York Regional Council Highlights - Thursday, June 25, 2026

June 26, 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

2025 Community Report highlights progress on resident priorities

York Regional Council received York Region’s 2025 Community Report, which showcases progress on the priorities that matter most to residents and provides an update on achievements under the 2023 to 2027 Strategic Plan and the Region’s budget.

Key accomplishments include: 

  • Delivered 127 billion litres of clean and safe drinking water and achieved a 100% compliance rate on water quality systems
  • Reached a 90% waste diversion rate
  • Added 33 new paramedics
  • Supported 5,600 residents through homelessness community programs
  • Provided 23.7 million transit trips with 94% on-time performance
  • Implemented Vision Zero safety measures at 214 locations
  • Committed $25 million to help establish the York University School of Medicine

The report notes that 75% of Strategic Plan performance measures are trending in the desired direction, reflecting continued progress toward building strong, caring, safe communities while maintaining long-term financial sustainability and delivering high-quality services to York Region’s growing population.

Visit york.ca/AnnualReports to find out more.

York Region committed to advancing development of the North York-Durham Sewage System Expansion

During a special meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Regional Council approved York Region’s submission of the North York-Durham Sewage System Expansion to the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) as part of the $8.8 billion Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build program announced earlier this year.

The North York-Durham Sewage System Expansion (NYDSS) is a provincially directed growth-enabling project approved through the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022. Once complete, it will deliver wastewater servicing capacity to approximately 50,000 new homes and 150,000 future residents across the Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Newmarket, while strengthening capacity across the broader regional wastewater network.

Submissions to the program were due Friday, June 19, 2026, with a decision expected in summer 2026. Should funding not be 100% of the $1.74 billion requested for the NYDSS, staff will bring an update to Regional Council this summer with additional details once eligible projects and related funding have been confirmed.

York Region will continue to work with all levels of government to deliver growth-enabling infrastructure to support future communities while maintaining long-term financial sustainability.

York Region’s new 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan

Regional Council approved York Region’s new 2026 to 2035 Housing and Homelessness Plan, establishing a roadmap to address growing housing and homelessness challenges, strengthen the housing system and improve outcomes for residents over the next decade.

The plan responds to increasing demand across the housing system, including more than 22,000 households waiting for subsidized housing, average wait times of 10 years for community housing and approximately 2,400 people experiencing homelessness in 2025.

Key priorities of the new plan include:

  • Increasing and preserving rental housing supply through new and repaired community, supportive, emergency and transitional housing
  • Helping people find and keep housing through homelessness prevention, outreach services and housing supports
  • Strengthening and advocating for a more responsive housing system in partnership with municipalities, housing providers, community agencies and senior governments

To support these priorities, York Region’s 2026 10-year capital plan includes more than 580 new affordable and subsidized homes and 244 new and redeveloped emergency and transitional housing units. The 2026 budget invests $95 million in housing and homelessness initiatives.

Additionally, York Region’s Housing and Homelessness Committee endorsed extending the Rapid Transit/Infrastructure Levy for Council’s consideration, which could help double the Region’s non-market housing target from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 new units with federal and provincial support.

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

York Region supports efforts to strengthen Ontario’s economy and supply chains through new municipal Buy Ontario directive

Regional Council received an update on York Region’s approach to implementing the Municipal Buy Ontario Procurement Directive, enacted under the Buy Ontario Act (Public Sector Procurement), 2025. This directive applies to municipalities, municipal service corporations and local boards outlining mandatory requirements to prioritize Ontario and Canadian goods and services through procurement policies and evaluation criteria.

This directive follows York Region’s submission to the Province with feedback on proposed Buy Ontario policies in March 2026. It includes the following policies for light duty fleet vehicles and capital infrastructure projects:

  • Light Fleet Vehicle Policy - applicable to all new procurements of new light duty passenger fleet vehicles with a maximum total weight of 4,500 kilograms or less
  • Capital Infrastructure Policy – applicable to all new capital infrastructure procurements, including construction projects, fixtures, furniture and equipment tied to construction and transit fleet vehicles such as buses

York Region is committed to successfully supporting implementation of the directive and continues to work collaboratively with the Province, industry partners and municipal peers to strengthen Ontario’s economy and domestic supply chains while maintaining fair, open and transparent procurement practices.

York Region will continue to monitor implementation outcomes, market availability, competition, project delivery timelines and financial impacts to ensure compliance with the directive and support informed decision-making. Staff will report back to Regional Council in early 2027 on implementation and provide additional opportunities to expand a buy Ontario and Canada approach to other procurements, within trade treaty obligation limits.

York Region to Support the 2026 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham

The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy will take place in the City of Markham this year, marking the first year of a 5-year commitment to host the annual event. The Indy presents valuable opportunities to generate economic activity for York Region and the City of Markham, while showcasing the broader Region to visitors.

York Region will support the event through several service areas including Police, Paramedics, Public Health, Public Works and York Region Transit.

Support for this event for both York Region and York Regional Police will be based on final event requirements and is expected to be covered within the Region’s approved 2026 Budget.

Costs for future Ontario Honda Dealers Indy will be included in the 2027-2030 budget process. York Region is taking steps to offset any costs where possible, including working with senior governments.

To learn more about the event, visit Markham.ca/Indy

York Region assuming ownership of Elgin Mills Road in the City of Markham

Regional Council approved assuming ownership of Elgin Mills Road from the east limit of Victoria Square Boulevard to York Durham Line from the City of Markham to York Region. The assumption would occur once the City of Markham has completed corridor improvements to the section of Elgin Mills from Victoria Square Boulevard to Warden Avenue.

The road assumption responds to a request from the City of Markham to transfer ownership and operation of this corridor to the Region, extending an existing Regional route and improving continuity across municipal borders.

The assumption aligns with the Region Road Assumption Policy and includes an estimated $200,000 annual operating cost to be incorporated into future budgets.

For more information, please visit york.ca/Roads

Regional Council supporting new truck turn lane restriction across York Region

Regional Council is amending Bylaw 2018-07 restricting trucks exceeding seven metres in length from using the inside lane at dual left-turn intersections.

Due to their larger turning radius, trucks often require more space to safely complete left turns and may enter adjacent lanes when using the inside lane at dual-left turn intersections.

As part of York Region’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan, this amendment will improve intersection safety and help reduce severe collisions. The amendment follows best practices for truck operators and includes an overview of proposed signage, enforcement measures and implementation details.

Learn more about what York Region is doing to improve road safety at york.ca/TravellerSafetyPlan

York Region continues progress toward net-zero despite rising emissions pressures

Regional Council received an update on York Region’s 2025 corporate greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs, highlighting the impact of growth and weather-related pressures while demonstrating continued progress toward the Region’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Key achievements in the 2025 Corporate Energy Update include:

  • Fleet electrification efforts avoided approximately 500 tonnes of emissions
  • Electric buses avoided 310 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
  • 75 battery electric buses were added to the transit fleet, and an additional 50 buses are scheduled for delivery in late 2026
  • Light-duty vehicle fuel efficiency improved by 23% since 2021

Corporate emissions increased by 6,400 tonnes in 2025, representing an 8% increase over 2024. The increase was driven by service growth and weather impacts, with expanded service levels contributing 3,850 tonnes and weather-related energy use contributing 2,550 tonnes.

York Region’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan and Climate Change Action Plan continue to guide efforts to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and support the Region’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Supporting collaborative planning for Stouffville GO Corridor

Regional Council supported a motion from City of Markham Regional Councillor Jim Jones to explore opportunities to strengthen the Stouffville GO Transit Corridor through a coordinated, corridor-wide planning approach.

Subject to senior government funding, York Region would collaborate with municipal, provincial and transit partners to better align transit, housing, employment and community uses along the corridor, improve ridership and support sustainable growth.

Proposed work would include a comprehensive master planning study and transit-oriented community planning for station areas along the corridor to help identify future investment and development opportunities.

York Region supports high-speed rail station in the City of Markham

Regional Council supported a motion from City of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti expressing support for the inclusion of a high-speed rail station in the City of Markham as part of any future high-speed rail corridor serving the Greater Toronto Area.

The motion recognizes the City of Markham and York Region as a strategic location for a future station, citing the Region’s growing population and employment base, strong transit connections and potential to serve as a regional mobility hub. Regional Council also called on the federal and provincial governments to include both the City of Markham and York Region in future planning, feasibility and technical studies related to high-speed rail development.

York Region residents recognized with Ontario Senior Achievement Awards

Regional Council congratulated four York Region residents who received the 2025 Ontario Senior Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to their communities.

Judy Smith and Dr. Stephen Stokl of the Town of Newmarket and Anna Passarelli and Maria-Eva Cristante of the City of Vaughan were recognized for their exceptional contributions. Council thanked them for their dedication to supporting seniors, strengthening communities and improving the lives of residents across York Region.

York Region receives national collaboration award for cycling infrastructure

York Region was recognized with a 2026 Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators Collaboration Award for the Regional Role in Cycling Path Ownership and Maintenance project.

The award highlights the strong partnership between York Region and local municipalities in delivering coordinated, efficient and safe cycling infrastructure for residents.

York Region team recognized for coordinated homelessness response

Regional Council recognized York Region’s Housing and Community Programs team on receiving an Ontario Municipal Social Services Association Local Municipal Champions Award for its Coordinated Approach to Outreach and Encampment Response.

The award recognized collaborative efforts to connect vulnerable residents with supports, housing options and services while working alongside community partners and local municipalities.

YorkInfo receives provincial excellence award

Regional Council recognized York Region’s Digital, Data, Technology and Customer Experience team and its municipal partners for receiving a 2026 Excellence in Municipal Systems Award from the Municipal Information Systems Association of Ontario.

The award recognizes YorkInfo, a longstanding partnership that supports data sharing, service delivery and informed decision-making across York Region.

June Observances

Regional Council recognized the following observances in June 2026:

Next meeting of York Regional Council

The next regularly scheduled meeting of York Regional Council will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the York Region Administrative Centre Council Chambers, located at 17250 Yonge Street in the Town of Newmarket. Meetings are 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 over 624,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Compiled by:

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