Go an hour without power on Saturday, March 25

March 20, 2023

On Saturday, March 25 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. York Region will join residents and businesses around the world and turn off all non-essential lights for Earth Hour. 

All non-essential lights will be turned off at the following locations:

  • York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge Street, Town of Newmarket
  • 17150 Yonge Street, Town of Newmarket
  • York Region South Services Centre, 50 High Tech Road, Town of Richmond Hill
  • York Region Transportation Operations Centre, 90 Bales Drive, Town of East Gwillimbury
  • York Region Community and Health Services, 9060 Jane Street, City of Vaughan

Can you go an hour without power? Take the challenge and tell us how you will celebrate #EarthHour in York Region.

Small actions at home or work can make a difference! York Region encourages all residents to support Earth Hour by turning off lights, TVs, computers and any other unnecessary devices that use electricity.

More ways to help the health of the planet

This global event is also an opportunity to make small adjustments all year round to benefit the health of the planet. Here are five actions to get you started:

  1. Make your home energy efficient (e.g. use LED lights or dimmer switches)
  2. Power down lights, TVs, computers and cell phones an hour earlier each night before bed
  3. Reduce your use of single-use items like plastic checkout bags, cutlery, hard-to-recycle food ware, flexible ring carriers, stir sticks and straws 
  4. Consider walking, riding or using public transport instead of driving
  5. Spread the word about Earth Hour and climate action to your friends and family

For more ways to be involved in Earth Hour visit earthhour.org or follow #EarthHour on social media.

How York Region is working toward reducing its carbon footprint

Electrification of the transit fleet, utilization of higher efficiency alternatives in operating our facilities and solar electricity production are some of the many ways York Region is working towards reducing its carbon footprint and achieving the goal of producing zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Some initiatives include:

  • York Region optimized lighting energy consumption and utility costs by almost 50% at seven York Region facilities 
  • Sixty-two electric vehicle chargers were installed at Region-owned facilities to promote public ownership of electric vehicles and support the Region’s fleet electrification strategy; a grant of almost $300,000 was provided by Natural Resource Canada to help fund the program 
  • Two electric buses were added to York Region Transit’s fleet, increasing the electric fleet size to 14 buses 

York Region continues to find service delivery efficiencies where possible and is 12% below its Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan targets for 2022.

Last year, York Regional Council approved the Climate Change Action Plan, setting a path for reduced emissions and preparing for York Region’s future climate with 20 actions to mitigate and adapt to the harsh effects of climate change. Action areas of the plan include a focus on resilient communities and infrastructure, low carbon living and helping residents, businesses and communities thrive in a low-carbon economy. The plan builds on existing actions through the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan, Greening Strategy, Integrated Waste Management Master Plan (SM4RT Living Plan) and York Region Official Plan policies to support complete communities and the circular economy.