Minutes

The Council of The Regional Municipality of York

Thursday, February 25, 2021

9:00 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Members:

• W. Emmerson,
• M. Bevilacqua,
• J. DiPaola,
• M. Ferri,
• R. Grossi,
• V. Hackson,
• D. Hamilton,
• J. Heath,
• L. Jackson,
• J. Jones,
• J. Li,
• I. Lovatt,
• T. Mrakas,
• S. Pellegrini,
• C. Perrelli,
• M. Quirk,
• G. Rosati,
• F. Scarpitti,
• J. Taylor,
• and T. Vegh

Staff:

• D. Basso,
• K. Chislett,
• P. Freeman,
• P. Jankowski,
• K. Kurji,
• D. Kuzmyk,
• B. Macgregor,
• E. Mahoney,
• L. Mirabella,
• C. Raynor,
• and M.F. Turner

---

A.

Call to Order

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. and made the following remarks:

“We acknowledge the land we are meeting on today is the traditional territory of many First Nations, including the Chippewas of Georgina Island and the Mississaugas of the Credit.

These lands are now home to many diverse Indigenous peoples.

We also acknowledge that York Region falls under Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties with several Mississauga and Chippewas First Nations.”

B.

Disclosures of Interest

Mayor Quirk declared an interest in Items D.1 and D.2, with respect to the portion of the 2021 to 2022 Regional Budget related to the York Regional Police (YRP), as her husband is a retired YRP officer and works under contract with YRP and her stepson is a YRP officer.

C.

Minutes of Council

C.1

Council Meeting held on January 28, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on January 28, 2021.

  Carried

C.2

Special Council Meeting held on February 4, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on February 4, 2021.

  Carried

C.3

Special Council Meeting held on February 18, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Hamilton
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Perrelli

  That Council confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on February 18, 2021.

  Carried

D.

Presentations

D.1

Introduction to Proposed 2021 to 2022 Regional Budget

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the presentation from Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer.

  Carried

D.2

Proposed 2021 to 2022 Regional Budget

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the presentation from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

  Carried

D.3

2021 Tabled Budget Book

Council recessed at 12:53 p.m. and reconvened at 1:30 p.m.

E.

Deputations

E.1

Designation of Highways under Federal Impact Assessment Act

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council receive the deputation from Laura Bowman, Staff Lawyer, Ecojustice

  (See Items F.3, F.4, G.2 and G.3)

  Carried

E.2

GTA West Corridor

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the deputation from Irene Ford representing 'Stop the 413'.

  (See Items F.4 and G.3)

  Carried

E.3

Housing Affordability Crisis

• Moved by Regional Councillor DiPaola
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Li

  That Council receive the deputation from Michael Manett, Principal, MPLAN Inc.

  (See Item I.1)

  Carried

E.4

Addressing Housing Affordability in York Region

• Moved by Regional Councillor DiPaola
  Seconded by Mayor Taylor

  That Council receive the deputation from Jeffrey Streisfield and Ori Belavin, Land Law on behalf of Yonge Sixteen Inc.

  (See Item I.1)

  Carried

E.5

Affordable Housing

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Vegh

  That Council receive the deputation from Linda Chadwick, President and CEO, Build Homes for the Homeless Inc.

  (See Item I.1)

  Carried

F.

Communications

F.1

150th Anniversary of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council

• Moved by Mayor Mrakas
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Hamilton

  That Council receive the correspondence from John Cartwright, President, Toronto & York Region Labour Council dated February 10, 2021 and recognize April 12, 2021 as the 150th anniversary of the Toronto & Region Labour Council.

  Carried

F.2

World Down Syndrome Day

• Moved by Regional Councillor Rosati
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Heath

  That Council receive the correspondence from Domenic Gentilini, President, Down Syndrome Association dated February 12, 2021 and recognize March 21, 2021 as World Down Syndrome Day.

  Carried

F.3

Designation Request for the Proposed Bradford Bypass Project under the Impact Assessment Act

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Quirk

  That Council receive the correspondence from Anjala Puvananathan, Director, Ontario Region, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada dated February 12, 2021.

  Carried

F.4

Designation Request for the Proposed GTA West Project under the Impact Assessment Act

• Moved by Mayor Hackson
  Seconded by Mayor Quirk

  That Council receive the correspondence from Anjala Puvananathan, Director, Ontario Region, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada dated February 12, 2021.

  Carried

F.5

Consulting on Growing the Size of the Greenbelt

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jones
  Seconded by Mayor Mrakas

  That Council receive and refer to staff the correspondence from Steve Clark, Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated February 17, 2021.

  Carried

F.6

Communications Related to February 11, 2021 Committee of the Whole Item E.2.1 - Greater Toronto Area West Transportation Corridor Update

F.6.1

Form Letter Submitted by 16 Individuals

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence submitted by 16 members of the public related to the Greater Toronto Area West Transportation Corridor.

  Carried

F.6.2

Dean Orr dated February 10, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Dean Orr dated February 10, 2021.

  Carried

F.6.3

Vicki Hotte dated February 10, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Vicki Hotte dated February 10, 2021.

  Carried

F.6.4

Bruno Malfara dated February 10, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Bruno Malfara dated February 10, 2021.

  Carried

F.6.5

Lenore Pressley dated February 20, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Lenore Pressley dated February 20, 2021.

  Carried

F.6.6

Catherine Gross dated February 20, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Catherine Gross dated February 20, 2021.

  Carried

F.6.7

Alexandra Ney dated February 23, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the correspondence from Alexandra Ney dated February 23, 2021.

  Carried

F.7

Communications Related to Proposed Bradford Bypass Project and/or Proposed GTA West Project under the Impact Assessment Act

F.7.1

Allan Thompson, Mayor, Town of Caledon dated February 22, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the communication from Allan Thompson, Mayor, Town of Caledon dated February 22, 2021.

  Carried

F.7.2

Sherry Draisey, Concerned Citizens of King Township dated February 25, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the communication from Sherry Draisey, Concerned Citizens of King Township dated February 25, 2021.

  Carried

F.7.3

Sarah Buchanan, Ontario Climate Program Manager, Environmental Defense dated February 23, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the communication from Sarah Buchanan, Ontario Climate Program Manager, Environmental Defense dated February 23, 2021.

  Carried

F.7.4

Tony Malfara dated February 23, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the communication from Tony Malfara dated February 23, 2021.

  Carried

F.7.5

Angela Grella dated February 23, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the communication from Angela Grella dated February 23, 2021.

  Carried

F.7.6

Jenna Ross dated February 23, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the communication from Jenna Ross dated February 23, 2021.

  Carried

F.7.7

City of Mississauga Resolution - GTA West Highway Opposition dated February 24, 2021

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  That Council receive the resolution from the City of Mississauga - GTA West Highway Opposition dated February 24, 2021.

  Carried

F.8

2021 Provincial Budget Consultation

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the memorandum from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated February 25, 2021.

  Carried

F.9

Financial Impacts of COVID-19

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council receive the memorandum from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer dated February 25, 2021.

  Carried

F.10

Epilepsy Awareness Month and Purple Day

• Moved by Regional Councillor Grossi
  Seconded by Mayor Pellegrini

  That Council receive the communication from Claudia Cozza, Executive Director, Epilepsy York Region dated February 23, 2021 and recognize March as Epilepsy Awareness Month and March 26, 2021 as Purple Day.

  Carried

F.11

City of Richmond Hill Resolution - Mayor Barrow - Leave of Absence

• Moved by Mayor Scarpitti
  Seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua

  That Council receive the communication from Stephen M.A. Huycke, Director of Legislative Services/City Clerk, City of Richmond Hill dated February 24, 2021; and

  That Council extend its best wishes to Mayor Barrow, wish him a speedy return and adopt the following:

  Whereas section 259 of the Municipal Act provides that the seat of a member becomes vacant if the member is absent from the meetings of the council for three successive months without being authorized to do so by resolution of the council;

  And Whereas Mayor Barrow has indicated his intention to take a leave of absence for medical reasons as of February 25, 2021;

  Now Therefore Be It Resolved That Council authorize the absence of Mayor Barrow to continue until he feels his health has improved so that he may resume his duties as a Member of this Council.

  Carried

G.

Consideration and Adoption of Reports

G.1

Committee of the Whole Meeting - February 11, 2021

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Ferri

  That Council adopt the recommendations in the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on February 11, 2021, except for Item E.2.1 as noted below:

  Carried

  E.2.1 - Greater Toronto Area West Transportation Corridor Update

  Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Rosati

  1. Council request the Ontario Ministry of Transportation reconstruct Weston Road, Highway 27 and King-Vaughan Road to include a four-lane road cross-section across the future GTA West highway, as well as walking and cycling facilities.
  2. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, City of Vaughan and Township of King.
  3. That the Regional Municipality of York endorse the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA) Board’s request for the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to commit to receiving TRCA’s Voluntary Project Review (VPR) sign off at the detailed design stage, to enter into a service level agreement with the TRCA for the provision of the VPR review services, and to use the TRCA’s Guideline for Determining Ecosystem Compensation where avoidance and mitigation is not possible.
  4. That the Regional Chair write a letter to the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, requesting that the Ministry host a Public Information Centre (PIC) for Vaughan and King residents for the purpose of receiving and answering public questions and addressing concerns related to the Province’s confirmed GTA West Multimodal Transportation Corridor.
  Carried

G.2

Bradford Bypass Project - Regional Response to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

• Moved by Mayor Quirk
  Seconded by Mayor Hackson

  That consideration of this matter be referred to the March 25, 2021 Council meeting pending further information outlining the positions of key stakeholders, the federal Impact Assessment process and any implications around the age of the original Environmental Assessment for the project.

  Carried

G.3

GTA West Transportation Corridor Project - Regional Response to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

• Moved by Regional Councillor Jackson
  Seconded by Mayor Bevilacqua

  That consideration of this matter be referred to the March 25, 2021 Council meeting pending further information outlining the positions of key stakeholders and the federal Impact Assessment process.

  Carried

H.

Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

• Moved by Mayor Pellegrini
  Seconded by Mayor Lovatt

  That Council approve and enact the following bylaws:

H.1

2021-06 Yonge Street - Widening and Reconstruction

To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the widening and reconstruction of Yonge Street (YR 1), Town of Newmarket and Town of East Gwillimbury

H.2

2021-08 Appointment of Regional Solicitor - Dan Kuzmyk

A bylaw to appoint a Regional Solicitor

Carried

I.

Motions

I.1

Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis in York Region

• Moved by Regional Councillor DiPaola
  Seconded by Mayor Taylor

  That Council adopt the following motion:

  1. Council recognizes and acknowledges that a Housing Affordability Crisis exists in the Region;
  2. That given the high price of land and construction costs in the Region, including the cost of underground parking, Regional staff in cooperation with local staff review the policies in Regional and Local Official Plans and strategies to help facilitate rental development and more affordable housing in the Regional Centres and Corridors and associated Major Transit Station Areas;
  3. That development applications for rental and affordable housing be prioritized and “fast-tracked” for approval within current Planning Act time frames, if not sooner, provided that the applicants cooperate with Regional Staff in abiding by all other regulatory requirements;
  4. That Staff do all things necessary to give effect to the foregoing.
  Carried

I.2

Parkland Dedication Bylaw Request to Support Acceleration of Affordable Housing

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Regional Councillor DiPaola

  That Council adopt the following motion:

  1. In order to support the acceleration of Affordable Housing in York Region, York Region Council requests all lower tier municipalities to amend their parkland dedication bylaw to exempt Housing York Inc. from being required to pay parkland fees and to provide a decision to York Region by May 30, 2021.
  Carried

I.3

Land Request to Support Acceleration of Affordable Housing

• Moved by Mayor Taylor
  Seconded by Regional Councillor DiPaola

  That Council adopt the following motion:

  1. That in order to support the acceleration of Affordable Housing in York Region, York Regional Council asks all lower tier municipalities to pass a resolution in support, in principle, of the provision by each municipality either directly or through partnership, of 2 acres of land over the next 5 years for Housing York Inc. or a not-for profit or for profit site dedicated to support affordable housing as deemed appropriate by the municipality, and provide a decision to York Region by May 30, 2021.
  Carried

J.

Notices of Motion to Reconsider

None

K.

Other Business

K.1

Mayor Barrow - Leave of Absence

During Mayor Barrow's leave of absence, Regional Councillor DiPaola will be Acting Mayor representing the City of Richmond Hill and Regional Council.

City of Richmond Hill Local Councillor Godwin Chan will fill the seat on Regional Council until Mayor Barrow's return.

K.2

Committee of the Whole - Finance and Administration Section - Chair and Vice Chair

Regional Chair Emmerson appointed Mayor Bevilacqua as Chair, and Mayor Lovatt as Vice Chair of the Finance and Administration section of Committee of the Whole.

K.3

Appointment to Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Board of Directors - Acting Mayor DiPaola

• Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Jackson

  That Council appoint Acting Mayor DiPaola to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Board of Directors until the return of Mayor Barrow from leave of absence.

  Carried

K.4

Re-Appointment to Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association - Mayor Pellegrini

Regional Chair Emmerson re-appointed Mayor Pellegrini to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association for 2021.

K.5

Special Council Meeting - March 18, 2021

Regional Chair Emmerson announced a Special Council meeting on March 18, 2021 for Land Needs Assessment and planning matters.

K.6

COVID-19 Update

Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region Medical Officer of Health provided an update on the status of COVID-19 and responded to questions from Members of Council. 

Zahra Kassam, Director, Healthy Living and Katarina Garpenfeldt, Health Emergency Planning Specialist provided updates on the COVID-19 vaccines and responded to questions from Members of Council.

K.7

Thanks to Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health

Regional Chair Emmerson thanked Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington public health which has provided support to York Region's COVID-19 response since October 2020 by helping investigate more than 1,760 York Region COVID-19 cases.

K.8

Canada's Agricultural Day

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that February 23, 2021 was Canada’s Agricultural Day, which is an opportunity to celebrate York Region's diverse agriculture and agri-food community.

K.9

Pink Shirt Day / Anti-Bullying Day

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that February 24, 2021 was Pink Shirt Day, or Anti-Bullying Day. York Region recognized Pink Shirt Day as an opportunity for each of us to support strong, caring and safe communities where all feel welcome.

L.

Private Session

• Moved by Regional Councillor Ferri
  Seconded by Mayor Pellegrini

  ​​That Council resolve into private session at 3:48 p.m.

  Carried

  At 5:06 p.m. Council resumed in public session and reported the following:

L.1

Establishment of Standard Technology Products - Security of Property

• Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council adopt the confidential recommendation.

  Carried

L.2

Update on Regional Corporations - Solicitor-Client Privilege and Labour Relations

• Moved by Regional Councillor Heath
  Seconded by Regional Councillor Grossi

  That Council defer the matter to the March 11, 2021 Committee of the Whole private session.

  Carried

M.

Confirmatory Bylaw

• Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua
  Seconded by Mayor Scarpitti

  That Council enact Bylaw No. 2021-07 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on February 25, 2021.

  Carried

N.

Adjournment

The Council meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.

                                                           
Regional Clerk

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on March 25, 2021.

 

                                                           
Regional Chair