YorkNet

Digitally Transforming York Region

YorkNet logo

YorkNet is a York Region-owned corporation that builds and operates a high-speed, dark fibre network across the Region in an effort to create equitable access to high-speed internet. 

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Connecting communities with reliable broadband 

Better internet means stronger connections. At YorkNet, we’re committed to making fast, reliable, and affordable broadband a reality for under communities. Together with our partners, we’re expanding access and giving everyone the tools they need to stay connected.

Supported by investments from federal and provincial governments, York Region, and our partner Galaxy Fibre, the network continues to grow. By the end of 2025, we will expand the fibre network by hundreds of kilometres, delivering high-speed internet to thousands of homes that need it most.

In partnership with Galaxy Fibre, we are making significant progress through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) to connect underserved households. As outlined by federal and provincial guidelines, underserved homes are those with internet speeds below 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload.

  • Download speed refers to how quickly data, such as files, websites, pictures, music, or movies, is delivered to you.
  • Upload speed measures how fast you can send data, like photos or documents, to others online.

The Government of Ontario provides an interactive map showing all provincially funded high-speed internet projects across underserved areas. If your area is deemed served but you have poor internet services, please email @email to allow the YorkNet team to investigate. 

YorkNet’s expansion updates

YorkNet offers its own interactive map to highlight specific routes and areas eligible under the UBF. On this map: 

  • Solid purple lines represent completed streets that now have access to high-speed internet.
  • Dotted purple lines indicate streets scheduled to receive high-speed access by the end of 2025.

Please note that the YorkNet map is for reference only, and project details are subject to change. For real-time updates, stay tuned to yorknet.ca. 

Current connections

Pefferlaw (Town of Georgina)

Completed eligible streets now have access to high-speed internet. Eligible homes can sign up for services with Galaxy Fibre.

Cooks' Bay (Town of Georgina)

Some homes are already connected to high-speed internet services, and the remaining eligible customers who signed up will soon be contacted to schedule their home installation appointments.

Upcoming fibrehoods

The next communities set to receive access to high-speed internet include:

  • Glenville (Township of King)

    Galaxy Fibre representatives will be visiting eligible homes in Glennville, King Township, to offer high-speed internet services for when the network is ready later this year.

  • Queensville (East Gwillimbury)
  • Sutton (Georgina)
  • Aurora (the area of Leslie Street and Westview Dr.)

Crews are getting ready to resume fibre optic installations in these areas. Galaxy Fibre will be visiting homes in eligible areas to offer high-speed service once equipment and electronic installation has taken place.  

Future connections

YorkNet is expected to reach more eligible fibrehoods by the end of 2025 including in East Gwillimbury, King, Markham, Stouffville, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.

Please check YorkNet’s interactive map to determine if your street is eligible under UBF. 

How we're connecting communities

Building high-speed internet infrastructure takes a lot of planning, design, permits and time. Check out the video to better understand the process for bringing high-speed internet to homes.

Stay connected

As we continue to expand our network and get closer to lighting up more communities, stay tuned to yorknet.ca and sign up for YorkNet's eNews for exciting updates and details.

Want to know more about high-speed services for your home? Visit Galaxy Fibre to check availability in your area or sign up for their updates to be among the first to know.

YorkNet spotlight

Together with many partners within the private and public sectors, YorkNet is working to enhance Regional services and bring improved internet connectivity to municipal facilities, businesses and residents across the region.

Here’s a snapshot of how the YorkNet team is working to bridge the digital divide in York Region: 

YorkNet archives 

eNews
Annual reports
Announcements

Mandate

Blue and yellow icon of dark fibre strands

Growing York Region’s dark fibre network

Improve the delivery of Regional services, such as traffic management, transit systems, water/wastewater control management, security monitoring, policing and cloud-enabled applications.

Blue and yellow icon of a group of people

Collaborating with public-sector organizations to improve high-speed internet service

Work with municipalities, hospitals, libraries, fire halls, schools, community centres and other public sector organizations to improve the broadband services they deliver using our network.

Blue and yellow icon of a circle with lines leading out from the centre to five smaller circles

Providing private-sector organizations with open access to the network

Drive economic and social benefits and enhance broadband service for the Region’s residents and businesses, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the Region.

Governance

YTN Telecom Network Inc. (YorkNet is the operational name) is a Municipal Services Corporation. YorkNet’s operations are governed by the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA), rather than the Municipal Act, as is the case for York Region and all municipalities in Ontario.

Board of Directors (shown from left to right)

Chair of the Board, Mayor Margaret Quirk, Town of Georgina 
Vice Chair of the Board, Mayor Steven Pellegrini, Township of King
Chairman and CEO, Eric Jolliffe, York Region
Mayor Iain Lovatt, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham
Regional Councillor, Michael Chan, City of Markham
Regional Councillor, Joe DiPaola, City of Richmond Hill
Regional Councillor, Mario G. Racco, City of Vaughan
Regional Councillor, Tom Vegh, Town of Newmarket

Headshot of each of the Board of Directors listed above in order from left to right

2024 Accessibility Plan – Non-Dominant Carriers under the Telecommunications Act

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and the Accessible Canada Regulations (regulations) require that federally regulated entities prepare and publish accessibility plans. YorkNet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of York Region. YorkNet operates York Region’s dark fibre network and both York Region and YorkNet are regulated as non-dominant carriers under the Telecommunications Act. This ACA Accessibility Plan was prepared by YorkNet on behalf of York Region and YorkNet and it and will be continually reviewed and updated yearly.  

York Region has an established Accessibility Plan under provincial legislation which York Region uses when it undertakes actions or supplies services to YorkNet or on its own behalf. Our ACA Accessibility Plan builds on the work identified in the Region’s Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to improve accessibility across York Region. Consultations, improvements, actions and learnings from the development of the Region’s accessibility plan were used to guide and develop the ACA Accessibility Plan.

How to provide feedback

YorkNet has a process for receiving and responding to feedback, including feedback on how services are delivered to persons with disabilities.

The designated official under the ACA for YorkNet is the General Manager of YorkNet. Any feedback on this plan or on accessibility can be addressed to the designated official.

We welcome your feedback about any accessibility barriers you’ve experienced. 

The designated official is responsible for addressing accessibility feedback. You can provide feedback by online form, email, phone or mail. We will acknowledge accessibility feedback received, other than feedback provided anonymously. All feedback received, other than that submitted anonymously, will be acknowledged within 48 hours. If contact information is shared, we may follow up with you. Personal information you provide will remain confidential and will be managed following privacy laws. This information will only be shared per these laws or with your consent.

  • Online: Accessible Canada Act feedback form
  • Mail:
    General Manager of YorkNet 
    YorkNet, Accessibility Feedback
    17150 Yonge St, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8V3
  • Phone: Accessibility feedback line 1-877-464-9675 ext. 71492
  • Email:  @email (include “Accessibility Feedback” in the subject line)

If you need a description of the accessibility feedback process or the accessibility plan in a different format, please contact us. We can provide it in print, large print, braille, audio or electronic format or other agreed-upon formats. 

For more information or to request an alternate format

Alternate formats include, but are not limited to, print (hard copy), large print, braille, audio and electronic.

Contact methods

  • Mailing address:
    General Manager of YorkNet 
    YorkNet, Accessibility Feedback
    17150 Yonge St, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8V3
  • Phone: Accessibility feedback line 1-877-464-9675 ext. 71492
  • Email:  @email (include “Accessibility Feedback” in the subject line)
Definitions of the Act

Barrier

“means anything—including anything physical, architectural, technological or attitudinal, anything that is based on information or communications or anything that is the result of a policy or a practice—that hinders the full and equal participation in society of persons with an impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment or a functional limitation.”

Disability

“means any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment—or a functional limitation—whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.”

Accessibility Plan

Accessibility statement

York Region and YorkNet Statement of Organizational Commitment 

The Regional Municipality of York (York Region) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, YTN Telecom Network Inc. (YorkNet) are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a timely and proactive manner and will use reasonable efforts to provide equitable access to its programs, goods, services and facilities in a way that respects a person’s dignity and independence.

Employment

Further consultation will be required to identify barriers to employment within our organizations as we strive for continuous improvement. YorkNet’s employment services are provided by York Region.  York Region is committed to improving accessibility and creating an accessible work environment for all employees across the employment life cycle. A detailed list of York Region’s actions and its consultation process can be found in our Accessibility Plans.

The built environment

Further consultation will be required to identify barriers within the built environments managed by our organizations as we strive for continuous improvement. The headquarters for the telecommunications operations for YorkNet is located within one of the administrative buildings owned by York Region.  York Region is committed to improving accessibility in its built environment and incorporates accessibility features when building new, or making planned significant alterations to existing, Region-controlled public spaces. A detailed list of York Region’s actions and its consultation process can be found in our Accessibility Plans. 

Information and communication technologies (ICT)

York Region’s IT Services Branch is responsible for the provision of all IT related services for YorkNet.  York Region prioritizes meeting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) Level AA. YorkNet and York Region will continue to make improvements to make information easy to find through technology. A detailed list of York Region’s actions and its consultation process can be found in in our Accessibility Plans.

Communication, other than ICT

York Region and YorkNet prioritize offering an excellent accessible communications experience to everyone through the following actions: 

  • Provide Accessible Customer Service training to all staff and volunteers, and to agents who provide service to the public on our behalf
  • Accommodate the use of assistive devices, support persons and service animals 
  • Receive and respond to feedback regarding the manner in which goods or services are provided to people with disabilities
  • Provide notice of temporary service disruptions to programs, services or facilities

Some areas of improvement include ensuring customer service numbers and contact information is easy to find and accessible and making any automated systems accessible and easy to use.

Procurement of goods, services and facilities

York Region’s Procurement Office is responsible for the provision of all procurement related services for YorkNet. York Region is taking steps to review and update the Region’s accessible procurement practices and procedures in place to ensure they are up to date and reflect best practices. Where possible, York Region includes accessibility criteria when buying or acquiring goods, services, facilities and self-service kiosks. If it is not practicable to do so, staff will provide an explanation, upon request. The Region considers accessibility, along with other criteria like the quality and the cost. 

Consultations

The ACA requires an Accessibility Plan to be developed, reviewed and updated in consultation with persons with disabilities. The ACA Accessibility Plan for York Region and YorkNet relies and builds on the work to improve accessibility across York Region undertaken as part of our existing accessibility plan. YorkNet and York Region use the consultations, improvements, actions and learnings from the development of the accessibility plan to guide and develop the ACA Accessibility Plan.

As part of York Region’s obligations under provincial legislation, York Region has been conducting consultations and has established an Accessibility Advisory Committee. York Region collects feedback about its existing accessibility plan from people with disabilities, the community and the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (YRAAC). The York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (YRAAC) celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.  Since its inception in 2003, YRAAC members have participated in more than 90 formal meetings and provided feedback and consultation on over 250 presentations. YRAAC will be consulted on an ongoing basis in the development of our ACA Accessibility Plan.

Past consultations have been undertaken with staff, including meetings and one-on-one conversations with subject matter experts, consultations with York Region’s Community of Belonging for Staff with Disabilities, and its Diversity and Inclusion Staff Committee on the development of provincial accessibility plans relied on and referred to by our ACA Accessibility Plan. The survey included targeted outreach to community agencies serving York Region residents with disabilities, Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG), York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (YRAAC) and accessibility advisory committees within York Region’s nine local municipalities.

Telecommunication and internet service providers

Unlock your digital future with YorkNet

Telecommunication and internet service providers can access YorkNet’s dark fibre network for flexible capacity and connectivity options, including the opportunity to:

  • Extend network footprint across York Region
  • Take advantage of YorkNet’s high-quality network
  • Access dark fibre and scale bandwidth to meet consumer demand
  • Ability to service customers faster and more cost-effectively
  • Supporting high-bandwidth activities such as cloud-based applications and remote data centre operations

Contact us

For more information on partnering with YorkNet to deliver or receive high-speed internet in York Region, please contact @email.