Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, March 05, 2026

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

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

• E. Jolliffe, 
• G. Chan, 
• M. Chan, 
• N. Davison, 
• J. DiPaola, 
• M. Ferri, 
• V. Hackson, 
• A. Ho, 
• L. Jackson, 
• J. Li, 
• S. Pellegrini, 
• M. Quirk, 
• M. G. Racco, 
• G. Rosati, 
• J. Taylor, 
• T. Vegh, 
• and D. West 

Staff:

• D. Basso, 
• L. Gonsalves, 
• Dr. F. Karachiwalla, 
• D. Kuzmyk, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• L. McDowell, 
• L. Mirabella, 
• and C. Raynor 

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A.

Call to Order

Regional Chair Jolliffe called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

B.

Land Acknowledgement

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

York Region Public Health Population Health Assessment

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Dr. Fareen Karachiwalla, Medical Officer of Health.

(See Item H.1.1)

D.2

Updating Council's Vision

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Erin Mahoney, Chief Administrative Officer.

(See Item I.2.2)

E.

Deputations

E.1

Proposed Motion from Regional Councillor DiPaola to Register AEDs

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Roberta Scott, AED Foundation Ontario.

(See Item J.1)

F.

Public Works - Transportation Services

F.1

Communications

None

F.2

Reports

None

G.

Public Works - Environmental Services

G.1

Communications

None

G.2

Reports

G.2.1

Administration of Water and Wastewater Billing Credits

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Commissioner of Public Works be authorized to approve billing credits for water and wastewater service charges in accordance with principles outlined in this report.
2. Regional Clerk circulate this report to Clerks of local municipalities.

H.

Community and Health Services

H.1

Communications

H.1.1

York Region Public Health Population Health Assessment

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated February 17, 2026 from Dr. Fareen Karachiwalla, Medical Officer of Health and Lisa Gonsalves, Commissioner of Community and Health Services.

H.2

Reports

None

I.

Finance and Administration

I.1

Communications

I.1.1

Contract Awards from October 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated February 13, 2026 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

Emergency Management Program Annual Compliance Review and Bylaw Revision

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 11, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer:

1. Regional Council receive this report confirming that York Region has met all program requirements for compliance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and Ontario Regulation 380/04.
2. The Regional Solicitor update the Emergency Management Program Bylaw to adopt changes to the York Region Emergency Management Plan and Annexes.
3. The Regional Clerk forward the updated Emergency Management Program Bylaw and Emergency Management Plan to Emergency Management Ontario.

I.2.2

Updating Council's Vision

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 23, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Senior Director, Strategies and Initiatives:

1. Council approve the update to Council’s Vision, including the supporting definition of Vision Statement “Strong, Caring, Safe Communities”, revised definitions for Vision’s four Areas of Focus, and updated list of community indicators (Attachment 2).
2. Council approve the approach to developing the 2027 to 2031 Strategic Plan, as outlined in this report, ensuring alignment with Council’s Vision.
3. Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities.

I.2.3

Contract Awards and Amendments Requiring Council Approval for March 2026

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 13, 2026 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

1. Council approve the new non-standard procurements, extensions, and increases described in Attachment 1 and Private Attachment 1.
2. Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to delegate signing authority to Regional staff for contracts in Attachment 1 and Private Attachment 1 and related instruments.

I.2.4

2026 Property Tax Policy

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

1. Council approve the 2026 property tax ratios to be established in accordance with the recommendations and table referred to in this report.
2. The Regional Solicitor and General Counsel be authorized to prepare bylaws to implement the above recommendations.
3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the local municipalities.

I.2.5

2026 Property Tax Rate

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

1. Council approve 2026 Regional tax rates for 2026 for property classes according to the table referred to in the report.
2. Council approve deadlines for local municipalities to pay the final two instalments of their 2026 Regional property tax levy on or before September 29, 2026 and December 15, 2026, respectively.
3. The Regional Solicitor and General Counsel be authorized to prepare a bylaw to implement the above tax rates.
4. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to local municipalities.

I.2.6

Acquisition of Land - North YDSS Expansion Program - 14574 Leslie Street - Town of Aurora

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council approve the acquisition of property at 14574 Leslie Street, Town of Aurora, required for the York Region Sewage Works Project – North York Durham Sewage System (“North YDSS”) Expansion Program.
2. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the agreement of purchase and sale and all necessary documents to complete the transaction.

I.2.7

Acquisition of Land - Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project - City of Vaughan

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council approve the acquisition of temporary easements from the City of Vaughan for the Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project.
2. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the agreement of purchase and sale and all necessary documents to complete the transaction.

I.2.8

Compensation for Expropriation - Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project - City of Vaughan

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council approve the Commissioner of Corporate Services to make offers of compensation to owners of lands in the City of Vaughan, as set out in Appendix A, which were acquired in accordance with the Expropriations Act, 1990 (the “Act”).

I.2.9

Expropriation of Land and Compensation for Expropriation - North YDSS Expansion Program - Town of East Gwillimbury, Town of Newmarket and Town of Aurora

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council approve an application for approval to expropriate interests in land set out in Appendix A, required for the York Region Sewage Works Project - North York Durham Sewage System (“North YDSS”) Expansion Program, in the Town of East Gwillimbury, Town of Newmarket, and Town of Aurora.
2. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the Application for Approval to Expropriate Land and the Notice of Application for Approval to Expropriate Land (the “Notice”) and serve and publish the Notice, as required under the Expropriations Act (the “Act”).
3. Council, as approving authority, approve the expropriation of interests in the land set out in Appendix A.
4. Where approval to expropriate land is given, Council authorize the introduction of the necessary bylaw to give effect to these recommendations.
5. Where approval to expropriate the interests in land is given, the Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to register expropriation plans and execute and serve any notices required under the Act.
6. Council approve the Commissioner of Corporate Services to make offers of compensation to owners of interests in land that were acquired in accordance with the Act.
7. Staff report back to Council on all offers of compensation made.
8. Where any owner is agreeable to the conveyance of the interests in land identified in Appendix A prior to expropriation, the Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute all necessary agreements to implement the amicable transactions negotiated with the respective owners, including agreements pursuant to Sections 24 and 30 of the Act, provided that the compensation payable under any such agreement, whether as full and final compensation or as an advance of compensation under Sections 24 or 30 of the Act, does not exceed the amount specified for the applicable property in Private Attachment to this report.

I.2.10

Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting - February 18, 2026

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held on February 18, 2026.

J.

Notice of Motion

J.1

Proposed Motion from Regional Councillor DiPaola

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following:

Whereas sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in Canada, and timely access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) significantly improves survival outcomes; and

Whereas the Region of York has installed AEDs in various regionally owned and operated facilities to enhance emergency preparedness and community well-being; and

Whereas AED Foundation Ontario maintains Ontario’s primary and official AED registry, supporting both the public and emergency responders in locating AEDs during cardiac emergencies; and

Whereas registering AEDs in a centralized provincial database improves cardiac arrest response times by providing bystanders with accurate location to publicly accessible AEDs access; 

Therefore Be It Resolved That:

The Council of the Region of York direct, through the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer:

1. That all publicly accessible regional AEDs be registered with AED Foundation Ontario; and
   
   
2. That staff develop and promote AED awareness initiatives encouraging private businesses and community organizations to register their AEDs and educate residents on the importance and use of AEDs within the community.

K.

Other Business

K.1

Appointments

Regional Chair Jolliffe made the following appointments:

• Mayor Quirk appointed to Cedar Centre Board of Directors;
• Mayor Pellegrini appointed to Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Board of Governors

K.2

Observances

Regional Chair Jolliffe recognized the following:

• Social Services Week
• Employee Appreciation Day - March 6, 2026
• International Women's Day - March 8, 2026
• Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of York Region Transit this year

L.

Private Session

Committee of the Whole did not resolve into private session.

• ​

L.1

Contracts for the Supply and Implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System - Negotiations and Information Supplied in Confidence 

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the confidential recommendations in the private report dated February 17, 2026 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services. 

L.2

Private Attachment to Item I.1.1 - Contract Awards from October 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 - Security of Property

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment.

L.3

Private Attachment to Item I.2.3 - Contract Awards and Amendments Requiring Council Approval for March 2026 - Security of Property

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment.

L.4

Private Attachment to Item I.2.6 - Acquisition of Land - North YDSS Expansion Program - 14574 Leslie Street - Town of Aurora - Acquisition of Land

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment.

L.5

Private Attachment to Item I.2.7 - Acquisition of Land - Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project - City of Vaughan - Acquisition of Land

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment.

L.6

Private Attachment to Item I.2.8 - Compensation for Expropriation - Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project - City of Vaughan - Acquisition of Land

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment.

L.7

Private Attachment to Item I.2.9 - Expropriation of Land and Compensation for Expropriation - North YDSS Expansion Program - Town of East Gwillimbury, Town of Newmarket and Town of Aurora - Acquisition of Land

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the private attachment.

M.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 10:33 a.m.