York Regional Council – Thursday, September 19, 2024

September 25, 2024

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 also available at york.ca/councilandcommittee

Streamlined 2025 Budget process aims to enhance efficiency

York Regional Council received an update on key changes to York Region’s 2025 budget process, with a goal to create a more efficient and focused approach to budget discussions.

The 2025 to 2026 York Region Budget will be tabled on Thursday, October 24, 2024, along with a consolidated Budget Book and Long-term Debt Management Plan. Key departmental budget presentations, including Community and Health Services, Public Works and York Regional Police, will be streamlined for the Thursday, November 7, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting, with a focus on significant budget items. Conservation Authorities will present their 2025 initiatives early next year.

Final approval of the 2025 Budget is anticipated at the November 28, 2024, meeting of York Regional Council. This approach supports a strategic and efficient review of 2025 budget priorities and ensures York Region’s fiscal strategy meets the needs of our growing communities. 

Speed limit reductions at six York Region locations will improve traveller safety

Regional Council approved speed limit reductions at six locations on Regional roads to improve safety and minimize severe collisions. Key changes include reducing speed limits on Woodbine Avenue in the Town of Georgina to 30 km/h and adjusting speed limits on portions of Highway 27, Weston Road, Dufferin Street and Ninth Line.

These changes are part of the Region’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan, which includes reducing collisions by addressing speeding. Speed limit revisions follow the Region’s established policy and the Highway Traffic Act. New speed limit signs will be posted to inform travellers.

Learn more at york.ca/trafficsafety

Keeping seniors care, safety and well-being a priority

Regional Council received an annual update on Long-Term Care and Seniors Community Programs.

Key achievements from 2023 include a 99% resident satisfaction rate, enhanced resident care through quality improvements and increased full-time staffing for consistency.

York Region operates two long-term care homes with 232 beds and offers Adult Day Programs and psychogeriatric consultations. With a 2023 budget of $52.9 million, efforts continue to improve efficiency and explore new revenue sources to reduce property tax pressures.

More information is available at york.ca/seniors

York Region advances Paramedic Services Plan

Regional Council received an update on the Paramedic Master Plan 2021 to 2031, outlining key progress in addressing growing community needs. Highlights include adding four ambulances and 21,840 weekly ambulance service hours, hiring 68 new full-time equivalent staff and completing a new paramedic station in the City of Markham. Plans are also in place for additional paramedic stations in the City of Vaughan and Town of Georgina, plus replacement stations in the Towns of East Gwillimbury and Aurora.

The April 2024 launch of the Improving Patient Access and Care in the Community Program integrates paramedics into the broader health care system to enhance on-scene treatment and care coordination. Sustainability efforts include anti-idling technology and York Region’s first electric ambulance by the end of 2024.

An updated plan for 2026-2031 will be presented in 2026, incorporating the Ministry of Health’s new Medical Priority Dispatch System, which improves resource deployment and prioritizes patient needs while maintaining response time performance.

For more information, visit york.ca/paramedics

York Region receives innovation award for York Region Transit artificial intelligence Facility Inspection Project

Last month, during the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, York Region was awarded the Peter J. Marshall Award for Municipal Innovation for York Region Transit’s Automated System-Wide Transit Facility Inspection Project.

This innovative, multi-award-winning technology uses real-time data and artificial intelligence to enhance over 6,000 bus stops and amenities, address concerns and improve service for the Region’s 21 million annual transit riders.

The P.J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award honours Ontario municipalities for innovative approaches to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

York Region and York Regional Police launch 31st annual United Way Employee Giving Campaign

On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, York Region and York Regional Police kicked of the 31st annual Employee Giving Campaign in support of United Way Greater Toronto. This long-standing partnership highlights a shared commitment to addressing critical social challenges, such as homelessness, mental health and housing affordability, that are growing across our communities.

United Way agencies work tirelessly to tackle the root cause of these issues, providing essential services that many residents rely on. As municipal governments, the work of York Region and the nine cities and towns complements the efforts of the United Way, ensuring residents receive the support they need for a better quality of life.

Regional Council extended gratitude to York Region staff, York Regional Police and local municipal staff for their unwavering dedication to this campaign and the continued generosity that defines York Region.

York Region appointee to Source Water Protection Committee

Regional Council approved the nomination of Tom Bradley, York Region Program Manager of Source Water Protection, to the Credit Valley, Toronto Region and Central Lake Ontario Source Protection Committee, representing York Region’s cities and towns.

Mr. Bradley is a licensed Professional Geoscientist with more than 20 years’ experience in groundwater management and source water protection with 17 years with York Region.

Source Protection Committees oversee development and implementation of Source Protection Plans for each region with representation from municipalities, businesses and the public. Regional representation on the committee ensures municipal insights and concerns are incorporated in plan amendments.

Source Water Protection safeguards municipal drinking water sources from contamination or over use and protects current and future water supplies.

Learn more at york.ca/ProtectingWater

Regional Council proclaims October as Toastmasters Month

Regional Council has proclaimed October 2024 as Toastmasters Month in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Toastmasters International.

For a century, Toastmasters has been dedicated to developing leadership and communication skills for people around the world, including through the active presence of the TROY Toastmasters Club in York Region.

Over its 17 years, TROY Toastmasters has empowered regional staff and community members to grow as confident speakers and leaders. As part of the global Toastmasters network, TROY Toastmasters continues to cultivate leadership qualities and communication skills that contribute to the effective service of the region and beyond.

September Observances

Regional Council recognized the following observances in September 2024:

Next meeting of York Regional Council

York Regional Council will meet on Thursday, September 20, 2024, at 9 a.m. in the York Region Administrative Centre Council Chambers, located at 17250 Yonge Street in the Town of Newmarket. The meeting will be 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 over 1.25 million residents and 57,000 businesses with more than 629,000 employees. More information about York Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact:

Kylie-Anne Doerner, Corporate Communications
The Regional Municipality of York
Cell: 289-716-6035
@email