York Regional Council – Thursday, November 28, 2024

December 02, 2024

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

Wayne Emmerson chairs his final meeting of Regional Council

York Regional Council recognized York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson with a standing ovation to mark his final meeting of Council and acknowledge almost four decades of public service.

Chairman Emmerson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve York Region’s more than 1.25 million residents and collaborate with Council and staff. He extended thanks to senior government partners, community leaders, local councils, municipal stakeholders and his family and friends.

Chairman Emmerson announced his retirement at the October 24, 2024, meeting of Regional Council. A report outlining the procedural process for appointing Chairman Emmerson’s successor has been approved by Council, allowing for Council meetings on December 5 and December 12, 2024.

Lisa Gonsalves Appointed Commissioner of Community and Health Services

Regional Council appointed Lisa Gonsalves as York Region’s Commissioner of Community and Health Services, effective Monday, December 2, 2024.

Since joining York Region in 2000, Ms. Gonsalves has held numerous leadership positions, including Acting Commissioner of Community and Health Services since June 2024. Previously, she held the role of General Manager of Paramedic and Senior Services.

Reporting directly to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Commissioner of Community and Health Services is responsible for providing strategic direction and overall department leadership, which includes public health, paramedic services, social assistance, housing services, seniors’ services, children’s services and strategic policy and planning. The portfolio is responsible for delivery of these critical services to meet the needs of York Region’s diverse communities while fostering innovation, collaboration and equity in service delivery. 

Regional Council unanimously approves $4.8 billion budget

Regional Council unanimously approved the $4.8 billion 2025 to 2026 budget on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

The $4.8 billion budget balances fiscal responsibility with efficient service delivery while being responsive to the priorities of the community, including community safety.  

 The 2025 budget includes a $3.5 billion operating budget to cover day-to-day expenses and provides funding for rehabilitation and replacement of existing infrastructure. It also includes $1.26 billion in capital spending, part of a record-level $12.2 billion 10-year capital plan, supporting growth-related infrastructure and renewal of existing assets.  

A tax levy increase of 3.55% plus a separate 1% Rapid Transit Infrastructure Tax Levy will increase the average household property tax by $133. The tax levy increase includes 1.85% to support community safety initiatives by providing additional funding to York Regional Police.

Through the budget, York Region will continue delivering its 15 core services while building and maintaining infrastructure required for the growing communities, including:

  • Providing 304 sworn officers and civilian staff, fleet and equipment to York Regional Police over two years
  • Hiring 74 paramedics and support staff over two years and building six stations by 2034
  • Adding community housing units and new emergency and transitional housing beds
  • Investing in housing-enabling water and wastewater infrastructure to support an additional 70,000 housing units over the next 10 years 
  • Maintaining 4,406 lane kilometres of roads and improving and expanding roads and intersections
  • Operating and expanding Regional transit system with 23.4 million transit trips expected in 2025
  • Investing in the Yonge North Subway Extension
  • Expanding the Region’s fibre network

For additional information, please visit York.ca/budget

York Region advocates for increased community housing funding

Regional Council received a memo outlining continued efforts to strengthen federal and provincial support of York Region’s community housing system. Key requests include:

  • Predictable, long-term funding commitments
  • A funding model where each government level contributes one-third of new development costs
  • Increasing funding for housing providers’ capital repairs
  • Expansion of the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit to offer portable housing support

Since 2004, York Region has added 1,452 new community housing units, yet the subsidized housing waitlist keeps growing.

The 2025 Capital Plan outlines 400 new units, with potential for 915 more if senior governments provide $385.8 million. This includes $107.45 million for two projects currently underfunded, with only 7% covered by federal/provincial contributions.

While York Region values its government partners, more support is essential to meet the rising demand for affordable housing.

York Region calls for predictable infrastructure funding

Regional Council passed a motion proposed by Town of Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas requesting the provincial and federal governments redistribute a portion of the Land Transfer Tax and Goods and Services Tax collected on new homes sales to provide municipalities with predictable infrastructure funding.

Redistribution of these revenues would provide municipalities with a sustainable funding source to plan and invest in critical, housing-enabling infrastructure without imposing new tax burdens on residents.

The resolution calls for support from senior government partners and will be shared with municipal, provincial and federal stakeholders, as well as advocacy bodies like the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Supporting community safety and well-being

Regional Council approved a motion proposed by York Regional Police calling on the federal and provincial governments to increase funding for public safety, with a focus on auto theft and organized crime. The motion aligns with York Region’s priorities of enhancing community safety and crime prevention, emphasizing the rising impact of these crimes on the Region.

At the November 7, 2024, meeting of Committee of the Whole, York Regional Police detailed current grant funding, including $300,000 annually through the Ontario Preventing Auto Theft grant. In subsequent discussions, Regional Council highlighted the need for a more equitable funding model that considers local crime rates and resource requirements.

The Region is calling on both the federal and provincial governments to adopt a funding approach based on criminal activity and victimization levels. This will allow jurisdictions like York Region, with high rates of auto theft and organized crime, to better implement the Community Safety and Well-being Plan and enhance public safety.

Regional Council approves collective agreement with ONA

Regional Council approved a three-year renewal collective agreement between The Regional Municipality of York and the Ontario Nurses’ Association.

The collective agreement, representing 250 public health nurses, expired March 31, 2024. Negotiation teams began bargaining in October, reaching a tentative agreement on Monday, November 18, 2024, and ratified pm Wednesday, November 27, 2024, by the association membership.

The contract is retroactive to April 1, 2024, and effective to March 31, 2027.

Details of the agreement include wage increases of:

  • 3.25% wage increase retroactive to April 1, 2024
  • 3.00% wage increase effective April 1, 2025
  • 2.75% wage increase effective April 1, 2026

The agreement includes improvements to enhance service delivery effectiveness and increasing health and vision benefits for staff.

York Region Public Health Nurses represented by the Ontario Nurses’ Association deliver community-based programs, including immunization clinics, breastfeeding supports and substance misuse and harm reduction programs.

The Regional Municipality of York is represented by three unions: CUPE Local 905 (York Region Unit), CUPE Local 905 (Long Term Care Unit) and the Ontario Nurses’ Association.

York Region paramedic recognized for exemplary service

Regional Council extended congratulations to retired York Region paramedic Robert Farley, who was awarded the Governor General’s Emergency Services Exemplary Service Medal First Bar on November 20, 2024. This prestigious honour recognizes Mr. Farley’s 30 years of distinguished service and commitment to exceptional care in high-risk, frontline roles.

The Honourable Murray Sinclair

Regional Council acknowledged the passing of the Honourable Murray Sinclair, Anishinaabe Senator, renowned lawyer, Manitoba’s first Aboriginal judge and Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. In recognizing Mr. Sinclair, Regional Council reflected on his dedication to truth, justice and reconciliation and extended heartfelt thoughts to his family and all who mourn his loss.

York Region Recognizes December as Christian Heritage Month

Regional Council passed a motion, proposed by City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Mario Racco, recognizing December as Christian Heritage Month in York Region.

This recognizes the contributions of Christians to the Region’s history and growth, while promoting inclusivity, unity and respect for all residents. Christian Heritage Month offers an opportunity to honour these traditions and celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of York Region.

November Observances

Regional Council recognized the following observances in November 2024:

Next meeting of York Regional Council

York Regional Council will meet on Thursday, December 5, 2024, 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

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Media Contact:

Kylie-Anne Doerner, Corporate Communications
The Regional Municipality of York
Cell: 289-716-6035
@email