York Region Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Macgregor informed members of York Regional Council and Regional staff his intention to step down following more than 16 years in his current position, effective Friday, September 29, 2023.
 

Mr. Macgregor was appointed York Region CAO in May 2007, and since that time has overseen a rapidly growing municipality, providing services to more than 1.2 million residents with a combined annual operating and capital budget approaching $4 billion. He currently leads a staff complement of 5,000 full time and part-time employees.
 

Accomplishments from his more than 16 years as CAO include introducing and sustaining a long-range vision-inspired Strategic Plan to coincide with successive terms of Council, creating and maintaining multi-year budgeting, providing overall direction to inform Council decisions on large infrastructure, staffing, budget and policy initiatives and liaising with provincial ministries, agencies and associations to advance legislative and policy decisions.

Planning for Mr. Macgregor’s successor is underway.

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Regional Council received the 2023 Fiscal Sustainability Update, which provides an overview of the Region’s current financial state and a forecast of the possible impacts on the Region’s ability to accommodate growth as a result of recent provincial direction.
 
Recent changes to provincial legislation have accelerated the timelines for housing construction needed to accommodate a larger population and help address affordability. Key among those changes is Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.

Additionally, the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act changed the planned approach for dealing with wastewater in York Region’s northern municipalities. The Act requires a significant expansion to the York Durham Sewage System to send wastewater to the Duffin Creek Plant in the City of Pickering. This change, as well as other recent legislative changes, will require previously planned infrastructure to be built much sooner than outlined in the Region’s 2023-approved master plans. 

The Government of Ontario has committed to make municipalities financially whole as they deal with the financial implications of Bill 23. To date, the province has not made any funding commitments to address these shortfalls. To maintain the service levels required to continue to support growth, and in lieu of provincial funding to help address these reductions, Council may consider a range of funding options during the 2024 budget process. Further Council consideration will be given to this matter in Fall of 2023. 

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Regional Council received an update on the approach to transitioning Regional planning services, which will be shared with municipal planning partners for information and consultation.

Legislative changes introduced through the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23), removes some planning responsibilities from upper-tier municipalities. This includes Regional Council’s approval authority over local municipal official plans and amendments, the requirement of local municipalities to implement the Regional Official Plan and York Region’s right to appeal land use planning decisions.

Through further consultation with municipal planning partners and conservation authorities, roles and responsibilities related to land use planning, growth, infrastructure and housing affordability will be more clearly defined.

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York Region is reviewing existing contracts with Peel Region to assess service, financial and growth-related implications in response to legislation to dissolve Peel Region. Agreements under review include:  

York Region and Peel Region partner to deliver key services and infrastructure projects. On May 18, 2023, the Government of Ontario tabled legislation known as Bill 112, Hazel McCallion Act (Peel Dissolution), 2023, which will dissolve Peel Region on January 1, 2025. 

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Regional Council received the 2022 Affordable Housing in York Region – Measuring and Monitoring report, which assesses housing supply and affordability status in the Region and demonstrates ongoing challenges in meeting affordability targets.

A summary of findings include:  

Annual monitoring on the ever-changing housing affordability landscape is crucial to understanding where York Region stands and where improvement is needed. Work is underway to strive for providing a full range of housing options to meet the needs of residents at all stages of life.

York Region is committed to addressing the housing affordability crisis in collaboration with local cities and towns, senior levels of government, the development industry, community partners and other stakeholders, while working towards innovative solutions to housing affordability. Partnerships are important as one entity can’t solve the affordability crisis alone.
 

Follow the progress of York Region’s Affordable Housing Implementation Plan and other housing initiatives at york.ca/HousingAffordability

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Regional Council approved updates to the York Region Transit (YRT) fare structure and fare policy.

Starting in 2024, monthly passes will be replaced with fare capping when using PRESTO for all fare categories. Fare capping allows customers to travel for free after a specific number of paid trips within a calendar month, removing the upfront cost of a monthly pass. The 50-cent fare supplement on express routes will be removed as of September 2023.

 

Changes to the fare structure and policy follow a five-year fare policy review with YRT and Toronto Transit Commission. This review included public and partner consultation with goals to address customer experience, maintain fiscal sustainability and other community objectives such as equity and economic opportunity.

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Regional Council approved amending the Region’s Community Safety Zone and Speed Limit bylaws to include new schools expected to open in the near future. Community Safety Zones are typically designated on roadways near schools, daycare centres, retirement residences or high-collision locations. These zones are intended to increase safety for all travellers by advising motorists they are in a zone where public safety is of special concern.
 
New Community Safety Zone locations with reduced speed limits include: 

School zone speed limits are in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, September to June. This helps enhance safety when school is in session.

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York Region Court and Tribunal Services 2022 annual report showcases the advancements made to the courts’ system, allowing for improvements to its organizational structure and modernized operations to support timely and efficient access to justice.

Initiatives highlighted in the 2022 annual report include: 

York Region’s Provincial Offences Court provides administrative services to more than 30 law enforcement and regulatory agencies. All municipal Provincial Offences Act matters, including parking, bylaw, building and fire code offences, are administered and prosecuted by York Region.

In 2022, more than 85,000 people accessed Court and Tribunal Services either in-person or by telephone. Approximately 41,000 court users were assisted online with their inquiries.

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York Region’s total corporate greenhouse gas emissions continued to stay below emissions targets for 2022 set in the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan. In 2022, corporate emissions totalled just over 70,000 tonnes, which is below the 80,000 tonnes emissions target.  

Corporate emissions continue to remain lower than pre-pandemic emissions, despite increasing by 8% last year. Elevated greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to an increase in service use as we emerged from the pandemic. Transit bus emissions rose by 7% as ridership rebounded, reaffirming the importance of the Region’s fleet electrification plans.  

The annual 2022 Corporate Energy Report highlights many additional accomplishments, including:  

Conservation, higher efficiency, renewable alternatives and low emission energy sources will help York Region achieve the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.  

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York Region achieved 94% waste diversion from landfill in 2022, exceeding Regional Council’s goal of 90% for the sixth consecutive year. York Region’s diversion rate includes all waste collected through local municipal curbside programs, waste depot diversion programs and energy-from-waste.  

The 2022 Annual Waste Management Report outlines York Region’s waste reductions and diversion initiatives and highlights progress on the Integrated Waste Management Master Plan (SM4RT Living Plan) including:  

Through the SM4RT Living Plan, York Region continues to advance reduction, diversion and circular economy actions. In 2022, reuse programming such as Repair Cafes and Lenderies restarted and the first round of Circular Economy Initiatives Fund projects were completed. 

York Region will recognize Plastics-Free July, an international effort to raise awareness and drive action to reduce negative impacts of single-use plastics on the environment. Learn more at york.ca/waste  

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Regional Council has authorized a depot fee increase from $125 per tonne to $170 per tonne at all York Region waste depots and Community Environmental Centres, effective Monday, September 25, 2023.  

The fee applies to concrete, drywall, garbage, untreated wood, yard waste and mixed loads. Customers with 100 kilograms or less of chargeable loads will experience no change to the existing $10 minimum fee, however Consumer Price Index increases will apply for both the tonnage fee and for the minimum fee beginning in 2024.  

The depot fee increase will help recover rising contract costs while maintaining quality service levels. The new fee aligns with waste depot services in the City of Toronto and Halton Region as well as private waste facilities. Fees were last adjusted in 2018 and contract costs to operate for both hazardous and non-hazardous waste have increased by 30% and 22% respectively. 

Since 2018, waste depot visits have increased by 26% and tonnes of waste materials, including residual waste, yard waste, untreated wood, concrete and drywall, increased by 17%. 

York Region’s waste depots offer a convenient and accessible option to complement our curbside programs and provide disposal options for materials that cannot be collected at the curb. Learn more at york.ca/wastedepots

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Regional Council received an update on progress made in 2022 toward the goals and objectives set out in York Region’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan, Housing Solutions: A Place for Everyone – Phase 2, 2019 to 2023.

In 2022, all targets were met, including: 

As the Region enters the final year of implementation and prepares for a new 10-year housing and homelessness plan, continued investments from senior levels of government are crucial. Regional Council is requesting Federal and Provincial governments to commit to two-thirds of the cost, one-third from each level of government, to support new community housing development and better enable the Region to achieve its goal to double community housing growth.

York Region will continue to work with partners on the Council-approved 2023 Action Plan to develop and implement affordability strategies and help people find and keep housing.
 

For additional information visit york.ca/housing

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Regional Council received an update on the temporary accommodation and support site for individuals arriving in York Region under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program.

Since opening in 2022 and operated by COSTI Immigrant Services, the site has temporarily housed and supported over 250 individuals arriving in Canada under the federal CUAET Visa Program. However, without funding commitments, municipal sites will gradually end their temporary supports.

Effective Saturday, July 1, 2023, new intake will no longer be accepted and operations will be scaled down as existing guests secure alternative accommodations.

York Region will continue to connect individuals in need of assistance with other supports, including temporary hotel accommodation provided by the federal government and settlement services. York Region will also continue to deliver provincially funded Emergency Income Assistance and Child Care Fee Subsidy to CUAET Visa holders.
 

To learn more about how York Region residents and service providers can support people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, visit york.ca/SupportUkraine

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Regional Council received an update on the Inclusion Charter for York Region, which affirms York Region’s commitment to welcoming and inclusive communities in alignment with the 2023 to 2027 Strategic Plan.

York Region has advanced many actions since the Charter was first endorsed in June 2018, including work on the Inclusive Language Guide and #EndHateYR, a multi-phased community campaign focused on increasing a sense of belonging and decreasing incidences of hate crimes.

York Region continues to build a strong partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Earlier this year, our collective commitment was renewed and focuses on advancing social inclusion and sustainable development and will fostering support of collaborative actions to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Support for the Inclusion Charter continues to expand with endorsements from 36 organizations across York Region. York Region remains committed to the Charter's vision and will provide further updates on implemented initiatives to Regional Council. For more information, visit york.ca/inclusiveYR

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Regional Council received a performance update on York Region's two long-term care homes, Newmarket Health Centre and Maple Health Centre, as well as the Seniors Community Programs for 2021 and 2022.

York Region’s long-term care homes continued to provide high-quality care to residents despite the challenges of the pandemic and implementing requirements of the new Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.

Both homes exceeded provincial targets for direct resident care provided by personal support workers, nurses and allied health care professionals, which includes assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and providing medication.
 
Seniors Community Programs also continue to support seniors to age in place by providing Adult Day Programs, a Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant Program and implementing a new Vulnerable Seniors Network Pilot program.

Seniors have different evolving needs at different stages in their lives. York Region continues to deliver a variety of high-quality services to meet the needs of seniors and adults living with physical or cognitive impairments.
 

For more information visit york.ca/seniors

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Regional Council received an update on the York Region Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector Strategy, which demonstrates implementation is progressing well with all 45 action items completed, underway or planned. 

2022 strategy highlights and achievements include: 

York Region’s agri-food sector provides approximately 49,000 jobs and annually contributes $2.7 billion to York Region’s economy.
 
Learn more about York Region’s vibrant agricultural sector at york.ca/agrifood

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Regional Council received the 2022 Community Report, which profiles key 2022 accomplishments. The report also highlights the Region’s strong financial state, information about York Region’s multi-year budget and the Regional Fiscal Strategy.
 
The Community Report delivers a comprehensive look into York Region’s strategic goals, demographics and highlights the services and programs provided to residents.

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Regional Council received an update on continuous improvement efforts to deliver meaningful results to the residents of York Region.
 

The Rising to the Challenge: Innovation at York Region booklet provides a collection of new solutions, processes and operation improvements that have helped solve complex challenges and improved the ways York Region delivers core programs and services. Through the sharing of best practices and innovations, York Region continues to work collaboratively to continuously improve service delivery.  

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Regional Council offered best wishes to former York Regional Police Deputy Chief Robertson Rouse, who retired from the York Regional Police Service on Thursday, June 15, 2023. 
 
From Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigations to a valued member of the York Regional Police Executive Command Team, Deputy Chief Rouse has been a highly respected and admired officer of the law who served the residents on York Region for more than three decades.
 
Former Deputy Chief Rouse has been succeeded by Deputy Chief Kevin McCloskey, who assumed the role on June 1, 2023.

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Regional Council extended congratulations and appreciation to York Regional Police Staff Sergeant David Mitchell and York Regional Police Constable Mark Burnett, who were honoured with the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery in June 2023.

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Regional Council extended congratulations to City of Toronto Mayor-elect Olivia Chow and reaffirmed its commitment to working together to build upon the long-standing history of collaboration between York Region and the City of Toronto.

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Regional Council recognized June 2023 as Pride Month and acknowledged the countless contributions of York Region’s vibrant and proud 2SLGBTQ+ community are making towards building a more inclusive community.
 

As one of Canada’s fastest growing and most diverse municipalities, York Region embraces all dimensions of diversity and acknowledges the ability to celebrate and value everyone’s differences.
 
During Pride Month and all year long, Regional Council appreciates everyone who continues to build a welcoming York Region where all are free to celebrate their own identity.

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Regional Council recognized June as National Indigenous History Month and Wednesday, June 21, 2023 as National Indigenous Peoples Day, honouring the unique heritage, culture and traditions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples from across our communities.
 
National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the unique histories, customs, spirituality and languages of Indigenous Peoples. It is a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact our communities, province and country.

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Regional Council recognized June as Seniors Month, acknowledging the important contributions of older adults and the important role communities play in helping them age in place with dignity.

Regional Council remains committed to supporting the health and well-being of its aging population through the York Region Seniors Strategy, which balances the needs of all generations while also keeping seniors healthier, supporting age-friendly communities and connecting seniors to the right services at the right time.

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Regional Council recognized Tuesday, June 27, 2023, as Canadian Multiculturalism Day. This national day of observance honours the many cultural communities that help build a strong and vibrant Canadian society. 
 
As one of the fastest growing and most diverse municipalities in Canada, York Region views our cultural diversity as a source of strength and economic vitality.

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Regional Council acknowledged Canada Day 2023 as an opportunity to celebrate Canada and the many diverse people we share our country with, while also committing to do more to build a welcoming, diverse and inclusive nation where everyone feels like they belong.
 

Recognizing for many Indigenous Partners, July 1^st is a day of mourning rather than celebration, Regional Council encouraged residents to use the day as a time for thoughtful reflection and examination of what it means to be Canadian by learning more about our shared past and accepting the realities of our history with honesty and humbleness.