There has been much misinformation circulating about the supposed intent of the motion brought forward by Councillor Gallo at the February 25th 2025 Council meeting requesting the resubmission of a zoning by law amendment application for a men’s emergency shelter and transitional housing facility at 14452 yonge street.
There are some claiming that the motion was merely to ask that the site be considered as part of the Region’s list of potential sites for emergency shelters and transitional housing.
Whether the misinformation being pushed by some is due to a lack of awareness or an intentional attempt to mislead the public, the outcome is still the same. It simply isn’t true. A plain reading of the motion makes clear the intent.
“Now Therefore Be It Hereby Resolved That Aurora Town Council requests the Regional Municipality of York to resubmit the Zoning bylaw Amendment application for a Men’s Emergency and Transitional Facility located at 14452 Yonge Street in Aurora.”
The motion does not ask that the Region “consider adding the site to the list”. It is a direct request to the region to resubmit the denied planning application so as to enable the Region to move forward with a change in zoning to build an institutional shelter and transitional facility on that site.
I have vetoed that decision and four Councillors are now trying to overturn that veto through the use of the provisions of the SMPs.
I stand firmly by my decision and will reiterate once again “As Head of Council, it is my opinion that any alternative use of the property at 14452 Yonge St., beyond what was identified in the York Region June 13, 2019 report, could compromise its strategic purpose and may interfere with the delivery of infrastructure to support housing. This site is critical for current and future infrastructure needs, including essential municipal services that may be expanded to support housing growth and that may be necessary for future development in southwest Aurora and the Yonge Street corridor, both key growth areas in the Town’s updated Official Plan and both which would assist the Town in meeting its provincial housing targets.”
The facts are clear — the motion passed by four members of Council was to resubmit the denied zoning amendment. It was in essence a request of the Region to ignore the fact that the application was denied, well over a year ago, ignore the work the Region has undertaken to use an evidence based approach to finding the best site and move forward with the Yonge Street site anyway.
30 Responses
Agree with you Tom，thank you
Dear Honourable Mayor Mrakas,
Thank you very much for clarification of the misinformation by Councillor Gallo recently.
We welcome your veto on Councillor Gallo motion on February 25, 2025.
We will continue to support you in
upcoming Council meeting on March 18, 2025.
Thank you so much for your hard work and leadership!
Over the past ten years, we have seen far too many politicians catering to public emotions and appealing to people’s goodwill just to secure votes. In the end, they have left cities in chaos, walked away from the mess they created, and forced ordinary citizens to bear the consequences. This has happened far too many times.
However, you have remained calm, objective, and committed to the best interests of the people. You have held onto the last thread of reason and had the courage to make difficult but right decisions. This is what true leadership looks like.
We are truly grateful for you！
Let’s put aside all those reasons that sound very appealing for a moment and ask ourselves this question first: Is there an interest group behind this, working to push this address as the project location at all costs? I hope everyone can seriously consider whether there are lobbying groups, driven by financial interests, working tirelessly behind the scenes to advance this whole thing?
This address is clearly NOT a suitable location for this project. We support our mayor’s decision, and we have decided not to be the “silent majority” this time!
that would explain everything… I was wondering why this motion, which was already rejected last year, is being brought up again this year.
It seems that some interest groups are really going all out to see this project approved in Aurora, and the real reason might not be what they claimed (all the so called “care” stuff), but rather the drive of underlying interests.
Thank you, Mayor, for your strong and decisive leadership. Your unwavering commitment to our community’s well-being and prosperity is truly appreciated. You have our full support, and we stand with you in building a brighter, more prosperous future for all.
When they were selecting a location for the new hospital, they didn’t think of our town but chose Vaughan. Markham, Richmond hill and Vaughan each has at least three times population of Aurora but they don’t build the male shelter, we as the 62,000 people little tiny town would do the heavy lighting for the entire York region. I am doubtful about whether the councilors of Ward 1, 2, 3 and 5 are on the same side of Aurora residents.
When they were choosing for the location of a new hospital, they pick Vaughan over us. Markham, Richmond hill and Vaughan each has more than 3 times population of Aurora but they don’t build this shelter. I am deeply doubtful of the integrity of councilors ward 1, 2, 3 and 5.
Dear Mayor Mlakas:
Thank you very much for clarifying the misinformation of Congressman Gallo recently. We all agree with your voting of the Gallo bill on February 25, 2025. We will continue to support you at the council meeting on March 18, 2025.
Thank you, Tom. Strongly agree with you.
Thank you for your great leadership on this. Our family deeply appreciate you staying with us and making the right decisions for this.
Thank you so much to stand firmly for Aurora residence. My family are very appreciated it.
Dear Mayor Mrakas,
We are lucky to have you as our mayor. You have our support. The area is not good for a shelter.
Thank you for representing the people of Aurora. You have our full support. We are lucky to have you as our Mayor.
We love Aurora, we love our community！Thank you for your unremitting efforts and persistence, my family and I will always support you and be with you.
Thank you！Our mayor，the mayor of Aurora ！My family fully support you.
Thank you for standing still with the real majority of the residences of Aurora.
Thank you mayor, voicing for majority Aurora residents’ opinion. We support your decision and will be at March 18 meeting to support you.
Thank you！My family fully support you.
Why don’t they think about to build a hospital instead at this location? Aurora don’t even have a hospital, neither a health center. Everytime when my dad need a care for his cancer (chemo bottle removal), he need drive all the way to Newmarket instead.
Thank you, Mayor Mrakas! Once again, you have shown everyone how to get things done. We appreciate your authentic leadership!
Mayor, thank you for your unwavering commitment to Aurora’s future. Your decision to protect our community’s long-term planning and infrastructure demonstrates true leadership. I fully support your clear stance against misinformation and appreciate that you are basing your decisions on facts and a solid strategic vision for the town. As a long-time resident, I am confident that your dedication to responsible development will benefit Aurora for years to come.
Dear Mayor,We Strongly Support you!
Dear Mayor Tom Mrakas,
Thank you for your March 5, 2025, letter clarifying the misinformation surrounding the 14452 Yonge Street motion. As an Aurora resident, I fully support your veto. As you noted, the motion wasn’t just to “consider” the site but to resubmit a denied zoning amendment, ignoring evidence-based regional efforts and misleading the public—jeopardizing Aurora’s strategic growth.
In my March 5 letter to you and the community, I highlighted Aurora’s excellence: 45 parks, low crime, and visionary leadership like your innovative Aurora Town Square. Yet, the proposed shelter raises safety risks (83m from a railway, 34m from a sewage plant), property value threats, and conflicts with Yonge Street’s core. With only 20 homeless individuals (0.03% of 62,000), Blue Door and regional coordination suffice. I propose expanding Blue Door to 15-20 beds, subsidizing 10-20 affordable housing units, and investing CAD 50,000-100,000/year in prevention—effective solutions without a local shelter.
Your leadership preserves Aurora’s safety and vitality. I stand firmly with your decision—please stay the course!
Sincerely,
Prof. Samuel Rong’s family
A proud Resident of Aurora at Glensteeple Trail
Dear Mayor Tom Mrakas,
Thank you for your March 5, 2025, letter! As an Aurora resident, I fully support your veto. As you noted, the motion wasn’t just to “consider” the site but to resubmit a denied zoning amendment, ignoring evidence-based regional efforts and misleading the public—jeopardizing Aurora’s strategic growth.
In my March 5 letter to you, I highlighted Aurora’s excellence: 45 parks, low crime, and visionary leadership like your innovative Aurora Town Square. Yet, the proposed shelter raises safety risks (83m from a railway, 34m from a sewage plant), property value threats, and conflicts with Yonge Street’s core. With only 20 homeless individuals (0.03% of 62,000), Blue Door and regional coordination suffice. I propose expanding Blue Door to 15-20 beds, subsidizing 10-20 affordable housing units, etc…,
Your leadership preserves Aurora’s safety and vitality. I stand firmly with your decision—please stay the course!
Samuel Rong
Mayor Mrakas,
We are residents of Aurora,
We are on your side.
Thank you so much for your hard work.
Is there any possibility to have a motion to build this shelter in these four councilors’ ward?
Do they represent Aurora people who voted them?
Is there possible to have a vote in whole Aurora for this shelter. Let all Aurora people to make decision. Not just these four councilors.
Thank you our mayor, we are supporting you all the time.
Dear Mayor Tom Mrakas,
This veto will have a positive impact on Aurora community, we are grateful for your dedication-please stay the course!
We all stand with you’re decision and support you on march 18
Thank you for your efforts and vision.
Mayor Tom Mrakas,
My wife and I are lifelong Aurorians, we fully support your efforts. Thank you for correcting the misinformation that is spreading. And thank you for protecting Auroras future development strategy.