[getsmart-l] York Region estimates it needs $6.4B to meet growth projections

[Janet May]

Show us money, region tells Grits
York estimates it needs $6.4B to meet growth projections

Mar 31, 2007
David Fleischer, Staff Writer 

(York Region) - York Region is bracing for the next 25 years of intensive
growth, but it is not going to be able to foot the entire bill itself. 

"We've got real numbers with real projects and real needs," York Regional
Chairperson and CEO Bill Fisch said. 

In all, planners estimate the region will need $6.4 billion from Queen's
Park to keep pace with growth. 

On Thursday, York councillors gave the go-ahead to tell Queen's Park exactly
that. 

If the provincial government wants York Region to put up another 500,000
people during the next 30 years, it needs help make it happen, the region
says. 

Mr. Fisch said the government is beginning to "understand that in order to
achieve these goals there's more than just saying, 'Please do it.'" 

Since the unveiling of the province's Places to Grow legislation in 2005,
questions have been raised about how to pay for the infrastructure and
social services needed to support a massive population increase. 

The region wants the province to commit to long-term infrastructure planning
to go along with its long-term growth plan. 

Places to Grow orders municipalities to ensure that 40 per cent of new
population growth is within their already-developed areas. This means a new
regime of high density housing, particularly in centres earmarked in
Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Newmarket and Markham. 

Recent census numbers helped quantify the extent of growth in York Region
and that helps the cause, Mr. Fisch said. 

"Anecdotally, we have been telling them, but now we have proof positive." 

Several items from the report, passed by council Thursday, were addressed in
last month's provincial and federal budgets. These included the extension of
Highway 404 into East Gwillimbury and funding for the subway and Viva
transit projects. 

The report also noted a domino-like effect that can follow from something
like failing to provide adequate roads. For example, the 1,500-acre Vaughan
Enterprise Zone requires the extension of Highway 427 and a Keswick Business
Park couldn't proceed until a firm date for the completion of the 404
extension is in place. 

East Gwillimbury is not one of the four regional centres designated in
Places to Grow, but it, too, is facing enormous pressure. 

The Toronto Star recently called the town of 21,000 the next great local
boomtown and things there are changing quickly. 

"When you're looking at developing a community, infrastructure is key," said
Mayor Jamie Young. 

"We are moving away from just a bedroom community to the city." 

He also said that while progress is being made slowly on funding roads,
pipes and other "hard" infrastructure, health care and other social costs
remain neglected. 

The region's shopping list helps them outline what is needed and where. 

"You lay out what you're going to need to build a complete community," Mr.
Young said. 

"We are working towards creating a sustainable community and these are the
tools we're going to need." 

He added that long-term funding will make it easier to plan accordingly,
instead of waiting to hear about individual projects. 

"It's pressure, it's great responsibility, but it's also a tremendous amount
of opportunity," he said. 

EXCITING REQUESTS IN THE REPORT INCLUDE... 

. Transportation funding including sustained funding for transit. Capital
funding for Viva's Phase II and the Spadina Subway extension were included
in the provincial and federal budgets respectively. 

. The expansion of GO service on all three York Region lines. 

. While the 404 extension was approved, the region still requires funds for
extending Highway 427. 

. The region also wants to widen the 400 series highway, add 12 interchanges
and create more HOV lanes. 

. Within six months, the provincial government should create master
transportation and capital plans to complement Places to Grow. 

. Expediting environmental assessments on important water and wastewater
projects. 

. Support for the region's Smart Commute plan which facilitates carpooling. 

. The overall cost estimate for supporting growth in York Region is $10
billion. The province has been asked to contribute $6.4 billion. 

 

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