MUNICIPAL LEADERSHIP
York Region continues to be in the forefront of long term planning and innovative service delivery. As the provider of essential municipal services, York Region's commitment to creating and sustaining communities that are healthy and vibrant is reflected in providing programs and services that meet the needs of our many communities.

THRIVING ECONOMY
A thriving local economy is a clear indication of effective growth management and strong service delivery. As the fastest growing municipality in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), York Region continues to attract new residents and businesses because of its vibrant communities, high standard of living, access to labour markets and wide range of community programs and services. By the end of 2000, York Region increased by 41,000 new residents to a total of 754,000 residents, once again leading the GTA in population growth.

A thriving construction industry is another indicator of vibrant economic performance. Total construction value for 2000 was $2.77 billion, which is an increase of 6.5% from the previous year. While commercial construction took a brief pause from previous record-breaking years, other individual sectors reflected the trend towards increasing value. There was a 6.4% increase in the value of residential construction ($1,979 million), 16% increase in industrial construction ($319 million), 34% increase in institutional construction ($191 million) and 12% decrease in commercial construction ($281 million). These figures, combined with the similarly strong performance of the previous year, indicate vitality in all sectors.

York Region once again had the highest total residential construction value and the largest number of residential permits (12,699) in Canada. Housing starts and completions were similarly strong, with 11,878 houses completed and another 12,864 started in 2000.

Graph of Estimated Construction Values by Building Type in York Region

Graph of Housing Completions and Starts 2000

As one of Canada's best locations for business, the Region's employment kept pace with population growth, increasing by 20,000 jobs per year since 1998, and reflecting an unemployment rate of 4.3% at the end of 2000.

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE
York Region continues to implement a customer service approach to business and service delivery. As programs and services increase in scope and complexity, the Region is committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the corporate organization and providing the best in customer service. A comprehensive Customer Service Strategy was identified as part of the Multi-Year Corporate Plan, with the proposed program structure developed in 2000. Program roll out is planned for 2001.

Municipal accountability was enhanced with an organization-wide performance measurement program and completion of the second year of multi-year, service-based budgeting. This progressive approach to developing departmental budgets provides Regional Council with a two-year forecast for revenues and expenditures based on programs and services, not on Department structures.

Another service initiative was the implementation of a Corporate Communications strategy. The new Corporate Communications Services division was designed to provide leadership for creative internal and external communications solutions to support the Corporation. From the production of publications to media relations, this initiative will greatly enhance consistent and accurate communications for the Region.

York Region continued to play a lead role in the Municipal CAOs (Chief Administrative Officers) Benchmarking initiative. This powerful, proactive methodology compares the cost and quality of roads, water, wastewater, solid waste management, long term care and land ambulance services across Ontario's large municipalities. The exercise provides a forum to share "best practice" initiatives, improve service costing and quality measurement tools for municipal business planning. The benchmarking process will continue to evolve in the years ahead, ultimately leading to improved municipal management and public accountability.

BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES
Community development is a positive force in helping to build and maintain healthy communities. The Human Services Strategy was developed and officially launched in 2000 to enhance communication and integration between community service providers. York Region was the first municipality in Ontario to have a comprehensive and inclusive human services plan in place.

York Region is fortunate to have an abundant and significant natural environment, which includes a variety of ecosystems including valley and stream corridors, kettle lakes, wetlands, woodlands and wildlife habitat. The Region increasingly recognizes the link between maintaining a high quality of life, building healthy communities and protecting the Region's natural heritage.

The Greening of York Region Strategy was developed to prepare a context for Regional decisions that effect natural features. The Strategy provides opportunities to turn policies into action and will serve as an umbrella for Regional initiatives including land use approvals, property acquisitions of additional greenland areas, the Regional Tree By-law and the Regional Streetscape Policy. The common strategy will ensure that all of these action areas are rationalized and support each other and the policies of the Regional Official Plan.

Building on a proud tradition of greening programs, the 5,000-acre York Regional Forest was declared Canada's first "sustainable" public forest by a panel of international forestry experts in 2000. This designation indicates that the Region is managing its public woodlands in a manner that recognizes and enhances biological diversity, economic vitality and public enjoyment. Reflecting this commitment, the Region continued to play a leadership role in the protective management of the environmentally-significant Oak Ridges Moraine.

The Regional Municipality of York is committed to providing cost-effective, quality services that respond to the needs of York Region's rapidly growing communities. Time and again, year after year, the Region establishes itself as the benchmark of municipal program and service innovation and delivery excellence.

ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION
VALUES BY BUILDING TYPE
IN YORK REGION

1999 – 2000

($ millions)

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HOUSING COMPLETIONS
AND STARTS 2000

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