PROVINCE DECIDING IF YORK REGION SHOULD BE DISSOLVED

Peel Region is on its way to being dissolved.

Could York Region be next?

York is on the province's radar screen as a possibility for ditching regional government.

In a press release May 18 announcing legislation that sets the stage for Peel to be dissolved and for its lower-tier municipalities — Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon — to stand alone, the province also set its sights on other uppertier municipalities it will review.

"In the coming weeks, the province will also name regional facilitators to assess the upper-tier municipalities of Durham, Halton, Niagara, Simcoe, Waterloo and York. These facilitators will be tasked with reviewing whether the upper-tier government continues to be relevant to the needs of its communities or whether the lower-tier municipalities are mature enough to pursue dissolution," the statement said.

"Where they recommend that a two-tier government is still required, the facilitators will also make recommendations on how they can more effectively respond to the issues facing Ontario's fast-growing municipalities today, particularly when it comes to meeting municipal housing pledges and tackling the housing supply crisis."

At a regional council meeting May 18, York chair Wayne Emmerson said he's aware the province is including the region in its review but does not have details.

He issued a statement later in the day.

"For more than 50 years, York Regional council has collaborated with local

partners and all levels of government to provide residents with high-quality public services that respect our taxpayers and position York Region as a destination of choice for individuals, families and businesses," he said. "As our communities continue to grow to more than two million residents by 2051, York Region welcomes the opportunity to work with the Government of Ontario and our nine cities and towns to consider the best mix of roles and responsibilities between upper and lower tier municipalities, particularly in delivering on housing pledges and ensuring the seamless delivery of cross-jurisdictional services."

The region has a strong culture of continuous improvement, Emmerson said.

"Our record of delivering critical infrastructure and services to our communities and residents has served as a strength for our organization and will set the foundation for this most recent review of our two-tiered governance model," he said. "At the same time, we will evaluate how the dissolution of Peel

Region may impact York Region. This includes revisiting current water servicing arrangements with Peel Region and evaluating how Regional programs like transit, waste, water and wastewater and emergency services are delivered."

As the region waits for more information about the review, council's top priority remains the efficient delivery of 15 core programs and services that support the economic strength, social viability and overall well-being of our communities, Emmerson said.

The region delivers a number of services, including York Regional Police, paramedic services, public health, public transit, waste management, water, community housing, children's services and more.

If the region is dissolved, it's unclear how these broad services would be delivered and how the lower-tier communities of Georgina, East Gwillimbury, Whitchurch-Stouffville, King Township, Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill, Markham and Vaughan would be able to afford to provide them.