Council Highlights

York Region Transit updates Charter policy

Regional Council endorsed a rate change for chartering York Region Transit (YRT) services. Effective March 1, 2004, the hourly rate for bus charters will change from $80 per hour to $90 per hour.

Under this change, YRT buses will also be made available to Regional departments, local municipalities and registered not-for-profit organizations at a discounted rate of $60 per hour (increased from $40 per hour).

The charter change will help YRT offset rising costs of bus services.

Pavement management for Regional roads

To keep York Region roadways in good repair, Regional Council has allocated an additional $2 million per year for road resurfacing, to a maximum of $10 million. These funds build upon $3.4 million in funding already allocated for 2003.

A computer-based pavement management system will be used to help in the road rehabilitation process, by recommending appropriate repair techniques within the existing budget.

York Region Transit ridership increases 10 per cent for third straight year

Despite a year hampered by the SARS crisis, York Region Transit (YRT) carried over 10.4 million passengers in 2003, an increase of more than 1.8 million over 2002.  This marks the third consecutive year that YRT has met or exceeded 10 per cent growth since its amalgamation in 2001.

In September 2003, YRT also assumed operation of GO Transit’s Yonge and Bayview routes. Factoring in these extra passengers, YRT numbers actually increased by a staggering 22 per cent.

To accommodate growth, YRT will be adding 35 new conventional buses and five new specialized buses to its fleet in 2004.  Nine of these buses will replace older models currently in operation, while the remaining 26 vehicles will be used to expand service.

York Region awarded plaque for Bayview Avenue project

Mr. John Sutherns of McCormick Rankin Corporation presented a plaque at York Regional Council to members of the Region’s Transportation and Works department to commemorate the excellence in engineering award the company received for the work it did on the Bayview Avenue Project.

Region endorses watershed planning studies work plan for Oak Ridges Moraine

Regional Council endorsed a four-year work program for completion of watershed planning studies to fulfill requirements of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP).  The work program was submitted by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority and will be subject the Region’s yearly budget discussions and allocations.

Staff from York Region and the two conservation authorities have co-operatively developed the five-year work plan.  The watershed plans will enable the Region and local municipalities to include the appropriate objectives and principles of watershed plans into their planning documents in accordance with the ORMCP.

Progress reports on the water planning process will be made to the Region’s Planning and Economic Development Committee semi-annually.

Region supports proposed changes to Bill 26 –

Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act, 2003

Regional Council expressed its support for proposed changes to Bill 26 – Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act, 2003, subject to specific recommendations. Bill 26 received first reading in the legislature on December 15, 2003, and was posted on the EBR registry the following day for a 60-day comment period ending March 15, 2004.

The proposed changes to the Planning Act through Bill 26 are consistent with the governments’ intentions to assume a greater role in growth management and development.  They also support four of the Region’s 25-year strategic plan goal areas, which include Quality Communities for a Diverse Population; Enhanced Environment; Culture and Heritage; and Managed and Balanced Growth.

A copy of the Region’s Planning and Economic Development Committee report in support of Bill 26 will be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and circulated to the area municipalities and adjacent Regions for their information.

York Region to establish

Tourism Advisory Group

Regional Council approved Terms of Reference and authorized the Regional Chair to appoint up to 12 individuals from the tourism industry to serve on a newly-created York Region Tourism Advisory Group.   Markham Regional Councillor Frank Scarpitti and Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Sue Sherban were appointed to the Advisory Group and will serve as Regional Council liaison.

The Advisory Group will assist in building the Region’s tourism profile and be ambassadors for the tourism program at private and public sector levels.  The creation of a York Region Tourism Advisory Group was identified in the 2004 Tourism Marketing Plan that was approved by Regional Council last month.

A request for volunteers will be formally announced at the Region’s Tourism Annual General Meeting on February 25^th, 2004.  As well, area municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Associations and other organizations will be contacted to obtain their nominations of individuals within the tourism business community who may be interested in this opportunity.

Region adopts

West Nile virus control  activities for 2004

Regional Council adopted the planned West Nile virus (WNv) control activities for this year, subject to approval of the 2004 Health Services Business Plan and Budget.  WNv is a potentially fatal mosquito-borne arbovirus that spreads in nature primarily through a bird-mosquito-bird cycle.  The virus spills over into other species such as humans when there is a significant increase in the infected mosquito population.

In order to control the spread of WNv in York Region, several initiatives will be undertaken and expanded from the successful 2003 WNV control activities program.  These include:

-education and communication

-bird, mosquito and human surveillance

-mosquito control through larviciding

The Regional Chair will also be writing to the province to request increased funding of WNv control activities to 100% in 2004.  In 2003, activities were 50% cost shared with the province except for the cost of larviciding, which was fully funded.

Region releases 2004 edition of Community Services Directory

The Regional Municipality of York released the 2004 edition of its community services directory at Regional Council.  YorkLink: A Community Services Directory provides comprehensive information on nearly 700 community service providers and related government agencies in York Region.  This year’s edition has been expanded to include over 65 previously unlisted agencies, several of which offer services related to supporting residents with disabilities.

Launched in 2000, the printed version of YorkLink is distributed to community service providers, libraries, community information centres, school boards and local municipal offices throughout the Region.

The Directory is also accessible online through the York Region Web site at www.region.york.on.ca by clicking on “YorkLink” at the top.  The on-line version is updated regularly, providing the most up-to-date community services information.  Users can search by key word as well as agency name, subject and area served. 

A printed copy of YorkLink is available free of charge by calling the YorkLink Help Desk at (905) 830-4444 or 1-877-464-9675, extension 2151 or e-mailing yorklink@region.york.on.ca

Community service providers not currently listed in the Directory are invited to call (905) 830-4444 or 1-877-464-9675, extension 2101 to discuss submission requirements.

Region to allocate more than $750,000 in provincial child care funding

Regional Council approved the receipt and allocation of $753,146 from the provincial government for health and safety improvements and the purchase of new equipment by licensed non-profit child care operators serving children under age six.

On January 7, 2004, the Ontario Minister of Children’s Services announced that the Government of Ontario will strengthen child care and early learning by making $9.7 million in federal funds available to childcare operators through their municipal service managers such as York Region. 

There are 7,269 licensed non-profit child care spaces in York Region for children under age six.  Of these, 6,728 are centre-based, while 541 are home based.  A funding survey will be sent by the Region to eligible childcare operators to determine the level of need for this one-time funding in York Region.  Non-profit operators will be required to provide a detailed funding request within their funding allocation, which is based on an amount per space per child under six.  It is expected that the available funding will be fully utilized.

Housing York Inc. adopts

Statement of Principles

The Board of Directors of Housing York Inc., the Region’s housing company, recently adopted a Statement of Principles that will guide the development of a performance monitoring framework and management policies for its operations. 

Housing York Inc, whose motto is “Building Strong Communities” will do this by:

• Providing the right service, at the right time, in the right place, at the right cost
• Being known for leadership in property management practices
• Recognizing and responding to the diversity of our residents, our communities and our partners
• Appreciating the abilities and vulnerabilities of our residents
• Innovative growth options and development of mixed income housing

A cross-disciplinary group of staff, including management, technical and frontline workers who provide services to Housing York Inc. developed the Statement of Principles.

Region endorses development of National Immunization Strategy

Regional Council approved a recommendation that the Regional Chair write a letter to the Federal Minister of Health, the Federal Minister of State (Public Health) and the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care endorsing the development of a national immunization strategy. 

Such a strategy would assist in decreasing the incidence of vaccine preventable disease and would result in reduced health care costs. 

Council also approved writing a letter requesting the Premier of Ontario publicly fund vaccines in the prevention of chicken pox and meningitis in the province.  Any increased costs incurred by the local health units for the distribution of these additional vaccines should also be covered through 100% provincial funding.  This would ensure equal access to these health resources for all Ontarians.

Next York Regional Council Meeting

The next York Regional Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2004 at the York Region Administrative Centre in Newmarket, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber.