Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, January 11, 2024

9:00 A.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Electronic and In-Person Meeting

Council Chambers

17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket

Members:

• W. Emmerson, 
• M. Chan, 
• N. Davison, 
• S. Del Duca, 
• J. DiPaola, 
• M. Ferri, 
• A. Ho, 
• L. Jackson, 
• B. Johns, 
• 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, 
• S. Love, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• L. Mirabella, 
• M. Rabeau, 
• and C. Raynor 

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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.

Presentations

D.1

Innovation Investment Fund Application - Project JumpSTART

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by David Kwok, Associate Director, Entrepreneurship, and Chris Carder, Executive Director, Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, York University.

(See Item I.2.1)

D.2

York Regional Forest 100th Year Celebration

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by James Lane, Manager, Natural Heritage and Forestry Services.

(See Item G.1.1)

E.

Deputations

E.1

African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

E.1.1

Pastor Eddie Jjumba

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Pastor Eddie Jjumba and referred the comments to staff. 

E.1.2

Minister Isaac Oppong - Miracle Arena Shelter

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Minister Isaac Oppong and referred the comments to staff. 

E.1.3

H.E. Dr. Martin Kofi Danso - Miracle Arena Shelter

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Dr. Martin Kofi Danso, Miracle Arena Shelter and referred the comments to staff.

E.1.4

Shernett Martin, ANCHOR Canada

Fitz Gordon representing ANCHOR Canada spoke on behalf of Shernett Martin. 

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Fitz Gordon, ANCHOR Canada and referred the comments to staff.

F.

Public Works - Transportation Services

F.1

Communications

None

F.2

Reports

F.2.1

Assumption of Jurisdiction of Two Township of King Roads

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated December 7, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Council approve the assumption of the following sections of road (as shown in Appendix A) such that they are added to the Regional road system effective June 1, 2024:
   1. Keele Street from north limit of Lloydtown/Aurora Road to south limit of Davis Drive.
   2. 17^th Sideroad from east limit of Jane Street to west limit of Dufferin Street from the Township of King to York Region.
2. The Regional Solicitor prepare any necessary bylaws.
3. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the Township of King.

G.

Public Works - Environmental Services

G.1

Communications

G.1.1

York Regional Forest 100th Year Celebration

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated December 7, 2023 from David Szeptycki, Acting Commissioner of Public Works.

G.2

Reports

None

H.

Community and Health Services

H.1

Communications

H.1.1

Homelessness Crisis

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Jaclyn Grossi, Deputy Town Clerk, Town of Aurora dated December 19, 2023.

H.1.2

Community Safety and Inciteful Speech

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Jaclyn Grossi, Deputy Town Clerk, Town of Aurora dated December 19, 2023.

H.2

Reports

H.2.1

Long-Term Care Transformation: Proposed New National Standard for Mental Health and Well-Being in Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Settings

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated December 15, 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 on a new draft national standard to support mental health and well-being of residents in long-term care and assisted living settings, provided in Attachment 1, submitted to the Canadian Standards Association Group on November 17, 2023.
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, Acting Mayor Johns did not participate in the discussion or vote on this matter.)

I.

Planning and Economic Development

I.1

Communications

None

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

Innovation Investment Fund Application – Project JumpSTART

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated December 7, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

1. Council approve up to $1.08 million over three years from the Innovation Investment Fund for Project JumpSTART to increase York Region’s innovation capacity.
2. Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the funding agreements and any future extensions or amendments that may be required.
3. Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, York University, Treefrog Inc. and local municipalities.

I.2.2

Minutes - Agriculture and Agri-food Advisory Committee - December 6, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Agriculture and Agri-food Advisory Committee held on December 6, 2023.

J.

Finance and Administration

J.1

Communications

J.1.1

York Region's Emergency Management Program 2023 Compliance Update

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated December 19, 2023 from Erin Mahoney, Chief Administrative Officer.

J.1.2

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

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the communication and further adjournment of the Development Charge Complaint Hearing to consider the charges payable by Auto World Import Network & 480 Steeles West Limited to April 2024.

J.2

Reports

J.2.1

2024 Interim Tax Levy

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated December 14, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Council approve the 2024 interim tax levy of $669,704,462, which would be payable in two equal installments, due on or before April 30, 2024, and due on or before June 28, 2024, as shown in Appendix A.
2. The Regional Solicitor prepare the necessary bylaw to give effect to these recommendations.

J.2.2

2024 Ontario Budget Consultation

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated December 14, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Council endorse this report, including the specific requests outlined in Tables 1 and 2, as York Region’s submission to Ontario’s 2024 Budget consultation.
2. The Regional Clerk send a copy of this report to the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Finance, local Members of Provincial Parliament and local municipalities.

J.2.3

Compensation for Expropriation Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project, City of Vaughan

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated December 15, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council approve the Commissioner of Corporate Services to make offers of compensation to owners of lands in the City of Vaughan, as set out in Appendix A, which were acquired in accordance with the Expropriations Act (the “Act”).

J.2.4

Expropriation of Land - 7850 Weston Road - City of Vaughan

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated December 15, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services: 

1. Council approve an application for approval to expropriate the land set out in Appendix A, for road and intersection improvement work affecting Weston Road, in the City of Vaughan.
2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the Application for Approval to Expropriate Land and the Notice of Application for Approval to Expropriate Land (the “Notice”) and to serve and publish the Notice, as required under the Expropriations Act (the “Act”).
3. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to forward to the Chief Inquiry Officer any requests for an inquiry that are received and to represent the Region, as necessary, at an inquiry (Hearing of Necessity) held under the Act.
4. Council, as approving authority, approve the expropriation of the land provided there is no Hearing of Necessity requested and not withdrawn in accordance with the Act.
5. Where approval to expropriate the land is given, the Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to register a plan of expropriation and execute and serve any Notices required under the Act.
6. Where approval to expropriate the land is given, Council authorizes the introduction of the necessary bylaw to give effect to these recommendations.

J.2.5

Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee - November 22, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee held on November 22, 2023.

K.

Notice of Motion

None

L.

Other Business

L.1

Audit Committee Appointment

Regional Chair Emmerson announced the appointment of Mayor Del Duca to the Audit Committee and noted his intention to nominate Regional Councillor Michael Chan for the position of Chair and Mayor Del Duca for the position of the Vice Chair for 2024.

L.2

Provincial Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy Meeting

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that he and several other Members of Council will be in attendance and presenting at the Provincial Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy meeting on January 17, 2024. 

L.3

National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that January 8, 2024 marks the third National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters and the fourth anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight 752. On behalf of Regional Council, Regional Chair Emmerson expressed condolences and support to all those who have lost family, friends and loved ones due to air disasters.

L.4

#EndHateYR Campaign

Regional Chair Emmerson extended his appreciation to Members of Council for their continued support to the End Hate YR Campaign which was launched by Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group at the end of 2023, and encouraged everyone to continue sharing the information about this campaign.

L.5

Observances and Days of Significance

Regional Chair Emmerson noted that January marks the following awareness campaigns and celebration:

• Alzheimer's Awareness Month
• Tamil Heritage Month
• Crime Stoppers Awareness Month

L.6

Appreciation of Road Workers

On behalf of Regional Council, Regional Chair Emmerson thanked the dedicated and hardworking road workers throughout our communities and the critical services they provide in inclement weather to ensure the safety of those who travel through York Region.

M.

Private Session

​Committee of the Whole did not resolve into private session.

M.1

Private Attachment 1 to Item J.2.3 - Compensation for Expropriation Northeast Vaughan Wastewater Servicing Project, City of Vaughan - Acquisition of Land

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

N.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 10:50 a.m.