THANK YOU to each and every one of you who has signed our petition.  You are amazing!!!  We have now passed the 1,000 threshold and with your help we're on to the next level.  Please continue to lend your support by sharing this petition to protect and conserve the Oak Ridges Moraine.  And if you can take a few more minutes, please submit your comments directly to the Ontario government.  Deadline is this Friday, June 9th.  (Details below).

A recap as to why your support is so important:

The Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care is currently considering a proposal for issuing a Long-Term Care licence for St. Rita at Mary Lake, a massive 160-bed Long-Term Care (LTC) facility planned to be constructed outside the urban ‘Settlement’ boundary of King City, Ontario, on the north side of the 15th Sideroad.  This proposed development would be situated in an isolated, ecologically sensitive area on the Oak Ridges Moraine between a kettle lake, Mary Lake, and part of a large Provincially Significant Wetland known as the Eaton Hall - Mary - Hackett Lakes Wetland Complex.  The site holds a ‘Countryside Area’ designation, which has as its purpose to encourage agricultural and other rural uses, consistent with the Land Use Designations as set out in the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Plan (ORMCP).  Experts knowledgeable about the ORMCP say that this development would put over 20 years of conservation policies and protections for the Moraine at risk!

Land development poses the greatest threat to the ecological and hydrological integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine.  The Moraine is an extremely important geological landform that serves as the water source for over 65 headwater streams flowing south into rivers that drain directly into Lake Ontario and north into rivers that drain to Lake Scugog, Lake Simcoe, Rice Lake, and Georgian Bay (Lake Huron).  The woodlands, wetlands, bogs, watercourses, and kettle lakes of the Oak Ridges Moraine foster healthy ecosystems for a diverse range of plant and animal species, including those classified as ‘Species at Risk’ in Canada and Ontario.  The Moraine’s conservation is crucial for maintaining aquifers in a safe, drinkable condition while also protecting the natural ecosystems surrounding and within the Moraine.  We must persist in our efforts to protect this extremely valuable natural asset!

While we acknowledge the necessity for LTC facilities, we firmly believe that Mary Lake is not the appropriate location for such a large-scale institutional development.  The Ministry of Long-Term Care of Ontario is presently reviewing this proposal (Project #24-007), and we have until this Friday, June 9th, to voice our concerns.

Please do not allow this development to put the Oak Ridges Moraine in jeopardy.  

Here’s how you can help:

Send your comments to:  LTCHomes.Licensing@hkstrategies.ca  Let the Ministry of Long-Term Care hear your voice.  #13 St. Rita - Mary Lake LTC Home - King City — Project #24-007.  https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-long-term-care-licensing-public-consultation-registry

Sign & share our petition:  'Protect the Oak Ridges Moraine and Say “No” to a LTC Facility at Mary Lake!'  We've already gathered the support of over 1,000 concerned citizens!  Please join us and sign the petition here:  https://chng.it/nZzMyM2S

Every voice counts!  Together, we can protect and conserve our cherished Oak Ridges Moraine.

Thank you for your support.

Concerned Citizens of King Township

Kingscross Ratepayers Association

Save the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition