Building on our Success

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YORK REGION>About Us>Annual Reports>2001

Following through on plans

Over the past 30 years the Regional Municipality of York has worked with its municipal partners to build a strong quality of life for residents. That quality is measurable. It is tasted in the water we drink. It is in the condition of the roads we drive. It is felt in the day to day health of our communities. We set out many objectives in 2000 with one common goal – to build our quality of life. How did we do?

Growth managers

York Region is changing dramatically. Services and infrastructure need to reflect this change. In order to promote liveable, sustainable and safe communities, we plan well ahead. Input from our communities is essential to updating and meeting our goals. In 2001 the draft version of Vision 2026 – a 25-year strategic plan, was completed and more than 240,000 copies were circulated across York Region. An action plan will now guide us forward to the Vision. As one example, increased dollars for York Region Transit and increased dollars for exciting inter-regional rapid transit initiatives will help to ease gridlock from our road network. The citizens of York told us that the number one public issue is transportation and we responded.

In 2000 York Region also addressed the impacts of the 407 extension on regional roads. In 2001 major capital projects were substantially completed, including the widening of Hwy 27, Hwy 9, Greene Lane, Kennedy Road and McCowan Road.

Proactive waste management

Waste management is also high on the public’s radar screen. The Keele Valley Landfill will close at the end of 2002. York Region has lined up various strategies in preparation for this closure. A three-stream waste collection and diversion program has been announced and various recycling pilots have been mplemented.

Water well-managed

In 2001 York Region secured a long-term Lake Ontario water supply agreement with Peel Region. It also saved 7.6 million litres of water per day through the Water for Tomorrow efficiency program.

Investing in our residents

York Region has always based its strategies on sound financial management. In March 2001 the Region received Standard and Poors’ highest credit rating: AAA. This was the fourth consecutive year for York to garner this rating. This superior credit rating should offer significant long-term savings to York Region’s taxpayers because the Region can borrow at lower rates.

Working together for wellness

Through its three branches, York Region Health Services continued to protect the health and safety of York Region residents. Emergency Medical Services added two vehicles to its fleet to meet municipal and regional needs. Long Term Care and Seniors Services increased its on-site physiotherapy services from 2.5 days per week to four days per week at each Centre. And Public Health Services established sexual health and harm reduction services for the homeless and other hard-to-reach populations.

Raising the bar

The Region offered project design and management support to the Ontario Municipal CAO’s Benchmarking Initiative (OMBI) in 2001. The OMBI partnership project uses shared information to further service excellence in municipal government. As a leading participant, York Region works with other municipalities to share performance statistics, best business practices and to network on a host of relevant projects.

Keeping on track

In 2001 York Region developed a customer inquiry tracking system to improve service. Seventy-one Information Technology projects were completed including a No-smoking By-law Database, an electronic traffic ticket payment system and a transit call centre application. The Region explored new technology to improve its e-commerce requirements and expanded employees’ access to other satellite centres.

Training a priority

York Region launched the new employee corporate orientation program in 2001. Additionally, partnerships were developed with local municipalities to deliver cost effective management training. This type of partnership allows municipalities to save money because it reduces the cost of certain courses and allows municipalities to benefit from the same training together.

Community Services and Housing makes its mark

The Region continued to look after the economic and social well-being of our residents. Community Services and Housing achieved 124 per cent of its target for Community Participation placements in its Employment Assistance program. Family and Children’s Services also provided early intervention services support to 131 child care centres, including children with special needs.Housing and Residential Services played a major role in developing a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in York Region.

We achieved much success in 2001 through the combined effort of many people. It was the collective achievement of a single vision – continually improving quality of life in York Region.