Perspective York Region 2017 by Perspective

Perspe ctive

York Region | 2 0 1 7

Ontario’s

fastest growing

Large municipality YORK REGION Strategically positioned in the Greater Toronto area, York Region is Ontario’s second largest business centre and qualifies among Canada’s largest Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences and Financial Services business clusters.

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Why More are choosing to Live and Work in York Region

he Regional Municipality of York stretches north from Toronto to Lake Simcoe and includes many hectares of protected Greenbelt. York Region’s diversity is evident in our nine local municipalities, geography, economic development and population. York Region works to provide residents and businesses access to a broad selection of services and resources. Within these pages you will learn about a place to live, work and invest. From Arts and Culture to an amazing health care system. Please visit york.ca for more information. York Healthcare - Health is important to quality of life for everyone. York Region provides a broad array of programs and information to assist residents of all ages. York Transportation York Region manages over 4,011 kilometres of Regional roads. York Region’s roads are maintained and improved regularly, assisting in the safe and efficient transport of goods and people between urban and rural areas. In addition, York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) buses are readily available and offer fast and convenient travel throughout the Region. York Environment York Region is home to many hectares of Greenbelt as well as the environmentally important Oak Ridges Moraine. Our natural environment is supported by planning and implementing numerous forest conservation and greening strategies, waste management initiatives, careful wastewater monitoring and rigorous protection of our drinking

water. York Region is dedicated to environmental sustainability now and for the future. York Community Support - York Region is known as a rapidly growing community with an aff luent population. The fact is, many living here struggle to keep up. York Region works with other levels of government and various partners to provide support to those in need. Assistance is available through programs for housing, health, childcare, eldercare and more. York Recreation Recreation is an important part of a balanced lifestyle and what better place to come out and play than in York Region. Hike or cycle miles of forest and urban trails. Play golf on over 70 golf courses, some of them world-class championship courses. Enjoy Lake Simcoe’s beaches and boating. York Region is also home to numerous fairs and festivals. For more information about recreation and tourism in York Region, visit YorkScene.com. York Business Strategically positioned in the Greater Toronto area, York Region is Ontario’s second largest business centre and qualifies among Canada’s largest Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences and Financial Services business clusters. York Region supports economic development with a probusiness environment offering a range of investment assistance and resources for businesses and non-profits both large and small.

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About the cover

Take a look at York Region. The Regional Municipality of York plays an important role in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ontario economy. Home to almost 1.2 million residents and over 49,000 businesses, the Region is an attractive location in which to live and invest. York Region is one of Canada’s fastest-growing large urban municipalities

P e r s p e c t i v e TM 1464 Cornwall Rd, Suite 5, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5 1-866-779-7712 info@perspective.ca perspective.ca

Publisher, CeO Steve Montague ViCe-PresiDeNT Ed Martin Marketing Coordinator Sabrina Woods Editorial Meredith MacLeod and Mint Copy Inc. PerspectiveTM York Region was produced indepen dently of the York Region. Contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Perspective Marketing Inc. The publisher is not liable for any views expressed in the articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the York Region.

York Region is where talent and opportunity intersect becoming one of GTA’s leading Enterprise Technology Hubs

million

thousand

Source:York Region Community Report 2015

The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station design was developed for an evolving vision for a new urban centre. It will serve as a catalyst for the growth of a new mixed-use downtown precinct with the builtin potential to connect directly to adjacent developments.The station also provides an unpaid indoor pedestrian link under Highway 7, with the potential to unite the two halves of the future downtown together.

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The automotive sector drives the Ontario economy and York Region is leading the way. York Region boasts Canada’s largest auto parts manufacturing cluster: 100 firms with 16,000 employees.

he Region is also the Canadian head office location of six global automotive firms, including Magna International, North America’s largest auto parts manufacturer and Honda Canada, the first Japanese automaker to produce vehicles in Canada. There is also a tremendous amount of innovation underway in York, including Magna’s corporate R&D centre and the newly opened Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) Markham Campus of GM focusing on autonomous vehicles and software development. The growing automotive cluster in York Region and the broader GTA is a key sector for custom automation solutions provider Falcon Hi Tec International in Concord. “We are literally surrounded by Magna. We do a lot of direct work with automotive suppliers such as assembly equipment and testing and verification equipment to checking parts before they are shipped to the OEM,” said Falcon general manager Peter Lacza. Falcon designs, engineers, builds and integrates automation solutions, advanced manufacturing systems, robotic cells , turnkey controls, and custom machinery. It’s particularly specialized at custom assembly and test automation, robotic applications, material handling and welding systems for the automotive sector. The company focuses on customers within an hour’s radius of the GTA but also serves some automotive companies in Mexico and the U.S, said Lacza. “We are working to get into the Michigan corridor and the dollar is bringing back some interest. We’re

GM expanded its engineering and software development core with a focus on new automotive systems and technologies for the future. It built a new research and development facility in Markham. also working to get into the OEMs in Oshawa and Oakville. Right now, Tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers are our focus,” he said. “There are a lot of Tier 1 and 2 parts being made here. People don’t realize how deep the sector goes in Ontario.” Markham, already home to more than 1,100 high-tech and life sciences companies, now hosts a crucial research and development facility for GM. The Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) Markham Campus, which opened last fall, is a 150,000-square-foot facility featuring test labs for end-to-end software development. “The Markham Campus adds to GM’s focus on advanced mobility innovation including the development of next generation autonomous vehicle software and controls, active safety and vehicle dynamics systems, and infotainment and connected vehicle technologies,” said Brian Tossan, director of the Canadian Technical Centre, GM Canada. GM also has research facilities in Oshawa, Waterloo and its cold-weather testing site in Kapuskasing. “We chose Markham for our fourth engineering facility because Markham

is the tech capital of Canada, so it made natural sense. Additionally, there are over 4,300 ICT firms in York Region and being a part of this dense cluster offers opportunities to look for collaborations and partnerships,” said Tossan. “Markham is also host to many multinationals, like GM Canada, so they were able to facilitate us in getting up and running. We also selected Markham for its proximity to Toronto, one of the most vibrant cities in North America, and to the Toronto-Kitchener-Waterloo innovation corridor. Being close to these locations gives us great access to top, world-renowned universities and first-class research institutions and to great future talent.” GM has moved into the first floor of its Markham Campus, while the second and third floors are under construction. About 150 software engineers and developers are working at the Markham site, with new hires coming on board every week, says Tossan. “We also have many active job openings available as we look to hire hundreds of engineers over the next few years as part of our mandate to expand our Canadian engineering base to reach a total of approximately 1,000 positions.” Research and development is also underway at Honda Canada’s Markham head office. The $100-million Honda “campus”, opened in May 2010, houses three interconnected buildings, including a four-storey energy-efficient LEED gold building, a technical centre for R&D, engineering and training, and a onestorey parts distribution centre. “The campus relocation to Markham allowed Honda the opportunity for greater economic and operational efficiencies, while expanding our economic contribution to Canada,” said Barry Holt, executive vice president and COO, Honda Canada Inc.

“Honda decided on a municipality that complemented our business philosophy – speed to market, focus on customer service and driven by innovative and sustainable solutions.” Other factors cited for moving to Markham, include: access to roads and markets, government incentive and corporate taxes, proximity of support services and supplier locations, land availability, cost of living and labour rates. York Region’s strong automotive sector also includes Honda supplier TS Tech Canada, the sole provider of seats for Civics and CR-Vs produced in Alliston, according to a presentation created when TS Tech Canada won a manufacturer of the year award from the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce in 2015. TS Tech employs about 18,000 people worldwide and more than 800 in Newmarket. York Region is also playing a big role in the production of two of the most exciting cars ever produced. The first Ford GT supercar roared off the production line at Multimatic Inc.’s facility in Markham in December. The carbon fibre sports car has a 600-horsepower engine and a starting price tag of about US $450,000. Multimatic is an automotive engineering and racing company and manufactures suspension components, light-weight body structures and other parts for Ford and other auto makers. Ford received 6,500 applications for the first 500 GTs. It will take two years for Multimatic to produce that many, at a pace of one a day at full production. Multimatic will also produce the lightweight carbon-fibre monocell for the new Aston Martin AM-RB 001 hypercar, a collaboration between the British luxury car company and the Red Bull F1 racing team. The first of 150 road versions are expected to be built in 2019 and will likely cost more than $3 million.

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Welcoming you to a world of opportunities! The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) located at Highway 7 and Jane Street is fast becoming the heart of the community, brimming with new talent, innovation and urban amenities.

he City of Vaughan, the northern gateway to Toronto, is creating a new downtown centred on enviable urban living, amplified job creation and making Vaughan the most well-connected community in the 905. The vision is for a true live, work, play city featuring urban parks and green space, office and condo towers, pedestrian and bike links, hotel, retail and entertainment districts, recreational, leisure and nightlife amenities, and enhanced transit links. The planned Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) will encompass 442 acres, roughly the size of downtown Toronto. Targets to be achieved by 2031 include: a minimum of 1.5 million square feet of office space (more than 40 per cent is planned or under construction); 11,500 jobs, including 5,000 new office jobs; 12,000 residential units housing 25,000 people (almost two-thirds are planned or under construction); and 750,000 square feet of retail space. “The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre will be the city’s dynamic and vibrant core. It will be the place to be, which will provide memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike. A place where people can work, live and play.” said Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “The VMC will be a reflection of our city’s modern approach to sustainability and avant-garde thinking. The subway, which will soon be opened, will add a vital transit dimension to life in our city.” The urban community and its mix of new housing options will be a key driver in luring and retaining critical talent to companies choosing to invest in the VMC.

The VMC has already attracted both national and international corporations, including accounting giant KPMG, business law firm Miller Thomson, Harley Davidson Canada and GFL Environmental. “Located in the heart of the GTA, Vaughan was a clear choice for us to set up a new office,” says Sebastian Distefano, GTA Regional Managing Partner at KPMG. “It allows us to best service our many clients situated in the area, today and tomorrow.” None of this would be possible without extensive infrastructure investments that will catalyze both office and residential development. At the heart of the VMC is the intermodal transit services operated by three public agencies, the Toronto Transit Commission,York Region Rapid Transit Corporation and Metrolinx. The VMC vision is closely tied to the $3.18-billion, 8.6-kilometre, sixstation Toronto York-Spadina subway extension on Line 1 Yonge University that has tunnelled its way north from Downsview station. It’s the first time

Toronto’s subway has reached past the city limits, making Vaughan the only 905 municipality with subway service. Commuters will have about a 45-minute ride to Union Station when service commences, scheduled for the end of 2017. The subway will be closely tied to new VivaNext bus rapid transit lanes on Hwy.7 and a new, nine-bay SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal that will open with the subway. The York Viva BRT rapidway station on Highway 7, immediately above the VMC Subway Station, is scheduled to open in spring 2018. Transit passengers will be fully connected east to west and north to south and will be able to walk to transit connections on either above-ground or underground pathways. The VMC will also include a new mixed-use YMCA and library in the future PwC Tower at SmartCentres Place. The City of Vaughan has implemented its first Community Improvement Plan (CIP) to facilitate major office

investments in the VMC. The CIP allows for planning tools and financial incentives for office development projects greater than 75,000 square feet. The VMC will only intensify strong population and economic growth already underway in Vaughan. The city accounts for 38 per cent of employment in York Region, is home to 11,370 small, medium and large businesses, and achieved average annual employment growth of 3.5 per cent in 2016. Vaughan has frequently topped national growth population rates, booming from 111,000 people when it was incorporated in 1991 to more than 325,000 today.Vaughan’s population is expected to be 416,000 by 2031. Vaughan has surpassed $1B in building construction permits eight out of last 10 years and was ranked in 2016 by Canadian Business and Profit magazines as No. 2 in Ontario among best places to do business. The city was also named among the top 20 best places to live in Canada by MoneySense in 2016.

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At TMS, I am known.

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Projects planned and underway in the VMC Cosmos Condos

Cosmos Office Tower

Developer: Liberty Development Corporation

What: four residential towers, including about 1,151 units and an observatory

What: 140,000 square feet of Class-A office space over eight-storeys, 25,000 square feet of retail

Status: Launched spring 2016

Status: Approved

TMS creates opportunities for children to be inspired by learning through experimentation, exploration and self-discovery.

Opening: 2 019 for Phase 1 and 2 (tentative occupancy)

Opening: S cheduled completion for 2020

Located in Richmond Hill, the Montessori Lower School is for students 18 months to grade 6. The Upper School (Grades 7-12) offers the only independent International Baccalaureate(IB) Programme in York Region.

When students are genuinely known, their learning can be fully understood and beautifully supported. They can thrive.

Finding the right school for your child is important. Come visit us and see how important your child is to us.

Expo City

Icona Condos

Developer: Cortel Group

Developer: The Gupta Group

What: Five residential condo towers of 1,935 units. Towers 1 and 2 are complete, making Expo City the first residential condos completed in the VMC. Tower 3 is under construction. Status: Ongoing Opening: N ext openings estimated for 2019

What: Residential and hotel complex of three towers, 46, 55 and 55-storeys of 1,663 units, plus an underground parking facility with two of the towers sitting atop five floors of retail

www.tmsschool.ca

We are worth the visit. Richmond Hill

Status: Now selling Opening: 2021 (estimated)

KPMG Tower

The Met

Developer: SmartCentres

Developer: Plazacorp/Berkley Developments

What: 365,000 square foot Class-A, 15-storey office building. KPMG occupies the upper six floors with more than 600 employees

What: 35-storey residential condo tower with 572 suites, including 62 townhomes next to Edgeley Pond and Park, the VMCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature green space

Status: Completed

Status: Sales office open

Opening: Occupied

Opening: Occupancy 2019

SmartCentres Place

Transit City

Developer: SmartREIT What: 220,000-square-foot mixeduse facility adjacent to the completed KPMG tower, including office space of 80,000-square-foot for the lead tenant PwC, new YMCA and library Status: Construction underway Opening: Late 2019

Developer: Partnership between SmartReit and CentreCourt Developments What: Residential condominium project of two 55-storey towers and 1,100 suites, in 100-acre SmartCentres Place, including first BUCA-branded restaurant outside downtown Toronto Status: Registrations underway Opening: Occupancy 2021

For more information, visit myvmc.ca

Our Montessori start and IB finish provide a unique framework within which your child can say I Am Known.

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Family’s $5M gift will impact stroke care in York Region

iblings Edward Sorbara, Marcella Tanzola and Gregory Sorbara’s transformational gift of $5 million to Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is inspired by a proud family tradition of generosity and community leadership. They hope their leadership donation in this early stage of the fundraising campaign will inspire others who are as equally invested in the past and future of Vaughan to join the fundraising campaign that will bring a world-class hospital to the city. Immigrating to Canada from Italy in the 1920s as a teenager, their father, Sam, established an insurance business in 1942 that laid the foundation for the family-owned real estate, planning, development, construction, investment and management firm that is the Vaughan-based Sorbara Group of Companies of today. Sam became a well-established leader in the Italian-Canadian community, helping many newcomers arriving from Italy in the 1950s to settle and prosper in their new community, Marcella recalls. Sam passed away in 2002, 12 years after a debilitating stroke.

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“ OUR GIFT OF $5 MILLION TO MACKENZIE VAUGHAN HOSPITAL CONTINUES A GIVING TRADITION, ONE THAT WE WERE REALLY BORN INTO And CONTINUE TO EMBRACE AND SHARE WITH THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATIONS OF SORBARA FAMILIES.” Says Greg, who is Co-Chair of the campaign cabinet for the Exceptional Care Belongs Here campaign for Mackenzie Health.

Edward Sorbara, Marcella Tanzola and Gregory Sorbara stand before the rustic “Nonno’s Cabin”, which lies at the edge of the Frank Robson Woodlot on Keele Street in Maple.The Sorbara family gifted to cabin to the City of Vaughan in memory of their father, Sam, who built the cabin in then rural Vaughan as a retreat for family and friends. Edward hopes their gift will inspire others in the building industry who have fuelled and benefited from the tremendous growth in Vaughan and Richmond Hill to also support this much needed hospital. In recognition of their generous gift, the provincially acclaimed York Region

District Stroke Centre at Mackenzie Health and the Integrated Stroke Unit at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be named in honour of Edward Sorbara, Marcella Tanzola and Gregory Sorbara. The unit will feature 30 private and three semi-private rooms, with space for family to stay overnight. One of 17 district

stroke centres in Ontario, Mackenzie Health is a leader in treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of stroke. To view a video of the gift announcement and celebration at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital last November, please visit mackenziehealthfoundation.ca

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‘This is how I give back for my second chance at life’

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wonder if I’ll walk again,” a thought that went through Hasnain (Hass) Mawji’s mind repeatedly in the wake of his devastating stroke two years ago. Evidently, for Hass, fears weren’t enough stop him from overcoming overwhelming odds when a hemorrhagic stroke left with a paralyzed leg and arm at the age of 44. Not only did he have to battle paralysis, but also bouts of fear and doubt that he would ever live normally again. “That was really scary. I kept wondering if the feeling in my arm and leg would ever come back,” Hass says. But Hass’ determination won out in the end. During his six weeks in the Mackenzie Health District Stroke Centre, he set big goals and let nothing stand in the way of overcoming any hurdles. “I said to myself, I’m determined to walk, so I’m going to walk.” And he did, beginning with a walker and then a cane. Then, for three months, Hass continued rehabilitation with visits to St. John’s Rehab and Mackenzie Health’s Cardiac Rehab. While he grew stronger daily, there were days that a fear of falling kept him home. “I was so tired of being afraid. One day, I woke up and said to myself ‘Let’s do this’. I got on the bus and went to the mall,” Hass says. “I had to take the fear out of my recovery. I walked around the mall for hours, alone, and although I was truly afraid, I told myself if I fall, I’ll get up.” It was that same drive that inspired Hass to challenge himself even further by registering for Richview Manor’s Strides for Stroke, the Foundation’s annual five-kilometre run/walk supporting the Mackenzie Health District Stroke Program. “I wasn’t sure if I would cross that finish line, but I did, and with so

Hasnain Mawji many others supporting a cause that is very important to me,” Hass says. “I was so motivated by all the people involved, I found the courage keep going even when I was tired.” For Hass, walking has been a therapeutic and rewarding measure of success throughout his recovery. Each day since his venture out to the mall, Hass has challenged himself to walk new routes and longer distances. Hass is so grateful to the entire team at Mackenzie Health for saving his life, he now volunteers on the Mackenzie Health District Stroke Unit, helping fellow stroke survivors to overcome their fears and challenges as he did. “This is how I give back for my second chance at life,” Hass says. “I tell the patients, ‘I was where you are.You will get better, you just have to keep believing that you will’.” You can watch Hass’ story here: http://bit.ly/2rAsItR

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York Region Emerges as Canada’s Top Destination for the ICT Sector

ork Region is home to the 2nd highest number of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) firms in Canada, finishing just behind the City of Toronto. Currently, there are over 4,300 tech firms in the York Region that provide jobs for 65,000 local residents. The region hosts 4 of Canada’s Top 10 ICT Corporate R&D Investors, including the largest IBM software development lab outside of the United States. In total, 22 of Canada’s Top 100 IT Solutions providers are located in York Region making it the largest ICT hub per capita in Canada. We have attempted to offer a glimpse into the region’s ICT prowess by profiling a few key companies.

Compugen Joins Forces with Mackenzie Health to Create First “Smart Hospital” Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Compugen has over 35 years of experience as one of Canada’s largest IT service providers. The firm offers products and services for real-world solutions and has recently partnered with Mackenzie Health to create Vaughan’s first “smart hospital”. Mackenzie Health is the first hospital in Canada to feature fully integrated “smart” technology systems and medical tools that will maximize the efficiency of both patients and the facility. The system will include audio and video communication tools between providers and patients, community and patient-provider portals, and access to home health tools such as integrated private and secure patient electronic records. Compugen’s partnership with Mackenzie Health will provide the infrastructure, security, and support for the hospital’s new network of “smart” technology. A number of employment opportunities will arise for residents in York Region as the project continues to grow and develop.

Packages Soar to New Heights with Drone Delivery Canada Local businesses may soon be able to ship small packages via drone thanks to the Vaughan-based technology company, Drone Delivery Canada. The company is developing a pilot project that will launch Canada’s first commercial drone delivery service and provide easy access to goods for remote communities. Drone Delivery Canada has been working with leading Canadian academics and Canadian Government regulators to develop and implement a logistics platform utilizing drone technology. “We are proud to be a York Region business driving innovation and disrupting the logistics sector, putting Canada at the forefront of drone delivery technology,” says Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada. The company has also partnered with The Vaughan International Commercialization Centre to adequately test and evaluate its drone delivery technology. Packages are expected to take flight as early as 2018.

Dupont Fabros Technology Moves to Canada with First Facility in York Region Dupont Fabros Technology, a leading data centre in the United States, is set to launch its first-ever Canadian facility in Vaughan, Ontario. The company has found a home in one of the best places in Ontario to do business, according to Canadian Business and PROFIT Magazine. Dupont Fabros Technology will take over the former home of the Toronto Star printing plant to become one of the largest data centres in Canada. The new, state-of-the-art infrastructure will open 12 computer rooms by the end of the year, with a total of 23 computer rooms complete at the

Vaughan-based technology company Drone Delivery Canada is developing a pilot project that will launch Canada’s first commercial drone delivery service which will provide easy access to goods for remote communities. end of development. The completed project will create more employment opportunities for residents in addition to boosting York Region’s already thriving economy and technology sector. Dupont Fabros Technology remains committed to its mission to monitor and protect the information of both national and international enterprises.Vaughan’s new data centre will also be the first facility to specialize in up-to-date technology, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness.

Addressing Urban Sustainability with The Living City Campus The Living City Campus is Canada’s largest environmental and renewable energy education and demonstration centre, located in York Region at the Kortright Centre for Conservation. The campus is part of the UK-based organization called BRE Innovation Parks. The global network is dedicated to finding innovative solutions that will deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits to both the local and international communities. “The main goal is to accelerate the adoption of green building technologies into the Canadian marketplace,” says Glenn MacMillan, Senior Manager of

Water and Energy for the Toronto and Region Conservation. In partnership with the Vaughan International Commercialization Centre, The Living City Campus will give entrepreneurs across the region, access to a real world, full-scale laboratory where they can develop their products into new and innovative technology solutions.

IT Companies Find New Homes in York Region – What Does this Mean for Your Business? In the past, Ottawa and KitchenerWaterloo have earned recognition as Ontario’s tech hub. However, with the introduction of a number of ICT firms and a highly-skilled workforce,York Region has now emerged as a leader in the Canadian technology industry. More space, a slightly lower tax rate, and its close proximity to Toronto make York Region an ideal place to achieve success in the technology sector.

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Thought Leaders in Water Resources Engineering The Leader in Sewer Capacity Management and Water Resource Engineering

ince 2012, Civica Infrastructure Inc. has provided industry-leading consulting services for major municipal and urban development clients across Southern Ontario. We offer cutting edge tools and experience to maximize existing infrastructure, save capital spending, and stimulating economic development, while helping to improve and protect the environment.

Proud to Serve York Region through Continuous Improvement

Specialized Engineering Services for Your Projects

Having served the infrastructure needs in York Region for many years, vice president of Civica Infrastructure Inc. says, “Through our pioneering partnerships with York Region, local municipalities, and the development industry, we’ve helped to increase the resiliency of their municipal systems and continue to stimulate economic development. We believe this is the model to sustainably develop our communities”

Our carefully developed procedures assist clients in maximizing the life of existing sewer infrastructure. In addition to our consulting services, we apply effective field inspection methods to improve system knowledge and provide integrated software systems. Our field services include: • Rain and flow monitoring • Smoke and dye testing • Physical manhole and lot drainage inspections • CCTV Our DataCurrent Software, provides comprehensive GIS-based data management including: • Data management & QC • Real time alarming and alerts • Data consolidation • Data Analysis & Reporting

Our highly skilled engineers can appropriately identify defects in drainage systems, maximizing capacity, facilitating new land development, and implementing flood protection. Partner with Civica - Mitigate Liability and Avoid Spending on New Infrastructure Through an innovative and holistic approach, our goal is to minimize capital spending for new infrastructure by revitalizing your existing storm and wastewater collection systems. We help you understand the current condition and capacity of your infrastructure, so you can make smart decisions to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of your existing system. Civica is committed to providing the highest quality of services and tools to the industry.

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Agri-Food and Beverage Sector: Valuable Contributions to York Region’s Economy

he Regional Municipality of York is the site of one of the largest agri-food sectors in Canada. York Region sits on the Holland Marsh and is home to over 820 working farms and more than 400 food processing and distribution businesses. The local agriculture and agri-food sector has an estimated annual economic impact of $1 billion and generates a number of employment opportunities for the residents of York Region. We are delighted to profile a few players that significantly contribute to the region’s agri-food and beverage sector.

Mars Canada Celebrates Sweet Deal in Newmarket, Ontario Mars Canada recently celebrated the opening of their new 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility in Newmarket, Ontario. The York Region facility will manufacture Maltesers® chocolate for the first time in North America and distribute the product across Canada and the United States. The nut-free factory will manufacture Maltesers for the entire North American market, producing 7.5 million chocolate treats each day and exporting 80 per cent of the product to the United States. Newmarket’s close proximity to the United States makes it an ideal location for exporting Maltesers and opens the door for future expansion. The new Mars Canada facility also takes advantage of Newmarket’s highlyskilled workforce. Construction of the new facility employed 50 tradespeople and subsequently added 30 full-time positions to the community’s job bank. In addition, the factory is set to offer at least 10 more positions by the end of the year as production grows into a 24-hour, 7-days-per-week operation. Along with creating new jobs, the Newmarket factory is also home to superior industry-leading technology, manufacturing, and distribution practices from Mars, Incorporated’s 3 other facilities located around the world.

Family and Artisanal Desserts are Everything at LaRocca Creative Cakes!

Over the last 30 years, LaRocca Creative Cakes has treated North America to an array of unique artisanal desserts. LaRocca’s pastry chefs combine fresh ingredients to create a number of original cake flavours and taste experiences. Ingredients are sourced locally and from around the world to create these one-of-a-kind desserts. La Rocca carries on the tradition of handcrafted dessert making which began 60 years ago in Naples, Italy. Today, the family-owned bakery is located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The bakery specializes in creating delicious cakes and pies distributed through thousands of grocery stores, specialty food stores, and cafes in York Region and across Canada.

Mornings are Made Better with Smucker’s® The year was 1897, and a man by the name of Jerome Monroe Smucker had just created an original recipe called

apple butter. Smucker sold his first jar of apple butter from the back of a horsedrawn wagon in the quaint town of Orrville, Ohio. Today, the J.M. Smucker Company has grown exponentially, distributing products to over 45 countries around the world, including Canada. In 1988, Smucker’s® brought its products to the Canadian marketplace and is now recognized as one of the top food companies in Canada. While the company still specializes in producing quality jams, jellies, fruit spreads and ice cream toppings, the brand has since grown to include other well-known products such as Folgers® coffee, Crisco® shortening and oils, Robin Hood® flour, and more. Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. is located in the heart of Markham, Ontario. Smucker’s has assembled a Canadian management team that embodies Smucker’s 5 guiding principles of Quality, Ethics, People, Growth, and Independence. In their leadership, team members focus on exercising sustainable practices and fostering the growth of both the business and its employees.

The Future of Agriculture and the Agri-Food Sector in York Region With assistance from the York Region Agricultural Advisory Liaison Group, the municipality is implementing an agriculture and agri-food strategy to support the future of the agri-food production sector in the area. The advisory committee is also dedicated to addressing challenges, assisting farmers, and bringing residents and farmers together to create a more inclusive agricultural community.

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J. Addison School provides a Pathway to Success At Markham’s J. Addison School, student success is more than just a buzz word. Known for its personalized teaching and adaptable curriculum, the prestigious private day and boarding school continues to deliver a 100 per cent post-secondary acceptance rate year after year.

ounded in 2002, the school offers programs from Montessori Casa up to Grade 12. Small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and spacious dormitory residences make it a popular choice for local families looking for an enriched private school education as well as international students from Asia, South America, Africa, and Europe. The elementary and secondary school programs follow the Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum with teachers providing enrichment in all core subjects. Classes such as French, Computers and Physical Education are led by specialist teachers. “We are proud that our graduates are accepted into universities all around the world,” notes J. Addison School principal Lee Venditti. In addition to providing a comprehensive education in a safe, harmonious environment, the school offers its international boarding students significant ESL support and a wellrounded introduction to the Canadian way of life. “We help our students feel at home by participating in community events like fundraising walks, tree planting activities, and volunteering at local soup kitchens,” says Venditti. “We believe in having our students give back to society as part of our curriculum.” International students who wish to remain in Canada for their postsecondary education benefit from a

recently-announced partnership between J. Addison School and York University. The new partnership will create a pathway for international graduates interested in attending York University by offering onsite recruitment sessions and English language testing, as well as three scholarships available exclusively to J. Addison School students. “York University will be opening a Markham campus very close to our school within the next three years, so that is going to make the transition even easier for our graduates,”Venditti says. This fall, J. Addison School will also launch a program for elite female basketball players. With an NCAA coach on staff, the initiative is attracting athletes from all over the world who are interested in combining a firstrate education with the opportunity to compete against other elite student athletes in Canada and the United States. In addition to the fully-equipped gymnasium, the school offers a dance studio, art studio, and state-of-the-art science labs. Parents are able to monitor their students’ academic progress through an online portal. “We believe in being very transparent with parents,”Venditti explains. “They can log in and have access to assignments, tests, and quizzes so they

can see how their children are doing at any time.” In addition, school staff travel to Asia to meet with parents first hand, a personal touch that Venditti says sets J. Addison School apart from many other boarding schools. While most international students return home for the summer, some choose to remain on campus to attend summer school or ESL classes. The school also offers a popular Summer Camp program that includes

a day camp for younger children and a new Summer ESL Junior Camp for children aged 12 to 14. “Our students are not just numbers, they are people and we really care for them,”Venditti says. “We encourage each of our students to explore and develop their skills and talents so they can do well in their post-secondary education and be successful in life.” To learn more about J. Addison School visit www.jaddisonschool.com

CMY

Markhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First

Craft brewery

come visit We are very excited to be Markham's first craft brewery! Come Visit our Tasting Room and Retail Store where you can find sour beers, American-style hop forward ales, as well as Belgian farmhouse-style ales.

For More Information: 905-209-1236 rougeriverbrewery.com 50 Bullock Drive Unit 8, Markham, Ontario

@rougeriverbrewingcompany @rougeriverbrewery @RougeRiverBrew

DOWNTOWN REINVENTED Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), Vaughan’s new downtown at Highway 7 and Jane Street, is fast becoming the heart of the community, brimming with new talent, innovation and urban amenities.

new offices at SmartCentres Place in the VMC. We are also pleased to welcome Buca and Bar Buca, the YMCA of Greater Toronto and a new City of Vaughan library opening at SmartCentres Place in the VMC.

Opening in December 2017, the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) first subway extension outside Toronto will begin service, connecting Vaughan’s new downtown with Union Station. This is just one of the reasons a growing list of top employers, including KPMG, Harley-Davidson Canada, PwC, GFL Environmental and Miller Thomson LLP, have announced

Strategically located within Canada’s largest economic hub, the VMC will redefine 21st-century downtowns and be a destination of choice for businesses and residents in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre — it’ll move you!

myVMC.ca G&M VMC InsertAd-9.5x10.indd 1

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