THURSDAY MARCH 23, 2017
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yorkregion.com Three people, including a 17-year-old male from Georgina, have been charged with human trafficking after York Regional Police responded to a 911 call from a victim in Georgina. Police received a 911call March 12 from a female being held against her will at an unknown location for the purpose of prostitution. Officers were able to track down the location of the call and locate the victim. Three male suspects were arrested inside the residence and have been charged with several offences related to human trafficking, according to police. Contrary to common misperceptions that sex slaves are brought here from impoverished countries, 63 per cent of Ontario’s victims of human trafficking are Canadian citizens, says the organizer of a York Region awareness event on human trafficking. Females make up 90 per cent of victims, with 63 per cent ranging in age from l See TRIO, page 7
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Steve Somerville/Metroland
Stephanie Jackson and Marianne Deeks mark their wrists with an ’X’, the symbol for the global End It Movement aimed at putting a stop to human trafficking.
NEWS
Region considering asking province for new taxing powers LISA QUEEN lqueen@yrmg.com
Steve Somerville/Metroland
York Region is contemplating new taxes and revenue sources.
If you already feel tax collectors have their hands in your wallet too much as it is, this won’t come as good news. York Region is looking at the possibility of asking the province to allow it to introduce new taxes, or "revenue tools," as bureaucrats and politicians prefer to call them. The region, which is talking to officials from other municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to see if they are in the same boat, is eyeing taxes Toronto is permitted to implement such as land transfer, vehicle registration, alcohol, tobacco, entertainment and billboard
taxes, Yi Luo, York’s manager of forecasting and policy, said. That is not to say council would choose to implement all those taxes, she said. At the moment, municipalities other than Toronto can only rely on property taxes, development charges on new growth, user rates such as water and wastewater fees and transit fares, and some minimal fines and penalties. A report outlining various fiscal pressures faced by the region and advocating for additional revenueraising powers is expected to come before councillors in April or May, Luo said. "The reason why we’re investigating the potential new revenue sources is that the region really faces the
dual challenge of servicing the tremendous amount of growth that we’re anticipating, and also making sure that our large and growing asset base (such as roads, water treatment facilities, social housing and paramedic services) is kept in a state of good repair so that we can do both those things in a financially sustainable way to continue to provide the kind of quality services that we provide to our residents." The region’s assets, not including land owned by the region, are now valued at $11 billion, Luo said. The region’s 10-year capital plan calls for $6.1 billion worth of investments, with more than 60 per cent required to accommodate growth.
The transportation master plan shows $22.1 billion is needed until 2041 for roads and transit infrastructure. "We’re basically only meeting a fraction of that need. When you look at the gap, it’s tremendous," Luo said. "Basically, what we’re saying is we’re a growing municipality, we have a large population. But when you look at the kind of tools we have to address these pressures, we have the same tools as a small town in Ontario. Our existing tools don’t have the capacity to allow us to address all of those problems." Council has made financially prudent decisions in l See REGION’S, page 7
BUSINESS
Women, girls honoured for leadership, volunteerism women and girls have given their time and energy to helping others and improving their communities," Ballard said. "It is important to recognize their strength, leadership and the positive example they set for others." This is the third annual event he has held to show female volunteers who are driven to enhance the community and every year the list of exceptional women continues to grow, he added. Since the recognition program’s inception, more than 1,000 woman and girls have been recognized across the province. "The women and girls recognized through this
TERESA LATCHFORD tlatchford@yrmg.com Angel Freeman is just one of the local women honoured for her dedication to the community. Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard handed flowers and Leading Women, Leading Girls, building community awards to 23 exceptional females in celebration of International Women’s Week. Freeman, a social worker, was recognized for launching both the York Region Fill-APurse Campaign - that has filled 2,700 purses with essentials and donated to women - and Angel’s Garage. "These exceptional 23
award are not only helping their communities, they also serve as an inspiration to all of us," status of women minister Indira NaidooHarris said. "Thank you for your outstanding work and accomplishments." To learn more about the recognition program, visit women.gov.on.ca. The recipients of the 2017 Leading Women, Leading Girls awards are: Rola Issa, the driving force behind the creation of the Aurora LEOs Club. Angel Freeman, a community builder who launched the York Region Fill-A-Purse campaign and Angel’s Garage. Phyllis Morris, the first woman to be elected as Au-
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rora Food Bank and Aurora United Church Rise and Shine community breakfast. Juliana Playter, who has been involved with the Heart and Stroke Founda-
l See WOMEN, page 7
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rora’s mayor for a four-year term. Suzanne Whitehurst, volunteer with CHATS, Meals ON Wheels, Homework Club of York Region Children’s Aid Society, Au-
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Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard recently recognized 23 women and girls from Newmarket and Aurora for their leadership, volunteerism and dedication to enhancing the community.
tion, Cancer Society, museum board, Terry Fox Run, Take Back the Night while leading initiatives that support families with young children. Laurie Mueller, a dedicated sports leader working for almost two decades to develop sporting opportunities for women and girls. Elaine Adam, an advocate for women’s rights and volunteer with a number of organizations including Community Bread and Community Living Newmarket-Aurora. Jan Freedman, chair of the Christmas dinner at the Aurora Seniors Centre, vol-
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