Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, April 11, 2024

9:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

• W. Emmerson, 
• G. Chan, 
• M. Chan, 
• N. Davison, 
• S. Del Duca, 
• J. DiPaola, 
• M. Ferri, 
• V. Hackson, 
• A. Ho, 
• J. Jones, 
• J. Li, 
• I. Lovatt, 
• T. Mrakas, 
• S. Pellegrini, 
• M. Quirk, 
• M. G. Racco, 
• J. Taylor, 
• T. Vegh, 
• and D. West 

Staff:

• D. Basso, 
• K. Chislett, 
• P. Freeman, 
• D. Kuzmyk, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• L. McDowell, 
• L. Mirabella, 
• and C. Raynor 

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A.

Call to Order

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.

B.

Land Acknowledgement

Regional Chair Emmerson made the following remarks:

"We acknowledge that York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations.

Today this area is home to many diverse Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their history, spirituality, culture and stewardship of this land.

We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our closest First Nation community."

C.

Disclosures of Interest

None

D.

Presentations

D.1

ventureLAB 2023 Results

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Hugh Chow, President and Chief Executive Officer, ventureLAB.

(See Item I.2.1)

D.2

2023 Operational Due Diligence and Regulatory Update

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by David Szeptycki, Director, Sustainability, Communications and Innovation, Public Works and Richard Walker, Acting Director, Water and Wastewater Operations, Public Works.

(See Items G.2.1 and G.2.2)

D.3

York Region's 2024 to 2027 Child Care and Early Years Service System Plan

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Kevin Pal, General Manager, Social Services, Community and Health Services.

(See Item H.2.1)

E.

Deputations

E.1

Re: Item H.1.1 - Financial Support under Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) for Costs Relating to Asylum Claimants

E.1.1

Isaac Oppong, Asylum Seekers in York Region

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Isaac Oppong on behalf of Asylum Seekers in York Region.

E.1.2

Pastor Eddie Jjumba, Asylum Seekers in York Region

Pastor Eddie Jjumba was not in attendance.

E.1.3

Nadine Miller, Pilgrim Feast

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Nadine Miller, Pilgrim Feast.

E.1.4

Ricardo Rose, Rosebox Consulting / Revival Tabernacle

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Ricardo Rose, Rosebox Consulting / Revival Tabernacle.

E.2

Re: Item K.1 - Motion from Mayor Mrakas

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Adam Mobbs, Aurora Cares.

F.

Public Works - Transportation Services

F.1

Communications

None

F.2

Reports

F.2.1

York Region Transit 2023 System Performance Report

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated March 26, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Clerks of local municipalities.

G.

Public Works - Environmental Services

G.1

Communications

G.1.1

National Public Works Week, May 18 to 25, 2024

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum from Laura McDowell, Commissioner of Public Works dated March 22, 2024.

G.2

Reports

G.2.1

2023 Integrated Management System Update Report for Water, Wastewater and Waste Management

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated March 22, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to Clerks of the local municipalities and the Ontario Chief Drinking Water Inspector (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks).

G.2.2

2023 Drinking Water Systems Report

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated March 26, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Clerks of the local municipalities, City of Toronto, Region of Peel and the Ontario Chief Drinking Water Inspector (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks).

G.2.3

2023 Regional Greening Strategy Achievements

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated March 26, 2024 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Clerks of local municipalities, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

H.

Community and Health Services

H.1

Communications

H.1.1

Financial Support under Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) for Costs Relating to Asylum Claimants

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from The Honourable Marc Miller, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship received on March 19, 2024.

H.2

Reports

H.2.1

York Region's 2024 to 2027 Child Care and Early Years Service System Plan

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated March 22, 2024 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services:

1. Council approve the 2024 to 2027 Child Care and Early Years Service System Plan (Attachment 1).

I.

Planning and Economic Development

I.1

Communications

None

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

ventureLAB 2023 Results and 2024-2027 Funding Agreement

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated March 25, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

1. Council approve a new funding agreement with ventureLAB for core services at an annual cost of $150,000 with up to three renewals in consecutive years thereafter, for a total cost of up to $600,000.
2. Region enter into a new funding agreement with ventureLAB for innovation network development under the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund at an annual cost of $100,000 with up to three renewals, for a total cost of up to $400,000.
3. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute funding agreements and renewals or amendments that may be required.
4. ventureLAB report annually to Council on results and impacts of its programs and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund.
5. Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Invest Ontario, Toronto Global, ventureLAB and local municipalities.

I.2.2

2023 Annual Development Activity Summary

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated March 25, 2024 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

1. Regional Clerk forward this report to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local MPPs, and local municipalities for information.

I.2.3

Minutes - Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee Meeting - March 20, 2024

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee Meeting held on March 20, 2024.

J.

Finance and Administration

J.1

Communications

J.1.1

Change of Regional Fire Coordinator and Alternate Fire Coordinator

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated April 2, 2024 from Erin Mahoney, Chief Administrative Officer.

J.1.2

Chief Administrative Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services Use of Delegated Authority for Land Acquisitions and Dispositions 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated March 26, 2024 from Dino Basso, Commissioner of Corporate Services.

J.1.3

2024 Capital Contribution for Mackenzie Health – Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital Project

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated March 22, 2024 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

J.1.4

Bill 131, Go Transit Station Funding Act, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, City of Markham dated March 26, 2024.

J.1.5

Federal Infrastructure Funding to Support Growth

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Stephen Huycke, Director, Legislative Services/City Clerk, City of Richmond Hill dated March 28, 2024.

J.1.6

2024 Ontario Budget: Potential Impacts to York Region

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated April 4, 2024 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

J.2

Reports

J.2.1

2023 Development Charge Reserve Fund Statement

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report, as amended, dated March 22, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities, local area Members of Provincial Parliament and the Building Industry and Land Development Association.

J.2.2

2023 Financial Results – Unaudited Budget to Actual Comparison

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated March 28, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Council approve changes to 2023 capital funding sources, for additional in-year spending in three Public Works program groups totalling $3.7 million, as detailed in Appendix C.

J.2.3

2025 Budget Directions

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated March 28, 2024 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Council endorse the proposed timelines for the development and expected approval of the 2025 Budget, as outlined in Table 3.
2. Council reaffirm the 2025 tax levy increase target of 2.60% and the Rapid Transit / Infrastructure Levy equivalent to a 1% tax levy increase consistent with the outlook in the 2024-2026 multi-year budget.

K.

Motions

K.1

Motion from Mayor Mrakas

Committee of the Whole recommends:

Regional staff be directed to undertake a review of all Regionally-owned buildings and properties for the purposes of identifying those that are under and/or unused and provide an analysis of those that can be potentially repurposed for other regional priorities.

L.

Notice of Motion

None

M.

Other Business

M.1

Interim Housing Assistance Program Funding

Regional Chair Emmerson extended appreciation to the Federal Government for its support of asylum seekers in York Region (see Item H.1.1). York Region had previously appealed to senior governments for financial support to offset interim housing costs associated with asylum claimants. Through the Interim Housing Assistance Program, the Federal Government has approved $2.3 million in reimbursement for 2023 expenses related to this critical matter.

M.2

 Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act 

On April 10, 2024, Minister Calandra introduced the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act in the Ontario Legislature. This Omnibus bill proposes a variety of legislative changes, most notably to the Municipal Act, the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act.

M.3

Women of Distinction Award

On behalf of Regional Council and The Regional Municipality of York, Regional Chair Emmerson congratulated Jaspreet Gill, Executive Director of the York Region Centre for Community Safety, who has been honoured with the YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Award for Advocacy and Social Justice.

As the first ever York Region recipient of this award, Jaspreet has been recognized for her work to address gender-based violence and ensure no women in York Region will have to flee violence alone.

M.4

Observances and Days of Significance

Regional Chair Emmerson recognized the following:

• World Autism Month - April
• Sikh Heritage Month - April
• National Volunteer Week - April 14 to 20, 2024
• World Immunization Week - April 14 to 20, 2024
• World Health Day - April 7, 2024
• International Day of Pink - April 10, 2024

N.

Private Session

Committee of the Whole did not resolve into Private Session.

N.1

Cornell Bus Terminal - Settlement of Litigation Update - Litigation and Solicitor Client Privilege

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private memorandum dated March 26, 2024 from Dan Kuzmyk, Regional Solicitor and General Counsel. Memorandum remains private.

N.2

Exercise of Regional Solicitor’s Delegated Authority – Settlement/Commencement of Litigation - Litigation

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private memorandum dated March 21, 2024 from Dan Kuzmyk, Regional Solicitor and General Counsel. Memorandum remains private.

N.3

Exercise of Regional Solicitor’s Delegated Authority – Ontario Land Tribunal Matters 2023 - Litigation

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private memorandum dated March 21, 2024 from Dan Kuzmyk, Regional Solicitor and General Counsel. Memorandum remains private.

N.4

Amendment No. 136 to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Official Plan - Litigation

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the confidential recommendations in the report dated March 21, 2024 from the Regional Solicitor and General Counsel and the Chief Planner. Report remains private.

N.5

Private Attachment 1 to Item J.1.2 - CAO and Commissioner of Corporate Services Use of Delegated Authority for Land Acquisitions and Dispositions 2023 - Disposition and Acquisition of Land

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment. Attachment remains private.

O.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 10:51 a.m.