York Region committed to advancing development of the North York-Durham Sewage System Expansion
Newmarket – During a special meeting of York Regional Council on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Regional Council approved the Region’s submission of the North York-Durham Sewage System Expansion to the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) as part of the $8.8 billion Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build program announced earlier this year to fund housing enabling and transportation infrastructure.
The North York-Durham Sewage System Expansion (NYDSS) is a provincially directed growth-enabling project approved through the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022. Once complete, it will deliver wastewater servicing capacity to approximately 50,000 new homes and 150,000 future residents across the Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Newmarket, while strengthening capacity across the broader regional wastewater network.
“On behalf of York Regional Council, I thank the Province of Ontario for its leadership in establishing the Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “This program reflects a practical and innovative approach to advancing housing supply by pairing development charge relief with investments in the infrastructure needed to support growth in York Region.”
In May, Regional Council approved the 2026 Region-wide and Nobleton Area-Specific Wastewater Development Charges (DC) bylaws. The 2026 Region-wide DC Bylaw marked the first time in the Region’s history that DC rates were decreased across all classes of development.
To be eligible for the DCRP, municipalities must commit to reducing residential development charge rates by 30 to 50% for a three-year period from the prevailing development charge rate on March 30, 2026, as well as contribute a 10% share of project costs. The Region’s 10% share would be managed through the annual budget process.
“York Region is ready to do our part and continue reducing development charges, investing local dollars and advancing a shovel-ready project that will deliver meaningful housing outcomes for our residents,” said Township of King Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Chair of Finance and Administration. “By working together with all levels of government, and with $1.74 billion funding through this program, we would have an opportunity to demonstrate how strategic infrastructure investments can unlock growth, support affordability and help achieve the Province’s housing objectives.”
Submissions to the program are due Friday, June 19, 2026, with a decision expected in summer 2026. Should funding not be 100% of the $1.74 billion requested for the NYDSS, staff will bring an update to Regional Council later this summer with additional details once eligible projects and related funding have been confirmed.
York Region will continue to work with all levels of government to deliver growth-enabling infrastructure to support future communities while maintaining long-term financial sustainability.
Learn more at york.ca/DevelopmentCharges
The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.3 million residents and over 58,000 businesses with 624,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices
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Media Contact:
Ava Baccari, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Cell: 289-716-9605; Email: [email protected]
