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s economist sun stoubvffle tribune saturday july 10 1999 9 york region leads gta in population growth by lisa queen staff writer york region led the greater toronto area in population growth last year according to the regions annual report yorks population jumped 4 per cent meaning more than 26000 residents moved to or were born in the region almost 691000 people now call the region home in comparison peel region had the second fastest growth rate at 24 per cent durham region with a growth rate of 19 per cent edged at halton at 18 per cent yorks growth rate was almost seven times that of torontos 06 per cent the regions new residents moved into more than 9000 homes built last year meanwhile 610 million worth of commercial and indus trial construction was completed regional chairperson bill fisch said yorks growth numbers reflects the regions success how do i know we were successful we continued to attract thousands of new residents and millions of new invest- ment dollars he said an indepth industry survey of the regions 21000 busmessesconfirmed increased employment opportunities as reflected by an unemployment rate of 53 per cent as compared to 63 per cent for the gta despite the successes fisch said the region had its share of challenges last yean he pointed to the 936 million regional taxpayers were forced to contribute towards torontos social services i am dedicated to eliminating this unfair transfer of property tax dollars out of our communities and i will contin ue to advocate to the province that these funds be spent on services and programs in york region auto parts giant magna international continues to be yorks largest private sector employer with 9350 workers ibm canada is second with 5000 followed by paramount canadas wonderland with 3850 amex canada with 3000 royal group technologies and miller paving with 1900 other highlights include the region took over the maintenance of a number of provincial roads last year including hwys 7 47 50 27 and parts of 48 and 11 the region also took over several local roads including teston road gamble road 14th avenue and bathurst street the region launched a 10million water efficiency pro- gram called water for tomorrow focusing on leakage control water use reduction and public education the province downloaded many public health and social services including operation of the work-for-welfare- pro gram temporary road closure vivian road yr 74 town of whitchurchstouffville vivian rd yr 74 immediately west of kennedy rd yr 3 will be closed to through traffic from july 12 1999 to august 13 1999 for the purpose of culvert replacement bylaw no r11781999036 please direct enquiries to the regional municipality of york transportation and works department 17250 yonge street newmarket on l3y 6z1 tel 905 8951200 fclubl markham located 8500 in the embassy suites 905 warden avenue at hwy 7 markham round stafeoftheart exercise gym 50000 in recent upgrades newly expanded free weighr room large aerobics studio with cushioned floor ask about our exciting new classes personal trainers computerized fitness evaluations programs 5 international squash courts squash professional pro shop indoor swimming pool with adjacent garden patio aquafit classes whirlpool steam rooms dry saunas child care massage therapy esthetician free towel service 6 grooming aids licensed lounge and restaurant plenty of free parking free summer offer applies to new annual adult memberships pay for 10 months and youll receive 12 months membership at the same price free summer progarh is not valid with any other discount offer call now limited free summer memberships are available gel m calh41634i1234 outside toronto 1 888ok go jay or visit our website at wwwbluejaysca skydome box office gate 9 830am 6pm seven days a week commerce court 8am 6pm monday to friday orticketmaster locations dont pay that traffic tickets c tff traffic ticket experts is staffed by expolice officers who will act as your agent in gt court defending all traffic tickets speeding accidents careless impaired etc call for free consultation guaranty experts i service we win or its fre ourt j i fiv w