York Regional Council Highlights - Thursday, September 25, 2025
Live streaming of the public session of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings is available on the day of the meeting from 9 a.m. until the close of the meeting. Past sessions are available at york.ca/CouncilAndCommittee
Results from York Region’s Traveller Safety Plan showing increased safety on Regional roads
York Regional Council received an update on The Regional Municipality of York’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan Year 1 Results, with early results showing a decrease in severe collisions on Regional roads in 2024.
York Region’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan, approved by York Regional Council in March 2024, aims to reduce severe collisions (involving injury or death) by 10% over five years. The Traveller Safety Plan is supported by industry professionals, consultants and road safety partners, including York Regional Police.
In 2024, over 10,000 collisions occurred on Regional and local roads. Severe collisions (those involving injury or death) remained 5% below forecasted levels, about 150 fewer incidents, indicating early success of safety efforts. York Region saw a 2% reduction in aggressive, distracted and impaired driving collisions.
York Region and its partners completed safety improvements at 225 locations, focusing on protecting vulnerable road users and reducing aggressive driving.
As safety improvements are rolled out, their full impact may take time. The Region will continue tracking progress, reviewing targets and implementing new initiatives.
To learn more, visit york.ca/TravellerSafetyPlan
York Region 2024 Homelessness Point-in-Time Count highlights need for coordinated, long-term solutions
The number of people experiencing homelessness in York Region has risen sharply since 2021, highlighting the impact of ongoing economic pressures. The 2024 Point-in-Time Count (I Count 2024), led by United Way Greater Toronto in partnership with York Region local municipalities, community agencies and volunteers, counted nearly 880 individuals – up from under 330 in 2021.
While Point-in-Time Counts capture only a snapshot of homelessness, this increase underscores the urgent need for coordinated, long-term solutions.
Conducted over 24 hours from November 26 to 27, 2024, I Count 2024 collected information about the experiences, characteristics and needs of people and families facing homelessness.
The results support York Region’s work under the federal Reaching Home strategy, which prioritizes community-based approaches to prevent and reduce homelessness and ensure residents have the supports they need.
York Region street trees thriving, 91% in healthy conditio
Regional Council received an update on York Region’s 2025 Street Tree Health Assessment, confirming continued improvement with 91% of over 4,200 evaluated trees in healthy condition.
Street trees provide numerous benefits to residents, including shade, carbon absorption, energy conservation, improved air quality, prevention of soil erosion, climate change mitigation, stormwater management, traffic calming and public health benefits.
Over the past 25 years, York Region has significantly improved its Street Tree program through regular watering, better soil preparation and a curated list of top-performing species. These efforts led to steady gains in tree health, with assessments in 2010, 2015 and 2020 showing 76%, 84% and 87% of trees in healthy condition, respectively.
Learn more about street trees at york.ca/StreetTrees
York Region creating more actions to accelerate development of affordable housing
Regional Council approved implementation of a series of actions identified by the Housing and Homeless Committee to accelerate development of affordable and community housing. These actions focus on strengthening partnerships to enhance development capacity of external organizations, recognizing the Region alone cannot sustain the level of investment needed to meet growing demand for affordable housing.
Initiatives include:
- Making the Community Housing Supply Grant Program a permanent program, which provides capital funding for shovel-ready non-profit and cooperative community housing projects
- Establishing a Housing Affordability Resource Program pilot to centralize support, streamline access to funding and identify partnership opportunities
- Launching a Non-Profit Pre-Development Program, committing up to $100,000 annually to leverage private sector capacity and expertise to help grow affordable and community housing supply
- Exploring a Private, Non-Profit Affordable Housing Partnership Pilot to identify and evaluate partnerships to create new affordable and community housing supply
- Work on the series of actions intended to accelerate development of affordable and community housing will be incorporated into the Region’s next 10-year housing and homelessness plan in 2026.
Delivering high-quality care for seniors
Regional Council received performance updates for Long-Term Care and Seniors Community Programs, highlighting delivery of high-quality, person-centred care for seniors.
York Region’s two long-term care homes and seniors programs continue to demonstrate leadership in adapting to evolving provincial policy changes. These services ensure safe and reliable support enhancing the quality of life for residents, clients and communities.
Highlights from York Region Long-Term Care and Seniors Community Programs in 2024, include:
- Providing housing for 226 residents in the Region’s two Long-Term Care Homes
- Serving 240 clients through Adult Day Programs that provide care and engagement opportunities for seniors and their caregivers to support seniors to remain in their homes and stay connected to their communities
- Delivering 1,382 education and consultation sessions through the Psychogeriatric Resource Consultation Program, which enhances care by providing specialized training to long-term care homes and community agencies, including providing training on mental health and dementia to enhance service delivery
- Responding to 76 referrals through the Vulnerable Seniors Network, which continues to improve coordination, organization and planning for seniors at elevated risk of harm
For more information on Senior Services, visit york.ca/Seniors
Delivering expanded access to Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Program
Regional Council received an update on the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program, a federal initiative to make child care more accessible and affordable.
Since its launch, the program has reduced fees to a maximum of $22 per day (as of January 1, 2025), added nearly 4,000 new licensed child care spaces and increased Registered Early Childhood Educators’ wages from $18 to $24.86 per hour.
Following a provincial cost-based funding model and space recalibration, York Region secured an additional $53 million annually to support 3,315 new spaces, bringing the 2022 - 2026 total to 5,197 spaces. The Region also received $1.5 million in new capital funding to support the creation of not-for-profit child care spaces by the end of 2026.
Using updated population and access data, York Region identified seven priority neighbourhoods for new spaces, including West Georgina, Central Vaughan, East and North Markham, South Markham and North and East Richmond Hill. The Region will continue monitoring access and space availability to ensure investments meet community needs.
Regional Council holds special visioning session for 2027–2031 Strategic Plan
On September 4, 2025, Regional Council met for a special visioning session to kick off the development of the Region’s next 2027 - 2031 Strategic Plan. The session gave Council members a chance to explore priorities, discuss challenges and identify opportunities, ensuring the plan reflects the evolving needs and aspirations of the community.
Following this session, York Region will engage residents, stakeholders and community organizations to gather input and feedback on the proposed strategic directions. Insights from this engagement will inform the draft of the 2027 - 2031 Strategic Plan, which will outline key priorities and initiatives to guide York Region’s growth and development over the next five years. A public consultation process will follow, giving the community a chance to review and share their feedback before the plan is finalized and presented to Council for approval.
This approach ensures the new Strategic Plan is shaped collaboratively and aligns with the community’s vision, supporting sustainable growth and development across York Region.
York Region confirms appointment of new Medical Officer of Health
Regional Council has confirmed Dr. Fareen Karachiwalla as York Region’s Medical Officer of Health, effective immediately, with Ontario Minister of Health approval granted on August 12, 2025.
Dr. Karachiwalla, a Public Health and Preventive Medicine specialist and Family Physician, joined York Region in 2018 as an Associate Medical Officer of Health. She has supported initiatives in Child and Family Health, Infectious Diseases Control and health professional engagement, with a focus on health equity, public policy and community engagement.
She holds a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Western Ontario and completed her specialty training from the University of Toronto. She holds and a master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University with a focus on health systems and policy. Dr. Karachiwalla maintains a part-time clinical practice focusing on people with complex mental health and addiction and those experiencing homelessness. Most recently, she was the recipient of the King’s Charles III Coronation Medal for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Excellence in municipal finance
Regional Council congratulated Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer Laura Mirabella, recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Municipal Finance Award from the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association. Council also recognized Yvonne Mak, York Region’s Supervisor of Budget Coordination, who received the Engagement Award.
These awards highlight the leadership, expertise and dedication guiding York Region’s financial management.
Remembering former York Region CAO Alan Wells
Regional Council held a moment of silence to honour the late Alan Wells, who served as Chief Administrative Officer from 1975 to 2002. Mr. Wells was a steady and visionary leader who guided York Region through a period of rapid growth and transformation. His leadership advanced human services, transportation planning, environmental stewardship and long-term water supply. Alan Wells’ integrity, leadership and wisdom have left a legacy that continues to shape York Region today.
Remembering former Town of Aurora Mayor George Timpson
Regional Council observed a moment of silence in honour of George Timpson, who passed away recently. Mr. Timpson served as Mayor of Aurora from 1977 to 1982 and represented the town on Regional Council. His years of public service were marked by dedication, integrity and a deep commitment to his community. Council extended condolences to his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched.
Be a Hero Campaign
Members of Regional Council joined the community in supporting the Be a Hero Head Shave event held on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Organized by York Regional Police, the fundraiser raised vital support for Southlake’s Pediatric Oncology Clinic, which serves more than 1,300 young cancer patients each year, raising both funds and hope for children and families facing life’s toughest challenges.
Observances
Regional Council recognized the following observances in September 2025:
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
National Forest Week – September 21 to 27, 2025
Labour Day – September 1, 2025
9/11 and National Day of Service – September 11, 2025
Rosh Hashanah – September 22 to 24, 2025
Franco-Ontario Day – September 25, 2025
World Tourism Day – September 27, 2025
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2025
Next meeting of York Regional Council
The next Meeting of York Regional Council will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the York Region Administrative Centre Council Chambers, located at 17250 Yonge Street in the Town of Newmarket. Meetings are streamed on york.ca/Live
The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.25 million residents and 57,000 businesses with over 629,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices
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Compiled by:
Kylie-Anne Doerner, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 905-806-7138
Email: @email
