Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

-
Electronic and In-Person Meeting
Council Chambers
17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket
Members:
  • W. Emmerson, 
  • M. Bevilacqua, 
  • J. DiPaola, 
  • M. Ferri, 
  • R. Grossi, 
  • V. Hackson, 
  • J. Heath, 
  • L. Jackson, 
  • J. Jones, 
  • J. Li, 
  • I. Lovatt, 
  • T. Mrakas, 
  • S. Pellegrini, 
  • M. Quirk, 
  • G. Rosati, 
  • F. Scarpitti, 
  • J. Taylor, 
  • T. Vegh, 
  • and D. West
Staff:
  • D. Basso, 
  • K. Chislett, 
  • P. Freeman, 
  • D. Kuzmyk, 
  • B. Macgregor, 
  • E. Mahoney, 
  • L. Mirabella, 
  • Dr. B. Pakes, 
  • and C. Raynor

A.
Call to Order

 

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 11:01 a.m. and made the following remarks:

“We acknowledge the land we are meeting on today is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous peoples such as 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.

York Region falls under the Nanfan Treaty, Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties. There are also other land claims and treaty rights involving portions of York Region that have not been resolved.

The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation is a Williams Treaty First Nation and the closest First Nation community to York Region.”

B.
Disclosures of Interest

 

None

C.
Minutes of Council

 

C.1
Council Meeting held on September 29, 2022

This item has attachments. 
1.Minutes_-_Regional_Council_-_September_29_2022.pdf
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Grossi
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Heath

    That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on September 29, 2022.

    Carried

D.
Presentations

 

None

E.
Deputations

 

None

F.
Communications

 

F.1
City of Vaughan Resolution - Amber Alert for Vulnerable Children

This item has attachments. 
1.City of Vaughan_-_Amber_Alert_for_Vulnerable_Children.pdf
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Jackson
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Ferri

    That Council receive the correspondence by Todd Coles, City Clerk, City of Vaughan dated October 19, 2022 and supports the following resolution from the City of Vaughan:

    "Whereas following the recent tragic death of Draven Graham, an 11 year old child on the autistic spectrum, after walking away from the family home; and

    Whereas the Amber Alert has been very effective in announcing to the public children who have been abducted; and,

    Whereas a similar alert program for those who have special needs who leave family custody would be seem to be warranted in the Province of Ontario.

    It is therefore recommended:

    That Council of the City of Vaughan request the Province of Ontario to develop and implement a community warning program similar to Amber Alert for those persons of special needs or circumstance who leave the care givers or locations and potentially put themselves at risk; and,

    That copies of this resolution be forwarded to Premier Ford, the leaders of the Opposition parties in Ontario, all Vaughan MPs and MPPs, the Regional Municipality of York, the District School Boards in York Region, and York Regional Police Services to ask them to support the resolution."

    Carried

F.2
Regional Official Plan 2022, Minister of Municipal Affairs Approval

This item has attachments. 
1.Regional_Official_Plan_2022_Minister_of_Municipal_Affairs_Approval.pdf
2.Att 1 - Regional_Official_Plan_2022_Minister_of_Municipal_Affairs_Approval.pdf
3.Att 2 - Regional_Official_Plan_2022_Minister_of_Municipal_Affairs_Approval.pdf
  • Moved byMayor Mrakas
    Seconded byMayor Taylor

    That Council receive the memorandum from Paul Freeman, Chief Planner dated November 8, 2022.

    Carried

G.
Consideration and Adoption of Reports

 

G.1
Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act 2022

This item has attachments. 
1.Council Decision - Bill_23__More_Homes_Built_Faster_Act_2022.pdf
2.Bill_23__More_Homes_Built_Faster_Act_2022.pdf
3.Att 1-4 - Bill_23__More_Homes_Built_Faster_Act_2022_Consolidated_Attachments.pdf
  • Moved byMayor Scarpitti
    Seconded byMayor West

    That Council adopt the following recommendations, as amended, in the report dated November 1, 2022 from the Chief Administrative Officer recommending that:

    1. York Region requests the Province of Ontario to halt Bill 23 and begin consultation with the Housing Supply Action Plan Implementation Team to ensure municipalities can work in partnership with the Province of Ontario over the next few months to address the housing affordability concerns in our communities.
    2. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing be requested to appoint key stakeholders, such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), to the Housing Supply Action Plan Implementation Team.
    3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report, including new Attachment 5, presented as Item G.1.1 on the revised agenda, to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local municipalities, AMO, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and local MPPs.
    Carried

G.2
Bill 23, Schedule 10, Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022

This item has attachments. 
1.Council Decision - Bill_23__Schedule_10__Supporting_Growth_and_Housing_in_York_and_Durham_Regions_Act__2022.pdf
2.Bill_23__Schedule_10_Supporting_Growth_and_Housing_in_York_and_Durham_Regions_Act_2022.pdf
  • Moved byMayor Hackson
    Seconded byMayor Taylor

    That Council adopt the following recommendation in the report dated November 3, 2022 from the Commissioner of Public Works recommending that:

    1. Staff continue to review Bill 23, Schedule 10, Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022, provide recommendations to the Province on amendments to the legislation to ensure it accommodates York Region’s growth needs and a viable infrastructure solution.
    Carried

H.
Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

 
  • Moved byRegional Councillor DiPaola
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Jackson

    That Council approve and enact the following bylaw:

    Carried

I.
Motions

 

None

J.
Notices of Motion to Reconsider

 

None

K.
Other Business

 

K.1
Remembrance Day

 

Regional Chair Emmerson acknowledged Remembrance Day and reflected and gave thanks to the many veterans who have fallen in service to our country and to those who continue to serve in the name of freedom. He further acknowledged the 80th anniversary of the Raid on Dieppe where many lives were lost.  

K.2
2021 Order of Ontario Appointments

 

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that on November 4, 2022, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, announced new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2021, including two notable individuals with ties to York Region:

  • Paymam Akhavan, from the City of Markham, for his contributions as a renowned international human rights lawyer investigating atrocities in conflict zones, prosecuting war crimes for the United Nations and defending genocide survivors throughout the world. He is also a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.
  • Former York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge, for 37 years of contributions and leadership to the York Region Police, leadership in defending social justice and human rights and advocation of diversity and inclusion. In recognition of his leadership former Chief La Barge was elected as President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ontario Director for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. 

On behalf of Regional Council, Regional Chair Emmerson congratulated the recipients for their exceptional leadership.

K.3
Memorandum of Understanding between Parks Canada, York Region and City of Markham - Rouge National Urban Park

This item has attachments. 
1.MOU_between_Parks_Canada__York_Region_and_City_of_Markham.pdf

Regional Councillor Heath presented a short briefing on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Parks Canada, York Region and the City of Markham for the Rouge National Urban Park and highlighted the process for the official signing of the MOU.

  • Moved byRegional Councillor Heath
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Jones
    1. That the confidential draft Memorandum of Understanding between Parks Canada, York Region and the City of Markham be received and referred to staff for a report and recommendations and the report be forwarded to the City of Markham.
    Carried

K.4
2018 to 2022 Council Accomplishments

 

Regional Chair Emmerson noted was the final meeting of York Regional Council for the 2018-2022 term and highlighted the following as some of the many accomplishments made by Regional Council:

  • Committed response to the COVID-19 pandemic and making significant strides in strengthening the programs and services the Region provides
  • Significant investments in transportation infrastructure including agreements on the Yonge North Subway Extension
  • Regional Official Plan Update and approval of the 2022 Development Charges Bylaw to help fund the infrastructure needed to support our growing communities
  • Groundbreaking of the York University Markham Centre campus, bringing approximately 4,200 new student spaces to the Region by 2023
  • Expansion of the YorkNet dark fibre network bringing reliable internet to many residents and businesses

On behalf of Regional Council, Regional Chair Emmerson expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Members of Council and York Region staff.

K.5
Recognition of Outgoing Regional Council Members

 

Regional Chair Emmerson recognized the following five outgoing Regional Council Members:

  • Mayor Bevilacqua from the City of Vaughan for 12 years of service 
  • Regional Councillor Heath from the City of Markham for 25 years of service
  • Regional Councillor Grossi from the Town of Georgina for 25 years of service 
  • Regional Councillor Hamilton from the City of Markham for 8 years of service 
  • Regional Councillor Perrelli from City of Richmond Hill for 8 years of service

Mayor Bevilacqua, Regional Councillor Heath, and Regional Councillor Grossi addressed Council with their final remarks.

L.
Private Session

 
  • Moved byMayor Lovatt
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Vegh

    ​​That Council resolve into private session at 12:16 p.m. to consider the following items:

    L.1     Verbal Update - Award of York Region Transit South-East Division Operations and Maintenance Contract – Litigation
    L.2    Private Attachment 1 to Item. G.2 - Bill 23, Schedule 10, Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022 - Solicitor-Client and Potential Litigation
    L.3    Verbal Update - Memorandum of Understanding between Parks Canada, York Region and City of Markham- Rouge National Urban Park - Negotiation

    Carried

    Council resumed into public session at 12:32 p.m.


L.1
Verbal Update - Award of York Region Transit South-East Division Operations and Maintenance Contract – Litigation

 
  • Moved byMayor Lovatt
    Seconded byMayor Bevilacqua

    That Council receive the confidential verbal update.

    Carried

L.2
Private Attachment 1 to Item. G.2 - Bill 23, Schedule 10, Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022 - Solicitor-Client and Potential Litigation

 
  • Moved byMayor Lovatt
    Seconded byMayor Bevilacqua

    That Council receive the private attachment.

    Carried

L.3
Verbal Update - Memorandum of Understanding between Parks Canada, York Region and City of Markham - Rouge National Urban Park - Negotiation

 
  • Moved byMayor Lovatt
    Seconded byMayor Bevilacqua

    That Council receive the confidential verbal update.

    Carried

M.
Confirmatory Bylaw

This item has attachments. 
1.2022-52_Confirmatory_Bylaw_-_Regional_Council_-_November_10_2022.pdf
  • Moved byMayor Bevilacqua
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Heath

    That Council enact Bylaw No. 2022-52 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on November 10, 2022.

    Carried

N.
Adjournment

 
  • Moved byRegional Councillor Grossi
    Seconded byRegional Councillor Jones

    That Council adjourn the meeting at 12:54 p.m.

    Carried

     

                                                               
    Regional Clerk



    Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on December 8, 2022.

     

                                                               
    Regional Chair


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