YOUR Input is Requested Below is the link to a short survey

Dear Markham Taxpayer: Thank you for your support of the petition calling on the Mayor and City Council NOT to proceed with the proposed 20,000 seat arena project, by using taxpayer dollars, for the benefit of private businessmen.  You will find, at the link below, a survey that has been prepared by a group of concerned citizens, asking for your opinion on the proposed Markham arena (GTA Centre). This is one of the most important issues to come before Markham Council, in the history of our City.  Since our Council has not asked for your views, we are. Please read and fill out the brief survey that we have prepared.  It will only take a few minutes.  Once the survey period is over, all results will be automatically tabulated and the results will be presented to Council. In this way, we will ensure that our elected representatives know the views of their constituents, which is an important step in the democratic process.   Web Link: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/CGDrFG To distribute the survey via e-mail: Copy the above weblink and paste it into an e-mail message. You may also post it on your Facebook page. Please complete one survey for each person over the age of 18. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance, Markham Concerned Citizens

Deputation MSECC April 15, 2013 by Donna Bush

April 15, 2013

Good morning Mayor and Councillors, 

The information contained in this deputation is Without Prejudice and it has been researched from various Internet websites using google searches. It is provided in good faith, and every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate. I provide no warranty as to the accuracy of the information. It is for information purposes only. In no event shall I be liable for any damages arising, directly or indirectly, from the use of the information contained in this deputation, including damages arising from inaccuracies, omissions, or errors. Any person relying on any of the information contained in this deputation or making any use of the information contained herein, shall do so at their own risk.

I am here this morning to once again convey my concerns regarding the obvious lack of due diligence on the proposed arena project. How do I know about the lack of due diligence? Because if ANY due diligence was in fact done, this project would have been killed 11 months ago. Since we are still here, it is quite obvious that something has gone very wrong with the process.

In the COUNCIL MINUTES, April 26, 2012, 7:00 p.m., (Special Meeting) at

Council Chamber, Meeting No. 8 

Item #4.  REPORT NO. 25 – SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE (APRIL 20, 2012)

Moved by Deputy Mayor Jack Heath

Seconded by Regional Councillor Gord Landon

That Report No. 25 – Special General Committee comprised of 1 item be received and adopted.

(1)        MARKHAM SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT
            AND CULTURAL CENTRE (6.0)

            April20Presentation  Report  April 26Presentation

1)         That the report entitled “Proposed Sports, Entertainment, and Cultural Centre in Markham Centre” dated April 19, 2012 be received; and,

2)         That Council approve the partnership and financial frameworks described in this report, to construct a Sports, Entertainment and Cultural Centre in Markham Centre, with approximately 20,000 seats, subject to due diligence results satisfactory to the Chief Administrative Officer, Council approval of final terms, and execution of final agreements satisfactory to the Town Solicitor and Chief Administrative Officer; and,

3)         That Council endorse the development contribution amounts as outlined in this report; and,

4)         That the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized and directed to continue with due diligence investigation and to finalize negotiations with GTA Centre, LP and its limited partner(s) and bring a report forward to Council on the final terms; and,

5)         That staff review and report to Council on any additional offers to contribute to the capital cost of the Town of Markham Sports, Entertainment and Cultural Centre that are brought to staff's attention; and further,

6)         That staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

            (See Motion 1)

CARRIED BY A RECORDED VOTE (11:2)

(See following recorded vote)

YEAS:             Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Deputy Mayor Jack Heath, Regional Councillor Gord Landon, Councillor Valerie Burke, Councillor Howard Shore, Councillor Don Hamilton, Councillor Carolina Moretti, Councillor Colin Campbell, Councillor Alan Ho, Councillor Logan Kanapathi, Councillor Alex Chiu. (11)

NAYS:             Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Regional Councillor Joe Li. (2)

Almost one year ago -- April 2012, I presented a deputation regarding my concerns around the financial framework of the proposed arena. I outlined a little bit of due diligence l had done on my own -- with just a few google searches. My searches were to learn more information about our prospective partner/promoter Mr. Graeme Roustan.

This time, I have made hard copies of just a tiny piece of Mr. Roustan’s history and will ask that the Clerk please have the information sheets copied and distributed to the full council, commissioners, and CAO and attach them to the minutes of this meeting.  

You will see that Justia.com, which I referenced one year ago, shows the Plaintiff as Touristic Enterprises Company (Kuwait City, Kuwait) v Defendant Roustan United LLC. In this case, the court awarded the Plaintiff a judgement in the amount amount of $482,419.14 and references “fraud in the inducement”.  I cannot comment on whether or not Mr. Roustan is associated with this defendant.

In The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA, February 15, 2010 Ms. Reabuck wrote an article titled, “Hockey team owners sue former managers”. The Johnstown Chiefs corporate owner Neil Smith alleged defendants Roustan United Inc, and related companies, Arena United, Roustan Planet Ice, and Roustan Ice along with company executives, W. Graeme Roustan and Scott Branovan for allegedly failing to pay operating bills totaling nearly $300,000. 

It goes on to say, “Roustan breached the terms of the contract and failed to carry out its fiduciary duty...” and “Branovan and W. Graeme Roustan allegedly are liable because the corporation were used to further their personal interests...”.

Apparently, the defendants have refused to pay. The article also states that bills from 2008 and 2009 in amounts ranging from $20 owed to Ear Nose and Throat Associates, up to $70,948 owed to Reebok-CCM Hockey US Inc remain unpaid. 

A Toronto Star article, written by Tony Van Alphen, October 7, 2012 quotes me as saying, “ When government is using taxpayers’ money, it is incumbent upon them (council) to perform the utmost due diligence...”It goes on to say, Roustan brushes aside the nay-sayers, stressing that everyone wins in the deal. Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti agrees, adding the city has conducted backgrounds checks on Roustan and Bratty and concluded “we have a strong project team”.

Through the Chair, my question to the CAO and CEO is have you done any due diligence on Mr. Roustan and IF you have done ANY due diligence on Mr. Roustan, why are you still wasting our tax dollars continuing this project? 

Why are some of you waiting for an MOU, when it is just a piece of paper that you must agree is unenforceable -- just like the others that I have referenced here today?  

As a taxpayer, I implore one of you Councilors to please put forth a motion to stop this arena process from continuing. 

Donna Bush

Markham resident

Deputation MSECC April 15, 2013 by Karen Rea

Without  Prejudice

Good Morning Mayor and Council,

The information contained in this deputation is provided in good faith, and every reasonable effort is made to ensure that it is accurate.

The information has been researched via Internet from different sites, and I provide no warranty as to the accuracy of the information. It is for information purposes only. In no event shall I be liable for any damage arising, directly or indirectly, from the use of the information contained in this deputation including damages arising from inaccuracies, omissions or errors.

Any person relying on any of the information contained in this deputation or making any use of the information contained herein, shall do so at their own risk. 

Here we are again, 12 months after the Arena has been announced and we are still fighting to get information released to the public.

Again, we have no issue with an Arena being built:

The two major issues are:

The Financial Framework

The Business Partner

There is no proof that the Arena will be viable and profitable, the reports are still under lock and key.

I have asked Town Solicitor, and Andy Taylor if they can let me know the breakdown of what the 130 events consist of:

Ice skating shows, monster truck, concerts, trade shows, family events. Apparently this information is also top secret.

I have researched and found a list of 40 Arenas worldwide, (in 2010) and it looks like our Arena will be on the top of the list for the shows.  We will have even more shows than the 02 Arena in London, England.

They top the list at 125, next after them is Madison Square at 71 shows.

So where did Global get the figure of 130 events from? the same information that was passed on to Raymond James to verify,  from the company that will benefit if the Arena gets built.  In my opinion this is a conflict of interest.

I also asked the Town Solicitor last week, if we had hired anyone to do the due diligence, I was told it was never adopted by Council, even though the motion was on the agenda and you all went in Camera, last Nov/Dec.

Mr Roustan told a resident that if this project did not get approved that he would sue 2 of the councillors, I have been told one of Mr. Roustan’s associates told a few different residents, that they couldn’t believe that the Town now wanted to do due diligence this late in the game, and if they wanted to due diligence on them, then they would start to do the due diligence on all the Councillors. 

And this is who we want as a business partner, someone that would do that to our Council, even if it’s not true, why would one say something like that.

Due diligence should have been done prior to signing the confidentiality report back in Oct 2010. We wouldn’t be in this situation today, if this was done.

In simple terms it would be like me asking my client to sign a waiver on a home inspection, before the inspection was done.

Negotiations are ongoing, we are being told. Why? we may not have the right partner. We are wasting staffs time when they could be dealing with other pressing and more important issues that relate to our quality of life within the Town.

You have ignored the deputations of residents, you turn a blind eye to the newspaper articles, one Councillor telling me it “it was all crap” on what was in the Toronto Star about the Promoter, yet they have never been asked to put in any retractions.

Today, we are going in camera again, for what?  property acquisition, discuss personal matters about identifiable individuals ?

Nothing about the Promoter should be held in camera… everything is available on the internet including the many judgements that are outstanding or have been settled. We all know about Texas and Kuwait. But what about the others: The Toronto Star reported about unpaid commission and unpaid taxes. 

Reported in the Tribune- Democrat.  Chiefs Professional Hockey filed a suit, for almost $300,000 defendants were Roustan United, and related companies Arena United, Roustan Planet ice, and Roustan Ice along with company executives Graeme Roustan and Scott Branovan, bills dated in both 2008 and 2009 range from small amounts, including $20.00 owed to Ear Nose and Throat Associates, up to $70948 owed to reebok-CCM Hockey according to the exhibit attached to the lawsuit.

According to TMCnet.com/news tribune democrat via acquire media Newsedge. 

Roustan United settled another lawsuit for $12612 by Lakeland plastics, Advantage staffing Inc of Altona obtained a $49944 default judgement against Roustan United and Burleys rink supply of Salix.

Unemployment compensation fund $3734.00 

Adex of Westbank filed a suit for $45580.00 for glass panels.  EDC is suing for $21010. for merchandise allegedly supplied to Roustan, and the list goes on. 

The Promoter, needs to stand in front of the residents and explain why these people and many more have not been paid, or if he has now settled these debts.

So for Council to keep going in camera… there is nothing to hide, it’s all available for free on the internet.

A motion should be considered to squash this project, let’s put it on hold till 2014, when those of you that still have no problems with it being paid for whether directly or indirectly with tax payer’s dollars and you have no problem with the Promoter, you can use it as your platform in the next election, and let’s see how much support, those of you that are still sitting waiting for more information, will get.  The question remains now, who is responsible for the wasted time and money spent on this project.

The alternative, since Mr Roustan said he was trying to buy the Montreal Canadiens, I’m sure he will have no problem coming up with a measly 325 million dollars to build the Arena on his own, considering the Montreal Canadians were sold for close to 600 million. This should be pocket change for him.

So let’s stop the In Camera meetings, be honest, open and transparent and let the public decide on what is in the best interests of Markham. The Arena if to be built, needs to be built, owned and operated with private funds

Karen Rea

Markham resident

Photo op...

Dear Mayor and councillors,

I wonder if someone can explain something for me, please.

Some time ago, when you and members of council were pressed to explain the financial impact of the GTA Center on our property taxes we were told,

        "While Markham knows that its maximum contribution to the project is capped  
        at$162.5 million there is no guarantee that property taxes will not increase, since   
        funding sources to service the debt ARE NOT GUARANTEED."

This quote was also used in an article from yourself in the Economist and Sun. 

That being said, why are we once again seeing in print the incorrect and MISLEADING statement: "No property tax increase for Markham residents" ? How can it work both ways? Am I missing something??

I respectfully await your explanation(s) on this matter.

P.S. Very clever backdrop for photo.

Regards, 
Marg Ferguson, Ward 4