2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) Minutes

Welcome

Deborah Martin-Downs opened the AGM: welcoming attendees, thanking RORA members who have renewed their memberships and encouraging others to join.

AGM presentation deck is here:

RORA: Overview and Mission

Deb provided a brief overview of RORA and its mission to share information with the community; represent and advocate for the interests of Royal Orchard residents. Deb stressed that RORA is a volunteer membership-based organization and summarized the benefits of RORA membership. The $20 annual membership fee covers ongoing advocacy on residents’ behalf; continuing information sharing about decisions and events impacting the Royal Orchard community; and organizing important events such as Town Halls with Metrolinx, Community Park Clean Ups, etc.

Deb presented the current Board of Directors: Taline Assadourian, Sam Cuda, Cagatay Eroglu, Marshall McCall, Ron Plumb, Risa Nash Plumb, Renata Richardson, and Alice Young. Deb also encouraged attendees to fill and hand in their priority card to identify their top priority.

Year in Review

Deb reflected on RORA’s past achievements.

Communications and Outreach

·       Published 5 newsletters informing residents of provincial/municipal planning and policy decisions impacting our community.

·       Posted updates to the Community Facebook and WhatsApp groups and on Next Door (links will be provided in the meeting minutes).

·       Prepared residents’ Qs and As for Metrolinx; followed up with Metrolinx on their answers – seeking greater clarity and specificity.

·       Notified residents of upcoming construction activity to support the new subway.

·       Responded to residents’ questions at royalorchardra@gmail.com.

·       Managed continued rollout and expansion of Neighbourhood Watch; Neighbourhood Watch signs were installed in our community at key intersections.

·       Managed the RORA website, posting new content throughout the year.

Advocacy

·       Continued to be busy with advocacy to represent residents’ concerns and interests: participating in City of Markham planning events for the Yonge Corridor Secondary Plan, Markham’s Transportation Master Plan and Bayview/John Vision.

·       Submitted a policy brief to the province’s Standing Committee on RORA’s concerns with Bill 5 (Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025).

·       Represent Royal Orchard at the Metrolinx Community Liaison meetings.

·       Continued to engage with Metrolinx senior management on a regular basis.

·       Met with the Office of the Ontario Auditor General to share our concerns regarding the transparency and accountability of decisions regarding subway station locations.

Events

·       Kicked off Earth Day with its annual Royal Orchard Park Community Clean Up on April 27, 2025. Together we collected over 22 bags of garbage. While this is an improvement from last year, we are still finding too many bags of dog poop, snack wrappers, household and yard waste, even a truck tire wheel and a tent!

·       Organized a Town Hall with Metrolinx to provide residents with updates on the subway project. More than 100 residents attended. The event gave residents the opportunity to speak directly with Metrolinx Senior Executives. Representatives from the tunnelling contractors, North End Connectors, also attended (Qs and As are available in our Winter 2025 Newsletter).

Approval of 2025 AGM Minutes

Deb asked for a mover and seconder to approve the Minutes for the 2025 AGM. Risa Nash Plumb moved the motion and Ron Plumb seconded the motion.

Financial Statements

Peter Palframan, current Treasurer, presented the 2025 Financial Statements. He noted for full transparency, the RORA board continues to maintain two separate accounts. One for RORA – generated by annual membership dues – and one for Keep the Subway on Yonge (KSOY) – generated by the previous Go Fund Me campaigns.

Income generated by membership fees from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 totalled $2,451.59. Membership fees go towards maintaining/operating the RORA website, organizing community meetings and events. After expenses, the Board is left with a net revenue of $1,554.56.

Peter stressed the importance of joining RORA and renewing membership fees. Of the 600 plus distribution list of people who have signed up to receive RORA information, only 62 were paid up members in 2026.

The Keep the Subway on Yonge has a balance of $ 15,207.73. These are funds raised for the purpose of fighting Metrolinx.  While the board has no specific purpose for these funds currently, as the details of the subway become clear, RORA may need to retain experts to assist in interpreting or intervening on mitigation measures. The board is reserving the funds under KSOY for contingency technical/legal advice as the subway project advances. In 2025, funds from KSOY were used to renew the Zoom account as historically the Zoom account was held by the KSOY subcommittee.

Deb asked for a mover and seconder to approve the 2026 financial statements as presented. Rick Takagi moved the motion and Dale Reid seconded the motion.

Elections

Deb emphasized the benefits of a Ratepayers Association to provide a collective voice for all residents of Royal Orchard. She reminded attendees how RORA was almost shut down two years ago and how people who were active on the KSOY file stepped up.

Subway expansion and development are the two major files on which Royal Orchard needs to monitor and be vigilant.  Deb asked, “If we don’t stand up and be counted, who else will?”

Deb noted that Councillor Irish needs our constituency to advocate for responsible development, adequate mitigation of the subway and community benefits to accrue or be protected during change – schools, parkland, traffic, noise, our overall quality of life are at risk.

Eight directors have agreed to continue: Taline Assadourian, Sam Cuda, Cagatay Eroglu, Marshall McCall, Ron Plumb, Risa Nash Plumb, Renata Richardson, and Alice Young. Councillor Irish continues as ex-officio member and Peter Palframan continues as Treasurer until a new Treasurer is in place.

Deb asked residents to consider taking on the position of Treasurer and Secretary. More information on these positions can be provided by Alice Young at the RORA gmail address (royalorchardra@gmail.com).

Two residents have agreed to stand for election: Victor Lu and Joseph Simile. Deb called for a motion to elect the returning directors and the two new directors. Michele Gower moved the motion and Karin Ireland seconded the motion.

Deb also encouraged residents to volunteer on the RORA committees: Communications; Yonge North Subway; Development Watch; Neighbourhood Watch; Royal Orchard Park and Membership.

Thanking Retiring Directors

On behalf of the RORA board, Deb thanked Karin Ireland for her contribution.

Metrolinx, North End Connectors and Alectra: Q&A Session

Metrolinx was represented by Stephen Collins, Executive VP for Subway Extensions and Alim Lila, Manager of Community Engagement. North End Connectors (NEC) was represented by Juan Tineo, Project Director and John Provenzano, Lead, Communications & Community Engagement. Alectra was represented by Anthony Hunt, Supervisor, Construction (Transit Projects).  

Councillor Irish moderated this session which is summarized below:

Q1. When will Metrolinx convene the Construction Liaison Committee (CLC)?

A1. S. Collins committed to convening the new CLC well in advance of the demolition of the three houses on Kirk Drive.

Q2. With the three houses demolished, will residents in the area (e.g. on Banquo Road) experience increased noise from trains along the CN rail corridor? Will Metrolinx be constructing additional sound buffers?

A2. S. Collins did not think there would increase noise from the CN rail corridor traffic. Metrolinx will monitor conditions.

Q3. Where specifically will the Emergency Exit Building (EEB) on Kirk Dr be located? What will it look like?

A3. S. Collins confirmed that the EEB will be located at 130 Kirk Drive and will have a small footprint. After completion, the remaining land at 128 and 132 Kirk Drive will be turned over to the City of Markham for green space.

Q4. When will Metrolinx begin tunnelling in the Royal Orchard community?

A4. S. Collins anticipated tunnelling to begin in early 2027. The Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have been ordered and are currently being manufactured in Germany. NEC will be doing factory acceptance testing from May to July.

Q5. What is NEC’s experience with complex tunnelling projects such as the one proceeding in the Royal Orchard community (i.e., shallow depths under houses and school, curves in the alignment, etc)? What specific projects can NEC identify that is similar to the Royal Orchard tunnelling?

A5. J. Tinero pointed to the consortium’s experience in over 100 tunnelling projects worldwide. He personally has worked on tunnelling the Vaughan line, the Eglinton Crosstown East and West. S. Collins committed to identifying similar projects in other jurisdictions that are similar to the conditions in the Royal Orchard community.

Q6 What traffic mitigation plans will Metrolinx have in place when building the Royal Orchard, Clark and Steeles Stations? Will there be lane restrictions on Yonge St during construction of the stations?

A6 S. Collins advised that Metrolinx has shared their YNSE traffic mitigation plan with Councillor Irish and he agreed that it is a “good plan”.  Metrolinx hopes to share the plan with residents by early summer. There will be no lane restrictions on Yonge St. Metrolinx will be using the mining method to construct Royal Orchard Station. Construction crews will be using the south-east corner of Yonge St and Royal Orchard Blvd to enter and exit from the station shaft.

Q7 Is the noise level caused by the piling activity at Langstaff Road exceeding the Markham Bylaw limit? What is the decibel level permitted by the City of Markham?

A7 J. Tinero noted that there has been no exceedances from the established limits. The piling activity will be complete by August/September. S. Collins committed to providing the specific threshold levels permitted.

Q8 How is the issue of groundwater and Markham’s sandy soil conditions being addressed?

A8 J. Tinero noted that the hydrogeological conditions of the subway route have been factored in the design and calibration of the TBMs. The TBMs will include Earth Balance Pressure which will manage groundwater.

Q9 How will Metrolinx manage pedestrian and car traffic on Kirk Dr during the demolition of the three houses and the construction of the EEB?

A9 S. Collins acknowledged the sensitivity of St. Anthony’s school across the street. Metrolinx will park/store their construction vehicles/equipment directly on the land adjacent to 130 Kirk Dr. It was for this reason they expropriated three houses to build the EEB.

Q10 How is Alectra preparing for the increased electricity needed to run the new subway extension and support increased density along Yonge St and at the Transit Oriented Communities?

A10 A. Hunt noted that Alectra has been working closely with Metrolinx and that plans are underway to expand the power station on Bayview Ave.

Q11 What have been causing the recent brown outs and flickers in the Royal Orchard area?

A11 A. Hunt believes the recent outages and flickers are the continuing impact of harsh winter conditions.

Presentation by Councillor Irish

Councillor Irish provided a comprehensive overview of community/neighbourhood issues;

updates on current and proposed development and provincial matters.

See Councillor Irish's presentation deck here:

General Neighbourhood Update

Councillor Irish provided an update of current and anticipated development projects affecting the Royal Orchard community. His update included: the Yonge Corridor Secondary Plan; the Bayview/John Visioning Exercise; Group of Seven tribute; placement of new Speed Cushions; the intense 2025-26 Season Snow Clearing; recommencing in 2028 of Royal Orchard Phase 4C Flood Control Work.

Development Update

Councillor Irish noted the chill that has befallen the construction sector though he believes in the cyclical nature of markets and that there will inevitably be periods of expansion and contraction in economic activity.

Several development projects are stalled including 7115 Yonge St and 8, 10, 12, 14 Grandview Ave where these properties have gone into receivership; Bishops Cross Plaza at 2300 John Street where issues could not be addressed by the parties and a four week Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing (OLT) is scheduled to begin June 1, 2026; Thornhill Square where there is still no agreement between the property owner and City of Markham on sanitary servicing requirements and a holding provision has been issued by the OLT (no construction can begin until the provision is lifted). This property has been for sale since September 2024.

Councillor Irish also spoke about the new Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build Homes. A key pillar of the bi-lateral agreement is a shared commitment to boosting housing supply. Ontario and the federal government will cost-match a total of $8.8 billion over 10 years, focused on housing-enabling infrastructure projects. The majority of funding will be used to support the reduction by up to 50 per cent of municipal development charges. Councillor Irish pointed out that citizens will be subsidizing developers with their tax dollars at both federal and provincial levels. It is also unclear how the government will ensure developers pass on the reduced cost to build as savings for consumers.

Provincial Matters

Councillor Irish provided an overview of provincial legislation that has significantly impacted municipal planning. Since 2020, the provincial government has passed no less than eight pieces of legislation that diminish municipalities’ planning autonomy and responsiveness including the Building Transit Faster Act 2020, the More Homes for Everyone Act 2022, the More Homes Built Faster Act 2022, to the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act 2024 and, most recently, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act 2025. These pieces of legislation adversely constrain municipalities’ ability to plan communities that reflect the interests and priorities of their citizens. The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act 2025 allows for Minister’s decisions to contradict provincial policy; enables the province to easily override Official Plan and secondary plan policies and land use designations; enables areas to be rezoned directly by the province; and permits even easier use of Minister’s Zoning Orders.

He concluded his presentation with a list of upcoming Ward 1 events and shared some of the letters he receives from constituents.  

Wrap Up

Deb thanked everyone for attending, reminded residents to hand in their priority form to Marshal McCall, and asked again for residents to consider how they can contribute as a board director (Treasurer or Secretary) or as a member of a committee.  She stressed how RORA needs their passion and commitment to continue. Interested residents can contact the RORA board at royalorchardra@gmail.com.

Residents are encouraged to use the RORA website: www.royalorchardra.ca for the latest community updates and events.