2021 Capital Budget highlights

April 06, 2021

Newmarket – York Regional Council has approved a $3.3 billion budget for 2021, which includes capital spending of $763 million to support new infrastructure.

Despite the pandemic-related fiscal challenges of the past year, York Region continues to maintain and build required vital infrastructure, including transportation, roads, water and wastewater systems.

York Regional Council approved the 2019 to 2023 Strategic Plan: From Vision to Results. This plan helps guide the decision-making needed to manage the Region's economic vitality, healthy communities, sustainable environment and good government.

Highlights of the 2021 capital budget:

Transportation Services and York Region Rapid Transit Corporation: $390 million (combined)

  • Continue upgrading traffic control signal systems and installing Bluetooth sensors and cameras to better monitor and manage traffic flow in real time
  • Improving Major Mackenzie Drive from Highway 400 to Jane Street in the City of Vaughan to provide a vital link to the new Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
  • Completing the Cornell Bus Terminal in the City of Markham and planning work to advance the next phase of Bus Rapid Transit projects across York Region

Environmental Services: $209 million

  • Investing in wastewater networks to meet the needs of the growing population
  • Continuing forcemain twinning and interim infrastructure solutions to provide water and wastewater servicing capacity to support growth in the Town of Aurora, Town of Newmarket and Town of East Gwillimbury
  • Expanding green space and green infrastructure over the next 10 years

Community and Health Services: $58 million

  • Constructing affordable housing projects in the City of Markham and Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
  • Constructing two Paramedic Response Stations in the City of Vaughan, one in the City of Markham and one in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
  • Upgrading equipment and technology at the Region’s two long-term care homes

Corporate Management and Governance: $62 million

  • Implementing capital investments in Regional facilities to maintain efficient service delivery to residents
  • Constructing a transit elevator pavilion on Major Mackenzie Drive to improve access to the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
  • Leveraging technology to improve customer service and streamline operations using digital solutions

York Regional Police: $34 million

  • Building and renewing York Regional Police facilities, new technology and systems such as digital evidence management, specialized equipment and vehicles

YorkNet: $10 million

  • Expanding the Region’s fibre network to improve the delivery of Regional services and create future opportunities such as 5G support

The 2021 budget also includes a $7.8 billion 10-year capital plan to 2030.

Information on York Region’s 2020 budget, including operating and capital backgrounders and an infographic, is available at york.ca/budget

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 54,000 businesses with 650,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices


-30-

Media Contact:

Barbara Schnier, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675, ext. 71237
Cell: 905-505-5775
@email