How Ontario's announced breakup of Peel could impact York Region

Hastily announced, without explanation, proposed legislation is worrisome, Vaughan resident says

Yorkregion.com
June 19, 2023
Kim Zarzour

The breakup of Peel Region was big news for Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon, but residents in the Region of York should care, too, about the province’s plans for its neighbour to the west.

That’s because what happens in Peel could affect some shared services between the two regions, according to a report submitted at York council on June 15.

On May 18, the Ontario government tabled legislation for Bill 112, Hazel McCallion Act, which, if passed, would dissolve the Region of Peel effective Jan. 1, 2025.

The cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the town of Caledon would become single-tier, standalone municipalities.

York Region staff presented a report to council on Thursday, assessing potential financial, service and growth-related impacts on York from the proposed legislation.

The two regions have long-standing agreements governing the provision of water and wastewater services to York Region’s residents, the report said.

Peel guarantees to supplement York Region’s wastewater servicing needs to accommodate the current and future residents, with terms continuing into perpetuity.

Peel and York also have a cost-sharing agreement for the operation and maintenance of Highway 50 which, between Steeles Avenue and Mayfield Road/Albion Vaughan Road, is a boundary road between York and Peel Regions.

Peel Region has operated and maintained Highway 50 since the road was downloaded by the province to both regions.

In 1999, council adopted a boundary agreement to cost share Highway 50 road maintenance, construction and traffic signal operations. The current agreement is in effect until Dec. 31, 2028, the report said.

Vaughan resident and activist Irene Ford raised concerns about the fate of these shared contracts in an email to councillors on June 14.

“How can water and wastewater services be provided in perpetuity by an entity that will no longer exist? What will happen to the cost of this water and wastewater servicing?” she said. “York Region already has a water and wastewater servicing capacity shortage -- any reduction in service from Peel would be detrimental.”

At the same time, Ford added, Highway 50 is a “scary and terrifying mess to drive on, with relentless heavy truck traffic” -- something that should be considered in any discussion regarding joint management of the highway.

She urged municipal councils not to enable the “masking of unknown and/or negative outcomes resulting from provincial legislative changes hastily announced, passed in the absence of implementation plans, publicly available cost/benefit analysis or explanation for why it is in the public interest.”

The Region of York, at its committee meeting on June 15, agreed to ask the province to involve York in consultations when the dissolution process unfolds.

“This is definitely something we should put on the radar now with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and any other relevant ministries,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

“There are implications to whatever their recommendations are that go beyond the borders of Mississauga and Brampton.”