'Drive positive change': Newmarket and YorkU sign new agreement

York University and the Town of Newmarket have formalized their partnership by signing a new memorandum of understanding.

Dignitaries from both organizations gathered at the town office Sept. 14 to celebrate the memorandum intended to progress the existing collaboration that helps Newmarket address problems and provide the university with new opportunities for students.

York University president and vice-chancellor Rhonda Lenton said the MOU will bring energy to strengthen the collaboration.

“I look forward to working together to drive positive change in the Town of Newmarket and beyond,” she said.

The two sides have partnered on several projects over the years, such as with a recent business accelerator. The university has signed similar agreements elsewhere, including the Town of Aurora and City of Markham.

Lenton said they intend to sign similar agreements with all nine of York Region’s municipalities to respond to the regional growth. 

“We’ve realized we’re going to need to support the talent pipeline, the innovation, the socioeconomic development,” she said. “We wanted to develop strategic partnerships with each municipality in York Region so that we could strategize around what are the particular needs and goals of each municipality. With the MOU, it formalizes that commitment.”

That means setting aside time for meetings and identifying projects with each of the municipalities, she said.

The partnership could help Newmarket address the challenging problems in the years to come, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said. 

“We’re in for some complicated economic times, political, social and health-related complications,” he said. “We’re going to meet those only through partnerships and innovation … We’ll be looking to York University, hopefully, to help us gather some of the data to make really good decisions.” 

Discussions will still need to happen to decide which projects the MOU can bring about, Lenton said. She suggested they could include things like entrepreneurial opportunities with businesses getting access to students, developing artistic opportunities, and living labs.

“We’re very excited about this and we just love the enthusiasm that Newmarket has,” she said. “Our vision, our missions, our values align so well with Newmarket. This MOU is going to allow us to strengthen the kind of things we’re doing together.”