Spring greetings! This newsletter comes to bring to your attention some current issues within King Township, exciting initiatives in agriculture, a brief comment on elections and engagement of the public, and several upcoming dates that are likely of interest to the CCKT membership.
Agriculture, Technology, Climate Action and Fresh Local Foods
Over the past three months King Township has hosted two very well-attended workshops in Schomberg:
- Soil Health and the benefits of Cover Crops.
- Market Gardening.
Township Climate Change coordinator Sabrina Guvenc organized the first two workshops and connected with interesting speakers and a number of farmers across King. All members of the public were welcome to attend. Building on the success of these events, Sabrina will organize future workshops that are relevant
Many are becoming aware of the vital and important role of healthy soil and the use of cover crops in growing local nutritious foods and in sequestering carbon. “Regenerative agriculture” is growing quickly as a much more sustainable approach to farming without reliance on the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Based on several principles of regenerative agriculture Boreal Farms in King is promoting and training students and interested members of the community in the value of market gardening and growing a variety of vegetables on small parcels of land. The program “One Acre at a Time” has been launched by Boreal Farms to transform one acre of land on many farms across King into productive efficient, productive market gardens. Please see the following link: https://www.borealfarms.ca/
Another exciting agricultural initiative in King involves advanced technology within a large modern greenhouse to grow year round leafy greens. “Haven Greens” on the historic King Haven Farms is now in operation with what is often termed vertical farming. We understand their goal is to supply the entire GTA year round with leafy greens. What a great option to lettuce and spinach that comes all the way from California. Please read the following article from Haven Greens to learn more and be inspired.
https://havengreens.ca/greenhouse-gold-how-kinghaven-farms-lettuce-is-set-to-change-the-salad-game/
Federal Election 2025
Well the writ has been dropped, and the much anticipated federal election was officially announced over two weeks ago. Election date is April 28, 2025. We all know these are exceptional times with a great number of significant challenges and opportunities facing Canada. Our hope is to see the electorate well-engaged.
Concerned Citizens of King Township (CCKT) regularly seeks to organize public forums / candidates meetings for the community in federal, provincial and municipal elections and to provide helpful resources. A central goal is to help the public become well-informed on important and pressing issues and to provide an opportunity for citizens to know their local candidates better, to compare party platforms, and to find answers to their questions. As a non-partisan organization we seek to provide fair, balanced information.
For the 2025 Federal Election, the CCKT Board recognizes the election period is short, schedules are busy, and with several challenges and tasks involved in organizing a meeting in the limited time available, we concluded it would be best to find other helpful ways to engage the public. We would like to share the following resources to support the electorate in becoming well-informed. It’s a marvellous privilege we have in Canada for citizens to participate and vote. We encourage you to check candidate and party websites, read good quality news articles, and view thoughtful interviews. Here are two additional opportunities to learn more:
- The televised federal leaders debates are coming up on April 16th (French) and April 17th (English).
- In addition, to help better understand the positions and platforms of the major parties, CBC provides a helpful on-line service – “Compare the election promises of Canada ’s major parties”. Ten relevant topic areas are covered including: Climate Change; Energy; Health Care; Government Spending; U.S. Relations and Tariffs. You can explore and compare the platforms through this link: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2025/federal-party-platforms/#intro
https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2025/federal-party-platforms/#intro
Important King Issue: Proposed Village Bypass Routes for Trucks
Over the past month a key issue has surfaced in King and drawn the attention and concern of 100’s of residents. King Township is updating its Transportation Master Plan to 2051. Alarming many residents especially in the rural areas is the renewed bypass option of extending and expanding the 15th Sideroad as a truck and traffic bypass from Bathurst Street northeast of King City all the way west to the 10th Concession, just northwest of Nobleton. An organization of King citizens, “Stop the Bypass” has launched a campaign to oppose the expansion of 15th Sideroad as a bypass and with a call to identify other options. Many King residents seek to protect the sensitive watershed and natural features of the Oak Ridges Moraine and preserve the deeply valued rural countryside of King. CCKT supports the raising of these important concerns and the call to find other options. e.g. Creation of a dedicated truck lane on the 407 ETR.
Please read the posting below that we received a week ago for more information and actions each person can take. We highlight the Public Open House that is planned for April 15th at the Zancor Centre from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Just one week ago, we were 13 concerned residents. Today, we ’re 163 strong – and counting! Even more encouraging, 70% of you have already used our email generator to send 798 personalized messages to the Mayor and all six councillors. Your voices are being heard.
There ’s nothing more forceful than an informed and organized electorate – and that ’s exactly what we ’re becoming.
Here ’s how you can help us keep building momentum:
✅ Share the website: Please postwww.stopthebypass.ca in your local Facebook groups and community chats. Comment to keep the issue visible. Forward the link to neighbours, friends, and family and encourage them to sign up.
✅ Get one more person involved: If each of us brings just one more person into the campaign, we ’ll double our numbers. More people = more impact at City Hall.
✅ Use the email generator: If you haven ’t already, send your message to the Mayor and councillors now – it takes less than two minutes. Use the link at www.stopthebypass.ca
✅ Mark your calendar: The next Public Open House is on Monday, April 15th from 6–8 PM at the Zancor Centre (1600 15th Sideroad, King City). We need a strong turnout. This is our opportunity to speak up and show just how widespread this opposition is.
We ’ve come a long way in a short time – but we ’re still playing catch-up. Proposals like this have been floated for years. The Town has been working on this latest attempt since last fall and is now in Phase 3 of their process, where they ’ll develop final recommendations. Once they reach Phase 4, the draft Transportation Master Plan (TMP) will go to Council for approval.
That ’s why now is the time to act. We need to ensure all the alternatives are explored, costs and impacts are considered, and that this proposal doesn ’t become part of the Town ’s TMP – not now, not ever.
Finally, a heartfelt thanks to those who ’ve made donations. While we didn ’t set out to fundraise, your contributions are greatly appreciated to help defer the costs of this campaign and the experts who we may need to retain to support our case as we move forward.
This is a grassroots, community-led effort – and it ’s growing stronger every day. Let ’s keep it going.
Looking forward to seeing you at the April 15th Open House.
With thanks, Kevin (on behalf of the organizing committee)
CCKT Membership Renewal for 2025
Thank you to those who have already renewed their membership for 2025. If you haven’t yet renewed for 2025, we encourage you to go to www.cckt.ca where options are provided. Maintaining an active and current membership is vital to sustaining the work and activities of CCKT. We also welcome the interest and participation of members on specific initiatives and in roles such as serving on the Board or specific sub-committees. A variety of talents, skills and experience is invaluable to any team or organization. Send a note to the CCKT Board via the CCKT website, www.cckt.ca or contact a board member. Thank you for your ongoing interest and active support.
Sincerely, Bruce Craig, Chair, on behalf of the whole CCKT Board:
Fred Jessop, Lee Ann Kraft, Geoff Simpson, Cathy Wellesley and Bruce Craig
Calendar
Council Meeting. April 14th at 6:00 p.m. Municipal Centre or on-line
Report on ThinKING Green building standards program.
Township Open House. April 15th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Zancor Centre
Transportation Master Plan, Parks and Trails Plan Update
Earth Week: April 20th to April 26th
Meet the Mayor and Councillors. April 23rd, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Municipal Centre. Appointments can be made for one-to-one meetings and drop-ins will be accommodated as elected officials are available.
Federal Election Date. Monday, April 28th.
CCKT Vision Statement
Our vision is a vibrant King Township that protects and values its natural heritage with an environmentally responsible vision for growth that promotes a healthy community now and for generations to come.