holiday and the third day of the Diwali Festival. Fireworks can only be set off between dusk and 11 p.m. Fireworks cannot be set off within 1km of livestock, an equestrian facility or operation, without the written consent of the owner. Or, 1km of woodlands/forested areas, tall grass prairie habitat, wetlands, and nesting birds, without the written consent of the owner. Learn more here.
• The 176th Schomberg Agricultural Fair runs from May 29 to 31 - this year's theme is Hay Bales & Cow Tails. Find out about all the competitions and attractions on the event website.
Mackenzie Health
Mackenzie Health CEO Carmine Stumpo told Council that rapid population growth across York Region is putting increasing pressure on local hospitals, with facilities now operating at or beyond capacity on most days. He noted that local hospitals are increasingly serving patients from outside York Region as people travel in search of shorter wait times and available services.
The presentation highlighted the scale of demand facing Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. In 2025/26, the system handled more than 247,000 emergency department visits, over 15,000 surgeries and nearly 468,000 diagnostic imaging tests. Stumpo said the number of admitted patients waiting for inpatient beds reached 97 during peak respiratory illness season last winter.
Council also discussed the complexities of hospital funding in Ontario. Stumpo explained that while the province funds hospital operations and contributes toward construction costs, communities are responsible for fundraising for equipment and portions of hospital expansion projects.
To accommodate growing demand, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is seeking approval to complete two unfinished floors that were intentionally left vacant during construction to accommodate future growth. While the additional space was likely intended for growth a decade or more after opening, demand has accelerated so quickly that the extra capacity is already needed just five years later.
Stumpo explained that hospital “beds” are not simply physical rooms, but represent the ongoing operating funding required for nurses, physicians, support staff and patient care. Even if physical space exists, hospitals cannot open additional capacity without provincial approval and operating funding from the Ministry of Health.
Mackenzie Health has already secured the local fundraising needed for the expansion and is ready to proceed once provincial approvals are granted. Stumpo added that completing and activating the two unfinished floors would require a provincial investment estimated at over $200 million.
Stumpo also pointed to the upcoming York University School of Medicine as an important opportunity to help address physician shortages across the region. The school will be located beside Cortellucci Vaughan and is planned to open in September 2028.
York Region Affordable Housing
York Region Housing Services updated Council on a number of affordable and community housing initiatives currently underway across the Region, highlighting both the scale of the housing crisis and the growing pipeline of projects intended to address it.
The Region currently has about 580 funded community housing units in development, along with significant investments in maintaining existing housing stock. The presentation outlined several major projects, including:
a 153-unit affordable housing development in Markham
a roughly 250-unit project in Newmarket
an 86-unit integrated housing project in Georgina that will combine community housing, emergency housing, transitional housing and community space.
York Region also highlighted its Housing Affordability Resource Program (HARP), which provides funding, pre-development support and partnership assistance to non-profits, co-ops and other groups interested in developing affordable housing.
DeGagne emphasized that the Region cannot solve the housing crisis alone and is actively looking for partnerships with municipalities, non-profits, developers and organizations that may have land available for housing projects.
All of the Region’s new units are rental housing, with approximately 70% allocated as subsidized housing and 30% rented at market rates to help offset operating costs. Eligibility for subsidized housing is governed by provincial rules related to income and assets. Residents in subsidized units generally pay rent geared to income, typically about 30% of net income.
The presentation also highlighted the financial challenges involved in maintaining affordable housing. Staff noted that while senior governments periodically provide capital funding, York Region relies heavily on its own reserves and operating revenues to maintain and expand housing stock over the long term. Many affordable housing projects are effectively “ready to go” but remain dependent on additional provincial and federal funding commitments before construction can proceed at full speed.
York Region staff said they expect several projects to move forward over the next six months, including construction starts in Markham and Newmarket and continued advancement of the Georgina development project.
Zancor Centre 1 Year Anniversary
King Township staff presented a one-year review of the Zancor Centre, highlighting strong community uptake and growing demand for programs and facility space since the recreation complex opened.
Recreation staff described the facility as a “community anchor” supporting physical activity, social connection and lifelong learning through flexible multi-use spaces and partnerships with schools, sports organizations and community groups.
The Township expanded programming throughout the year, including youth and family sports programs, aquafitness, lane swims and fitness classes. Staff also introduced a new pre-registration system for drop-in programs that allows residents to register up to 72 hours in advance.
Partnerships with local organizations were also highlighted, including collaborations with King Township Minor Hockey, Seneca College and the Canadian Treatment Network to deliver inclusive recreation programming and sensory-friendly events.
Staff acknowledged that the first year also revealed growing pains and operational challenges. High demand for gymnasium and multi-purpose spaces has created scheduling pressures, while demand for programs such as aquafitness and pickleball continues to grow. Feedback was also received regarding seating capacity in the arena, facility cleanliness and the universal change room design.
Township staff said adjustments have already been made in response to community feedback, including expanded staffing, additional operating hours, enhanced cleaning schedules and modifications to booking procedures.
Council also received an update on Phase Two planning for the site, which is expected to include additional outdoor amenities such as sports fields, pickleball courts and other recreation facilities. Staff said consultation with user groups and the community is ongoing as the Township moves through the design process.
King Updates Ice Allocation Policy
Council approved updates to the Township’s Ice Allocation Policy, aimed at improving fairness, transparency and consistency as demand for arena ice time continues to grow.
Township staff said increasing pressure from youth hockey, skating clubs, adult leagues, tournaments and new user groups has made ice allocation more complex, particularly following the opening of the Zancor Centre.
The updated policy maintains the Township’s longstanding priority of supporting local youth sports while balancing access for a broad range of community users. Under the policy, affiliated local leagues must generally have at least 60% King Township residents in their membership to qualify for priority access and affiliated rates. Priority rankings place Township programs and affiliated local youth organizations ahead of adult leagues, commercial users and non-resident groups when ice demand exceeds supply.
The policy will now be formally reviewed every two years to ensure it keeps pace with changing community needs and arena demand.
Motion: Toronto Carrying Place Trail
Council supported Councillor Schaefer's motion to create a new multi-use Toronto Carrying Place Trail following the historic Indigenous travel route that once connected Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe and points north.
The motion stems from a proposal by historian Iain Craig, first presented to King Township’s Heritage Advisory Committee in October 2025. The proposed trail would generally follow the historic Toronto Carrying Place route through Toronto, Vaughan, King Township and Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The motion emphasized the trail’s significance in recognizing Indigenous history, early settlement routes and the shared cultural heritage of the region. It also highlighted the project’s potential to support recreation, active transportation, environmental stewardship, tourism and public education.
Council endorsed the concept in principle and agreed to encourage Parks Canada to review the proposal as a potential National Heritage Trail. The motion also asks Parks Canada to consider updating historical designation language to reflect a more inclusive understanding of the route’s history.
Township staff will now review the proposal as part of King’s Parks, Trails and Facilities Master Plan process to explore how the concept could align with existing and future trail infrastructure.
The resolution will also be circulated to a number of organizations and municipalities including Parks Canada, the Ontario Historical Society, conservation authorities, Vaughan, Toronto, Bradford West Gwillimbury and York Region.
New Business
Bird Club will be held May 23 at 7 am at the Dufferin Marsh
Listen for Frogs at the Dufferin Marsh on May 13 at 8pm
Equine Art Exhibition & Live Horse Show: Equine Reverie is on Jun 3 - 7 at King Heritage & Cultural Centre. Click here to learn more.
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