Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

Thursday, March 20, 2025

9:00 A.m. - 3:00 P.m.

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

• E. Jolliffe, 
• G. Chan, 
• M. Chan, 
• N. Davison, 
• S. Del Duca, 
• J. DiPaola, 
• M. Ferri, 
• A. Ho, 
• L. Jackson, 
• J. Jones, 
• J. Li, 
• I. Lovatt, 
• T. Mrakas, 
• S. Pellegrini, 
• M. Quirk, 
• M. G. Racco, 
• G. Rosati, 
• F. Scarpitti, 
• T. Vegh, 
• and D. West 

Staff:

• D. Basso, 
• Dr. S. Erdman, 
• L. Gonsalves, 
• 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 a.m.

B.

Land Acknowledgement

Regional Chair Jolliffe 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.

Minutes of Council

D.1

Council Meeting held on February 27, 2025

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ho

  Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on February 27, 2025.

  Carried

E.

Presentations

None

F.

Deputations

None

G.

Communications

G.1

World Down Syndrome Day - March 21, 2025

• Moved by Regional Councillor G. Chan
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  Giovanna Arduini-Arcella, President, Down Syndrome Association of York Region dated February 28, 2025 and recognize March 21, 2025 as Down Syndrome Day in York Region.

  Carried

G.2

2030 Commonwealth Games – Bid Process, Timelines and Cost Overview

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Davison

  Council receive the memorandum from Erin Mahoney, Chief Administrative Officer dated March 18, 2025.

  Carried

G.3

2024 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council and Local Board Appointees

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor Pellegrini

  Council receive the memorandum from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated March 11, 2025.

  Carried

H.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

H.1

Committee of the Whole Meeting - March 6, 2025

• Moved by Mayor Mrakas
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on March 6, 2025, except for item H.2.1.

  Carried

• H.2.1 - 2024 York Region Health and Well-Being Review

  Moved by Mayor Quirk
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati
  1. Regional Chair write a letter to Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing formally requesting funding increases and policy adjustments to alleviate income insecurity in York Region, including:
     
     1. Implement living wage and basic income policies. 
     2. Increase and index Ontario Works rates with inflation to meet life’s basic needs.
     3. Include the reduction of food insecurity as a component of all appropriate government policies.
     4. Provide permanent long-term and predictable benefit programs like the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit beyond 2029 along with multi-year and sustained funding to expand access to affordable housing of all types.
     5. Work collaboratively with Service Managers to develop a comprehensive and sustainable community housing funding model, with increased and predictable Provincial funding for new supply and capital repairs.
  2. Council include information about socio-economic, health and well-being trends and service pressures when meeting with provincial ministries and elected officials to raise awareness of the need. 
  3. Council direct staff to work with Human Services Planning Board, other community partners and municipal counterparts to identify innovative and collaborative solutions and advocate to senior levels of government for poverty reduction and housing stabilization initiatives and funding.
  4. Regional Clerk circulate this report and Attachment 1 to the Clerks of the local municipalities, City of Toronto, Region of Peel, Durham Region, Ministers of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Children, Community and Social Services, York Region Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament, Ontario Municipal Social Services Association, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, York Regional Police Services Board, Human Services Planning Board and United Way Greater Toronto. 
  5. The Region work with Local Municipalities to distribute this report and Attachment 1 to local non-profit and community organizations.
  Carried

H.2

Revision to the Low Dollar Value Thresholds in Response to Tariffs

• Moved by Regional Councillor Vegh
  Seconded by Mayor West

  Council adopt the following recommendations in the report dated March 18, 2025 from the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer:

  1. Council approve an increase to the Procurement Bylaw (2021-103) low dollar value deliverables purchases (LDVP) Maximum from $100,000 to $133,800 to align with the Ontario-Quebec Trade Cooperation Agreement (OQTCA) and increase the thresholds for LDVP authorized under the Bylaw as described in Table 1. 
  2. Council approve increases to the limits in Section 7 (Non-Standard Protocols Procurement Review Committee Determination Limit), Section 13 (Low Dollar Value Deliverable Purchases), Section 17 (Emergency Purchase Limit), and Section 24 (Unsolicited Bid Limit) of the Procurement Bylaw to align with the LDVP Maximum of $133,800.
  3. Council authorize the Regional Treasurer to request the Regional Solicitor to prepare and submit a Procurement Bylaw amendment to Council to increase the LDVP threshold (including the maximum amount) to align with the OQTCA without a further Council report until the enactment of an updated Procurement Bylaw. 
  4. York Region advocate for the removal of all inter-provincial trade barriers including province specific inter provincial trade agreements that are more restrictive like the OQTCA.
  5. The Regional Solicitor prepare the necessary bylaw.
  Carried

I.

Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

• Moved by Mayor Mrakas
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  Council approve and enact the following bylaws:

  Carried

I.1

2025-13 Stop up and Close a Portion of Major Mackenzie Drive

I.2

2025-14 Remove a Portion of Jane Street from the Regional Road System

I.3

2025-15 Stop up and Close a Portion of Jane Street

I.4

2025-16 Amend Bylaw 2023-14 - Emergency Management Program

I.5

2025-17 Establish Charges for the Uniform Water Service Rate

I.6

2025-18 Establish Charges for the Uniform Wastewater Service Rate

I.7

2025-20 Amend Section 20 of Bylaw 2021-103 - Procurement Bylaw

I.8

2025-21 Amend Section 13 of Bylaw 2021-103 - Procurement Bylaw 

I.9

2025-22 Amend Sections 7, 17, and 24 of Bylaw 2021-103 - Procurement Bylaw

I.10

2025-23 Amend Section 6 of Bylaw 2021-103 - Procurement Bylaw

J.

Motions

None

K.

Notices of Motion to Reconsider

None

L.

Other Business

L.1

Prime Minister Mark Carney

On behalf of Council, Regional Chair Jolliffe congratulated the new Federal Liberal Party Leader Mark Carney and his appointment as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister.

Regional Chair Jolliffe also expressed gratitude to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his years of public service and his government’s partnership on critical priorities, including infrastructure, housing and economic development.

L.2

United States Tariffs

Regional Chair Jolliffe remarked that, as one of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities and a key economic driver, York Region is home to a diverse and innovative business sector. With approximately 2,900 companies exporting $14.6 billion in goods and services in 2023, York Region's local economy relies heavily on fair and open trade. 

Unjust tariffs from the United States and China threaten local jobs and economic stability. In response, York Region has launched a dedicated resource page at york.ca/tariffs, providing information and support to impacted businesses.

L.3

Ontario Government and Cabinet

On behalf of Council, Regional Chair Jolliffe congratulated Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party for forming their third straight majority government.

Yesterday, the Premier and Cabinet were sworn in with strong York Region representation within the Premier’s Executive Council, including:

• The Hon. Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
• The Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Education
• The Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines
• The Hon. Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs
• The Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General, as part of the Ministry of the Attorney General

L.4

Observances and Days of Significance

Regional Chair Jolliffe noted the following observances and days of significance:

March 20, 2025 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day

M.

Private Session

Council did not resolve into private session.

N.

Confirmatory Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  Council enact Bylaw No. 2025-19 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council.

  Carried

O.

Adjournment

• Moved by Mayor West
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jackson

  Council adjourn the meeting at 9:25 a.m.
  
  

   

                                                             
  Regional Clerk

  
  
  Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on April 24, 2025.

   

                                                             
  Regional Chair

  Carried