[see also Figure 1]

[see also Figure 2] 

[see also Attachment 1]

8  ADVANCING YORKEXPLORER PROGRESS PROJECT REPORT

9  INCLUSIVITY ACTION PLAN

10  UPDATE - COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS

The Planning and Economic Development Committee advises Council of the following matters having been considered by the Planning and Economic Development Committee with the following action:

PRESENTATIONS

[The following links open .pdf files of the Presentations and Communication]

1. The Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity

James Milway, Executive Director, The Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity made a presentation regarding the Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress and its mandate to measure and monitor Ontario's competitiveness, productivity and economic progress compared to other provinces and the United States and to report to the public on a regular basis.

Received and referred to staff to prepare a report recommending Council endorse the Task Force recommendations.

(A copy of the presentation is included with this report.)

2. Environmental Study Report by Hydro One

(a) Paul Belton, Principal Planner, Community Planning, made a presentation summarizing the issues dealt with by Hydro One in the Environmental Study Report dated October 21, 2004. 

(b) David Estrin, Certified Environmental Law Specialist, Gowling LaFleur Henderson, November 26, 2004 and David Richmond, Electrical Engineering Consultant, made a deputation on behalf of the Markham-Aurora Hydro One Task Force regarding the Hydro One Class EA process.

(c) Sue Fusco, representing S.T.O.P. (Stop Transmission Lines Over People), made a deputation regarding the Hydro One Proposal for York Region.

(d) Communication from Dr. K. Helena Jaczek, Commissioner of Health Services and Medical Officer of Health, July 23, 2004, commenting on health issues related to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs).

The Committee received the presentations and communication and recommended the matter be referred to Regional Council for consideration at the December 16, 2004 meeting and that consideration be given to obtaining feedback from the Local Distribution Companies.

(A copy of the presentations and communication are included with this report.)

COMMUNICATIONS

[The following link opens .pdf files of the Communications]

3.  Nicholas You, Chief, Best Practices and Policies Section, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Nairobi, Kenya, dated October 21, 2004 regarding 'Greening of York Strategy'. 

The Committee received the communication and acknowledged the efforts and work of staff participating in this program.

4. Dwight Duncan, Minister of Energy, dated November 9, 2004, regarding Markham Town Council's resolution regarding new transmission to supply York Region's electricity needs.  Received.

5. J.D. Leach, City Clerk, City of Vaughan, dated October 29, 2004, regarding 'Provincial Land Use Planning Policy Reform, Draft Provincial Policy Statement City of Vaughan Comments'. Received.

OTHER BUSINESS

[The following links open .pdf files of the Reports]

6. Housing & Our Economy Remaining Competitive

The Committee was advised that this report was adopted by Council at its meeting on November 18, 2004 as a report of the Community Services and Housing Committee and was brought forward for information to this Committee. Received.

            7. Employers Opinion Survey 2004

The Committee was advised that this report was adopted by Council at its meeting on November 18, 2004 as a report of the Community Services and Housing Committee and was brought forward for information to this Committee. Received.

            8. Community Export Development Award

The Committee received a memorandum from the Commissioner of Planning and Development Services advising that the Regional Municipality of York received the Community Export Development Award by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.  The formal presentation of the award was made at the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards dinner in Toronto on November 10, 2004. Regional staff and Export Advisors were in attendance to receive the award.

The Committee congratulated staff and recommended the award be presented to Regional Council on December 16, 2004.

The Planning and Economic Development Committee adjourned at 4:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

December 1, 2004                                                                                           F. Scarpitti

Newmarket, Ontario                                                                                        Chair

(Report No. 11 of the Planning and Economic Development Committee was adopted, without amendment, by Regional Council at its meeting held on December 16, 2004.)