York Region Council Highlights

January 20, 2005

Donation of York Region EMS ambulance vehicles

Regional Council has authorized the donation of three York Region EMS ambulances recently de-commissioned from service and stocked with their current on-board equipment and supplies.

York Region has provided one ambulance to Ecuador, South America, through Friends of Ecuador, the same organization that received a Regional EMS vehicle in 2002. The Friends of Ecuador is a volunteer humanitarian group working under the auspices of the Consulate General in Toronto.

The remaining two EMS ambulances were presented to the York Region chapter of the St. John Ambulance today.

YRT ridership increases

As of November 2004, York Region Transit (YRT) ridership increased 13.6 per cent year-to-date over 2003, with over 12.6 million passengers.

Should the increased ridership trend continue, it will mark the fourth consecutive year that YRT has achieved ridership increases of 10 per cent or more.

Consulting services authorized for southeast collector trunk sewer

York Region has retained the consulting engineering firm Earth Tech Canada Inc. to expand its current role as Environmental Assessment Consultant to include the Individual Environmental Assessment, design, permitting and approvals and contract administration of the Southeast Collector Trunk Sewer Project.

The Government of Ontario recently "bumped up" the Southeast Collector project to a full Individual Environmental Assessment from a Class Environmental Assessment in fall of 2004.

Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Conference 2005

Regional Council was advised that York Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will host the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Conference 2005, a two-day conference in Richmond Hill on February 23rd and 24th. This "invitation only" event will bring together more than 300 EMS, police, fire, and public health professionals from across Ontario to discuss common concerns and practices associated with responding to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear hazards event.

This is the first time the Emergency Health Services Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has requested an EMS provider to host a conference of this magnitude. It will be the first event of its kind in Ontario. See the full report to Council.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2004 (AODA)

Regional Council approved recommendations to be sent to the provincial government regarding further development of the proposed Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2004 (AODA) especially in the way it applies to municipal organizations.

Intended to apply to all public and private organizations, the AODA is designed to ensure that Ontarians with disabilities have full access to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures and premises. This will be done through specific provincially-set one to five-year targets with full access becoming a reality on or before January 1, 2025.

These recommendations were presented in Report Number 1 of the Community Services and Housing Committee that was completed in co-operation with the Regional Solicitor.

Road to Safety Car Seat Awareness Program

Regional Council endorsed recommendations made in a report of the results of the Road to Safety Car Seat Awareness Program ("Road to Safety") that was carried out in 37 daycare facilities in York Region from December 2003 through May 2004.

Incorrect use of child car seats contributes to injury and death in children. Overall, the results of the project validate an already identified problem laying the groundwork for further car seat safety program development in York Region. Efforts will focus on education strategies to ensure increased compliance with car seat legislation.

For details, please see Report No. 1 of the Health and Emergency Medical Services Committee.

Human Services Planning Coalition: review and evaluation

Regional Council received the final report of the review and evaluation of the Human Services Planning Coalition (HSPC) and authorized Regional staff and HSPC to proceed with implementing the recommendations contained in the report.

The report concluded there is broad support for the Coalition, its purposes, its structure and its activities. Those surveyed who had a working knowledge of the HSPC believe it delivers value for money for people of York Region. There is also broad agreement that there is a need for better communication from HSPC representatives back to their organizations and sectors they represent. Finally, the Coalition needs to refine its strategic vision and articulate particular priorities with specific, concrete targets.

To view the final report and its appendices, see the January 5, 2005 Report of the Planning and Economic Development Committee.

Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress

Regional Council received the recommendations of the Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress as detailed in its Third Annual Report.

Council authorized the Regional Clerk to forward Regional Council's position to the area municipalities, MPs and MPPs for their endorsement.

To view the report, go to the Task Force's Web site at www.competeprosper.ca and download Attachment 1, the Third Annual Report.

Resolution to include small scale renewable energy sources in plans

Regional Council passed a resolution requesting the province to amend the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and modify the Greenbelt Draft Plan prior to their approval in order to permit small scale renewable energy sources.

Compiled by Tim Paleczny, Communications Specialist, York Region Corporate Communications
(905) 830-4444 or 1-877-464-9675, ext. 1238. Email: tim.paleczny@york.ca

The contents of this summary are intended for information purposes only. Actual text of Council resolutions and official copies of reports to Council can be obtained from the York Region Web site at www.york.ca under Regional Council.