Here to Serve You. It’s the theme of this year’s report. At the Region it’s more than a slogan, but rather a journey to an exciting new culture with a laser focus on customer service. Not that our service hasn’t been good. This is all about raising the bar higher and higher. About seeing things from outside in.

In 2001 the journey accelerated. We worked even harder with our municipal partners to reduce gridlock, create affordable housing and protect our environment. Vision 2026 went public to explore growth management solutions, such as co-ordinating the location of job and population growth.

2001 was a year of refocusing on protecting sensitive features of this region, such as forests, watersheds, the Oak Ridges Moraine and Lake Simcoe. We protect the quality and quantity of clean water while encouraging conservation. We continue to encourage the 3R’s. We have increased our commitment to clean air policies and initiatives.

Our strategy in York Region is “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In a time of tight budgets, our resources are focused on encouraging healthy lifestyles through information, education and prevention. While meeting the critical health needs of residents, we will continue to support preventative strategies at all stages of our residents’ lives.

Another priority in 2001 and beyond – the creation of affordable housing. Not just for one group of people but for our children, our adults and our seniors. That’s why we’re creating the Housing Supply Strategy. The strategy looks at providing housing for a mix of people.

The homeless are another vulnerable group. More than half of the homeless in York Region are young people. We need to provide housing that not only gets people off the streets, but gives them the power to sustain and improve their quality of life.

Back to services – all our strategies come down to how well we can deliver them. The traditional methods of customer service are simply not good enough for the public sector anymore. As York Region continues to work with its nine municipalities we must continually seek out new and improved ways of delivering value. Citizens today are demanding customer service that equals the private sector and we will meet those demands.

It is a privilege and a pleasure to work with such a talented team of Councillors and staff. I look forward to all that we will accomplish in the years ahead.

That’s why we’re here… to serve you.

Yours sincerely,

Bill Fisch
Regional Chair and
Chief Executive Officer