York Regional Council – Thursday, January 30, 2025

February 06, 2025

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 also available at york.ca/councilandcommittee

York Region welcomes new Regional Chair Eric Jolliffe

York Regional Council officially welcomed Eric Jolliffe as the new Chairman and CEO for The Regional Municipality of York, effective January 1, 2025.

Appointed by the provincial government, Chairman Jolliffe brings a distinguished career in public service, including 40 years with York Regional Police, 10 of which he served as Chief of Police.

At his first meeting as head of Council, Chairman Jolliffe expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and emphasized his commitment to collaboration, fiscal responsibility and advancing key priorities such as housing, infrastructure and economic development. Recognizing York Region’s reputation for innovation and strong community partnerships, he reaffirmed his dedication to fostering trust and collaborating with Council to support the Region’s continued success.

As Chairman Jolliffe takes on this new role, Regional Council looks forward to working together to build vibrant communities and enhance the quality of life for all residents.

York Region receives Federal and Provincial funding to support homelessness

Regional Council received an update on federal and provincial government funding to support housing and homelessness.  

On January 27, 2025, the Provincial Government announced $75.5 million in Provincial Encampment Response Initiative and Last Mile funding. York Region will receive $1.4 million between November 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025, for Encampment Response Initiative actions and $3.98 million for the same period in Last Mile Funding. 

On January 22, 2025, the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, announced the federal government would provide $91.5 million in Unsheltered Homelessness Encampment Initiative funding to Ontario 10 municipalities. York Region will receive $10.8 million over a two-year period, and as part of the federal funding agreement, the Region will match the investment.

This much-needed funding will help create new emergency and transitional housing spaces, renovate existing spaces, increase drop-in programs and boost homelessness prevention activities.

For more information on housing, visit york.ca/Housing  

Speed limit revisions in the Town of Georgina to improve safety 

York Region is revising speed limits at Ravenshoe Road, Victoria Road and Kennedy Road in the Town of Georgina to enhance public safety.
Speed limit reductions include:

Victoria Road from:

  • North limit of Minonen Road to 30 metres northeast of Old Shiloh Road - 60 km/h to 50km/h
  • 30 metres northeast of Old Shiloh Road to 230 metres northeast of Old Shiloh Road - 80 km/h to 50 km/h
  • 230 metres northeast of Old Shiloh Road to Lake Ridge Road - 80 km/h to 70 km/h

Ravenshoe Road from: 

  • 100 metres west of Concession 5 to 100 metres west of Concession 6 - 80 km/h to 70 km/h
  • 100 metres west of Concession 6 to Victoria Road/Concession 7 - 60 km/h to 50 km/h

Weir’s Sideroad from Ravenshoe Road to 400 metres north of Ravenshoe Road - 60 km/h to 50 km/h

Kennedy Road from Baseline Road to 1,100 metres north of Baseline Road - 80 km/h to 70 km/h

Speeding and aggressive driving contribute to 45% of severe collisions on Regional roads, according to York Region’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan. Safety measures already implemented in the Town of Georgina’s community of Udora include an all-way stop at Ravenshoe Road and Victoria Road and reducing collisions since 2017 from 22 to one. Speed feedback boards and pavement markings have also helped lower speeds by 5 km/h.

Following resident request for additional safety measures, York Region conducted this review leading to the current speed reductions.

To notify travellers, new speed limit signs will be posted, with “NEW” labels for the first 60 to 90 days.

Learn more about traffic safety measures to protect the most vulnerable road users at york.ca/TrafficSafety

Update on York Region Development Charges Bylaw Review

York Regional Council received an update on process, engagement and timelines for the 2026 Development Charges Bylaw and 2022 Water and Wastewater Master Plan amendment. Timeline includes: 

February 2025: Regional Council is scheduled to receive an amendment to Water and Wastewater Master Plan. The amendment reflects impacts of the provincially mandated York Region Sewage Works Project and expansion to the York Durham Sewage System to support further development across the Region.

April 2025: A detailed discussion will take place at Special Council Meeting to discuss the impacts of development charge reductions, including options to help increase affordable housing in York Region. 

May 2025: The current Development Charges Bylaw is being reviewed, and a report will be presented to Regional Council in May 2025. Recommendations are expected to include updated policies and approaches as well as findings from collaboration with industry partners and local municipalities to ensure a mix range of housing options are supported in York Region, meeting the needs of our growing communities.

Visit york.ca for information on current development incentives.

2025 Interim Tax Levy

York Region is requesting $704.7 million in interim tax payments from its nine local cities and towns to support day-to-day operations of the Region until the 2025 final tax rating bylaw has been approved later this year.

Under the Municipal Act, 2001, the Region can collect up to 50% of the previous year’s tax levy while final tax rates are being determined. For 2024, York Region’s operating budget was $1.414 billion, funded primarily through property taxes.

The 2025 interim tax levy, equal to half of last year’s tax levy, will be paid in two installments – one in April and one in June. Final tax rates for 2025 will be set once York Region receives updated property assessment data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). At that time, the remaining tax payments will be calculated to meet the Region’s full budget needs.

Leveraging Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Fund to increase supply of community housing

Regional Council has approved applying for and entering into external loan agreements with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. This allows the Region to maximize forgivable loans through the Affordable Housing Fund, increasing senior government funding to support community housing development across all nine local municipalities.

Addressing Rural Homelessness at ROMA Conference

Regional Council extended thanks and appreciation to Town of Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk for her insightful contributions to the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) panel on rural homelessness. During the panel, she highlighted challenges such as hidden homelessness, encampments and the need for more social services and affordable housing. Mayor Quirk emphasized the strong partnership between the Town of Georgina and York Region’s Outreach team and called for increased provincial and federal funding to address these urgent issues.

Ontario General Election called for February 27, 2025

With the Ontario General Election set for Thursday, February 27, 2025, York Region remains focused on ensuring key priorities, including infrastructure, housing and social services, are front and centre in discussions with all political parties. In acknowledging the upcoming provincial election, Regional Council reiterated its commitment to working with the next provincial government to continue advancing shared goals and delivering the best outcomes for York Region residents.

Rebecca Shields Named IABC Communicators of the Year

Regional Council congratulated Rebecca Shields, Chief Administrative Officer of the Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region and South Simcoe, for being named Communicator of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators Toronto. This well-deserved recognition highlights her exceptional leadership and dedication to supporting mental health and well-being in our communities.

National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters

Regional Council recognized Wednesday, January 8, 2025, as National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters and honoured the many lives lost in these tragedies, including the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Air India Flight 280, Air Ontario Flight 1362 and other smaller incidents.

York Region also marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic and unnecessary downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which claimed 176 innocent lives, including 57 Canadians, 26 York Region residents and a York Region staff member, Bahareh Karami.

January Observances

Next meeting of York Regional Council

York Regional Council will meet on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 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 over 1.25 million residents and 57,000 businesses with more than 629,000 employees. More information about York Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices