WHAT'S NEW AT THE REGION? HERE ARE THE CHAIR'S HIGHLIGHTS

NEWMARKET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTED LUNCH AT AURORA'S STONEHAVEN BANQUET HALL

York Region chair Wayne Emmerson was the guest speaker at the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce's annual Regional Chair's Luncheon at Aurora's Stonehaven Banquet Hall and Conference Centre on Feb. 28.

Here are some of the highlights of his remarks:

• York Region is home to more than 1.2 million people, with about 15,000 new residents moving to the region every year.

• The region is the thirdlargest business centre in Ontario, with more than 56,000 businesses and more than 600,000 jobs. More than 1,300 new businesses have set up shop in the region in the last decade, creating 13,000 jobs.

• The region has established more than 502 kilometres of dark fibre network, connecting underserved communities through Yorknet.

• Council has approved a $3.9-billion budget for 2023, which includes $3.06 billion in operating costs and $894 million in capital spending as part of a 10year capital spending plan of almost $10 billion.

• Council reconfirmed its commitment to add an additional one per cent to the tax levy to help fund the region's $1.12-billion portion of the Yonge North Subway Extension. In May 2021, the federal government committed to fund 40

per cent of the subway extension's capital costs.

• Council approved $12 million annually to address critical issues related to housing, homelessness, mental health and

community investments.

• The region is encouraging active transportation, including providing dedicated bicycle lanes on Bayview Avenue and Prospect Street in Newmarket.

• The region is developing a multi-year traveller safety plan focused on reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries across the region.

• The region has completed a "successful" photo radar pilot project and is planning for an expansion in school and community safety zones to enhance road safety.

• The region's climate action plan, approved in 2021, has set a long-term goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2051.

• The region launched its electric bus pilot, including an electric bus route and charging station, in Newmarket.

• More than 2.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in York Region.

• The region has established a housing affordability task force to address York's housing crisis. This year's budget put an additional $4.1 million into the region's homeless community program and another $5.5 million to support housing.