The Population Boom
York Region is no longer a bedroom community. With 1.25 million residents today and projections topping 2.06 million by 2051, it’s poised to become one of Canada’s largest and most dynamic urban regions.
But despite its scale, York is still governed like a patchwork of nine municipalities—a model better suited to farmland than a high-density, multi-city metro.
The Housing Equation: 300,000 New Homes
At an average of 2.5 residents per home, York will need to build at least 300,000 new homes by 2051.
To meet that target:
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Build dense, mixed-use communities near TTC subway and GO Train stations.
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Prioritize vertical growth over urban sprawl.
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Unlock major corridors like Yonge Street, Highway 7, and Major Mackenzie for intensification.
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Focus on affordability, especially for first-time buyers and working families.
The Transit Blueprint: Laying the Tracks for 2051
To support a population nearing 2 million, York Region needs more than just upgrades—it needs a true regional transit grid. Here’s what GTA Weekly envisions:
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Subway Expansion Northward
Extend the subway from Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) to Major Mackenzie, and complete the Yonge North Subway Extension into Richmond Hill—with long-term potential to push further north toward Major Mackenzie and potentially Newmarket. -
Highway 7 BRT Connections
Finish the Highway 7 BRT through Markham and extend it west into Brampton, creating a seamless east-west rapid corridor across the northern GTA that could eventually convert to LRT as ridership grows. -
GO Network Upgrades Across York Region
Upgrade and electrify York Region’s key north-south GO Train corridors: the Barrie Line (serving Vaughan, King City, Newmarket, Bradford and East Gwillimbury), the Stouffville Line (serving Stouffville and Markham), and a proposed Caledon–Vaughan Line featuring a potential new Woodbridge GO Station. Together, these routes could anchor a York Region SmartTrack-style network with frequent, all-day service. -
Complete the Transit Grid
York Region’s two TTC subway lines and three GO Train corridors (if you include the proposed Caledon–Vaughan Line) all run north-south. It’s time to build out the east-west spine—through BRT on Highway 7, Major Mackenzie, and Rutherford—to fully link these vertical lines into a true regional network.
One Region, One Plan?
Fragmented governance slows down approvals, infrastructure, and coordination.
York Region is already larger than several Canadian provinces—yet governed like nine small towns.
It’s time to explore regional unification or single-tier status, bringing:
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Faster housing approvals
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Unified transportation planning
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More efficient infrastructure delivery
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Stronger advocacy power at Queen’s Park
Final Word: York Region as Canada’s Next Great Metro
York Region is growing into a powerhouse. But it needs bold planning—not just growth by default.
Let’s stop thinking of York as “Toronto’s suburbs” and start designing it as a proud million-plus metropolis in its own right.
Because in the race to 2051, cities that plan boldly—and build together—will lead Canada’s future.
📏 Square Footage is GTA Weekly’s editorial series on how Ontario can build for the next generation—one city at a time.
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