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York Regional Council – Thursday, November 10, 2022

November 17, 2022

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 Regional Council calls on provincial government to halt Bill 23

York Regional Council has passed a motion requesting the province halt Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 to allow for more fulsome analysis and meaningful consultation and collaboration with Ontario’s municipalities and other stakeholders.

The motion, brought forward by City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and seconded by City of Richmond Hill Mayor David West, requests the Government of Ontario to halt Bill 23 and convene the consultation with the Housing Supply Action Plan Implementation Team (HSAPIT) to ensure municipalities can work in partnership with the province to address the housing affordability crisis in our communities.

Introduced into the Ontario Legislature on October 25, 2022, Bill 23 proposes to amend nine acts with varying levels of impact on municipalities. Most significant of these amendments are proposed changes to the Development Charges Act and The Planning Act, which would limit the ways in which a municipality can finance growth-related infrastructure and may, in reality, contradict the goal of building more affordable housing.

Further to the sweeping changes outlined in Bill 23, the government has provided a short window for consultation, requiring municipalities and other stakeholders to submit comments on the legislation by November 24, 2022.  

York Region continues to work with municipal partners and many stakeholders across the province to further understand the changes outlined in Bill 23 and to put forward coordinated recommendations that support local planning decisions and ensure the financial burden of growth-related infrastructure does not fall to existing property taxpayers.

Regional Official Plan adopted by Province of Ontario with modifications

The 2022 York Regional Official Plan has been approved with modifications by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The notice of decision as well as the modifications can be seen at the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

York Region staff will create a consolidated version of the Official Plan to be posted at york.ca/regionalofficialplan. The 2022 York Region Official Plan replaces the existing 2010 Regional Official Plan. 

Final meeting of the 2018 to 2022 term of York Regional Council

At the final meeting of York Regional Council held Thursday, November 10, 2022, York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson acknowledged and thanked Members of Council for their commitment to a strong, caring, safe York Region.

Over the four-year term, Members of Council attended 50 Committee of the Whole meetings and 70 meetings of Regional Council in an effort to advance critical programs and projects. These include the Yonge North Subway Extension, the updated Regional Official Plan, expansion of the YorkNet fibre network, approving the 2022 Development Charges Bylaw and moving forward with construction of the York University Markham Centre Campus. At the same time, much of this term of Council focused on the Regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring measures were in place to balance the health and well-being of residents with the economic interests of the business community.

Chairman Emmerson also used the occasion to thank five outgoing Members of Council for their years of service and dedication to building thriving communities for all York Region residents and businesses.

Outgoing members of 2018 to 2022 term of York Regional Council:

  • City of Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua (12 years of service)
  • Town of Georgina Regional Councillor Robert Grossi (21 years of service)
  • City of Markham Regional Councillor Jack Heath (19 years of service)
  • City of Markham Regional Councillor Don Hamilton (4 years of service)
  • City of Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Carmine Perrelli (4 years of service)

The inaugural meeting of the 2022 to 2026 York Regional Council will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the York Region Administrative Centre in the Town of Newmarket. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Members of Regional Council will elect the position of Regional Chair. Members of the public are invited to view the Inauguration live at york.ca/live

York Region honours veteran and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces

Regional Council celebrated Veterans’ Week by thanking those who have served and continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces to protect the Canadian ideals of democracy, freedom and peace.
 
As part of the act of Remembrance, Regional Council expressed gratitude to those who served in both World Wars, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan and other military conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world. They also offered thanks to those who continue to volunteer and serve our country.

2021 appointees to the Order of Ontario

Regional Council offered congratulations to City of Markham residents Payam Akhavan and former York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge on their recent appointments to the Order of Ontario.

Payam Akhavan is a renowned international human rights lawyer and member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Akhavan has investigated atrocities in conflict zones, prosecuted war crimes for the United Nations and defended genocide survivors around the world.   

Former Chief La Barge is a 37-year veteran of York Regional Police, a champion of diversity and inclusion, an ardent defender of social justice and human rights and a life-long community activist and volunteer. In recognition of his leadership, he was elected President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ontario Director for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
 
The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest civilian honour and recognizes exceptional leaders who have played an important role in building a stronger province, country and world.

Next meeting of York Regional Council

The Inaugural meeting of York Regional Council will be held Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. Regional Council will then meet on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 9 a.m. These meetings 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 1.2 million residents and 54,000 businesses with over 650,000 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
1-877-464-9675, ext. 71232, Cell: 905-806-7138
@email