Minutes

Committee of the Whole

Thursday, September 14, 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, 
• 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, 
• B. Macgregor, 
• E. Mahoney, 
• L. Mirabella, 
• Dr. B. Pakes, 
• 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 provided the following acknowledgement:

"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

Mayor Scarpitti declared a conflict of interest on Items J.1.2 - Contract Awards from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 and M.3 - Private Attachment 1 to Item J.1.2, as his brother is an employee of Compugen. Mayor Scarpitti did not participate in the discussion or vote on these items.

D.

Presentations

D.1

COVID-19 Verbal Update

Committee of the Whole received the presentation by Dr. Barry Pakes, Medical Officer of Health, York Region.

E.

Deputations

E.1

Intimate Partner Violence

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Jaspreet Gill, York Region Centre for Community Safety.

(See Item H.1.1)

E.2

Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Angel Freedman, Founder/President, Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign.

Mayor Lovatt extended a challenge to all local Mayors to see which municipality can deliver the most purses.

E.3

Refugees and Asylum Seekers at Miracle Arena

Committee of the Whole received the deputation by Shernett Martin, Executive Director, ANCHOR and Minister Isaac Oppong, Miracle Arena.

(See Item H.1.2)

F.

Public Works - Transportation Services

F.1

Communications

F.1.1

Corporate State of Infrastructure Report

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated September 5, 2023 from Erin Mahoney, Commissioner of Public Works and Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

F.1.2

2024 10-Year Transportation Capital Plan Update

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works.

F.1.3

Winter Maintenance Service Level Review

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt and referral to staff of the correspondence from Todd Coles, City Clerk, City of Vaughan dated July 12, 2023.

F.1.4

Automated Speed Enforcement and Red-Light Camera Program Update

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt and referral to staff of the correspondence from Sarah Ciani, Committee Clerk, Durham Region dated June 29, 2023.

F.2

Reports

F.2.1

Train Whistle Cessation in Town of Aurora, Township of King and City of Markham

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Council authorize whistle cessation at three at-grade road/rail crossings; one on St. John’s Sideroad in the Town of Aurora, and two in the Township of King on Dufferin Street and 15^th Sideroad, in accordance with the Region’s Anti-Whistling Warrant Criteria Policy and the Railway Safety Act, R.S.C., 1985, c.32.
2. Council authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to execute the required supporting Memoranda of Understanding and Indemnity Agreements.
3. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Clerks of the Town of Aurora, Township of King and City of Markham, Transport Canada, Metrolinx, and Chief of York Regional Police.

F.2.2

York Region Processing Centre for Automated Enforcement Infractions

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 6, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Council authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to:
   1. Establish an automated enforcement processing centre for York Region and participating municipalities and include associated costs and potential revenues in the 2024 budget submission.
   2. Enter into any agreements and ancillary instruments or documents necessary to establish the York Region Processing Centre, expand automated enforcement programs, and to execute any instruments required to implement amendments or related agreements with other third parties to implement this direction, in accordance with Procurement Bylaw 2021-103.
   3. Enter into any agreements and ancillary instruments or documents with participating municipalities to process the Region’s automated enforcement images if required.

G.

Public Works - Environmental Services

G.1

Communications

G.1.1

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Gino Moretti, Chair, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative dated July 24, 2023 and recommends the appointment of Mayor Mrakas as the York Region delegate for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

G.2

Reports

G.2.1

Transfer Part of Kennedy Main Street Unionville Watermain on Carlton Road to City of Markham

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 6, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Council authorize transfer of ownership of Kennedy Main Street Unionville Watermain on Carlton Road (63 metres of 400-millimetre polyvinyl chloride watermain and two valve chambers) to the City of Markham (as described in Appendix A).
2. The Regional Solicitor prepare any necessary bylaws.
3. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the City of Markham for information.

G.2.2

Approval of Memoranda of Understanding between York Region and Conservation Authorities

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Public Works and the Chief Planner:

1. Council authorize the Commissioner of Public Works to execute Memoranda of Understanding between York Region and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and York Region and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and any future amendments to the Memoranda of Understanding.
2. The Regional Clerk circulate this report to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the local municipalities, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

H.

Community and Health Services

H.1

Communications

H.1.1

Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the motion passed by Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM) and the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) on August 20, 2023 at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, and approval of the following motion:

WHEREAS 42 municipalities and regions including OBCM and MARCO members Ajax, Brampton, Burlington, Clarington, Hamilton, London, Oakville, Ottawa, Pickering, Whitby, Toronto and Windsor, along with Peel, Durham and Halton Regions as well as Lanark County, Essex County and Renfrew County across Ontario have declared a gender-based violence and/or intimate partner violence epidemic (as of August 18, 2023); and,

WHEREAS on August 16, 2023 Justice Minister Arif Virani described gender-based violence as “an epidemic” in the federal government’s formal response to a coroner’s inquest, also stating that his government is committed to ending the gender-based violence epidemic “in all its forms, and is working to address any gaps in the Criminal Code to ensure a robust justice system response,”; and,

WHEREAS by declaring gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic, York Region can join the growing number of municipalities and regions in demanding action from all levels of government to address this growing epidemic; and,

WHEREAS Between 2011 and 2021, police reported 1,125 gender-related homicides of women and girls in Canada. Of these homicides, two-thirds (66%) were perpetrated by an intimate partner; and, 

WHEREAS intimate partner violence (IPV) rates in York Region have been on the rise in recent years, with York Regional Police reporting 5,701 occurrences in 2019 compared to 6,228 in 2022; and,

WHEREAS of the 6,228 IPV occurrences in 2022, 1,896 charges were laid and of those accused of intimate partner violence charges in 2022 in York Region, over 30% (613) had received prior domestic violence related charges;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT York Region declare gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the provincial and federal governments be requested to enact the additional 85 recommendations from the inquest into the 2015 murders of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam in Renfrew County, Ontario, which provide a roadmap to preventing intimate partner violence from escalating to femicide; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT that the Federal government be requested to start this enactment by adding the word Femicide as a term to the Criminal Code of Canada; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT provincial and federal governments provide the necessary support to municipalities, regions, and their emergency and social services to meaningfully address the gender-based violence and intimate-partner violence epidemic; and,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the Regional Clerk be directed to circulate a copy of this resolution to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Attorney General of Ontario, York Regional Police as well as local area MPs and MPPs.

H.1.2

Municipal/Regional Funding to Support Newcomers Including Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the motion passed by Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM) and the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) on August 20, 2023 at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference. 

H.1.3

Public Health Funding and Capacity Announcement

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the correspondence from Dr. Charles Gardner, President, Association of Local Public Health Agencies to the Minister of Health.

H.2

Reports

H.2.1

Donation of Decommissioned Paramedic Services Ambulances in 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 6, 2023 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services:

1. Council approve the donation of a decommissioned ambulance to UHelpUkraine, in collaboration with the Embassy of Ukraine.
2. Council approve the donation of a decommissioned ambulance to Voice of Vedas – Global Care Outreach (Voice of Vedas), and make exceptions to the application deadline and religious affiliation clause within the York Region Paramedic Services Ambulance – Guidelines (guidelines) for this organization.
3. Council approve changes to the guidelines shown in Appendix B. 

H.2.2

Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System Update

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services:

1. Council approve the priority neighborhoods identified in Appendix A to be used to guide staff decisions on approving new child care spaces to be funded under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

I.

Planning and Economic Development

I.1

Communications

None

I.2

Reports

I.2.1

Richmond Hill Centre Secondary Plan

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

1. Council approve Amendment No. 41 to the Richmond Hill Official Plan (Attachment 1), with the proposed housing policy modifications in Appendix A to encourage affordable rental and ownership housing in the Richmond Hill Centre Transit Oriented Community lands.
2. Director of Development Services be authorized to issue notice of Council’s decision.
3. Staff be authorized to appear before the Ontario Land Tribunal in support of the Region’s decision, if required and if requested by Richmond Hill, and the Regional Solicitor or designate, be authorized to execute Minutes of Settlement, if appropriate.

I.2.2

2023 Mid-Year Development Activity Summary

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Chief Planner:

1. The Regional Clerk forward this report to the local municipalities and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for information.  

I.2.3

Minutes - Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee - June 14, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Advisory Committee meeting held on June 14, 2023.

J.

Finance and Administration

J.1

Communications

J.1.1

York Region's Ongoing Progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated September 5, 2023 from Stephen Maio, Senior Executive Officer, People, Equity and Culture.

J.1.2

Contract Awards from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the memorandum dated September 5, 2023 from Laura Mirabella, Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer.

(Mayor Scarpitti declared an interest on this item and did not participate in the discussion or vote on this matter.)

J.1.3

Strengthening Municipal Codes of Conduct in Ontario

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the motion passed by Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM) and the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) on August 20, 2023 at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference and adoption of the following resolution:

Whereas all Ontarians, including both municipal staff and elected members of council, deserve a safe and respectful workplace free from harassment and bullying; and

Whereas the Municipal Act, 2001, prescribes that municipalities shall have codes of conduct for council and local boards; and

Whereas municipalities and municipal integrity commissioners currently lack the tools to enforce codes of conduct; and

Whereas there are numerous examples of repeated contraventions of codes of conduct, bullying and harassment across the municipal sector; and

Whereas the Government of Ontario has recently consulted and engaged with municipalities across the province on strengthening codes of conduct;

Therefore be it resolved that the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) and Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM):

• Reaffirm their past support (and the support of other bodies such as AMO) for strengthening municipal codes of conduct;
• Call on the Government of Ontario to introduce legislation to strengthen codes of conduct for Ontario’s municipalities; and

That the proposed legislation includes administrative penalties, increased training, strengthened tools for integrity commissioners, and the ability for municipalities to apply for judicial removal of sitting members if advised by their integrity commissioner.

J.2

Reports

J.2.1

Provincial Review of Regional Government - 2019 Summary and 2023 Preparedness

Committee of the Whole recommends deferral of this item until the Province of Ontario provides further information on direction and next steps.

J.2.2

Operating and Capital Mid-Year Progress Report

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendation in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Finance:

1. Council approve the 2023 capital expenditure changes and associated funding sources, as well as changes to the Capital Spending Authority and associated funding sources, including a decrease of $1.0 million in Capital Spending Authority debt as detailed in Appendix C.

J.2.3

Disposition of Land - Main Street and Ninth Line - Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

1. Council authorize the disposition of land in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville that has been deemed surplus to Regional requirements, as described in Appendix A.
2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to accept and execute the Agreement of Purchase and Sale in accordance with the terms set out in Private Attachment 1 and all necessary documents to complete the transaction, in accordance with the Region’s Sale and Other Disposition of Regional Lands Policy.
3. Staff report back to Council with the final sale price. 

J.2.4

Greening Strategy – Environmental Land Protection and Preservation - Acquisition of Land - 9025 Old Shiloh Road - Town of Georgina

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the joint report dated September 5, 2023 from the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Commissioner of Public Works:

1. Council approve the acquisition of land at 9025 Shiloh Road in the Town of Georgina, as described in Appendix A.
2. The Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to execute the agreement of purchase and sale and all necessary documents to complete the transaction.
3. Council approve the 2023 gross capital expenditure and Capital Spending Authority for Forestry capital program 72610 York Greening Initiative Land Securement and associated funding sources, as described in Private Attachment 1.

J.2.5

Administrative Penalty System Implementation Bylaws

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following recommendations in the report dated September 5, 2023 from the Regional Solicitor and General Counsel:

1. Council approve enactment of the Administrative Penalty System Bylaw with an effective date of January 1, 2024, as described in this report.
2. Council approve enactment of the Administrative Penalty System Screening and Hearing Officer Bylaw with an effective date of January 1, 2024, as described in this report.
3. The Regional Solicitor and General Counsel be authorized to execute agreements with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General and Ontario Ministry of Transportation required to establish and operate an administrative penalty system.  
4. The Regional Solicitor and General Counsel be authorized to prepare the bylaws and any amendments to the bylaws required to designate additional bylaw provisions such as the Forest Conservation Bylaw, the Sewer Use Bylaw and Transit Bylaw to be enforced as administrative penalties. 

J.2.6

Minutes - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting - June 21, 2023

Committee of the Whole recommends receipt of the minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held on June 21, 2023.

K.

Notice of Motion

K.1

Review of Council and Committee of the Whole Hybrid Meetings

Mayor Lovatt provided notice of his intention to bring forward a motion to the September 28, 2023 Council meeting proposing a review of Regional Council and Committee of the Whole hybrid meetings.

L.

Other Business

L.1

Farewell Celebration for Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer

Regional Chair Emmerson reminded Members of Council of the farewell celebration for Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer which will take place on September 28, 2023 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Great Hall to celebrate his 33 years of public service.

L.2

Audit Committee Membership Update

Regional Chair Emmerson announced that Regional Councillor Rosati is a new Member of the Audit Committee.

L.3

Appointment of Deb Schulte as Municipal Representative - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Regional Watershed Alliance

Committee of the Whole recommends the appointment of Deb Schulte as a Municipal Representative on the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Regional Watershed Alliance.

L.4

September Observances

Regional Chair Emmerson noted the following observances in September:

Rosh Hashanah - at sunset on September 15, 2023

National Forest Week in Canada - September 17 to 23, 2023

22 years since 9/11 Terrorist Attacks - September 11, 2023

Canada's National Day of Service - September 11, 2023

M.

Private Session

​Committee of the Whole resolved into private session at 11:16 a.m. At 12:04 p.m. Committee of the Whole resumed in public session and reported the following:

M.1

Appointment of Temporary Associate Medical Officer of Health - Personal matter about an identifiable individual

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the confidential recommendations in the report dated September 6, 2023 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and the Medical Officer of Health. Report remains private.

M.2

Yonge North Subway Extension - MTO Agreement-in-Principle and Metrolinx Resource Agreement - Negotiations

Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the confidential recommendations in the report dated September 6, 2023 from the Chief Administrative Officer. Report remains private.

M.3

Private Attachment 1 to Item J.1.2 - Contract Awards from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 - Security of Property

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

(Mayor Scarpitti declared an interest on this item and left the room during the discussion. He did not vote on this matter.)

M.4

Private Attachment 1 to Item J.2.3 - Disposition of Land - Main Street and Ninth Line - Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville - Disposition of Land

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

M.5

Private Attachment 1 to Item J.2.4 - Greening Strategy – Environmental Land Protection and Preservation - Acquisition of Land - 9025 Old Shiloh Road - Town of Georgina - Acquisition of Land

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

M.6

Verbal Update on Item H.1.2 - Municipal/Regional Funding to Support Newcomers Including Refugees and Asylum Seekers - Matter regarding identifiable individuals

Committee of the Whole received the verbal update from Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Community and Health Services.

N.

Adjournment

Committee of the Whole adjourned at 12:08 p.m.