Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, October 12, 2023

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

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

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

Staff:

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

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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.

Development Charges Complaint Hearing

D.1

Development Charge Complaint - Auto World Import Network & 480 Steeles West Limited, 434 Steeles Avenue West , City of Vaughan

Committee of the Whole recommends the Development Charge Hearing to consider the charges payable by Auto World Import Network and 480 Steeles West Limited be adjourned to January 2024, to allow time for City of Vaughan to consider the development charge complaint filed by the complainant.

The Regional Clerk confirmed the complainant had already provided written consent to the adjournment decision.

D.1.1

Report

(See Item D.1) 

D.1.2

Deputation

(See Item D.1)

D.1.3

Correspondence

(See Item D.1)

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

E.

Presentations

None

F.

Deputations

F.1

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Dr. Martin Kofi Danso and Minister Isaac Oppong, Miracle Shelter Arena.

F.2

Permanent space for ANCHOR Canada

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Shernett Martin, Executive Director, ANCHOR.

F.3

Bus Rapid Transit Prioritization

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Hayden Poon.

(See Item G.2.1)

G.

Public Works - Transportation Services

G.1

Communications

None

G.2

Reports

G.2.1

Bus Rapid Transit Prioritization

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations, as amended, in the report dated September 22, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Regional Council approve the recommendation to advance environmental assessment and preliminary engineering work for bus rapid transit projects identified in Phase 1 on:
   1. Jane Street North from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive
   2. Enterprise Boulevard from Birchmount Road to Kennedy Road (via YMCA Boulevard)
   3. Kennedy Road / Highway 7, Kennedy Road from YMCA Boulevard to Highway 7 and over to McCowan Road.
2. The Highway 7 bus rapid transit project from McCowan Road to York Durham Line/CP Havelock be prioritized to Phase 1 subject to analysis of associated costs and funding from senior levels of government.
3. Regional Council endorse advancing advocacy for funding from senior levels of government for bus rapid transit projects identified in Phases 1, 2 and 3.
4. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the Clerks of the local municipalities for information. 

G.2.2

Pedestrian Cycling and Municipal Streetscape Partnership Programs Update

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations, in the report dated September 22, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the local municipalities, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for information.

G.2.3

Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Policy Update

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations, in the report dated September 19, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Council approve the proposed Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Policy update as outlined in Appendix A for use on Regional roads.
2. Council delegate authority to the Commissioner of Public Works to approve signal installations in accordance with the Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Policy.
3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the local municipalities.

H.

Public Works - Environmental Services

H.1

Communications

None

H.2

Reports

None

I.

Community and Health Services

I.1

Communications

I.1.1

Public Health 2022 Achievements and 2023/2024 Areas of Focus

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated September 29, 2023 from Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Community and Health Services and Dr. Barry Pakes, Medical Officer of Health.

I.1.2

Support for Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic in York Region

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt and referral to staff the correspondence from Christina Dawson, York Region Centre for Community Safety dated September 25, 2023.

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

Long-Term Care Transformation: Health Canada’s Consultation on a Safe Long-Term Care Act and Implementation of National Standards

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 29, 2023 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services:

1. Council, in its role as Committee of Management for the Region’s two long-term care homes, endorse the submission made by staff to the Home and Long-Term Care Unit of Health Canada, attached to this report as Appendix A, in response to Health Canada’s request for input on the development of a federal Safe Long-Term Care Act.
2. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to York Region Members of Provincial Parliament and Members of Parliament, Minister of Long-Term Care, Minister of Health, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, Ontario Health Central Region, Home and Community Care Support Services Central, Ontario Health Teams in York Region, AdvantAge Ontario, Ontario Long-Term Care Association and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

(In accordance with the requirements of the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, Regional Councillor Jones and Regional Councillor DiPaola did not participate in the discussion or vote on this matter.)

I.2.2

Minutes - Human Services Planning Board - September 15, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Human Services Planning Board meeting held on September 15, 2023.

J.

Planning and Economic Development

J.1

Communications

None

J.2

Reports

J.2.1

Minutes - Housing Affordability Task Force - September 7, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Housing Affordability Task Force meeting held on September 7, 2023.

J.2.2

Minutes - Agriculture and Agri-food Advisory Committee - September 20, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee meeting held on September 20, 2023.

K.

Finance and Administration

K.1

Communications

K.1.1

Approvals Authorized Through Delegated Authority During 2023 Council Recess

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated September 27, 2023 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance.

K.1.2

Bill 131, Transportation for the Future Act, 2023 - Update

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt and referral to staff of the memorandum dated October 6, 2023 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance to provide more information on the consultation process.

K.1.3

Bill 134, Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act, 2023 - Update

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated October 6, 2023 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance.

K.2

Reports

K.2.1

Acquisition of Land - 14824 Yonge Street, Town of Aurora

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 29, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council approve the acquisition of land described in Appendix A, for a paramedic response station and expansion for future Regional uses at 14824 Yonge Street in the Town of Aurora.
2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and all necessary documents to complete the transaction.

K.2.2

Disposition of Land - Bethesda Sideroad, City of Richmond Hill

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 29, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council authorize the disposition of lands that have been deemed surplus to Regional requirements in the City of Richmond Hill, as set out in Appendix A.
2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute an agreement of purchase and sale and all necessary documents to complete the transaction.

K.2.3

Expropriation Settlement - 200 Davis Drive, Town of Newmarket

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 29, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council authorize the settlement of all claims pursuant to the Expropriations Act related to the property identified in Appendix A, known as 200 Davis Drive, related to the construction of the vivaNext bus rapid transit corridor on Davis Drive, in the Town of Newmarket.
2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the Minutes of Settlement and all necessary documentation to complete the transaction in accordance with the Minutes of Settlement.

K.2.4

Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee - September 27, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held on September 27, 2023.

L.

Notice of Motion

None

M.

Other Business

M.1

Conflict in the Middle East

Regional Chair Emmerson condemned the unimaginable violence that continues to escalate in the Middle East and encouraged everyone in our communities to respect our differences and demonstrate empathy and kindness to all those impacted.

A moment of silence was observed in honour of the lives lost and those who have been injured and displaced.

M.2

October Observances and Days of Significance

Regional Chair Emmerson noted the following observances and days of significance in October:

• Women's History Month
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Small Business Week - October 15, 2023 to October 21, 2023
• World Mental Health Day - October 10, 2023

M.3

Durham York Energy Centre Tour

Several Members of Council noted their attendance at the tour of the Durham York Energy Centre. There was discussion regarding the possibility of a similar facility in York Region. Staff agreed to include information regarding the potential to locate a similar facility in York Region as part of a report that will come forward in 2024. 

N.

Private Session

Committee of the Whole did not resolve into private session.

N.1

Private Attachment 1 to Item K.2.1 - Acquisition of Land - 14824 Yonge Street, Town of Aurora - Acquisition of Land

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

N.2

Private Attachment 1 to Item K.2.3 - Expropriation Settlement - 200 Davis Drive, Town of Newmarket - Acquisition of Land

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

O.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 10:28 a.m.