York Regional Council Highlights - Thursday, May 21, 2026

June 03, 2026

Live streaming 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 Chief-Designate Paulo Da Silva

York Regional Council congratulated Chief-Designate Paulo Da Silva on his appointment as the next Chief of York Regional Police, effective June 27, 2026.

A respected leader with more than 30 years of policing experience, Chief-Designate Da Silva has built a strong reputation for collaborative leadership, operational excellence and community engagement throughout his career with York Regional Police. As he steps into this new role, Regional Council looks forward to working alongside him and continuing a strong partnership with York Regional Police to support safe, healthy and inclusive communities.

Council also extended appreciation to outgoing Chief Jim MacSween for his years of dedicated service and leadership. His commitment to public safety, innovation and partnership has helped strengthen policing services and leaves a lasting impact on residents and communities across York Region.

York Region continues strong progress on Strategic Plan priorities and service delivery

Regional Council received the Year 3 (2025) update on the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, highlighting continued progress towards Council’s priorities and Vision of strong, caring, safe communities. In 2025, 36 of 48 (75%) performance measures were trending in the desired direction.

Year 3 Progress Report highlights include:

  • More than 300 residential customers connected to reliable high-speed internet service facilitated through YorkNet’s dark fibre network
  • Emergency, transitional and community housing projects in planning and development have nearly doubled to 1,318 units since 2024
  • Resident satisfaction with forestry services increased to 83%, up from 79% in 2024, supported by sustained tree planting and expansion of protected lands
  • Resident perception of value for tax dollars increased to 71%, up from 62% in 2024, reflecting continued focus on efficient and trusted service delivery

Community opinion survey results continue to identify public safety, housing affordability, traffic congestion, infrastructure and transit as top priorities. These priorities are reflected in the 2026 Budget through targeted investments in safer communities, enabling growth, improving mobility and strengthening critical infrastructure.

A copy of the progress report and other documents relating to York Region’s strategic planning are available at york.ca/StratPlan

York Region updates Development Charges Bylaw to support growth and housing stability

Regional Council approved the 2026 Region-wide and Nobleton Area-Specific Wastewater Development Charges Background Studies and Bylaws, resulting in development charge (DC) rate decreases across all classes of residential and non-residential development for the first time in the Region's 55-year history. The updated bylaws came into effect on May 21, 2026.

Major growth-enabling projects captured in the 2026 Region-wide DC Bylaw include the York Durham Sewage System expansion, North Markham Sewer Expansion, York Region’s share of the Yonge North Subway Extension, road expansions and investments in protective services across the Region.

The 2026 Nobleton Bylaw will help fund needed wastewater expansion to service growth in the Village of Nobleton, located in the Township of King.

The updated bylaws also reflect recent changes to the Development Charges Act, 1997 introduced through Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, including allowing developers to defer DC payments for eligible non-rental residential developments until occupancy. Council also approved updates to existing DC deferral programs to support affordable and non-luxury rental housing, as well as a special provision for car dealerships to defer 50% of DCs payable until the use of the establishment changes.

York Region will continue working with local municipal partners to support alignment of future DC bylaws and policies.

Learn more at york.ca/DevelopmentCharges

York Region facing $4.9 billion financial impact over next decade to deliver growth-enabling infrastructure

Regional Council received an update on financial impacts resulting from recent provincial decisions, legislative changes, mandates and directives, totalling almost $5 billion over the next 10 years.

York Region is expected to feel financial pressures in growth-enabling infrastructure resulting from Provincial growth expectations, legislated responsibilities and specific infrastructure requirements amounting to $3.4 billion in the next decade. This includes $1.6 billion for bus rapid transit, $1.6 billion for the provincially mandated North York Durham Sewage System expansion and $204 million for new community housing. 
At the same time, York Region continues to face pressures to deliver provincially mandated housing and homelessness services where funding formulas, caps and allocations have not kept pace with inflation, population growth, rising service demand and increasing regulatory requirements.

Regional Council continues to advocate for adequate and predictable senior government funding to support provincially directed growth and service delivery, including most recently through the Region’s submission to the 2026 Ontario Budget Consultation.

York Region Public Health highlights 2025 achievements and future priorities

Regional Council received an update on York Region Public Health activities, achievements and future priorities. The report highlighted Public Health’s continued work to protect residents from health threats, improve community well-being and advance health equity across York Region.

2025 key achievements include:

  • Completing 34,455 health inspections and investigations to reduce environmental health risks
  • Administering 73,864 vaccines to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases
  • Screening 40,866 children and youth for dental needs
  • Demonstrating strong emergency preparedness, including responding to a provincial measles outbreak that resulted in investigation of 13 local cases and more than 2,700 contact investigations
  • Launching an interactive dashboard, Understanding the Health of People in York Region, with over 50 indicators

The report also outlined priorities for 2026 and beyond, including advancing health equity, promoting mental health, reducing harms related to opioid use, improving vaccine access and confidence and strengthening collaboration with community partners and other levels of government to support healthier communities across York Region.

For more information visit york.ca/Health

York Region continues to advance priorities to strengthen Seniors’ Health and Well-being

Regional Council received an update and endorsed advocacy priorities under the 2024 to 2027 Plan to Support Seniors.

The plan focuses on supporting seniors to age in the right place based on their preferences, circumstances and care needs. It identifies actions where York Region has responsibility to act and includes an advocacy agenda where funding is required by senior levels of government.

The plan’s advocacy priorities focus on five key areas where federal and provincial leadership and investment are necessary to address the increasingly complex needs of York Region seniors. This includes:

  • Sustaining and expanding funding for Community Paramedicine
  • Establishing a provincial coordinating body for seniors’ programs and services
  • Expanding seniors’ access to digital technology and improving digital literacy
  • Funding annual in-home or virtual preventative health visits for seniors aged 75 and older
  • Improving long-term policy planning and funding for seniors’ health, housing and social care

Regional Council approved the 2024 to 2027 Plan to Support Seniors in 2024. During the last two years, York Region has made steady progress with all 27 actions on track, five completed and 22 ongoing. A final update is expected in spring 2028.

For more information on services promoting health, well-being, safety and independence of York Region’s growing and diverse seniors’ population, visit york.ca/Seniors

York Region advances Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan with data driven results and innovative tools

Regional Council received an update on York Region‘s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan Annual Report, which aims to prevent serious injuries and fatalities, and sets a target to reduce severe collisions by 10% over five years. The update included the annual Safety Performance Report, highlighting progress and collision trends from the plan’s second year.

2025 Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan highlights include:

Preventing an estimated 287 injuries and reducing severe collisions compared to projected trends

  • Applying for Provincial funding to support new school zone safety measures
  • Completing 20 safety improvements, with 25 additional projects planned for 2026
  • Launching a public Vision Zero Traveller Safety Map showing severe collision locations, safety measures and searchable collision data to support transparency and evidence-based decisions
  • Advancing a technology-enabled transportation program featuring digital road signs, adaptive signal coordination, expanded message signs and video analytics to identify near-miss incidents

York Region also updated its Community Safety Zone policy, adding 23 new Community Safety Zones on Regional roads across all nine cities and towns to better protect vulnerable road users. New measures include oversized speed limit signs, flashing beacons, speed display boards, new pedestrian and traffic signals, accessibility upgrades and targeted enforcement by York Regional Police.

Learn more about York Region’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan at york.ca/TravellerSafetyPlan

Strong partnerships drive York Region Transit safety in 2025

Regional Council received the 2025 York Region Transit (YRT) Enforcement and Security Report, highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure public safety across the YRT transit system while providing a convenient and comfortable experience for travellers.

2025 YRT Enforcement and Security highlights include:

  • Partnering with York Regional Police on joint safety, visibility and enforcement initiatives focused on community engagement and addressing local issues
  • Expanding outreach with 360°kids, allowing outreach workers to accompany YRT Enforcement officers to connect vulnerable youth with supports and services
  • Supporting anti-human trafficking awareness and prevention through ongoing participation in Regional and multiagency initiatives
  • Assisting vulnerable populations through York Region’s Cold Weather Response Plan and Heat Relief Strategy, including referrals to housing supports, transportation assistance and distribution relief kits

YRT Enforcement reported over 13,900 safety and security events in 2025. Reported incidents decreased by 8.6% over 2024, including declines in disorderly conduct (3%), crimes against property (23%) and trespassing (20%).

Record $8+ billion in York Region roads, water and wastewater infrastructure for today and tomorrow

Regional Council received an update on the status of roads, water and wastewater capital infrastructure projects to keep people and goods moving, maintain and improve water networks and enable future growth.

Roads and water and wastewater capital infrastructure highlights include:

  • Investing $3.3 billion in roads and $5.4 billion in water and wastewater projects through the 10-year Capital Plan, marking the highest level of investment in the past decade
  • Advancing 36 road growth projects and 592 asset management projects, including road widenings, intersection improvements, highway crossings, multi-use paths, streetscaping and state-of-good-repair work
  • Maintaining 174 active water and wastewater projects focused on system expansion, rehabilitation, resilience and asset renewal
  • Advancing major rehabilitation projects without significant delays, including the Duffin Creek Incinerator Replacement Projects, York Durham Sewage System Rehabilitation Program and the Water Storage Reservoir Rehabilitation Program

Economic and construction market volatility continues to affect capital infrastructure project costs and schedules. Through rigorous capital planning, procurement and monitoring, and applying innovative delivery and contracting approaches, York Region continues to manage risk, achieve value for money and support long-term infrastructure sustainability.

Learn more about York Region’s construction projects at york.ca/WaterConstruction and york.ca/RoadConstruction

York Region’s updated SM4RT Living Plan supports a smarter waste future

Regional Council received the 2025 Annual Waste Management Report, highlighting key accomplishments, future priorities and showcasing progress towards the objectives of the SM4RT Living Plan.

Key highlights from the updated SM4RT Living Plan include:

  • Managing 361,034 tonnes of waste in 2025, including 117,920 tonnes of garbage, 106,252 tonnes of green bin and 50,500 tonnes of recycling
  • Achieving 90% diversion from landfill rate, keeping waste out of landfill and supporting a circular economy
  • Working with more than 30 partners to deliver inclusive food and waste programs for diverse communities, including newcomers, through initiatives such as York Region Food Network’s library based Good Food Challenge programming and the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services’ Recycle to Ride expansion
  • Advancing the transition to Ontario's Blue Box Program, ensuring consistent recycling services and supporting extended producer responsibility
  • Planning for capital projects, including decommissioning Materials Recovery Facility equipment, design of a leaf and yard waste processing facility and a new transfer station to service the southern portion of York Region

Together, these accomplishments reflect York Region’s focus on sustainability, safety and growth, while prioritizing the ongoing needs of the community. Learn more at york.ca/SM4RTLiving

York Region grows greener while strengthening roots in community and climate resilience

Regional Council received the 2025 Greening Strategy achievements, demonstrating ongoing progress to support a healthier, more sustainable environment driven by strong partnerships with local cities and towns and community partners.

2025 Greening Strategy key accomplishments include:  

  • Planting a record-high 150,320 trees and shrubs through the Greening Strategy
  • Delivering 133 resident engagement events to inspire stewardship and action, including guided walks, forest festivals and tree planting events
  • Advancing Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund priorities by planting 52,635 trees and shrubs in urban areas and 50,520 seedings on land secured through the fund
  • Becoming the first municipality to achieve Sustainable Forestry Initiative Urban and Community Forest Sustainability certification
  • Increasing tree canopy cover to almost 34% and woodland cover to almost 25% and securing 1.4 hectares of environmental land

More than 15,700 residents participated in stewardship and greening initiatives in 2025, supporting York Region’s continued leadership in sustainable forestry, urban greening and climate resilience.

Learn more about York Region’s Greening Strategy at york.ca/Greening

York Region’s Economic Development Action Plan advancing economic strength

Regional Council received an update on the 2024-2027 Economic Development Action Plan, highlighting initiatives and results achieved in 2025 to support businesses across York Region’s nine cities and towns.

Focused on business support, innovation, talent attraction and investment, 2025 highlights include:

  • Providing consultations and business support services to more than 900 businesses
  • Launching trade diversification and sector development initiatives in response to economic pressures affecting sectors such as automotive, agri-food and, aerospace and defence
  • Attracting foreign investment and earning recognition from Site Selection Magazine as one of Canada’s Best Locations for Investment
  • Supporting business and jobs growth through partnerships with ventureLAB and YSpace
  • Establishing an Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network Regional Technology Development Site by leveraging $2 million from the York Region Innovation Investment Fund
  • Supporting entrepreneurs through programs focused on Indigenous and under-represented communities, and services offered through the York Small Business Enterprise Centre
  • Reaching more than one million views on York Region’s York Link digital marketing platform, including the #MadeInYR digital campaign promoting local manufacturers

York Region continues to adapt to changing economic conditions by working with local municipalities and industry partners to deliver targeted business supports and advance trade diversification efforts.

For more information on economic development and business resources, visit YorkLink.ca

York Region Court and Tribunal Services 2025 Annual Report highlights progress made and a path forward for 2026

Regional Council received the Court and Tribunal Services 2025 Annual Report, featuring an overview of initiatives undertaken in 2025 as identified in the 2023 - 2026 Court and Tribunal Services Action Plan and a snapshot of work underway for 2026.

Highlights in the 2025 Annual Report include:

  • Implemented the French Language Services Committee, ensuring compliance with the French Language Services Act
  • Expanded the Hybrid Court model by updating courtrooms, resulting in improved service delivery
  • Reviewed how customers interact with Court and Tribunal Services, with improved signage and public information
  • Expanded York Region’s partnership with the Ministry of the Attorney General by securing a lease agreement at 17150 Yonge Street

Actions for 2026 include reinstating the Early Resolution court program, digitizing paper-based court forms and enhancing collection performance.

The 2025 annual report is the final update on the 2023 - 2026 Court and Tribunal Services Action Plan. Work is underway on the next four-year plan to coincide with the 2023 to 2027 Strategic Plan and the next term of Regional Council.

Sewer Use Bylaw Enforcement program fees for 2027 to 2032

York Region’s Sewer Use Bylaw Enforcement Program plays a critical role in protecting wastewater infrastructure, public health and the environment. Fee updates (2% to 5% annually) are planned for 2027 to 2032 to support financial sustainability, align fees and improve administrative efficiency.

Collectively, fees are expected to maintain full cost recovery with no impact on the tax levy or water and wastewater rates.

The program includes a range of approval and oversight activities and, over the past five years, has managed high volumes while continuing to protect infrastructure and minimize environmental risk.

Through ongoing monitoring and enforcement, the Sewer Use Bylaw safeguards critical wastewater systems, protects drinking‑water sources, reduces system pressures and greenhouse gas emissions and promotes financially sustainable and environmentally responsible wastewater management. Learn more at Sewer Use Bylaw.

Regional Council support procurement measures that prioritize Canadian and Ontario suppliers

Regional Council endorsed a motion from City of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Joe DiPaola directing staff to explore additional procurement measures that prioritize Canadian, Ontario and local York Region suppliers in response to ongoing tariff impacts and the provincial Buy Ontario Act, 2025.

The motion requests staff to consult with stakeholders and industry partners to help inform future procurement evaluation criteria, supplier engagement practices and opportunities to support innovative and sustainable Ontario-based suppliers and Canadian-made alternatives. Staff will report back to Council on potential updates to procurement policies and evaluation methods, including options to incorporate domestic content and supply chain considerations while remaining consistent with appliable trade obligations.

York Region Paramedic Services to support City of Toronto Paramedics during FIFA World Cup 2026

The City of Toronto is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19, 2026. To support the city and event, York Region Paramedic Services will provide service in Toronto beyond its usual service boundaries to include some areas south of Steeles Avenue.

York Region Paramedic Services already operates in the service area as part of the province’s seamless ambulance service model and no additional training is required.

While lower priority calls in York Region may experience longer response times during the event period, patients with the most serious medical emergencies will continue to receive the fastest emergency response under the provincial priority system.

May Observances

Regional Council recognized the following observances in May 2026:

Next meeting of York Regional Council

The next Meeting of York Regional Council will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the York Region Administrative Centre Council Chambers, located at 17250 Yonge Street in the Town of Newmarket. The Council 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 1.3 million residents and 58,000 businesses with more than 624,000 employees. More information about York Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

-30-

Media Contact:

Kylie-Anne Doerner, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Cell: 905-806-7138 
Email: @email