York Regional Council Highlights – Thursday, February 22, 2024

March 01, 2024

Livestreaming of the public session of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings is available on the day of the meeting from 9 a.m. until the close of the meeting. Past sessions are available at York.ca/councilandcommittee

York Region welcomes Ontario One Fare Program 

York Regional Council welcomed the February 26, 2024, launch of Ontario’s One Fare Program, which offers a single fare to transit riders transferring between the Toronto Transit Commission, York Region Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit and GO Transit.

Regional Council has long advocated for fare integration across municipal jurisdictions and has led the charge in making transit more affordable for residents in York Region and neighbouring communities. Introduction of the One Fare Program will make public transit more attractive, affordable and convenient for travellers across the Greater Toronto Region.
 
More information about the One Fare Program and how residents can participate is available at yrt.ca

York Region named top employer

York Region has been recognized by Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers as a top Canadian employer for the fourth consecutive year.

York Region joins other local businesses and organizations, including the City of Markham, on this list of best employers. This reinforces York Region as a destination of choice for attracting a strong and highly educated workforce that helps drive business growth and economic vitality.

This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry provider.

York Region thrives as business hub where talent and opportunity intersect

York Regional Council approved the 2024 to 2027 Economic Development Action Plan, highlighting previous achievements and outlining specific actions to support businesses and talent in York Region over the next four years.

The 2024 to 2027 Economic Development Action Plan contains 20 specific actions in the following pillars:

  • Business: Strengthen York Region’s business community by delivering business support services, promoting growth, investment and job creation
  • Innovation: Foster an environment supporting entrepreneurship and innovation to drive economic advancement  
  • Talent: Facilitate growth of a skilled workforce meeting evolving needs of businesses
  • Marketing and Awareness: Promote York Region as a top location for business, innovation and talent locally and internationally  

York Region is home to more than 616,000 jobs across a variety of sectors, including Agriculture and Agri-Food, AutoTech and Auto Parts, Building and Construction, Financial and Professional Services. A focus on Council priorities like fulsome transit availability and affordable housing options will contribute to attracting and maintaining a skilled workforce in York Region.

For more information on economic development in York Region and available resources to grow a business, visit YorkLink.ca

York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Next Generation Bus Rapid Transit Update

York Region Rapid Transit Corporation provided an update to the Board of Directors on Next Generation Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a Regional Council top transit priority. The update included details on Phase 1 Priority Projects, totalling 19 kilometres, in the cities of Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.

Work is underway to ensure York Region remains ready to move into preliminary design, engineering and construction of BRT projects.
Ongoing BRT Phase 1 Priority Projects include:

  • Simcoe Promenade BRT: detailed design completed with construction completion in Q4 2024
  • Kennedy Road BRT: detailed design on-going with construction start in Q2 2026
  • Highway 7 West – Queen Street BRT: shortlisted options and concept design submitted with study completion in Q4 2024
  • Highway 7 West – Bruce Street to Kipling Avenue Feasibility Study: technical assessment meeting held to explore widening to eight lanes (six general purpose lanes, two BRT lanes and active transportation lanes) with study completion in Q2 or Q3 2024

With 34 kilometres of dedicated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit in service, over 130 kilometres more are needed by 2051 to support York Region’s projected growth. Learn more about the Rapid Transit Network Plan at vivanext.com/project_nextBRT

Housing York Inc. undergoing governance and mandate review

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, Regional Council endorsed a mandate review and governance assessment of Housing York Inc. York Region retained an external consultant to undertake the review.

Council was provided with a summary of the review and recommendations for HYI, including the recommendation to expand HYI’s current mandate and proposed various governance enhancements and best practices.

Regional staff, in conjunction with HYI Officers, will review the consultant’s recommendations and bring back options for potential implementation to the HYI Board and Regional Council.

HYI is the largest community housing provider in the Region with 37 properties made up of townhouse and apartment building communities as well as owning six emergency and transitional housing developments.

York Region recognizes February as Chinese Heritage Month

Regional Council recognized February as Chinese Heritage Month, acknowledging the outstanding legacy of York Region’s Chinese community.

In a motion brought forward by City of Markham Regional Councillor Joe Li and seconded by City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Mario Racco, annual recognition of Chinese Heritage Month serves as an opportunity to celebrate and educate future generations about the significant contribution Chinese Canadians have made to the social, economic, political and cultural fabric of York Region. 

York Region recognize Public Health Week

York Region will recognize and celebrate Canadian Public Health Week from April 1 to 7, 2024.

Canada Public Health Week is an annual celebration to recognize the contributions of Public Health and Public Health staff. The celebration provides an opportunity to educate partners and residents about the role and importance of public health in our communities. 

Pink Shirt Day

Regional Council recognized, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, as Pink Shirt Day, acknowledging the importance of addressing bullying in schools, workplaces, homes and online.

First recognized in 2007 and celebrated around the world, Pink Shirt Day aims to raise awareness and support anti-bullying programs that foster healthy self-esteem.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Regional Council recognized Thursday, February 22, 2024, as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day to raise awareness and combat human trafficking in Canada.

Human trafficking is a growing concern and can take different forms, including sexual exploitation and forced labour. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022, human trafficking incidents were almost five times higher than the decade before, with 67% of incidents occurring in Ontario.

York Regional Police, Victims Services of York Region and community partners are actively addressing this issue in our community and providing supports to survivors. Learn more about recognizing and preventing human trafficking.

Family Day

Regional Council recognized Monday, February 19, 2024, as Family Day in York Region and celebrated the vital role family and loved ones play in the health and well-being of residents across the community.

National Flag Day

Regional Council recognized Thursday, February 15, 2024, as National Flag of Canada Day in honour of the first raising of the red and white Maple Leaf flag on Parliament Hill in 1965.

Canada’s Agriculture Day

Regional Council recognized Tuesday, February 13, 2024, as Canada’s Agricultural Day, celebrating York Region’s diverse agriculture and agri-food industry.

Home to more than 600 farm-based businesses and 270 food and beverage manufactures, York Region’s agriculture and agri-food sector contributes more than $2.7 billion to the local economy every year, ensuring we all have access to high-quality, fresh and local food. 

York Region celebrates the Year of the Dragon

Regional Council recognized Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and extended best which to those throughout York Region celebrating the Year of the Dragon.

Lunar New Year is one of the most important and celebrated holidays for Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and many other Southeast Asian communities. It is a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the year ahead with hope and optimism. 

White Cane Week

Regional Council recognized February 4 to 11, 2024, as National White Cane Week, which offers an opportunity to demonstrate the talents and capabilities of people living with vision loss.

Through the work of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee, significant progress has been made throughout York Region to remove barriers for those with vision loss and to make it easier for people of all abilities to access Regional programs and services.

Next meeting of York Regional Council

York Regional Council will meet on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 9 a.m. in the York Region Administrative Centre Council Chambers, located at 17250 Yonge Street in the Town of Newmarket. The meeting will be streamed on york.ca/live 

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact:

Kylie-Anne Doerner, Corporate Communications
The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675, ext. 71232, Cell: 905-806-7138
Email: @email