Minutes - Special Council - 20250715
Town of Aurora
Special Meeting of Council
Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
5 p.m.
Council Chambers, Aurora Town Hall
Council Members: Councillor Ron Weese
Councillor Rachel Gilliland (Chair)
Councillor Wendy Gaertner
Councillor John Gallo*
Members Absent: Mayor Tom Mrakas
Councillor Michael Thompson
Councillor Harold Kim
Other Attendees: Doug Nadorozny, Chief Administrative Officer
Patricia De Sario, Director, Corporate Services/Town Solicitor
Robin McDougall, Director, Community Services
Marco Ramunno, Director, Planning and Development Services
Sara Tienkamp, Director, Operational Services
Rachel Wainwright-van Kessel, Director, Finance
Carley Smith, Manager, Corporate Communications
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Deputy Town Clerk called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Council consented to appoint Councillor Gilliland as Chair for the meeting.
Councillor Gilliland assumed the Chair at 5:04 p.m.
Council consented to appoint Councillor Weese as an alternate Chair.
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
July 15, 2025 2
Councillor Gilliland relinquished the Chair to Councillor Weese at 5:43 p.m. during
consideration of the amendment of item 7.1 and reassumed the Chair at 5:51
p.m.
Councillor Gilliland relinquished the Chair to Councillor Weese at 6:06 p.m. during
consideration of the amendment of item 7.2 and reassumed the Chair at 6:09
p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
Council acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands, the
traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, recognizing
the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day, the special
relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this territory, and
that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these lands and
waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the Mississaugas
and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams Treaties of
1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the revised agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 0)
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Delegations
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July 15, 2025 3
5.1 Kathy Duncan, Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora; Re: Opposition to
Provincial Bills 5 and 17
Council consented to permit an additional two minutes for the delegation.
Kathy Duncan expressed concerns related to the reduced environmental
protections and oversight, the democratic process and reduced municipal
powers, environmental stewardship and water, lack of consultation with
Indigenous peoples, third-party appeals to the Ontario Land Tribunal, and
the speed at which the Bills were passed.
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to items 7.1
and 7.2.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 0)
5.2 David Heard, Resident; Re: Provincial Bill 5
Council consented to permit an additional one minute for the delegation.
David Heard expressed concerns related to the inherent rights of
Indigenous peoples, archaeological and cultural heritage preservation, the
creation of special economic zones, fast-tracking of the legislation, the
need for environmental assessments, and water protection.
Moved by Councillor Gaertner
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
That the comments of the delegation be received and referred to item 7.1.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 0)
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July 15, 2025 4
6. Consent Agenda
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the Consent Agenda, items 6.1 to 6.3 inclusive, be received for information.
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 0)
6.1 Correspondence from Mayor Mrakas; Re: Ontario Bills 5 and 17
1. That the correspondence from Mayor Mrakas regarding Ontario Bills 5
and 17 be received for information.
Carried
6.2 Correspondence from Councillor Weese; Re: Ontario Bills 5 and 17
1. That the correspondence from Councillor Weese regarding Ontario
Bills 5 and 17 be received for information.
Carried
6.3 Correspondence from Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora; Re: Urgent
Concerns About Ontario Provincial Bill 5
1. That the correspondence from Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora
regarding Urgent Concerns About Ontario Provincial Bill 5 be received
for information.
Carried
7. Consideration of Items Requiring Discussion
7.1 Member Motion - Councillor Weese; Re: Opposition to Bill 5, Protect Ontario
by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
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July 15, 2025 5
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Aurora Town Council
officially opposes Bill 5 in its current form as it interferes with local
planning authorities, limits public consultation, and threatens both
heritage designations and endangered species; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That this Motion be forwarded to all 444 Ontario
Municipalities, Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and Hon. Stephen
Lecce, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the main motion be amended by revising the first clause and
inserting an additional clause as follows:
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Aurora Town Council
acknowledges the stated goals of economic growth and
development in Bill 5, but expresses serious concerns with Bill 5 in
its current form as it interferes with local planning authorities,
limits public consultation, and threatens both heritage designations
and endangered species; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That Aurora Town Council urges the
Government of Ontario to consider the following:
Collaboration with municipalities to determine Special Economic
Zones;
Ensure environmental protections and heritage safeguards are
strengthened;
Include municipalities and Indigenous partners in shaping
regulations; and
Preserve legal recourse for affected communities.
Yeas (3): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, and Councillor Gallo
Nays (1): Councillor Gaertner
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (3 to 1)
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July 15, 2025 6
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Aurora Town Council
acknowledges the stated goals of economic growth and development in
Bill 5, but expresses serious concerns with Bill 5 in its current form as it
interferes with local planning authorities, limits public consultation, and
threatens both heritage designations and endangered species; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That Aurora Town Council urges the Government
of Ontario to consider the following:
Collaboration with municipalities to determine Special Economic
Zones;
Ensure environmental protections and heritage safeguards are
strengthened;
Include municipalities and Indigenous partners in shaping
regulations; and
Preserve legal recourse for affected communities; and
3. Be It Further Resolved That this Motion be forwarded to all 444 Ontario
Municipalities, Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and Hon. Stephen
Lecce, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines, and the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 0)
7.2 Member Motion - Councillor Weese; Re: Opposition to Bill 17, Protect
Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025
Main motion
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Aurora Town Council
officially opposes Ontario Bill 17 in its current form, and recommends;
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July 15, 2025 7
Restoring municipal autonomy, and ensuring meaningful
consultation and decision-making power;
Maintaining rigorous environmental, safety, and heritage
assessments despite expedited timelines;
Incorporating clear affordable housing requirements within new
developments;
Enhancing transparency, public engagement and accountability
mechanisms;
Ensuring climate change mitigation is included in all development
projects; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That this Motion be forwarded to all 444 Ontario
Municipalities, Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and Hon. Rob
Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Gilliland
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the main motion be amended by revising the first paragraph of
the first clause as follows:
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Aurora Town Council
recognizes the intent of Ontario Bill 17 to streamline housing and
infrastructure development; however, expresses significant
concerns with Ontario Bill 17 in its current form, and recommends:
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner,
and Councillor Gallo
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 0)
Main motion as amended
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gallo
1. Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Aurora Town Council
recognizes the intent of Ontario Bill 17 to streamline housing and
infrastructure development; however, expresses significant concerns
with Ontario Bill 17 in its current form, and recommends:
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July 15, 2025 8
Restoring municipal autonomy, and ensuring meaningful
consultation and decision-making power;
Maintaining rigorous environmental, safety, and heritage
assessments despite expedited timelines;
Incorporating clear affordable housing requirements within new
developments;
Enhancing transparency, public engagement and accountability
mechanisms;
Ensuring climate change mitigation is included in all development
projects; and
2. Be It Further Resolved That this Motion be forwarded to all 444 Ontario
Municipalities, Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and Hon. Rob
Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Association
of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Yeas (4): Councillor Weese, Councillor Gilliland, Councillor Gaertner, and
Councillor Gallo
Absent (3): Mayor Mrakas, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Kim
Carried (4 to 0)
8. Confirming By-law
8.1 By-law Number 6718-25 - Being a By-law to confirm actions by Council
resulting from a Special Meeting of Council on July 15, 2025
Moved by Councillor Gallo
Seconded by Councillor Weese
That the confirming by-law be enacted.
Carried
Special Meeting of Council Minutes
July 15, 2025
9. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Weese
Seconded by Councillor Gaertner
That the meeting be adjourned at 6:11 p.m.
Rac el Gilli an ou cillor
Carried
'i. a xsa i
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk