Good planning and economic development are key services essential to the growth and development of York Region. A thriving economic community hinges on the ability to provide sound strategies for growth and infrastructure. It’s about growing the smart way.

As a provider of more than 16 major municipal services, York Region continues to search for ways to better serve the community. It does so in the context of a comprehensive new vision for the Region’s future. In the ’90s Vision 2021 led to the creation of 450 new programs and initiatives. In 2001, its sequel, Vision 2026, was created to address growing concerns about awareness of greenlands protection, traffic congestion, drinking water quality, affordable housing and services for people, to name a few.

Creating and supporting a business friendly environment is important to maintaining York Region’s economic vitality. Our Export Development Initiative provides expert advice to owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises to increase their awareness of export-related issues. It helps business owners become export ready.

Tourism is a major source of jobs, and has tremendous economic impact in York Region. We work closely with our tourism industry partners and tourism development agencies to attract visitors to York Region.

Human Services are the essential service areas that contribute to a safe, caring and healthy community and touch people in every aspect of life. They include schools, hospitals, police and public health to name a few. York Region pioneered the development of a Human Services Strategy in 1999/ 2000 by bringing together representatives from many human service sectors.

It was the first municipality in Ontario to approve a comprehensive and integrated human services plan. In 2001 the Human Services Planning Coalition (HSPC) was established with the help of staff from the Planning and Development Services Department. This group was formed to provide an ongoing resource and planning forum for human service providers in York Region. By working together we encourage smarter investment from senior levels of government. The coalition has representation from 15 different sectors, the public and four levels of government.

Integrating human services within the Region’s growth management strategy prepares us to meet the challenges of growing together while taking into account all the things that make us different. At the same time we plan for roads, water and sewers, we plan to preserve the high quality of life through strong co-ordination of human services.

The Greening of York Region Strategy was adopted as a part of the Region’s Long Range Strategy planning. The strategy co-ordinates greenland and forest initiatives across the Region. In 2001 the Region conducted Greenlands Studies with area municipalities. It set up a Regional Forest Management Plan to protect the 5,000 acres of Regional Forest. And the Region created a Streetscape Design Guideline to beautify our Regional road network. York Region took practical steps to protect the Region’s natural heritage.

In 2001 York Region in collaboration with Peel and Durham Regions and the Coalition of Conservation Authorities on the Moraine released a Strategic Directions paper for the Oak Ridges Moraine. With input from residents the Tri-Region initiative set out proposals to protect and manage this “Unique Landscape”.

Geomatics served up an interactive Internet mapping application for Transportation and Works related services. The application gives the public access to commonly requested information about Regional Forests, works projects, water services and waste facilities. In 2001 the Environmental System Research Institute (ESRI) of Canada presented York Region’s Geomatic Information Systems (GIS) with its 2001 Award of Excellence. The award recognized York Region for its YorkInfo Partnership project. The project gained wide spread recognition with the GIS profession, as well as among municipalities in Ontario and Canada.

Growth management strategies and smart growth initiatives such as a region-wide transit system, greenlands protection and community-building strategies all highlight the Region’s ability to intuitively plan and customize strategies to serve its growing population.

YorkInfo Partners added – the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, the York Catholic District School Board, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation

Created Strategic Tourism Development Program

Linked Geographic Information System to customer-maintained database

Produced and distributed 60,000 copies of the York Visitors Guide

“Service is not only about giving customers what they want, it’s about anticipating what they will need.”