Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, November 30, 2023

9:00 A.m. - 5:00 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, 
• A. Ho, 
• L. Jackson, 
• J. Jones, 
• J. Li, 
• I. Lovatt, 
• T. Mrakas, 
• S. Pellegrini, 
• M. Quirk, 
• M. G. Racco, 
• G. Rosati, 
• F. Scarpitti, 
• J. Taylor, 
• T. Vegh, 
• and D. West 

Staff:

• D. Basso, 
• K. Chislett, 
• P. Freeman, 
• D. Kuzmyk, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• L. Mirabella, 
• Dr. B. Pakes, 
• 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

Regional Councillor Davison declared an interest in the 2024 to 2026 Community and Health Services Budget – Public Health / External Partners, as her sibling works as a York Region Public Health Nurse and Regional Councillor Davison is employed by Southlake Regional Health Centre. Regional Councillor Davison did not take part in the discussion or vote on this matter.
(See Item F.2)

D.

Deputations

D.1

Supporting Student Nutrition Across York Region

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Veronica Jouaneh, York Region Food for Learning.

D.2

Update - Asylum Seekers in Vaughan

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

D.3

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

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

E.

Presentations

E.1

Proposed 2024 to 2026 Regional Budget - Introduction to Committee of the Whole Week 1

Erin Mahoney, Chief Administrative Officer provided an introduction to the proposed 2024 to 2026 Committee of the Whole Week 1 budgets.

F.

Community and Health Services

F.1

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 Community and Health Services Budget

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Community and Health Services.

(See Item F.2)

F.2

2024 to 2026 Community and Health Services Budget

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 15, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for Community and Health Services as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A.
   2. The 2024 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Appendix B, including a contribution from the Social Housing Development Reserve to fund 14th Avenue Box Grove, City of Markham, and 62 Bayview Parkway, Town of Newmarket, Community Housing Development projects.
   3. That staff be directed to pursue Federal and Provincial capital funding for 14th Avenue Box Grove, City of Markham, and 62 Bayview Parkway, Town of Newmarket, Community Housing Development projects with any funding secured to replace the contribution from the Social Housing Development Reserve.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.

Regional Councillor Davison did not take part in the discussion or vote on this matter.

G.

Public Works

G.1

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 Public Works Budget

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Michelle Swan, Director, Finance and Performance and Mike Rabeau, General Manager, Capital Infrastructure Services.

(See Items G.2 and G.3)

G.2

2024 to 2026 Public Works - Environmental Services Budget

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 7, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for Public Works – Environmental Services as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A
   2. The 2024 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Appendix B
   3. Accelerated Inclusion of Phases 2 and 3 of the North YDSS (York Durham Sewage System) expansion project in the 10-year capital plan, in advance of inclusion in the next development charge bylaw update
   4. That staff be directed to pursue senior government funding opportunities and developer prepaid agreements for Phases 2 and 3 of the North YDSS expansion project
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.
3. The Regional Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary water and wastewater rate bylaws to incorporate the discounted wastewater rates reflected in the budget.

G.3

2024 to 2026 Public Works - Transportation Services Budget

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 7, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for Public Works – Transportation Services as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A, which includes an annual 3% transit fare increase in July 2024 to address increasing service costs
   2. The 2024 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Appendix B.
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.

H.

York Region Rapid Transit Corporation

H.1

Presentation - 2024 to 2026 York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Budget

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Brian Shifman, President (A), York Region Rapid Transit Corporation.

(See Item H.2)

H.2

2024 to 2026 York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Budget

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated November 7, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Committee of the Whole recommends the budget as submitted for York Region Rapid Transit Corporation as follows:
   1. The 2024 operating budget and 2025 to 2026 operating outlook as summarized in Appendix A.
   2. The 2024 capital expenditures and Capital Spending Authority, as summarized in Appendix B
2. The recommended budget be consolidated by the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for consideration by Council on December 21, 2023.

I.

Notice of Motion

None

J.

Other Business

J.1

Passing of Fire Chief Ian Laing

Regional Chair Emmerson announced, with sadness, the passing of Central York Fire Services Fire Chief and Regional Fire Coordinator Ian Laing. 

Fire Chief Ian Laing began his firefighting career at Mississauga Fire from 1975 to 2009 where he rose through the ranks from operations to Assistant Deputy Chief. Chief Laing joined Central York Fire Services in 2010 as the Fire Chief and was also the Community Emergency Management Coordinator from 2010-2016 for the Towns of Aurora and Newmarket. He was then appointed Regional Fire Coordinator in 2016.

Mayor Taylor and Mayor Mrakas expressed their condolences to the fire fighting team and Chief Laing's family.

Regional Chair Emmerson and Regional Council observed a moment of silence for Chief Laing.

J.2

Rescheduling of YTN Telecom Network Inc. Board Meeting

Regional Chair Emmerson announced the rescheduling of the YTN Telecom Network Inc. Board Meeting from January 18, 2024 to February 15, 2024 at 1 p.m.

J.3

Observances

Regional Chair Emmerson noted the following:

- December 1, 2023 is World AIDS Day and the start of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in Canada.

- December 3, 2023 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

- December 5, 2023 is International Volunteer Day.

K.

Private Session

None

L.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 12:05 p.m.