Bill Fisch Regional Chair and CEO

On behalf of York Regional Council, I am pleased to present you with The Regional Municipality of York’s 2005 Annual Report. The focus of this year’s report is threefold: Vision, Service and Growth.

Vision requires strategic planning for future needs of York Region residents, businesses and visitors. Service is about delivering value-added Regional programs for all of our constituents. And Growth involves forecasting and managing the needs of everyone who lives, works and plays in our vibrant Region.

A significant focus for York Region is families, children, seniors and affordable housing. That is why in 2005 significant portions of the budget were set aside specifically for these important areas.

To help ensure healthy communities and a prosperous economy for York Region in the future, Regional Council adopted its final Economic Strategy in 2005, a key element for long-term economic planning.

Providing accessible, timely transit services continued in 2005 when York Region officially launched Viva, the first rapid transit bus service of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area. Viva has experienced great success to date, and we look forward to its continued growth, providing York Region residents with a necessary alternative to driving their cars.

These are just a few of the major accomplishments of 2005. Please take a moment to look through the 2005 Annual Report and learn of the magnitude of work and the depth of the services and programs that were delivered by York Region during the past year.

Yours truly,

Bill Fisch
Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer