Celebrate Vaughan - February 2020 by Amendola Media Group

2020 EDITION

OUR CITY. OUR HOME.

Vaughanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Decade Forward Together PAGE 10

OUR CITY

C O EULRE BC RI TA YT E V A U G H A N

TABLE OF CONTENTS Our City 10

FORWARD TOGETHER

16 CITY OF VAUGHAN COUNCIL Q & A 22

SAVE THE DATE 2020 CITY OF VAUGHAN EVENT CALENDAR

Service Excellence

MOMENTUM REPORT: THE SERVICE EXCELLENCE JOURNEY 2020

WHERE YOUR PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS GO

73 VAUGHAN CELEBRATES WINTERFEST 76

DESTINATION: VAUGHAN

SUBWAY TO SKY HIGH, VMC IS ON TARGET!

DELIVERING THE LIBRARY OF TOMORROW, TODAY

ACTIVE IN VAUGHAN

HEALTHY AND ACTIVE IN VAUGHAN

GREAT IDEAS CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE

Vaughan Works

Community Building

100 WATER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY MOVES THROUGH THE PEOPLE OF VAUGHAN

104

THE SNOWFIGHTERS OF VAUGHAN

A HOSPITAL FOR THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

106

VAUGHAN FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN VAUGHAN

108

VAUGHAN WORKS: A HUB FOR ENTREPRENEURS

110

INTEGRITY OF THE CITY

ORDER OF VAUGHAN

112

CITY CLERK’S OFFICE: FROM “TO-DO’S” TO “I DO’S”

Destination Vaughan

116

WORK FOR THE CITY THAT WORKS FOR YOU

VAUGHAN’S NEW YMCA

ARTS AND CULTURE IN VAUGHAN

120

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WHAT VAUGHAN HAS TO OFFER

122

RESOURCE GUIDE

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OUR CITY

FOR VAUG H A N, I T ’S T H E U LT I M AT E OR NO T H I NG . THE NEW MACKENZIE VAUGHAN HOSPITAL WILL HELP DOUBLE OUR COMMUNITIES’ ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. DONATE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

TH E ULTI M ATE SUITS YOU

the u ltimate su i t s you.ca DR . KOGON ( LE FT), DI VI SION H EAD, U ROLOGY AN D DONOR DR . PASSAPE RUMA, ONCOLOG IST AN D DONOR

2020 EDITION

ABOUT US Vaughan is a vibrant and prosperous community. At more than four per cent, the city’s economic growth is among the best in Canada and is a major centre of enterprise, opportunity and innovation. Since 2010, more than 60,000 jobs have been created and nearly $12 billion has been issued in building permits while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. Major city-building projects like Vaughan’s emerging downtown, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, and Canada’s first smart hospital, the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park, continue to generate momentum and excitement. Vaughan remains one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities with a population of nearly 335,000 residents, and continues to be an emerging world-class place to raise a family, start a business and enjoy many attractions and amenities. It is anticipated that by 2031, Vaughan will grow to more than 416,000 people and 266,000 jobs.

In Collaboration With CITY OF VAUGHAN CORPORATE AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Publisher AMENDOLA MEDIA GROUP Editor-In-Chief CATHERINE PALMER-AMENDOLA Creative Director CARMINE NAPOLITANO Director of Photography VALERIA MITSUBATA Copy Editors GINA FUSCO AND DAN YURMAN Account Managers SANDRA BEGENISIC • TARAH RENDE Contributing Writers • ROSANNA BONURA • SHERALYN ROMAN • KELLY TABANGI • VANESSA RICH • DAN YURMAN • GINA FUSCO Contributing Photography VALERIA MITSUBATA STEPHANIE LAKE VIDA SKILANDZIUNAS THI NGUYEN ELAINE YIM SPENCER

C O N TAC T U S Amendola Media Group 8555 Jane Street, Suite 101 • Vaughan, Ontario L4K 5N9 • 905.660.3330

K E E P I N TO U C H There are many ways to connect to the City of Vaughan. Stay up to date on what's happening by following the City on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, City Blog and YouTube

F O L LO W COPYRIGHT NOTICE All editorial content and photographs in this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction in any form, including in print and online, as well as storage on digital media, is prohibited without the prior written consent of the publisher.

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Experience art and nature, in your own backyard The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is Canada’s only major public art gallery solely devoted to collecting and exhibiting the art of Canada. From masterworks by the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson to First Nations, Métis, Inuit and contemporary artists, you’ll encounter old friends and discover new favourites. Nestled within 100 acres of woodland and hiking trails in the Humber River Valley, it’s all here and unlike anywhere else. Located in the charming village of Kleinburg, within the City of Vaughan.

Media Partner

mcmichael.com

Tom Thomson (1877-1917), Autumn, Algonquin Park (detail), 1916-1917, oil on canvas, 51.2 x 41 cm, Gift of Mr. C. F. Wood, McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Home to the Art of Canada An Agency of the Government of Ontario

OUR CITY

OUR CITY E X C E L L E N C E

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S E R V I C E

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V A L U E

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R E S U L T S

ACHIEVE EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS. Bringing Over 47 Years of Trusted Legal Services To Vaughan. Loopstra Nixon is a full-service Canadian

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are proud to serve.

— THE VAUGHAN PRACTICE TEAM —

Vaughan Office 400 Applewood Crescent Suite 100 Vaughan, Ontario

Toronto Head Office 135 Queens Plate Drive, Suite 600 Toronto, Ontario

Financial District Office 120 Adelaide Street West Suite 1901 Toronto, ON

T 416.748.4135 F 416.746.8319

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C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N · 2 0 1 7

U.S. Offices New York City Office The Coates Building T 212.634.9126 Buffalo Office Key Centre T 716.262.3602

loopstranixon.com

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OUR CITY

Forward Together “As we reflect on Vaughan’s remarkable transformation over the past 10 years — and look toward the promise of a new decade — we will continue moving our city forward, together.” — Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

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OUR CITY

Now in his third term as head of Council for one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing municipalities, Mayor Bevilacqua remains unwavering in his commitment to ensure Vaughan continues to reach new and unprecedented heights. “It begins with responsibly managing taxpayers’ hardearned dollars,” said Mayor Bevilacqua, a former Chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance and past Minister of State for Finance. On Dec. 17, 2019, Council approved the City’s new budget. For the tenth consecutive year, the City has once again delivered a property tax rate that is at or below three per cent. “The 2020 Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan is the manifestation of our collective efforts focused on making our city the best it can be. We continue to maintain one of the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. We are securing efficiencies and maximizing every dollar we are entrusted with while investing in the quality public services residents, visitors and businesses rely on each day. Since 2015, we have achieved more than $30 million in budget savings because of our commitment to continuous improvement.”

Responsible stewardship of the City’s finances is enshrined in The Vaughan Accord. First championed and created by Mayor Bevilacqua in 2010, The Accord is a historical document that commits all Members of Council to serve the City in a manner that reflects a positive image and instills civic pride. During a special signing ceremony at the inauguration, Council once again unanimously endorsed The Accord to guide their efforts throughout the 20182022 Term of Council. “Faith, trust and confidence in government and public finances is fundamental,” says the Mayor. “Especially when it comes to attracting and retaining economic development opportunities. When hundreds of jobs — and hundreds of millions of dollars in potential investments are on the line — C-suite executives must be confident to conduct business with City Hall.”

Building the city. Protecting jobs.

Since 2010, Vaughan has issued nearly $12 billion in building permits, seen the creation of more than 60,000 new jobs and averaged an annual economic growth rate of four per cent.

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OUR CITY

From 2015 to 2020, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) — the city’s emerging downtown core — attracted more than $9 billion in economic investment, with much of this rooted in transformational construction projects that contribute to a growing skyline with new business and residential developments. Vaughan Council has approved nearly 11,000 new residential units. “We recently marked the grand opening of the PwC-YMCA Tower, a 240,000-square-foot SmartCentres mixed-use project, which will feature office space for this global professional services firm, in addition to a YMCA and a new Vaughan Public Libraries branch.” The City is further exploring the creation of a thriving cultural hub in the VMC. Working effectively with York Region, SmartCentres and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Vaughan saw the opening of three new roads in the VMC’s northwest area. These include Applewood Crescent from Highway 7 to Portage Parkway; Commerce Street from Highway 7 to Apple Mill Road; and Apple Mill Road from Edgeley Boulevard to Applewood Crescent. “Creating connections to surrounding communities and making it easier for people to get where they need to go will contribute to our city’s successes,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “Higher-order transit provides a significant advantage for attracting residents, businesses and talent to Vaughan,” says the Mayor, citing the Jan. 2019 expansion of Niagara University (NU) to the VMC located in the Cortel Group's Expo City complex. NU is the first university in Vaughan. Students are among the many commuters who can access the new SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal, which opened in Nov. 2019 and links to both the Vaughan Metropolitan Subway Station and the vivaNext Rapidway on Highway 7.

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Promoting good health one resident at a time. Healthcare is at the heart of Vaughan’s city-building efforts in 2020 and beyond. Mayor Bevilacqua serves as Chair of the “Better Ending” Capital Campaign to build a Residential Hospice and Centre of Excellence. The goal is to open the expanded Hospice Vaughan facility — The Mario & Nick Cortellucci Hospice Palliative Care Centre of Excellence — by late spring 2020, which will be home to the Pristine Homes Institute for Hospice Palliative Care. Mayor Bevilacqua also chairs the Ultimate Campaign, which has raised $174 million of the $250-million goal to build the community’s first hospital, the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. “Ours will be Canada’s first smart hospital, featuring fully integrated smart technology systems and medical devices that can speak directly to one another to maximize patient care.” During the 2019 annual Mayor’s Gala, Mayor Bevilacqua announced a historic $40-million donation, by the Cortellucci family, toward building the hospital, the largest single contribution in Mackenzie Health’s history. In Oct. 2019, Mayor Bevilacqua signed a Memorandum of Understanding with York University to grant Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB the right to develop a feasibility study that identifies opportunities to maximize the best use of lands surrounding the future hospital site — known as the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. The goal of this unique collaboration is to leverage resources to bring healthcare innovation, entrepreneurship and jobs to this growing community. This site has the potential to be a place that will connect people, spaces and sectors to become an epicentre of healthcare excellence.

OUR CITY

The Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct was the focus of a recent trade mission to Israel. Mayor Bevilacqua led a delegation, which included representatives from the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct.

enhanced for citizens to enjoy, including Woodgate Pines Park, Chatfield District Park, Agostino Park and North Thornhill District Park walkway. More than 22,000 trees have been planted since 2015.

“We met with Dr. Rafael Beyar from the Rambam Medical Center — one of the largest medical centres in Israel,” Mayor Bevilacqua says. “He discussed his country’s long-held commitment to bring together startups and academic institutions to create medical breakthroughs and enhance frontline healthcare.” The presentation was followed by a study tour of the Rambam Medical Center and the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital. “We saw first-hand the cutting-edge technologies that are improving patient care.”

“Environmental stewardship is fundamental to our overall efforts that ensure Vaughan is home to safe, accessible and welcoming public spaces and that we remain a leading city that brings people together to celebrate our diversity.”

A consistent vision.

“Our city-building initiatives are grounded by a framework that is rooted in the principles of service excellence”

Vaughan’s future continues to be shaped by the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. “Our city-building initiatives are grounded by a framework that is rooted in the principles of service excellence, and the positive results speak for themselves,” Mayor Bevilacqua added, citing a vital pillar of the strategic plan is Vaughan’s dedication to being a green city. “Sustainability is woven into every aspect of planning, including Green Directions Vaughan, the City’s recently approved master environmental sustainability plan, North Maple Regional Park — Vaughan’s 900-acre park development, and Edgeley Pond and Park, the largest open space in the VMC.” The City’s latest park, East’s Corners Park, officially opened in Oct. 2019. This park adds to the growing list of outdoor greenspaces the City has created and

Mayor Bevilacqua marked the beginning of the new year by signing York Region’s Inclusion Charter. The Charter is a call to action that reinforces the City’s commitment to help individuals develop their full potential, participate freely in society and live with respect and dignity.

— Mayor Bevilacqua

“Nearly half of our population was born abroad. Our citizens speak 105 different languages. Celebrations like the Christmas Tree Lighting, Toy Drive, Lunar New Year and Menorah Lighting Ceremony have become annual traditions, as have Black History Month and International Women’s Day, along with many of our cultural and community organization flag raisings.” Mayor Bevilacqua closed by saying, “We can take great pride in knowing that the most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey found that 97 per cent of residents are happy with their quality of life here in Vaughan. We have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to because there is more work to be done and the best is yet to come!”

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PIZZA ELEVATED G O U R M E T FL ATB R E AD

P ROSCI UT TO & AR U G U L A Fresh Tomato Sauce mixed with Secret Spicy Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Prosciutto, Arugula, Shaved Asiago-Romano-Parmesan Cheese Blend & Balsamic Glaze

OUR CITY

CITY OF VAUGHAN COUNCIL

Q A +

We asked Council to speak about their most important City-building project and its benefit to Vaughan citizens. Here's what they had to say.

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MARIO FERRI

Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor

Q. What are your priorities for 2020? A. I look forward to working together with my fellow colleagues and other levels of government to address road traffic issues and make sure that there is always transparency and accountability throughout all City business. I also look forward to making sure that our residents continue to pay the lowest taxes within the GTA, while upholding optimal service levels and paying special attention to seniors, families and those with accessibility needs. Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan? A. Addressing these concerns promises to tackle issues that are important to our residents. Reducing travel times, engaging our community in City discussions, keeping taxes low and addressing the needs of the young and aging population continues to make Vaughan the preferred place to live, work and raise a family.

GINO ROSATI Regional Councillor

Q. What are your priorities for 2020? A. Gridlock continues to be one of the most important issues for our residents. I will continue to coordinate and accelerate Vaughan’s transportation priorities with the Region, and focus on finding new and innovative ways to make the City’s transportation systems manageable and sustainable. I’m committed to ensuring that Vaughan maintains a low tax rate and finding solutions to reduce the water rates. Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan? A. Reducing gridlock will get citizens and businesses where they need to go in a safe and sustainable way, ultimately spending less time stuck in traffic and more time with their families. Making it more affordable to live in Vaughan will allow our seniors to stay in their homes longer and ultimately improve the quality of life for all our citizens.

OUR CITY

LINDA D. JACKSON Regional Councillor

Q. What are your priorities for 2020? A. My priorities for 2020 include many aspects of improvement of infrastructure and road efficiency and accessibility for Vaughan residents. To keep Vaughan moving, planned improvements to roads will help manage traffic resulting from continued growth and address safety concerns, benefiting motorists, public transit users, cyclists and pedestrians. With my participation with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, we intend to work in line with the current Priorities and Strategic Plan. Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan? A. Environmental Assessments (EA) is a process that includes an evaluation of the impacts to natural and cultural features, infrastructure, traffic patterns, residents and businesses in the community and existing and future land uses. With this, improvements to roads including urbanization, widening and linking provides additional transportation capacity and the reduction in traffic congestion in the overall transportation network accommodating growth and travel demand.

MARILYN IAFRATE Ward 1 Councillor

TONY CARELLA Ward 2 Councillor

Q. What are your priorities for 2020?

A. The North Maple Regional Park has received a great deal of interest and use from residents. Integrating iconic structural amenities with the serenity and peace of open space in the Oak Ridges Moraine has attracted people from across the GTA to experience this unique park space. Phase 2 of this park with further amenities is being widely anticipated and we make this truly a people place.

A. My priority remains the same as always: being of service to those I represent by speaking up on their behalf and ensuring they are well served by the city. Of particular interest are the next steps in the Woodbridge Avenue Streetscape Plan and the Riverwalk and continuing the support for Hospice Vaughan.

Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan?

A. The first two meet the desire of the ever-increasing population in the Woodbridge core — Vaughan’s premier pedestrian precinct. Hospice’s end-of-life services are very important to more and more people.

A. As the ward with the only developable lands left in Vaughan, the pressure for urbanizing the rural areas is intense. My goal in 2020 is to continue to manage that growth so that it doesn’t negatively impact the existing communities. Whether it be that new development provide improvements to local infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, lighting, traffic signals, etc., this must become part of the overall conditions of new development in Vaughan.

Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan?

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ROSANNA DEFRANCESCA Ward 3 Councillor

Ward 4 Councillor

ALAN SHEFMAN Ward 5 Councillor

Q. What are your priorities for 2020?

A. As we head into 2020, my key priority continues to be identifying innovative and viable solutions as well as funding options in efforts to ease the traffic gridlock in Vaughan. The Transportation and Infrastructure Task Force is a Council-approved priority that I now lead as Chair. This Task Force is comprised of experts from City of Vaughan, York Region, Metrolinx, YRT, Ministry of Transportation, as well as the community at large.

A. My priorities for 2020 include a number of infrastructure projects essential to the growth of the Ward 4 community. Two recreational amenities I am working with staff on include the Peter Rupert Park design in Block 18 and planning the Carville Multi-Use Complex in Block 11 (community centre, library and district park). I am also continuing to push forward the expansion of both the Rutherford Go and Maple Go stations.

A. My priorities are as follows: 1. Full funding and a timetable for the Yonge Street subway. 2. Bus Rapidway section passing through Thornhill to be fully operational . 3. Establishment of a Yonge/ Steeles Task Force to coordinate the planning and development of the area to ensure the highest quality planning for the area. 4. The approval of a health innovation precinct on the lands adjacent to the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital . 5. Continuation of community consultation at the earliest stage possible for new developments as they are proposed. 6. The opening of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital .

Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan? A. I believe that in making our transportation systems more sustainable and developing a coordinated set of infrastructure priorities, we will ease our current traffic issues and also be better prepared to accommodate any future growth. Our residents deserve to get immediate as well as long-term relief. Our residents deserve this focused attention!

SANDRA YEUNG RACCO

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Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan? A. Ward 4 residents are in need of additional active recreational space and parks. With all the development that has occurred over the past few years, we now need to ensure there are enough community centres, libraries and parks to serve this growth. Additionally, transportation is always a long-term goal for any community, and to serve the growth and encourage public transportation use, the parking expansions and access to both GO stations is needed and will be well used.

Q. How will this benefit the citizens of Vaughan? A. All of these proposals will provide significant benefits to the residents of the City from assisting in creating a better planned community, better access to healthcare, more involvement with planning and better transportation opportunities.

OUR CITY

250+ stores and designer outlets vaughanmills.com Highway 400/Rutherford Rd.

Uniqlo Nordstrom Rack Nike Factory Outlet Kate Spade J.Crew Factory

OUR CITY

February AFRIC AN HERITAG E MONTH BL ACK HISTORY MONTH CHINESE HERITAG E MONTH

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION The City’s Lunar New Year celebration will welcome in the Year of the Rat. The event will feature cultural performances, activities and refreshments.

SAVE THE DATE “Life in our city is good. By supporting and promoting community events, arts, culture and heritage, the City of Vaughan continues to foster a welcoming municipality with a high quality of life.” — Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua Join Us in Vaughan! TAMIL HERITAG E MONTH

11-12

HOMETOWN HOCKEY

Location: Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

The Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour is the ultimate NHL® fan experience. Join Sportsnet hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone as they visit Vaughan to celebrate local hockey stories and the game’s biggest stars.

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WINTERFEST

Location: Vellore Village Community Centre

The 31st annual award-winning Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest will feature free, first-class stage entertainment, character meet-and-greets, midway rides and inflatables, free pancake breakfast, outdoor fire pits, horse-drawn wagon rides, indoor and outdoor activities and so much more! Details at vaughan.ca/events.

VAUGHAN BUSINESS EXPO

Location: The Terrace Banquet Centre

January 2020

The 18th Annual Vaughan Business Expo gives business owners the opportunity to connect with industry leaders.

FAMILY DAY Turn Family Day into “Fun Day” at one of the City’s community centres. In addition to regularly scheduled recreation programs and swim lessons, residents can enjoy free activities. Download the Family Day activities schedule at vaughan.ca/recreation for details.

ANNUAL VAUGHAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAYOR’S LUNCHEON MayorMaurizio Bevilacqua’s 10th State of the City address reflects upon Vaughan’s milestones and accomplishments of the last decade and looks ahead to the transformational projects that will continue to shape the city’s future.

OUR CITY

22 March G REEK HERITAG E MONTH

VAUGHAN EARTH HOUR You don't want to miss Vaughan’s annual Earth Hour celebration. Join us for an evening full of fun, including a cycling night ride and candlelit yoga.

April SIKH HERITAG E MONTH

BUILTFORM | THE ART OF PLACEMAKING

EARTH DAY Earth Day inspires and supports people across the country to connect with nature and build resilient communities. How are you showing love to your community this Earth Day?

20-MINUTE MAKEOVER In honour of Earth Day, Vaughan schools, businesses, residents and community groups come together to take part in Vaughan's 20-Minute Makeover community litter clean-up. It’s simple! Let's go outside, be active and help to clean up litter .

May ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH

IN SPIRIT FESTIVAL

Location: SLATE atrium gallery

For the Month of May

In keeping with the transformational vision for the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, a diverse collective of artists, architects and designers feature a series of 2-D | 3-D art installations that interpret the dynamic concept of built form within an urban setting.

Experience the culture of Yoga and Tai Chi with FREE city-wide events in celebration of Asian and South Asian heritage month.

VAUGHAN VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARDS CEREMONY During National Volunteer Week (NVW), Canada's volunteers are recognized and celebrated for their outstanding efforts. Mayor and Members of Council will recognize the vital impact and essential contribution of volunteers in our community at an official ceremony held at City Hall. Visit vaughan.ca/events for details.

11-15

VAUGHAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The Vaughan International Film Festival is a unique event, with a style all its own. This 5-day event brings you public film screenings of Canadian and International cinema, vibrant social events and a lavish award show complete with a prestigious Golden Reel Award. VFRS ALARMS 4 LIFE PROGRAM May to October 2020

The health and safety of our citizens is a top priority for the City. Each weekend throughout the spring and early fall, our firefighters will be going door to door in various neighbourhoods offering to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

17-23

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK The City of Vaughan will be celebrating National Public Works Week (NPWW) with various events being held across the community. Each event focuses on informing the public about the essential role that public works play in the quality of their community life.

June NATIONAL INDIG ENOUS MONTH ITALIAN HERITAG E MONTH NATIONAL PORTUGUESE SPEAKING HERITAGE MONTH C ANADA MULTICULTUR ALISM DAY

CONCERTS IN THE PARK June to July 2020

This free award-winning six-event concert series features professional entertainment for all ages with genres ranging from Motown, funk and rock to pop! WOODBRIDGE VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET Saturdays June to October 2020 Location: Woodbridge Memorial Arena (Parking Lot)

Visit the Woodbridge Village Farmers Market for fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables every Saturday between 9 am and 1 pm until October 10 at Woodbridge Memorial Arena. Learn more: woodbridgefarmersmarket.com

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OUR CITY

July MUSIC IN THE SQUARE July to August

VAUGHAN MAYOR’S GALA

vaughanmayorsgala.ca

Since 2011, the efforts of Mayor Bevilacqua’s Spirit of Generosity commitment has raised more than $70 million. Proceeds have gone to help more than 200 not-for-profit and community organizations that play a vital role in shaping the City of Vaughan.

WOOF-A-PALOOZA

Location: Woodbridge Fairgrounds

CANADA DAY

Location: North Maple Regional Park

Celebrate Canada's 153rd birthday at the award-winning annual Vaughan Celebrates Canada Day event held at North Maple Regional Park. This fun-filled, all ages event will feature free admission, themed activities and entertainment for the whole family including stellar stage performances, inflatables, a business zone, a food zone and so much more! Visit vaughan.ca/ events for details.

Bring your dogs for some tail wagging fun! This interactive, fun and educational experience has absolutely everything for you and your pup to do, see and taste.

10-12

Pizza lovers unite! Pizzerias from across Canada are serving up their signature pizzas all weekend long.

90'S NOSTALGIA

Location: Interchange Park

90's Nostalgia is bringing back the Electric Circus! Featuring live performances by Aqua, Jenny from ACE OF BASE, The Vengaboys and for the first time in 15 years Eiffel 65 and 2 Unlimited will be back. 24

Music in the Square is a free culture music event in the heart of the City’s emerging downtown – the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Transit Square, located at 100 New Park Place.

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PIZZA FEST CANADA

Location: Interchange Park

VAUGHAN LATIN FESTIVAL

Location: Mackenzie Glen District Park

This event is an all-day celebration of Latin culture and community filled with music, dance and delicious food.

August C ARIBBE AN HERITAG E MONTH

WOODBRIDGE RIBFEST The Woodbridge Rotary Ribfest is celebrating its 14th year with great food, music and entertainment!

September

BENJAMIN VAUGHAN DAY Happy Benjamin Vaughan Day. This holiday commemorates Benjamin Vaughan, a British diplomat and the City’s namesake. On this date, City facilities will be closed.

TERRY FOX DAY Walk, run, ride or roller blade. Everyone is welcome to take part in a Terry Fox event to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

OUR CITY

October

MAYOR MAURIZIO BEVILACQUA ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC This special event supports the noble mission to move the city forward without leaving anyone behind. Proceeds support Vaughan-based charities, not-for-profit organizations and community groups. For more information, visit vaughanmayorsgolf.ca

25-27

VAUGHAN CULTURE DAYS The City of Vaughan is a proud annual participant of Culture Days, a free national event celebrating arts, culture, creativity and inspiration in Vaughan. Experience a weekend of free activities with family, friends and neighbours. Share how you celebrate using #VaughanCultureDays. Learn more at vaughan.ca/culturedays THE MAYOR’S LUNAR GALA The Vaughan Mayor’s Lunar Gala is inspired by the Chinese Moon Festival and promises to be a celebration of Asian culture with entertainment, activities and traditional foods.

HINDU HERITAG E MONTH HISPANIC HERITAG E MONTH ISL AMIC HERITAG E MONTH SOMALI HERITAG E MONTH ALBANIAN HERITAG E MONTH

5-9

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Fire Prevention Week is an annual public health and safety campaign that urges residents to look at the expiry date on their alarms and replace old devices. GREAT WALKS OF VAUGHAN Enjoy the outdoors and discover and explore local neighbourhoods, nature walks and trail sites while getting active. Walking, riding or rolling is a great way to explore our city and improve your health, fitness and happiness levels. Learn more and download the Great Walks of Vaughan Brochure at vaughan.ca/greatwalks

9-11

WOODBRIDGE FALL FAIR Make the annual Woodbridge Fall Fair another Thanksgiving family tradition. Enjoy exhibits, midway rides, games, live entertainment, delicious food, a petting zoo, wagon ride and much more. Learn more: vaughan.ca/eventcalendar VBEC – SMALL BUSINESS WEEK Vaughan Small Business Week takes place every October as part of the nationally recognized celebration of the contributions small business makes to our economy. Learn more: vaughan.ca/businessevents.

November REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY Preserve the memory of those who have served and fallen at the City’s Remembrance Day Ceremony at Vaughan City Hall. Learn more: vaughan.ca/eventcalendar CITY OF VAUGHAN TOY DRIVE November to December

In the spirit of giving, donations of new, unwrapped toys for children, newborn to 18, are welcome for the annual City of Vaughan Toy Drive in support of the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish. Learn more: vaughan.ca/events

December

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

Location: Vaughan City Hall

Join the excitement as the outdoor Christmas tree comes to life at Vaughan City Hall! Enjoy festive music, themed activities, holiday goodies and much more! Learn more: vaughan.ca/events

MENORAH LIGHTING

Location: Vaughan City Hall

Celebrate Chanukah at the City of Vaughan Menorah Lighting Ceremony. The celebration includes festive music, holiday-themed activities and treats! Learn more: vaughan.ca/events

*Calendar brought to you by Amendola Media Group. Events are subject to change. 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

OUR CITY

HOCKEY NIGHT IN VAUGHAN THE CITY OF VAUGHAN SHOWCASED ON A NATIONAL STAGE.

As an official stop on the 2019-20 tour, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre was hockey-central for a weekend-long fan experience, including a live broadcast of the Toronto Maple Leafs versus Florida Panthers game on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. The free community event featured entertainment, meet-and-greets with NHL alumni, including Darcy Tucker, Curtis Joseph and Shayne Corson, and hockey-themed outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy.

CANADA DAY 2019 Vaughan hosted its Canada Day signature event at the City’s new North Maple Regional Park. With live entertainment and activities, including a headline performance by two-time JUNO award-winning artists MAGIC!, citizens and visitors were treated to a celebration deserving of our country’s 152nd birthday. 2019 CONCERTS IN THE PARK SERIES This season was extra special as the City celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Concerts in the Park series, which offered free, professional entertainment for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy. It was a community celebration of music and talent. The Concerts in the Park series provides a safe space for all citizens and visitors to dance and sing along to their favourite songs, gather with family, neighbours and friends, and enjoy summer evenings in the City’s parks. 26

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MUSIC IN THE SQUARE The City of Vaughan introduced a new live music series this past summer. Music in the Square is a free culture music event that took place in the heart of the City’s emerging downtown — the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Transit Square, located at 100 New Park Place.

INUIT ART EXHIBITION The City is proud to support arts and culture as Vaughan celebrated the opening of the facingNORTH art exhibition at Vaughan City Hall’s on the SLATE Atrium Gallery. facingNORTH showcased stone and bone sculptures and wall hangings that interpret traditional Inuit legends, myths and ways of life.

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OUR CITY

TOGETHER, DELIVERING RESULTS

The Service Excellence Journey 2020 The Vaughan Momentum Report

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MOMENTUM REPORT

A Message From Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua Vaughan is a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We can take great pride in knowing our most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey found that 97 per cent of residents are happy with their quality of life in Vaughan and 91 per cent are satisfied with the excellent public services the City delivers. As we continue our journey toward creating a modern, dynamic and thriving municipality, we do so with the knowledge that great cities are built by remarkable individuals who work hard to create a meaningful life for our community. Every day, I have the pleasure of working alongside councillors, staff and engaged citizens who put heart, passion and professionalism into everything they do. Together, we will continue creating a city respected for its entrepreneurial spirit, urban planning, economic leadership, environmental stewardship, management of taxpayers’ hardearned dollars and the dedication of its people to be agents of positive change. We have already laid the foundation for a strong future. Our vision for 2020 is clear: we continue moving our City forward without leaving anyone behind. With values rooted in hope, optimism and determination, we are leading with purpose, making Vaughan one of the best places to live, work and play. Sincerely,

Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, P.C. Mayor

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MOMENTUM REPORT

A Message From City of Vaughan 2018-2022 Council Members It is an exciting time in Vaughan. We’re experiencing unprecedented growth and we continue to see the City evolve. We now have a thriving downtown core. Construction of our first hospital, a vibrant 900-acre park and a new university are all underway. As we embrace the year ahead, we’ll all have many more exciting milestones to look forward to that will continue positioning Vaughan as a world-class city.

BACK ROW L TO R – WARD 5 COUNCILLOR ALAN SHEFMAN, WARD 4 COUNCILLOR SANDRA YEUNG RACCO, WARD 3 COUNCILLOR ROSANNA DEFRANCESCA, WARD 2 COUNCILLOR TONY CARELLA, WARD 1 COUNCILLOR MARILYN IAFRATE FRONT ROW L TO R – REGIONAL COUNCILLOR LINDA D. JACKSON, REGIONAL COUNCILLOR GINO ROSATI, MAYOR MAURIZIO BEVILACQUA, DEPUTY MAYOR, AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR MARIO FERRI 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

MOMENTUM REPORT

Momentum Report The 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan serves as a map to guide the City through the next four years.

Each four-year Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan incrementally contributes toward the achievement of the Vaughan Vision. This plan builds off the 2014-2018 plan, continuing the alignment of people, priorities, processes and technology. It outlines Vaughan’s vision, mission and values, and identifies the strategic key activities that staff will focus on to enable the execution and

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implementation of projects related to Council’s commitments to the citizens of Vaughan. The 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan is aligned with the 2020 Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan, and will position the City to deliver on Council-approved priorities while continuing to keep the tax rate increase among the lowest in the Greater Toronto Area.

MOMENTUM REPORT

The Strategic Plan was shaped by a number of factors: • The City’s vision, mission and values • The 2031 Official Plan review • The 2018 Citizen Satisfaction Survey results • The 2018 Business Sector Survey results • The 2018 Employee Engagement Survey results • The business plans from each portfolio, office and department • The budget and financial plan

The priorities identified by the Mayor and Members of Council The 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan provides the overall direction that is then executed through the activities identified in departmental business plans, which are aligned to individual performance goals. A sound governance structure of both internal and external reporting is imperative to the City’s success in achieving this four-year plan.

Breaking down the strategic plan The 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan is guided by the City’s mission, vision and values. It is then divided into nine strategic priority areas: • Transportation and Mobility • City-Building • Environmental Stewardship • Active, Safe and Diverse Communities • Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital • Good Governance • Citizen Experience • Operational Performance • Staff Engagement Six of the strategic priority areas primarily reflect Council’s objectives and three are Service Excellence objectives. Each strategic priority area is further broken down into result statements that articulate the outcome that is to be achieved at the end of this Term of Council. The result statements enable the organization to cascade the strategic goals into clear, focused and measurable performance results.

Vision, Mission and Values Vision — A city of choice that promotes diversity, innovation and opportunity for all citizens, fostering a vibrant community life that is inclusive, progressive, environmentally responsible and sustainable. Mission — Citizens first through Service Excellence. Values — Respect, Accountability and Dedication.

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MOMENTUM REPORT

Achieving Real Results for Vaughan On behalf of the City of Vaughan’s Senior Leadership Team – Executive, I would like to welcome you to the Momentum Report. This is one of the many tools we use to report back to the community throughout the year on the progress we are making as an administration to serve you — the residents, businesses and visitors of Vaughan. Our direction is clear. Early in 2019, Vaughan Council approved the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan, which is a roadmap for City staff. It outlines our mission, vision and values as well as the priorities Council has set for us to focus on. Everything we do is in support of furthering the objectives of our strategic plan. Our business planning and budgeting processes have been enhanced to ensure better alignment with Council’s nine key priority areas: Transportation and Mobility; City-Building; Environmental Stewardship; Active, Safe and

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Diverse Communities; Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital; Good Governance; Citizen Experience; Operational Performance; and Staff Engagement. Through this report, you will learn more about the work that is underway to realize our goals. We are committed to achieving results — with more than $725 million in capital projects to be delivered in this Term of Council, we must remain focused, accountable and responsible. This administration is proud of the progress that was made in 2019 to deliver on Council’s priorities, and is well positioned to respond to the evolving needs of the community moving forward. We have the right people, processes and plans in place to make Vaughan a city of choice. Tim Simmonds Interim City Manager On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team – Executive

MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Improve local road network ☐ Support regional transportation initiatives ☐ Advance active transportation

Transportation and Mobility

OBJECTIVE: To be a fully connected and integrated community, the City will undertake initiatives to improve the municipal road network, support the development of transit and increase cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. MILESTONES ☐ The extension of Bass Pro Mills Drive easterly to Jane Street was completed in December, expanding the existing transportation network, improving mobility and supporting growth and development. Any remaining work will be finalized in the summer. ☐ An update to the 2012 Transportation Master Plan has been initiated to lay the foundation for improving the transportation systems that residents and businesses rely upon. It is being completed as part of the update to the Growth Management Strategy and will be closely aligned with

the Official Plan Review. The Vaughan Transportation Plan is expected to take two years to complete. For information: vaughan.ca/TransportationPlan ☐ The City has awarded the Environmental Assessment and preliminary design for the widening of Kirby Road between Jane and Dufferin streets, the grade separation of the Barrie GO rail line and the elimination of the jog at Jane Street — all of which will support the projected growth in population and employment in the area, plans for a new GO station at Kirby Road and regional transit initiatives. This project is expected to take two years to complete.

☐ The SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal opened on Nov. 3, 2019, in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC). It will be used by YRT buses and transit customers. ☐ Working collaboratively with York Region, SmartCentres and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the City has constructed and opened the following new roads in the VMC — Applewood Crescent from Highway 7 to Portage Parkway, Commerce Street from Highway 7 to Apple Mill Road, and Apple Mill Road from Edgeley Boulevard to Applewood Crescent.

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MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Develop the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital precinct ☐ Develop the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) ☐ Elevate the quality of life through city planning

City-Building

OBJECTIVE: To build a world-class city, the City will continue its planning and development in support of key city-wide developments and initiatives that encompass good urban design and public spaces that foster community well-being. MILESTONES ☐ On Oct. 2, 2019, the city formally signed a memorandum of understanding with Mackenzie Health, York University and ventureLAB to complete a Feasibility Study on the lands surrounding the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. The study — which is targeted for completion by Q4 2020 — will identify transformational opportunities to maximize the use of lands at Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive, transforming it into the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. ☐ The City has completed the sale of a five-acre parcel of land at the southwest corner of Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive to York Region. The site will soon be the home of a bus transit terminal near the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital for YRT, Viva and intercity buses. ☐ The City continues to support the Metrolinx Barrie Regional 36

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Rail expansion project and York Region road widening projects, including Major Mackenzie Drive, Rutherford Road and Bathurst Street. ☐ The New Community Area Block 27 was approved by Regional Council in April without an appeal. The New Community Area Block 41 Secondary Plan was adopted by Vaughan Council in October. These secondary plans form part of the implementation of the Vaughan Official Plan 2010. ☐ In June, Council approved Development Planning’s recommendations for 2,502 residential units city-wide (including 554 in the VMC), 45 of which are rental units; 72,774 square metres of new commercial space; and 23,166 square metres of industrial space. As well, 560 new parking spaces in the VMC

and an above-grade parking structure for the Rutherford GO station were also approved. ☐ Development activity in the VMC has already exceeded residential targets for 2031 with 15,502 units of housing and an estimated 30,694 people in the development pipeline. This includes seven residential developments that are currently built and occupied or under construction. ☐ The Development Liaison Committee (DLC) “think tank” was established in June 2019 to consider and discuss a wide range of topics relating to the city-building process. The “think tank” is the first of its kind in York Region and provides for dialogue and information sharing. Members work collaboratively towards mutually acceptable solutions and continuous improvement.

MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Protect and respect our environment ☐ Proactive environmental management ☐ Build the low-carbon economy and a resilient city (respond to climate change)

Environmental Stewardship

OBJECTIVE: To protect the environment and foster a sustainable future, the City will act as a steward to preserve the natural environment by encompassing principles of environmental protection into our social and economic initiatives. MILESTONES ☐ The City has been converting streetlights to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) technology, which will result in significant energy and cost savings. ☐ Green Directions Vaughan 2019, the City’s updated environmental sustainability plan, was approved by Council in December 2019. One of the highlights of the community engagement effort for this process was the Greenbelt Urban River Valley Open House in September supported by funding from the Greenbelt Foundation. ☐ A number of environmental events took place throughout the year, including the popular Earth Hour event in March. In recognition of Earth Day, schools, businesses, residents and local groups in Vaughan

were encouraged to come together, get outside and participate in the 20-Minute Makeover, which took place in April. Last year, Vaughan staff had an impressive turnout. More than 300 City employees — in 38 groups — joined in to clean up litter in our community. ☐ The City created three pollinator gardens: one at Vellore Hall, one at City Hall and one at Doctors Mclean District Park. This project supports the City’s commitment to the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. ☐ The services of CIVICA Infrastructure Inc. have been acquired to help the City install flow monitors in strategic areas that tend to flood in Vaughan, specifically in five ponds. This

will allow Public Works staff to collect and analyze data and to monitor ponds remotely during storms, positioning them to concentrate on areas that require immediate attention. By proactively monitoring these areas, the City will strive to decrease emergency responses. ☐ On June 4, 2019, Mayor and Members of Council unanimously passed a Members’ Resolution to declare a climate emergency in the City of Vaughan, after a deputation by students from Thornhill Woods Public School. Members of the school’s EcoCommittee first delivered a presentation about the impacts of climate change, and then requested Mayor and Council to declare a climate emergency. 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Enhance community well-being ☐ Enrich our communities ☐ Maintain safety in our community

Active, Safe and Diverse Communities

OBJECTIVE: To ensure the safety and well-being of citizens, the City will commit to engagement and cohesiveness by supporting and promoting community events, arts, culture, heritage, sports and fire prevention awareness. MILESTONES ☐ Short-term rentals are allowed in dwelling units as of Jan. 1, 2020, provided that a licence is obtained. For more information: vaughan.ca/ShortTermRentals ☐ Recreation Services has a new brand: Vaughan Fitness, Find Your Strong. The launch included a new look, updated equipment, new member perks and a successful Return to Routine fall promotion. For information: vaughan.ca/fitness ☐ The City and community hosted many events and initiatives in 2019 to showcase their excitement for Rogers Hometown Hockey in Vaughan. It featured meetand-greets with NHL alumni, a live viewing party of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers game and much more.

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☐ The City celebrated many park openings, expansions and improvements in 2019. This includes the grand opening of the Agostino Park expansion and a number of new parks. Park improvements included Keffer Marsh bridge replacements, Marco Park redevelopment, Alexander Elisa Park playground and basketball court rehabilitation, a new fence at Tudor Park ball diamonds, tennis court reconstruction at Conley Park South and Promenade Green Park, basketball court reconstruction at Dufferin District Park, Marita Payne Park, Rosedale North Park and Joseph Aaron Park, playground rubber-surfacing replacement at Matthew Park, and playground replacements at Almont Park, Fossil Hill Park, Princeton Gate Park, West Maple Creek and Vaughan Mills Park.

☐ Vaughan City Hall has been certified gold by the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program, making it the first RHFAC Gold City Hall in Canada. Accessibility enhancements include automatic door openers, tactical walking surface indicators at stair areas and accessible seating, among others. ☐ A new park is being developed in Block 18 at the northwest corner of Peter Rupert Avenue and Rutherford Road, directly south of the Cook Woodlot. This park is proposed to include playground structures, water play, new trail connections and places to gather and connect with family and friends. The park is expected to open in two years. For information: vaughan.ca/PeterRupertPark

MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Advance economic opportunities ☐ Attract new investments ☐ Enable a climate for job creation

Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital

OBJECTIVE: To ensure Vaughan continues to be the place to be, the City will undertake initiatives to ignite economic prosperity and social capital, and celebrate Vaughan as an entrepreneurial city and the gateway to economic activity in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and Canada. MILESTONES ☐ The City has entered into a strategic partnership with ventureLAB to increase support to Vaughan’s technology entrepreneurs. Through 2020, local technology entrepreneurs will have access to ventureLAB experts and advisors in Vaughan with dedicated consulting hours and training sessions. ☐ Activate!Vaughan — a pitch competition — launched to connect entrepreneurs with Vaughan's businesses to advance sustainability and transform manufacturing, supply chains, business processes, revenue models and customer engagement channels. ☐ The Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) came into effect in Vaughan on April 1, 2019. A four per

cent tax now applies to hotel, motel, bed-and-breakfast and short-term rentals stays. The revenue collected from the MAT — estimated to be approximately $3.4 million in 2020 — will fund tourism efforts for the City and assist in city-building initiatives. ☐ The City took the next steps with the Tourism Vaughan Corporation (TVC), which has been officially incorporated as a registered not-for-profit corporation. Its mandate is to govern and manage 50 per cent of the MAT revenues for the purpose of tourism promotion and business development. ☐ In partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, the City of Vaughan undertook a trade mission to Israel from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30, 2019. Led by

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, and joined by thought leaders from Mackenzie Health, ventureLAB and York University, the trade mission’s mandate was to encourage job-creating trade, build alliances, pursue investments, support the growth of local companies and globally recognized institutions taking part in this effort, and strengthen relations with Jewish and Israeli communities. ☐ A feasibility study for a Cultural Arts Centre in the VMC was undertaken to examine potential models for cultural hubs and how they can contribute to city-building and placemaking; investment attraction and job creation; tourism attraction; academic and social innovations; and civic pride.

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MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Ensure transparency and accountability ☐ Commitment to financial stewardship and sustainability

Good Governance

OBJECTIVE: To effectively pursue service excellence in governance and fiscal responsibility, the City will hold the public’s trust through inclusive, transparent and accountable decision-making, responsible financial management, and superior service delivery and effective communication. MILESTONES ☐ The Office of the City Clerk held extensive recruitment processes for several Council-approved task forces, including the Older Adult Task Force, Transportation and Infrastructure Task Force, Smart City Task Force, and Effective Governance and Oversight Task Force. These opportunities allow residents to share their expertise and help advise the Mayor and Members of Council on relevant matters impacting the city and other citizens. ☐ Council approved the 2020 Draft Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan on Dec. 17 setting both the property tax budget and the water, wastewater and stormwater

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budgets. The budget process is an important part of governance. The City is committed to advancing major city-building initiatives while continuing to support the more than 200 programs and services people rely on daily through integrity, fiscal responsibility and accountability. For information: vaughan.ca/budget ☐ The City’s online Lobbyist Registry was enhanced and includes a user-friendly interface and video tutorials. The registry is a tool that provides accountability and transparency to lobbying activities by giving the public access to information about who is communicating with public office holders.

For information: vaughan.ca/LobbyistRegistry ☐ Amendments to the Procedure By-law, administered by the Office of the City Clerk, were approved by Council in June 2019. The committee structure was revised to enhance efficiencies and meet legislative timelines for decision-making. Each meeting cycle includes two Committee of the Whole sessions and one Council meeting. ☐ The Office of the City Clerk undertook a review of the Ratepayer’s Policy. This included two successful public consultation meetings in October along with a survey.

MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Commitment to citizen service ☐ Transform services through technology

Citizen Experience

OBJECTIVE: To ensure citizens receive the best experience in person, by telephone and electronically, the City will provide exceptional end-to-end citizen-centred services, enhance access and streamline services with the use of technology. MILESTONES ☐ Service Vaughan, a selfservice online reporting and follow-up tool for residents to submit service requests or comments, launched to the public. This is Phase 1 of the Citizen Relationship Management initiative, which is part of the Service Vaughan Strategy.

☐ Recreation Services hosted many successful events throughout the year, including the 30th annual Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest, the 25th anniversary of Concerts in the Park and Canada Day, which was held at North Maple Regional Park for the first time.

☐ Recreation Services had its busiest summer camp season to date with about 18,000 registered campers, generating approximately $4 million in revenue. A number of new camps were introduced, including Handson-Tech Camp, Nature Chasers and Aquatic Leaders of Tomorrow.

☐ Fans from across the community attended Jurassic Park Vaughan and Rogers Hometown Hockey – two signature sporting events. ☐ The City developed an online development charge estimator that was made public on the City’s development charge webpage. This tool allows the public to estimate the amount

of development charges for a particular development proposal before applying for a building permit. ☐ Access Vaughan continued to provide Service Excellence to residents, responding to more than 211,000 calls, 7,500 emails and 23,000 inquiries at the information desk from January to October 2019 alone. ☐ More than 100 seasonal employees were hired last summer to help maintain the City’s extensive inventory of municipal parks, open spaces, sports fields, playgrounds, splash pads and cemetery services, which enhances the quality of life for citizens and visitors.

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MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Leverage data-driven decision-making ☐ Promote innovation and continuous improvement

Operational Performance

OBJECTIVE: To continue to foster a culture of continuous improvement, the City will support competencies and practices in innovation and process efficiencies. MILESTONES ☐ Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service communications centres have been testing their mutual evacuation procedures to evaluate abilities to relocate to the back-up site and maintain critical communications centre/dispatch functions in the event of a significant emergency at one of their facilities. The two services continue to be collaborative and provide back-up support. ☐ Building Standards successfully launched the mobile inspection application called mobiINSPECT. This application is improving the building inspection process

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and efficiency in the field for inspectors. ☐ The Water division completed 20 kilometres of unidirectional watermain flushing within blocks 8, 26, 44, 45 and 51, creating flow in a single direction to quickly and efficiently clean the pipes. This leads to improved water clarity and reduced chlorine levels. ☐ The teams in Transportation and Fleet Management Services and Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations are providing some of the highest levels of winter maintenance in the GTA, including windrow-clearing services to every residential driveway in the community.

The program also includes plowing, salting and snow removal along more than 2,000 lane-kilometres of roads, 1,000 kilometres of sidewalks and at City facilities. For information: vaughan.ca/snow ☐ Throughout 2019, the Office of the Chief Information Officer upgraded the network speeds and Wi-Fi at Vaughan fire stations. As well, all Wi-Fi IDs and passwords have been synchronized, allowing staff to reconnect seamlessly when moving to different stations. ☐ GPS installation continues on the City’s fleet, with about 400 installed to date.

MOMENTUM REPORT

THEMES: ☐ Empower staff ☐ Develop leadership ☐ Manage performance

Staff Engagement

OBJECTIVE: To ensure an engaged workforce, the City will continue to foster initiatives that create a positive work environment through staff development, and workplace health, safety and wellness with strengthened leadership, communication and engagement opportunities. MILESTONES ☐ On June 12, 2019, Council approved a refreshed organizational structure that positions the City for future success. It is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of how the City delivers services while increasing accountability and transparency. ☐ The 2019 Staff Forums were the largest ever with more than 1,000 people registered for one of four sessions held at the City Playhouse Theatre. A highlight was keynote speaker Andy Worshek who focused on intent-based leadership and how each member of the team has the power to make a difference.

☐ The Employee Engagement Survey was conducted in November 2019. Run by the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, the survey provided staff with a vehicle to voice their opinions confidentially. The results will inform an action plan to enhance the corporate culture. ☐ The Above and Beyond Recognition Program was launched in June 2019 to give staff the acknowledgement they deserve. Its design is based on feedback staff provided at past Staff Forums. Recognition toolkits have been delivered to each department, recognition ambassadors have been trained and the recognition postcards are being sent.

☐ The first-ever full-day Manager Forum was held to bring the leadership team together to foster collaboration and share information on key projects. Investing in leadership and especially managers who deal with the day-to-day operational delivery of services is integral to the success of the organization. ☐ To build on the commitment to attract the next generation of talented, enthusiastic and inspiring publicsector leaders, the City is developing a new internship program, an integral component to the talent acquisition initiatives.

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SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Where Your Property Tax Dollars Go The City of Vaughan has one of the lowest tax rates in the GTA. — BY G INA FUSCO —

“The 2020 Budget and 2021-2022 Financial Plan is a blueprint that manages taxpayers’ money and protects the services that money buys,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. Vaughan’s tax rate increase has been lower than three per cent for the last 12 years. This was possible due in no small part to the fiscal responsibility exhibited across all departments at the City of Vaughan. Since 2015, the City has achieved more than $30 million in budget savings. “We continue to secure efficiencies and maximize every dollar we are entrusted to manage,” says the Mayor.

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Your property taxes at work

Twenty-eight per cent goes to services provided by the City itself that include animal rescue, fire rescue and garbage collection; business services like building permits and zoning by-law enforcement; cultural services like maintaining the City Playhouse Theatre and the Vaughan Archives; and recreational programming. Forty-eight per cent is directed towards services provided by York Region to cover police and ambulance services, school immunization, long-term care homes and child care. Another 23 per cent is sent to the Ontario Ministry of Education, and one per cent is for the Hospital Precinct Development Levy.

OUR CITY

The role you play

We encourage businesses and individuals to speak up and be heard with regards to how tax dollars are being allocated. Great ideas can come from anywhere, and if you have some for alternative expenditures or you have questions about how your tax dollars are being spent, we want to hear about it. You can reach out at 905.832.2281 x3604. We pride ourselves on our fiscal responsibility and smart spending. It’s how we’re able to continuously improve the services and programs we offer, and it’s why few people who move to Vaughan ever leave.

“Today, a vast majority of citizens believe they are getting good value for their tax dollars,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “With our new budget in place, we can continue to confidently press ahead with the many transformational city-building initiatives that are shaping Vaughan’s promising future.” The budget plan is aligned with the Term of Council Priorities and the Service Excellence Strategic Initiatives presented in the Service Excellence Strategy Map, which you can see at vaughan.ca/ServiceExcellence

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COMMUNITY BUILDING

The Spirit of Generosity Moves Through The People of Vaughan City-building is a collective effort, and the residents of Vaughan are certainly doing their part. — BY DAN YURMAN — An important reason for the high quality of life residents enjoy in the City of Vaughan is the generosity they exhibit on a regular basis. When the City organizes fundraising activities, the people of Vaughan are eager to participate and give back to the community. Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has recognized this dedication to a greater good and championed the Spirit of Generosity commitment, an initiative that has raised

millions of dollars and counting to benefit more than 200 not-for-profit organizations and community groups. “Vaughan is a very giving community,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “Our residents are compassionate, caring and dedicated to helping others in need. Their collective efforts to inspire positive change are making a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in our community and beyond.” 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

COMMUNITY BUILDING

A Community Inspired Effort

Golf for Good

Since 2011, Mayor Bevilacqua has been hosting an annual gala and a series of charity golf classics, events that bring the community together in support of the cause.

The Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua Annual Charity Golf Classic is an important event on the fundraising calendar. The 2019 tournament raised money specifically for the Spirit of Generosity campaign, which has helped many of the City’s important non-profit organizations, as well as the development of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.

The events have raised upwards of $70 million. That money has gone to support more than 200 not-for-profit, community organizations and essential services for children, youth, seniors and people with special needs. Some of the money raised has also been directed towards new wellness initiatives, and that effort was further advanced at this year’s gala thanks to the exceptional generosity of the Cortellucci family. They made a record-setting $40-million donation to the Mackenzie Health Foundation’s Ultimate Campaign. With the addition of their contribution, the campaign has raised more than $174 million, bringing the foundation much closer to its $250-million goal. The generous contribution was recognized by Premier Doug Ford, who attended the event. “Our family’s journey embodies the immigrant experience: work hard, do your best, contribute and share your blessings,” says Mario Cortellucci, on behalf of the Cortellucci family. “We are especially grateful to the Vaughan community that we have called home for the last 25 years, and we are humbled to contribute to the Vaughan Hospital. By planting these seeds, we are helping a community and the members within it to flourish.” “The Cortellucci family are community builders, change makers and philanthropic leaders,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. He went on to describe their donation to the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital as a “testament to their inspiring legacy of unwavering public service.”

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“This is an imperative time in Vaughan. Our city is experiencing incredible growth and continued success,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “This momentum is the result of our focused and dedicated approach to city-building, of which a crucial component is ensuring that we collectively move our city forward without leaving anyone behind.” The Mayor points to this as a prime example of the Spirit of Generosity, but is quick to remind everyone that money is but one way to give back. “I encourage all residents to share their resources, gifts and talents,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “When we are all doing what we can to contribute, everyone in Vaughan, regardless of age, ability, gender or creed, has the opportunity to improve, contribute and live their best life with dignity.”

Generosity by Example The City of Vaughan’s corporate community has played an integral role in the philanthropic effort. The results have been transformative for the city and the people who live here. “Our corporate and community leaders are thoughtful, supportive and enlightened,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “They truly understand what it means to give back. I want to express my most sincerest gratitude to their contribution toward the Spirit of Generosity and the City of Vaughan’s unprecedented success.”

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Get Involved in Vaughan If you’re inspired to give back to the City, you have options.

Volunteer

The VaughanLink volunteer program lets you be part of the City’s yearly cultural festivities, which celebrate the more than 115 ethnic communities that call Vaughan home. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience, engage with and inspire your community, develop meaningful friendships and create memories to talk about for years to come. To sign up, you can call the Office of Economic and Cultural Development at 905-832-8526. If you’re looking for a more specific cause to support with your time, you’ll find a chapter of just about any organization in Vaughan or York Region. An important one (especially at publishing time in the middle of winter) is the Canadian Mental Health Association’s York and South Simcoe office. You can learn more about their effort and how you can help on the Get Involved area of cmha-yr.on.ca.

Donate

The big initiative going on right now is, of course, the Mackenzie Health Foundation’s Ultimate Campaign, chaired by Mayor Bevilacqua. Since 1977, the foundation has raised more than $174 million for capital projects, medical equipment, technology and educational opportunities. You can contribute by calling 905-883-2032 or emailing foundation@mackenziehealth.ca. Another priority for the City is to raise money for Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL). They made major tech investments over the past decades; now residents have access to 3D printers, photography and videography equipment, music production facilities, DJ gear and so much more. You can make a financial contribution (through CanadaHelps.org), but VPL will happily accept books, CDs and DVDs, especially kids content and multilingual material.

You can also give back to the City through one or more of the third-party organizations operating in and for the City of Vaughan, such as the Red Cross, United Way York Region and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies.

“I encourage all residents to share their resources, gifts and talents” — Mayor Bevilacqua

Invest

Job creation is another great way to support the City of Vaughan because the benefits go both ways. As a business in Vaughan, you have access to: • A 15-minute drive to Toronto Pearson airport, a 45-minute commute to downtown Toronto and a day’s drive to 20 million Canadian and 135 million American consumers • 1,330 hectares of undeveloped land for offices, factories, warehouses and tech centres • A surrounding community that is 70 per cent postsecondary educated

#WeAreVaughan This was the 2019 Gala theme, and it rings true across the city. As a community, the people of Vaughan have done a fantastic job giving back and raising the quality of life. In 2020, the City’s goal is to continue in that direction and keep Vaughan’s momentum going. “City-building is a team effort and everyone has an important part to play,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “Together, we can give the unique gift of hope for a better tomorrow.” 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

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COMMUNITY BUILDING

A Hospital for the Future of Healthcare When Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital opens, it will be the first hospital in Canada to feature fully integrated smart technology. This will connect medical devices, improve information exchange and make patient care more seamless and efficient. — BY DAN YURMAN — The state-of-the-art Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct will house a dedicated ventureLAB space for the pursuit of innovation, and it will provide opportunities to students and faculty from York University’s Health Sciences Program.

"We're excited to expand access to care for residents in York Region,” says Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO of Mackenzie Health. “We look forward to sharing more of our progress over the coming months."

“The dream of having a hospital in our city will soon become a reality,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua , chair of the Ultimate Campaign. “We are making a significant investment in the future of Vaughan, delivering on the commitment to prioritize the health and well-being of all citizens.”

The Economic Impact of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital

That investment, along with others from the province and generous benefactors, is contributing to the $1.6-billion cost of the hospital and surrounding Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct at Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive. When it’s completed, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be the first net new hospital built in York Region in over 30 years. It will have space for 350 beds (with room to expand to 550), and will offer 100 specialties, including obstetrics, paediatrics and mental health. It will also have an excellent Emergency Department, and it will house the Sorbara District Stroke Centre of York Region. 54

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The building of the hospital will have created over 1,000 jobs between 2011 when it received government approval and its completion. Once operational, the hospital will create more than 2,000 new healthcare jobs. The hospital will also create over 700 new volunteer positions, which will yield opportunities for local students, seniors, retirees and anyone else interested in improving healthcare in the City of Vaughan. “Healthcare is a pillar of modern society,” continues Mayor Bevilacqua. “The hospital is a cornerstone of our city-building efforts.” For more information about the hospital and for progress updates, visit mackenziehealth.ca.

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COMMUNITY BUILDING

Niagara University Marks First Anniversary in Vaughan “In Jan. 2019, I joined staff, faculty and the Reverend James J. Maher, C.M., President of Niagara University, to make the historic announcement that Niagara had expanded to Vaughan, and to welcome students on their first day of classes,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. The Mayor’s comments come as the post-secondary institution marks its first anniversary in the community. “I was determined to bring a university to Vaughan, and this is a commitment I have proudly delivered for the people of our city. With the arrival of Niagara University, we have secured an essential investment in our community and the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC).” Founded in 1856, Niagara University, with its main campus located in Lewiston, N.Y, relocated its bi-national presence with a new site in Vaughan. Mayor Bevilacqua helped lead

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negotiations between the university and community leaders. The site is in the heart of the city’s emerging downtown core, located in the Cortel Group’s Expo City complex. The 12,000-square-foot addition includes seven classrooms, faculty and administration offices and student lounge areas. Niagara University’s Vaughan site is walking distance from the VMC TTC subway station and further connected by vivaNext bus rapid transit service.

“The first steps in our journey to bring Niagara University to Vaughan began in early 2018,” Mayor Bevilacqua added. “Our initial discussions and negotiations with community partners were rooted in a shared mission to secure the best possible location for this post-secondary institution to undertake this exciting new chapter in its extensive, proud and rich history.”

COMMUNITY BUILDING

“When those conversations were taking place, Father Maher and I spoke at length about our hopes and aspirations for the students. We remain unwavering in our commitment to ensure they get the best education from accomplished and compassionate professors — in a community that loves, supports and welcomes them.” The Vaughan location is home to Niagara University in Ontario, which has been offering outstanding teacher training, education and opportunities to Canadian students, under consent from the ministry, since 1984. This move saw more than 300 students, in addition to faculty and administrative staff previously in two other locations, relocate to Vaughan. Niagara University, Vaughan’s first university, has an extensive and proud history in Ontario.

“I believe that improving access to knowledge, training and education is fundamental to building a more promising future” — Mayor Bevilacqua Students pursuing studies in education at the Vaughan site can enrol in either the bachelor of professional studies in education or the master of science in educational leadership programs. Niagara’s bachelor of professional studies program is fully accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers and prepares aspiring professionals for careers in primary-junior and intermediate-senior teacher positions, among other education-related employment opportunities. Beginning in January 2020, Niagara University will offer programs from its AACSB accredited College of Business Administration, which include a master of science (M.S.) in finance and a master of business administration (M.B.A.). In addition to these programs, Niagara will also offer a master of science (M.S.) in information security and digital forensics. These programs operate at this site under the written consent of the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

The relationship between Niagara and Vaughan continues to grow stronger. In Feb. 2019, Mayor Bevilacqua presented Father Maher with the Key to the City at the annual Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Mayor’s Luncheon, before a crowd of more than 800 business, government and community leaders. Niagara University also took part in the City’s Nov. 2019 business mission to Israel. The delegation met researchers at Tel Aviv University, the country’s largest post-secondary institution, to discuss the future of Smart City technology and its role in developing autonomous vehicles to improve urban transportation. “The first anniversary of Niagara University is further proof that Vaughan is the place to be. It represents transformational initiatives either completed or currently underway in our city, which also includes the ongoing construction of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and the opening of phase one of North Maple Regional Park. These are the kinds of important and monumental projects that fundamentally define a city.”

“Higher learning and education speak to the pursuit of a noble goal that is fundamentally woven into the core of every human being, and that is to ultimately do better. As Mayor, I believe that improving access to knowledge, training and education is fundamental to building a more promising future for the citizens of our municipality and the entire Greater Toronto Area.”

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2019’s Order of Vaughan Recipients On Monday, Dec. 9, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua bestowed the Order of Vaughan on four citizens who have made a meaningful impact on Vaughan’s civic life. — BY DAN YURMAN —

Eric Jolliffe

CATEGORY: EQUITY AND DIVERSITY

By emphasizing community outreach and relationship-building programs, York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe has created community partnership opportunities with ethnocultural, religious, marginalized and vulnerable communities. His leadership inspired the Human Rights Education Centre Global Classroom — the first of its kind in the world to be recognized by the United Nations.

Max Eisen

CATEGORY: EDUCATION

Max Eisen is a Holocaust survivor who has devoted much of his life to speaking out against racism and bigotry, and teaching young people about the Holocaust. In 2019, his memoir won a Canada Reads Award and he was presented with a Key to the City by Mayor Bevilacqua.

Caroline Riseboro

CATEGORY: NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Dr. Vincent Maida CATEGORY: PUBLIC SERVICE

Dr. Maida is a pioneer in developing palliative care services in York Region. He was the first William Osler Award of Excellence recipient in 2001 and he received it again in 2009. He’s been named one of Ontario’s most educationally influential physicians by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, and has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal and Diamond Jubilee Medal for his work in palliative care, wound management and overall contributions to Canadian society.

The Mayor’s Comments

In 2016, Caroline Riseboro was named CEO of Plan International Canada and became the youngest person to lead a major Canadian charity. She’s won seven Stevie Awards for Women in Business, including Canadian Female Executive of the Year. And she’s been recognized as one of the Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) Most Powerful Women in Canada for two years in a row. At the 2018 G7 Summit, Ms. Riseboro secured a historic $3.8-billion commitment to the education of children in crisis. And in June 2019, she played a pivotal role in the second historic $1.4-billion funding announcement by the Government of Canada to promote the health and rights of women and girls around the world.

Of the nominees, Mayor Bevilacqua says they represent “the very best of Canadian citizenship.” He went on to recognize their unwavering dedication to champion positive change and make the world a better place. 60

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Vaughan’s New YMCA Brings Opportunity for Generations of Residents to Reach Their Full Potential

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DESTINATION VAUGHAN

Opening this year, the YMCA is an exceptional place where children and teens learn and develop the skills to transform into leaders as volunteers and employees. It’s where people of every age and ability keep fit with stateof-the-art equipment, and everyone comes together to make meaningful connections. “For generations of Canadians, and indeed people around the world, the YMCA represents a welcoming place that makes communities stronger and helps individuals reach their full potential,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. Vaughan is home to many YMCA services including two child care centres, four Before and After School Programs, summer camps and employment programs. This new 77,000-square-foot space is a permanent centre of a community — a place with soaring wood ceilings bathed in natural light from expansive walls of windows — where the YMCA will bring more programs to more people in our city alongside partners at the City.

“You’ve truly made it as a city when you have a YMCA opening in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. YMCA marks an important milestone in our city’s evolution. I’m extremely proud that Vaughan will finally be among the global cities that can proudly say, “This is my Y.” — Mayor Bevilacqua

In the heart of Vaughan’s new downtown, something special has been taking shape. It’s the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre YMCA — a centre of community co-located with a new City library, public spaces and offices — steps from our bustling subway station and bus terminal.

Vaughan is enjoying unprecedented growth and is home to successful businesses and some of the most soughtafter neighbourhoods for families. As the city continues to build up its downtown, the new YMCA will help lead this vibrant city to even greater heights. “As Vaughan evolves, we must invest in the next generation because the children and youth of today truly are the trailblazers of tomorrow,” says Medhat Mahdy, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “We’re thrilled that the Mayor’s and Vaughan’s vision for its downtown includes not only economic investments but the social investments that are also so important to our children and grandchildren’s futures.”

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DESTINATION VAUGHAN

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a more than 165-year-old charity committed to making communities stronger and setting people of all ages on the road to success. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre YMCA supports a healthy workforce whose enhanced productivity will drive a stronger economy. The YMCA will open more child care spaces for families who want or need them, helping more parents pursue their career aspirations. The child care centre at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre YMCA will be unique. It will continue to deliver the YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum as well as an innovative, child-centric pilot that transitions the toys and equipment in classrooms, not the children as is traditionally the case.

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The YMCA will also transform the leaders of tomorrow into confident change-makers — and give many their first job opportunities. And it will help ensure everyone grows up healthy and happy, into their retirement years and beyond, by complementing physical activity with community and connections, all made possible by the generosity of Vaughan residents and businesses. “The Y is a reflection of the spirit of generosity that exists in our city. We have an impressive legacy of giving, led by generous and compassionate individuals whose support is critical to making the Y a reality,” says Mayor Bevilacqua. “I encouraged the Y to do what it does best and engage young talent. They tapped into Vaughan’s next generation to champion the $14-million Strong Start, Great Future capital campaign to bring our vision of a Vaughan YMCA to life.”

Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, P.C. Mayor, City of Vaughan

Andrea DeGasperis-Ronco, Co-Chair, Strong Start, Great Future Vaughan

Peter Cortellucci, Co-Chair, Strong Start, Great Future Vaughan

“The Y makes communities stronger and helps individuals reach their full potential.” THIS IS MY

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DESTINATION VAUGHAN

“The Y means strong social, physical and mental well-being for everyone.”

— Peter Cortellucci Vice President of the Cortel Group and Co-Chair of the YMCA Campaign Cabinet in Vaughan.

Dozens of Vaughan business and community leaders spearhead the Vaughan capital campaign, led by CoChairs Peter Cortellucci and Andrea DeGasperis-Ronco. “The Y will create a brighter and more connected Vaughan for years to come,” says Ms. DeGasperis-Ronco, Principal and Co-Founder of OPUS Homes and Co-Chair of the YMCA Campaign Cabinet in Vaughan. In fact, YMCA research provides evidence to suggest that participation in YMCA programs and services leads to improved wellbeing, better general and mental health and a stronger sense of belonging. It also shows that in neighbourhoods where there's a YMCA, there's better well-being, health and belonging for everyone, not just those individuals who use Y programs, services and facilities.

FACTS: • 77,000 square feet • Full-sized gymnasium • Licensed child care • Multi-purpose fitness studio, conditioning and weight room • Recreational sports and group fitness classes for all ages and stages • Two pools for recreational swimming, swimming lessons and certifications • Volunteer and employment opportunities • Conveniently located in the heart of VMC next to the subway and bus terminal

“The Y means strong social, physical and mental well-being for everyone,” adds Mr. Cortellucci, Vice President of the Cortel Group and Co-Chair of the YMCA Campaign Cabinet in Vaughan. “It’s thanks to the incredible efforts of our Strong Start, Great Future Capital Campaign Cabinet — many of whom, like Peter and Andrea, are the next generation of Vaughan leaders — that generations of Vaughan residents will have opportunities to thrive,” says Medhat Mahdy, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. For more information about Vaughan’s new YMCA, including donation, opening and program details, visit VaughanYMCA.ca.

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Pictured above from left to right are Strong Start, Great Future Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair Peter Cortellucci, YMCA of Greater Toronto President and CEO Medhat Mahdy, Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor, City of Vaughan, and Strong Start, Great Future Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair Andrea DeGasperis-Ronco.

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Arts and Culture in Vaughan Building a Diverse and Purposeful City — BY KELLY TABANG I —

A city would not be the same without the many programs and destinations that bring diversity, creativity and culture to all its residents and visitors. In Vaughan, great importance is placed on ensuring that every visitor and member of the community feels welcomed and important. There is something for everyone here, whether it be in the form of an exciting event or festival, an art exhibition or a new tourist attraction. Vibrancy, identity, social well-being and economic development in Vaughan are tied to the evolution of art, culture and creative expression. “Here in the City of Vaughan, we’re dedicated to supporting artistic and cultural endeavours that add to the diversity,

spirit and togetherness of our community. Visitors discover we have exceptionally welcoming citizens, terrific international cuisine, great trails and parks, and impressive arts amenities,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

Celebrating Art

As a creative urban city that integrates art within the public realm, Vaughan has fostered an environment in which art can flourish and be a part of everyday experience. Vaughan is a cultural mosaic consisting of talented, diverse and creative people who make up a city that is proud to feature and support local, national and international art to unite a community.

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Immediately upon entering Vaughan City Hall, visitors are welcomed by professionally curated art featured at the On the SLATE Atrium Gallery. The featured exhibitions rotate two to three times annually, profiling both emerging and established artists from Vaughan, the GTA and across the country. In recognition of National Indigenous History Month in June and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, the City of Vaughan featured an exhibition titled facingNORTH: art | symbol | story between June 14, 2019, and March 11, 2020. This exhibition recognized the outstanding accomplishments of three exceptional Inuit artists: Abraham Ruben, Billy Merkosak and Irene Avaalaaqiaq. The exhibition included stone and bone sculptural works and wall hangings that interpret traditional Inuit legends, myths and ways of life. McMichael Canadian Art Gallery is another great destination within the City of Vaughan for Canadian art and the Indigenous art of the nation. This publicly funded fine art gallery consists of a permanent collection that showcases over 6,500 art pieces by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other contemporary artists. 70

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A Cultural Experience

A city that is meaningful is one that appreciates and nurtures culture. In order to continue fostering the appreciation for the culture in Vaughan, in 2019 the City participated in its 10th annual Culture Days — a free event celebrating arts, culture, creativity and inspiration in Vaughan. Spanning over the weekend of Sept. 27 to 29, 2019, there were over 30 events and interactive programs that generated an extensive amount of buzz and media attention. Some of the events included nature trail walks, cultural food displays, a lobster festival, Latinthemed activities and salsa at Vaughan Mills. When selecting participants and vendors for Culture Days, the main criteria are that all events are free, accessible and participatory. In the 10th year, approximately 10,000 attendees over three days participated in these activities led by cultural groups, businesses and entrepreneurs.

An Investment in Art and Culture

Vaughan continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, and with this expansion comes an increase in the investment to arts and culture. Visitors want genuine

DESTINATION VAUGHAN

experiences and are looking to immerse themselves in the local culture. Their experiences need to be distinctive and in sync with the local community and sense of place. Over the past few years, the City has introduced a growing number of programs and events including the adoption of a Vaughan City-Wide Public Art Program, several Cultural Heritage Months and Commemorative Days, Music in the Square, Inspirit Festival and others. There is a complete dedication from the City along with public and private-sector partners to continue implementing an ambitious, achievable cultural vision that promotes Vaughan and its evolving downtown core as a destination of choice. By supporting and delivering tourism opportunities, we are improving quality of life, promoting economic growth and attracting more visitors.

A Thriving Tourist Hub

By focusing on growing tourism venues and differentiating Vaughan from other destinations, the City is able to generate spending and overnight stays. One of Vaughan’s most popular destinations is Canada’s Wonderland. This amusement park hosted approximately 3.79 million visitors in 2018 alone, and is number 13 on the list of the most-attended parks in North America and ranked as the top seasonal park. Through continued investment into new rides and attractions, there is a demonstrated confidence in the Canadian tourism sector. Plus, with the recent addition of Winterfest — a winter wonderland offering skating, rides, markets and more — Canada’s Wonderland is set to make Vaughan a year-round destination. Just across the road from Wonderland, you will find the city’s popular shopping destination, Vaughan Mills. Not only is it the largest shopping centre in York Region, home to over 260 shops and restaurants, it is also set to launch a new family friendly entertainment destination:

Cirque du Soleil’s Creactive. In 2020, this Cirque du Soleil-inspired space will offer acrobatic and artistic recreational activities such as bungee jumping, circus activities, juggling, virtual reality and more. For a natural oasis, Kortright Centre for Conservation offers 325 hectares of pristine woodlands along with leading-edge sustainable education programs and events in Canada. Over 100,000 guests visit the destination annually for both the educational and natural components. Another popular outdoor location is North Maple Regional Park. Phase one of the park recently opened in mid-2018, providing 200 acres of greenspace with soccer fields, walking trails and a park pavilion. Over 700 acres are still set to be released to the public.

Service Excellence

Enriching the lives of residents with art and cultural expression is part of providing Service Excellence to citizens. The Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan for 20182022 communicates that economic prosperity, investment and social capital are a key priority for the City. This can be done by developing a vibrant arts and culture scene that will in turn attract a talented labour force; supporting creative industries to establish and expand; and creating an environment for innovation and business development that spans across sectors. According to the Director of Economic and Cultural Development in Vaughan, Dennis Cutajar, “In creating opportunities to host arts and cultural events, the city attracts visitors and builds community. This commitment supports the development of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and other primary centres and nodes to become complete communities that visitors can enjoy, and where residents can live, work, learn and play.”

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DESTINATION VAUGHAN

Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest: A beloved community tradition

Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest, the most highly anticipated winter event in Vaughan, promotes the enjoyment of winter, and encourages residents and visitors to participate in activities and enjoy the great outdoors. This annual event prides itself on providing free, engaging, enriching and quality entertainment for all guests. “Every year, our community comes together to celebrate the City of Vaughan’s Winterfest celebration,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “I was honoured to once again gather with family, friends and loved ones to experience the beauty of the season and take part in this exciting Vaughan tradition. Communities are strengthened by gatherings like this — where people come together to celebrate our blessings and make meaningful contributions to our collective well-being. Winterfest is just one of many occasions for us to enjoy Vaughan’s unrivalled quality of life and make new and cherished memories together.”

Something for Everyone

Winterfest builds upon the importance of bringing friends, family and neighbours together to celebrate the spirit of community. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy the wide variety of free indoor and outdoor interactive and seasonal

fun activities for the entire family, including first-class live stage performances, meet-and-greets with favourite popular children’s animated characters, horse drawn wagon rides, inflatables, midway rides, life-size games, outdoor fire pits, a free pancake breakfast and free giveaways. Winterfest continues to promote positive community civic pride. Having celebrated its 30th anniversary this past year, attendees enjoyed the opportunity to visit and mingle with the Mayor and Members of Council, York Regional Police, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service and York Region Paramedics.

Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest 2020

The City of Vaughan is gearing up to celebrate the 31st anniversary of its annual award-winning event featuring outstanding programming that is sure to enrich the winter season in a fun and memorable way! The 2020 event takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Vellore Village Community Centre. Visit vaughan.ca/events for more information. 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

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Destination: Vaughan The City of Vaughan is drawing more visitors than ever before, and we’re all benefitting from the increase in economic activity. — BY VANESSA RICH — A vibrant new downtown core. Unique visitor experiences. Local entrepreneurs doing interesting things. These are some of the reasons Vaughan has become a yearround, must-see part of any trip to Southern Ontario. Knowledge seekers and upcoming explorers are coming to enjoy Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan Mills, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto and more. The uptick is giving Vaughan national and international exposure, which is driving more investment in improving the numbers and putting more money into the public coffers for better roads, services and quality of life for residents. 76

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The City’s investment in activities for tourists is also improving its livability, attracting new residents and growing the community.

Expanding Entertainment Offerings A full roster of new events and facilities were created to draw new visitors to the City of Vaughan. Canada’s Wonderland, the country’s largest amusement park with nearly four million visitors annually, rang in the holiday season with a new Winterfest event in 2019 — the first of its kind. The immersive holiday experience featured world-class live entertainment, themed areas like Candy Cane Lane and Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town and the lighting of a spectacular 70-foot Christmas tree. New attractions

like the Yukon Striker, the tallest dive roller coaster in the world, and a new cliff-jumping water park attraction scheduled to open this year have and will ensure the theme park’s continued presence on the world stage. Another highly anticipated event this year is the opening of Creactive — a Cirque-du-Soleil family entertainment centre where visitors can step onstage and experience aerial parkour, bungee jumping, mask design, juggling, circus track activities and more. Already established at Club Med resorts in France and the Dominican Republic, Creactive is a timely response to the increasing demand for activitybased tourism and a growing appetite for arts and culture.

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Meet-and-greets with NHL alumni and local celebrities at the Rogers Hometown Hockey event in January represented an opportunity to bring significant media exposure to the city, and more specifically to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Along with institutions like the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Golf Club of Canada, events like this help cement Vaughan’s reputation as a destination for sports fans.

Planning for a Bright Future

The newly formed Tourism Vaughan Corporation (TVC) will provide long-term strategic planning to increase business travel and tourism to the city. In addition to its strategic role, the TVC will conduct targeted market research, promote opportunities for new tourism-related infrastructure and service investments in public transit, information kiosks, community hubs, festivals, special events and conventions. It will also provide consulting to small businesses across the city so they can augment their offering for appealing to and attracting tourists.

Be our Guest

The City of Vaughan is home to strong hotel brands and operators, including Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott, Monte Carlo, Novotel, Holiday Inn and Westin. The accommodation and food industry in Vaughan contributed $295

million to Vaughan’s GDP in 2018, more than half of the overall GDP contribution for the entire tourism sector. This figure was improved by the new Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) instituted last year. Set at four per cent, the MAT brings the City of Vaughan in line with the MATs of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville and Milton. Applied to overnight stays at hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and short-term rental accommodation at properties booked on online platforms like AirBnB, the MAT is projected to raise over $3 million annually, of which approximately half will be channeled directly into tourism marketing and promotion through the TVC. Funding may also be used to support infrastructure improvements for visitors and residents. Adding to the 12 branded hotels and four independent motels, accounting for 1,845 rooms or 673,425 available room nights, three new hotel developments, including Holiday Inn and Hyatt, have been approved by Vaughan Council. This will further increase the effect of the MAT, serve the growing number of business and leisure travellers, and increase hotel capacity by one-third over the current supply. The economic spinoff of these projects will be felt immediately;

first through the job creation associated with construction, operations and administration, and then by associated spending at businesses surrounding the three new properties. Restaurants, attractions and retail stores will all see a lift, and the positive reviews we believe they will all receive will raise the city’s profile as a business travel and tourism destination. Tourism contributed $465 million to the City of Vaughan’s GDP in 2018, Moving forward, the concerted effort to bring more guests to the city will continue to be a goal. As of 2018, the City of Vaughan’s tourism industry counts 3,533 businesses as directly or indirectly related to showing visitors a good time (accommodations, food services, arts, entertainment and recreation sectors). These businesses employ over 51,742 people, and the goal is to increase both the number of businesses and the number of jobs. As the range of visitor experiences grows in the City of Vaughan, innovation, business intelligence and environmental stewardship will continue to flourish. Vaughan’s long-term economic prosperity is tied to this effort, and residents can look forward to the rewards. For the Vaughan hotel/motel directory please visit www.vaughan.ca/MAT

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Subway to Sky High, VMC is on Target! An update on the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Vaughan’s emerging downtown core. — BY SHER ALYN ROMAN — Vaughan’s emerging downtown core, the VMC, is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for business, residential and commercial occupants who are looking to be at the centre of a thriving metropolis. A casual glance from almost anywhere in Vaughan, looking toward the 179-hectare site located at the junction of Highway 7 and Jane Street, will result in a view of Vaughan’s rapidly expanding skyline literally emerging from the ground. Three 55-storey condominium towers are progressing so quickly it’s hard to keep track. In fact, VMC is exceeding all expectations with residential development at 162 per cent of target, and retail, office and employment numbers also right on target! You might be able to see the towers from anywhere in Vaughan, but if you haven’t visited the area lately, it’s time to “head downtown” and be inspired by the VMC. 80

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The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre is a carefully planned community “designed to bring out the best” in people’s experience of all that a city has to offer. With plans for 12,000 residential units, 11,500 jobs, and both office and retail space (not to mention a subway and transit hub), the VMC is a place where you can live, work and play. Trails, parks and greenspaces marry harmoniously with cultural amenities, visionary architecture, shops and restaurants, (like BUCA, to be located on the ground floor of one of the towers), as well as the much anticipated VMC Centre of Community, which will include a YMCA, a performing arts centre, community kitchen and a new Vaughan Public Libraries location. The first office tower, KPMG, which is 15 storeys and located at the SmartCentres Place, is fully occupied.

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In November 2019, in a huge win for the area, a second corporate occupant, PWC, took up residence in their building, which is also now fully leased for occupancy. The YMCA will follow, moving in sometime in 2020. Adding to the allure of the VMC is the ease with which you can utilize public transit. Over 15,000 commuters use the VMC Mobility Hub, now fully functional, that officially opened on Nov. 4th, 2019. Residents, commuters and students can access the subway, VIVA buses and a bus terminal serving YRT buses from one central location. Union Station is now only 45 minutes away, and York University is just a five-minute ride. Niagara University opened its doors to classes in January 2019. The VMC played host to Rogers Hometown Hockey in January 2020.

“The VMC is a carefully planned community designed to bring out the best in people’s experience” Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua had this to say about the fastpaced development of Vaughan’s emerging downtown core: “The VMC is becoming a popular destination for community events that are bringing citizens together like the launch of the City’s 2019 Concerts in the Park series in Transit Square. The future of our downtown is promising. I will continue to champion the VMC, and am very proud of what we have built as a community and the progress we have made in bringing this remarkable space to life.” We couldn’t agree more. From the subway to the sky-high towers, come to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre to live, work or play, and be inspired by all the VMC has to offer.

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Delivering the Library of Tomorrow, Today How Vaughan Public Libraries is transforming and expanding to better serve the community Vaughan Public Libraries prides itself on being one of the most innovative and forward-thinking library systems in Canada and has become a central part of the community. A daytime visit might present you with engaging and colourful story times for our youngest citizens, while another trip might reveal a senior's social hour or a homework help session. You may be one of the almost 115,000 people who attended over 4,800 programs last year, ranging from toddler time to the afterhours mystery event Murder on the Hogwarts Express. Of course, none of these even touch upon the libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s massive collection of materials or the cutting-edge technology available for public use.

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The year 2020 may just be the most exciting and innovative one yet. Currently, there are 10 libraries across the city, with over 3.4 million items borrowed on an annual basis. This year thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s set to change dramatically, with the opening of three new locations, serving the different areas and needs of our community.

Libraries at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

A 9,000-square-foot branch will be located in the PWC Tower, adjacent to the new YMCA right in the heart of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), extending accessibility to a rapidly growing neighbourhood, all within steps of a major transit hub.

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This new branch will offer many of the features that people have come to expect, including study spaces, a colourful children’s area and an outstanding collection spanning a range of formats. This location will also offer culinary literacy through the City’s on-site community kitchen, providing long-term residents, newcomers and commuters with a new way to learn and connect. In addition to the community library, VMC will also be the location of a radical new style of library located in close proximity to the bus terminal and subway, geared to people on the go. “Our new VPL storefront will provide a selection of the most popular library materials that commuters can quickly pick up by scanning their library cards and checking out themselves from a dedicated 400-squarefoot space,” says VPL CEO Margie Singleton. “It’s just one way that we are evolving to provide easier access for all.” The storefront concept is an innovative way to offer customers who are pressed for time access to their public library without making a diversion on the way home. The storefront’s primary goal is customer convenience.

A new VPL library in Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital

The push for a more accessible library system underpins the thinking behind the third 4,000-square-foot location, which will be housed within the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Singleton explains: “This will be our 13th location, and we believe it will fulfill

the needs of the local community, while also providing something that’s fairly unique for the healthcare workers, patients and visitors at the hospital. When you look at this area of Vaughan, there’s a significant amount of housing within a close proximity, as well as a number of schools. By situating this branch at the hospital, we’re able to bring the library closer to these residents and deliver the high level of services, programming and materials they deserve.”

A place for the entire community

However, change at VPL doesn’t end at accessibility. If you’ve not visited a library for some time, you might be shocked to step into one of the city’s branches. Gone are the hallowed and hushed halls of the past where spaces were intimidating, librarians were authority figures and diverse needs were ignored. Instead, you will find that Vaughan’s libraries are vibrant and welcoming; broad in reach as well as offerings. They are places where you can take your children and not worry about them talking above a whisper, and they are places where you can play music, connect with your neighbours or borrow the latest video game. You can create against green screens, 3-D print and record a track, or you can put your kids into a host of STEAM activities. Thankfully, because there is more to do, they are now also open longer, with expanded hours at the Dufferin Clark, Ansley Grove and Woodbridge branches. The old idea of the library has been replaced with the new — they are now exciting inclusive community hubs, where everyone is welcome, regardless of their age, culture or background. Places where people can connect with each other and the world around them in ways that enrich, inspire and transform the lives of our citizens. Vaughan Public Libraries is the library of tomorrow, today. For more information, visit www.vaughanpl.info 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

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Active in Vaughan: Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Services Across the City — BY ROSANNA BONUR A — We all lead busy lives. At the end of the day, we need that escape to enjoy activities outside our daily norm of work and responsibilities. When it comes to recreation services, the City of Vaughan is proud to offer its citizens an array of programs, camps, fitness memberships and free community events. With 10 community centres across the city, there are several options for all ages that promote health and wellness so that we can all live active lives.

Vaughan Fitness Centres One of Vaughan’s most popular recreation services is its fitness centres. Whether it’s lifting weights or getting your cardio in, swimming, skating, sports or class-led programs, there is something for every interest and fitness level. There are six fitness centre locations across Vaughan, all featuring state-of-the-art equipment and amenities, including strength equipment, a versatile training rig, studios, pools, arenas, squash courts 88

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and indoor tracks. All locations also feature highperformance, smart-tech cardio equipment so you can sync your smart phone and keep track of your workout progress, which is a great way to stay motivated. Classes are led by trained, certified canfitpro instructors who deliver a variety of classes from early morning spin classes to evening yoga sessions and many high-energy classes in between, like the newest form of highintensity interval training (HIIT): functional and suspension exercises. As a Vaughan Fitness member, you have access to all Vaughan Fitness locations and amenities. This includes unlimited fitness, spin and aquafitness classes, as well as free admission to recreational swims, skates and dropin sports. Enjoy other amenities like our squash courts, saunas and indoor track, or add-on services such as personal or group training, and a consultation with our in-house nutrition specialist. Other perks of being a Vaughan Fitness member include monthly guest days,

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member appreciation events, squash house leagues (with finales party) and fun events like spinathons and yoga in the park. We’re your one-stop fitness shop, right in your community, and we’re here to help you find your strong. Visit vaughan.ca/fitness for more information, including current promotions.

remain committed to their mission of providing Service Excellence to Vaughan residents. Recreation and parks here in Vaughan are perfect examples of why we enjoy such a high level of civic pride emanating throughout our community. I encourage everyone to take advantage of everything our city has to offer,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

Great Walks of Vaughan

The trails and walks range from easy to moderate. They include:

Another great way to stay active while enjoying beautiful landscapes is to get outdoors. One of Vaughan’s most coveted recreational offerings is its Great Walks of Vaughan trails, which include a total of 12 sites throughout the city, giving Vaughan residents the opportunity to explore local neighbourhoods, nature walks and trails, all while staying active. The trails also include beginner and advanced scavenger hunts where people can locate listed items. This is a great activity to keep kids occupied outdoors. Great Walks of Vaughan was established in 2018 by the City of Vaughan and is funded in part by the Government of Ontario. “Our citizens have come to expect high-quality parks and engaging recreation services to help them stay active and healthy. The dedicated staff in Recreation Services and the Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations team

William Granger Nature Walk

8.9 kilometres (Moderate) • Extends from Bindertwine Park to Boyd Conservation Area • Side trail connects to McMichael Canadian Art Collection and historic Kleinburg mainstreet and shops

Sonoma Heights Neighbourhood Walk

2.6 kilometres (Easy) • Trail is accessible in the area around Sonoma Heights Park • Located in general area of Islington Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive

Vellore Neighbourhood Walk

4.7 kilometres (Easy) • Looped walk with both nature and neighbourhood walking experiences • Proximity to Vellore Village Community Centre and Library

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Jersey Creek Neighbourhood Walk

Peter Rupert Neighbourhood Walk

Riverwalk Neighbourhood Walk

Sugarbush Nature Walk

Rainbow Creek Neighbourhood Walk

Marita Payne Neighbourhood Walk

Mackenzie Glen Neighbourhood Walk

North Maple Regional Park Nature Walk

2.6 kilometres (Easy) • Includes Jersey Creek Park, Chancellor Park and Giovanni Caboto Park • Located in general area of Ansley Grove Road and Chancellor Drive 1.7 kilometres (Easy) • Loop walk along the Humber River and Nort Johnson Park • Located in general area of Highway 7 and Islington Avenue 2.2 kilometres (Easy) • Located in the general area of Martin Grove Road and Woodbridge Avenue • Includes Mapes Park and Rainbow Creek Park 3.2 kilometres (Easy) • Part of northern portion of the Bartley Smith Greenway • Parking and access at Mackenzie Glen District Park

Maple Nature Reserve Nature Walk

3.2 kilometres (Easy-Moderate) • Access points at Dufferin Street, Teston Road, William Bowes Boulevard and Lady Fenyrose Avenue • Immersive 35-hectare nature experience and unique flora and fauna

2.8 kilometres (Easy) • Located in general area of Rutherford Road and Peter Rupert Avenue • Includes Golden Forest Pond, Cook Woodlot and Pheasant Hollow Park 2.4 kilometres (Easy) • Historic Baker House on-site • Parking and access at Sugarbush Heritage Park 2.5 kilometres (Easy) • Located in the general area of Dufferin Street and Clark Ave. • Part of the Bartley Smith Greenway 5 kilometres (Easy to Moderate) • Situated in the 200-acre North Maple Regional Park (Phase 1 of a larger 900-acre site) • Surrounded by the natural setting of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Don River

For more information on Great Walks of Vaughan, including details on what to expect at each trail, visit vaughan.ca/GreatWalks

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Healthy and Active in Vaughan Keeping Older Adults Physically and Mentally Fit — ROSANNA BONUR A — Vaughan’s older adult population is the fastest-growing age demographic, expected to reach 30 per cent of Vaughan’s population by 2031. In 2016, in response to this trend, the City developed a 10-year Older Adult Strategy to promote age-friendly communities and to provide opportunities for seniors to lead healthier lives. The strategy serves to expand programs, services and partnerships that meet the needs of older adults, supports the changing needs of older adult clubs in the community and works towards an

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age-friendly community mindset. The strategy will also help develop an economically sustainable service delivery model for older adult programs and support the growing demand for health and wellness programs and services in Vaughan. This year, the City will be conducting an agefriendly community designation study to assess the community’s needs and priorities regarding becoming an age-friendly community. The result will be an action plan based on the World Health Organization’s eight dimensions of age-friendly communities.

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Another way the City supports its aging population is through the Older Adult Task Force, appointed by Council in 2019. Its overall mandate is to make recommendations on the implementation of action items related to the City of Vaughan’s Older Adult Strategy and assessing existing older adult programs, services, facilities, policies, fees and resources.

the options. In 2019, Recreation Services offered more than 180 sports, health and wellness programs for older adults across 10 community centres, including lowimpact exercise classes, arthritis fitness chair yoga, tai chi, meditation and relaxation, aquafitness, swimming, sports and skating, pilates, pickleball, muscle conditioning and dance fit.

“As a City that promotes and encourages involvement at every level, we take pride in offering opportunities that create meaningful experiences for seniors who have given so much to our community,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “Helping seniors remain active and involved is our priority and it contributes to the exceptional quality of life we all enjoy.”

“We recognize the importance of providing services and programs which promote health and wellness for older adults and help reduce health issues that increase with age,” says Mr. Bains. “Maintaining an active lifestyle as we age is essential to maintaining overall good health.”

“We offer a variety of programs for people with different interests and physical abilities,” says Sunny Bains, Director of Recreation Services. “They include health and wellness, sports, fitness and aquatics memberships, and mind-stimulating programs like creative, culinary and performing arts.” The City also offers a community connections program as well as drop-in recreation programs where seniors can socialize. Recreation Services supports more than 20 older adult clubs that organize and host a variety of programs. And with the help of various organizations, the City offers a number of free workshops for seniors throughout the year relating to issues such as brain health, fall prevention and diabetes awareness. Visit the Older Adult Recreation Service page on the City of Vaughan’s website, and you’ll be impressed with

Older adult fitness members have unlimited access to six city-operated fitness centre locations and amenities, and in addition to registered programs, the City offers drop-in and pay-as-you-go sports opportunities like ball hockey, basketball and volleyball, as well as annual memberships to bocce courts and games rooms, featuring billiards, air hockey, ping pong and foosball. Recreation Services will continue to monitor the trends and ongoing registrations for all its programming. With the extensive variety of programs and services offered to the older adult population, Vaughan is a community where the needs and interests of seniors is met and maintained so they can live healthy and active lifestyles. For more information and details on all recreation programs available, visit the older adults section of the Recreation Vaughan Guide at vaughan.ca/recreation.

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alectraCARES about Vaughan G COM

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O U SR T C DE I NI TA YT I O N V A U G H A N

Great Ideas Can Come from Anywhere In this case, they came from a group of Thornhill Woods Public School students. — BY DAN YURMAN — On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, during a presentation to Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council at a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, Ms. Brianne Whyte’s class delivered their thoughts about the dangers of climate change. It was so powerful, in fact, that Mayor Bevilacqua brought forward a Member’s Resolution that declared a climate emergency in Vaughan for the purposes of deepening the City’s commitment to protecting the community, environment and economy from the impacts of climate change. The students were then invited back for a facilitated discussion in which they were asked to describe what the ideal green and vibrant community looked like, and then brainstormed what specific actions the City and members of the community could take to make Vaughan more sustainable. Together, the group analyzed the concepts, and the results of the discussion were incorporated into the revised community sustainability plan, Green Directions Vaughan 2019, a plan to address climate 96

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change and other environmental matters by committing resources to a new set of sustainability actions.

Changes to Green Directions Vaughan 2019

In 2009, Green Directions Vaughan was first approved by Council as the City of Vaughan’s Community Sustainability and Environmental Master Plan. Its purpose was to guide Vaughan towards a more sustainable future by addressing environmental, cultural, social and economic values. Designed as a living document, the actions and priorities in Green Directions Vaughan have evolved. Some of the changes to the Plan since its inception have included aligning our sustainability actions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Council on City Data framework, supporting urban-agriculture and local food opportunities, and paying more attention to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

DESTINATION VAUGHAN

The new plan is broken down into six goals: 1. To reduce waste and the use of natural resources, including moving towards carbon neutrality for the City of Vaughan’s facilities and infrastructure. 2. To build a climate-resilient and green city through sustainable development, and the capacity for local action on climate change. 3. To ensure that the city is easy to get around with a low environmental impact through a network of sidewalks, paths and trails that support all modes of non-vehicular transportation. 4. To create civic pride that leads to more sustainabilityrelated community engagement. 5. To take a leadership role in sustainability advocacy and educate through sharing best practices. 6. To implement a framework that supports the adoption of Green Directions Vaughan at all levels of City operations. These goals are approached with two very specific directives, informed by what was learned from the sessions with Ms. Whyte’s class:

• Describe the sustainability actions as outcomes to better track progress • Acknowledge the need for community collaboration These were two important pieces of feedback from interviews with partners and stakeholders, workshops for members of the public, an online survey, invitations for input via email and phone, and a Technical Advisory Committee made up of staff to review and approve sustainability actions.

Tracking Progress

It was clear that not enough people were aware of the progress the City has made since 2009, such as:

• 12,000 street and park trees planted from January 2017 to December 2018 • 5,000 megawatt hours to be saved by replacing streetlights with LEDs

• 60 energy retrofit projects at community centres and arenas that have saved the City more than $250,000 annually since 2012 • the revitalization of Edgeley Pond • the City’s first fully electric fleet vehicle Tracking our actions in terms of outcomes in addition to reasons and goals makes it easier for residents to track the effort and understand the results. These outcomes are clearly reflected in the 2019 update.

Encouraging Involvement Tracking and understanding the eco-related work we’re doing also inspires people to get involved. A hope, for example, is that the Edgeley Pond revitalization might lead to more revitalization projects being greenlit and worked on by residents in those communities. The City is making it easier for people and businesses to get involved. The plan itself says it best: “Success of the sustainability actions relies on local collective action that involves residents, community groups, environmental organizations, businesses, industry leaders and other levels of government. Working together increases the chance to succeed in creating a sustainable Vaughan. The City recognizes that to achieve our goals it will take collaboration and integrated planning, including through participation in individual and neighbourhood-scale actions. The City will continue to form partnerships and build capacity in the local community.” We believe improvement begets improvement. The City has seen it every year since the initial Green Directions Vaughan in 2009. The 2019 version doubles down on the commitment. “I want to thank the students of Thornhill Woods Public School for visiting Vaughan City Hall, says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “Due in part to their advocacy, we are deepening our commitment to protect our economy, environment and community from the impacts of climate change.” Learn more about the plan at Vaughan.ca/greendirections.

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The City of Vaughan is committed to providing safe drinking water, effective wastewater collection and efficient stormwater management to support a sustainable and healthy community. Currently, the annual budget for these programs is approximately $180 million in gross expenditures. Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a growing city, we welcome this important infrastructure investment. Operating and maintaining our water system is one of the most essential services the City of Vaughan delivers. We understand that effective wastewater collection and 100 C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N Âˇ 2 0 2 0

stormwater management are key factors in preserving a healthy water supply.â&#x20AC;?

Where Our Drinking Water Comes From

In York Region, about 85 per cent of the water we use comes from Lake Ontario. This water is supplied by York Region, the City of Toronto and the Region of Peel. When water is delivered to the city, it flows through more than 95,000 service connections to supply residents and businesses. The system is operated and maintained in accordance with Provincial legislation, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002.

VAUGHAN WORKS

The Types of Systems

In Vaughan, there are two types of sewer systems. The first is a sanitary sewer system that carries wastewater from sinks, showers and toilets. This type of water is sent to a wastewater treatment plant. The second system is stormwater management, which aims to reduce water runoff that originates from precipitation and ends up in our sewers. Both systems involve intensive processes and a lot goes on behind the scenes to provide the water we receive every day.

Wastewater Treatment

In order to provide safe drinking water and protect Lake Ontario, York Region follows a strict wastewater treatment process. First, large solid objects are removed using screens and grit tanks. Then, an intensive primary treatment process begins, which means that organic materials such as food and human waste are taken out of the water. Once complete, a secondary treatment process is completed in order to remove the smallest organic materials present. Finally, disinfection takes place to kill any remaining bacteria before releasing the clean, treated water. The City and the Region maintains and operates their systems to ensure this happens.

Stormwater Management

As storms become more frequent and severe, effective management of stormwater has become increasingly important. Stormwater runoff is meant to be absorbed by plants and soils or returned to ponds and streams, but hard surfaces such as pavement or sidewalks can prevent it from naturally soaking into the ground. If this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t managed, stormwater can have numerous environmental consequences. For example, excess runoff may pick up pollutants prior to entering rivers and lakes that supply our drinking water. It can also erode rivers and streams, cause higher and faster water flow during storms, which results in increased flooding and property damage, as well as impact water quality and result in the loss of aquatic life and diversity. Currently, the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stormwater system includes more than 1,000 kilometres of pipes, more than 18,000 catch basins and 143 stormwater ponds. Several services are utilized to manage the stormwater system including maintaining and repairing the pipes that make up the public drainage system, street sweeping to remove debris before it reaches streams, inspecting stormwater outlets to ensure there are no blockages to water flow and much more. 2 0 2 0 Âˇ C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

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In order to fund the stormwater management program in Vaughan, a stormwater charge began appearing as a separate item on utility bills in June 2017. This fee was calculated according to the amount of rainwater runoff customers contribute. The stormwater charge is not a new fee and was previously collected through property taxes and the wastewater fee.

How You Can Help

The most important thing residents can do to protect our sewers is to ensure that only the right items go down the drain. For toilets, only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed. When it comes to sinks, citizens should not put fats, oils and grease down the drain. To minimize negative impacts of stormwater, many small changes can be implemented, such as: • Cleaning up litter • Using less fertilizers or switching to biodegradable fertilizers • Disposing of toxic products at local household hazardous waste centres • Capturing stormwater through rain barrels

The Future

Over the past several years, Vaughan and the world have seen a significant increase in the frequency of severe weather. The City of Vaughan has been taking active steps to reduce the effects of climate change on the daily lives of residents and provide a long-term plan for managing the potentially damaging effects of stormwater. By constantly monitoring the impacts of increased rainfall on our sewer systems, the City can implement repair programs to minimize risks associated with basement flooding or sewer backups. The City is also making substantial investments into upgrading the stormwater infrastructure. According to James Steele, Vaughan’s Director of Environmental Services, “By making these critical investments today, and into the near future, we are positioning the City to be more resilient to potential climate change impacts, helping to prepare so that risks of these events for City infrastructure are mitigated and the safety of our residents and businesses is improved.”

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OVUARU G CH I TAYN W O R K S

The Snowfighters of Vaughan — BY G INA FUSCO — The GTA averages more than a metre of snow per year, and the City of Vaughan is ready. The City has more than 2,000 lane-kilometres of roads and more than 1,000 kilometres of sidewalks that need to be cleared of snow and ice regularly. It’s not an easy task given the City’s 27,550-square hectare (68,077 acre) area. To manage the heavy load, 100 vehicles have been dedicated to the effort. “We are privileged to have such hard-working Public Works staff in Vaughan who work tirelessly behind the scenes, and often late at night, to clear the snow and manage stormwater,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “These men and women hold a special place in my heart.”

Clear after 16 hours

That’s the goal for snowfalls that exceed five centimetres, and the City’s Public Works staff has a response plan to ensure it. The main roads like Melville Avenue and Clark Avenue are plowed and salted within four hours after snowfall has ended so emergency and transit vehicles can operate and snow-removal vehicles can traverse the city. The main street sidewalks are cleared four hours after that, followed by the side streets and sidewalks by hour 16. 104

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Major arteries like Bathurst Street, Dufferin Street, Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive are maintained by York Region. Windrow clearing is completed within four hours after the plow has passed. Windrow machines will clear enough space at the end of driveways for one car to get through.

Reliable, efficient and always on time

Whether it’s battling salt with ice on roads and sidewalks, scooping snow from roads or punching paths through snow on our sidewalks, City Snowfighters strive to defend residents and visitors from the frost weapons of winter. “Day, night, weekday or weekend, the City is committed to delivering on our snow removal service levels so that commuters can get where they need to go, as safely as possible,” says Donald Eta, Director of Transportation and Fleet Management. To assist with the effort, residents are advised to keep their cars off the street during winter operations so the plows can do their work quickly and safely. Residents can also help by clearing the sidewalks, fire hydrants and catch basins near their homes and businesses.

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IS BUILDING CONFIDENCE

I N O U R CO M M U N I T Y Vaughan’s Leading Medi Spa & Laser Clinic offers a unique initiative, Brows for the Brave™, to help build confidence to those that have suffered from illness.

bout four years ago, Ashley Perri, owner of Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic, offered a free microblading treatment giveaway. During this time period, she was messaged by a woman that shared her sister’s cancer journey, and how microblading would help her look and feel better. Ashley decided to have two winners, the first to the winner of the giveaway, and the second to this woman’s sister, Yolanda. This made Ashley realize that she did not want to profit on microblading services for those who are, or have been suffering from various illnesses such as cancer. “When I had an opportunity to microblade Yolanda’s eyebrows, I felt compelled to create an initiative to help people, because

THE INSPIRATION FOR BROWS FOR THE BRAVE™ This

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Ashley

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ment’s initiative, Brows for the Brave™. In July of 2016, Yolanda Dyck, someone that An example of the results after a microblading treatment.

I believe there is a strong connection between looking yourbest, feeling confident and being empowered. If you have that extra bit of confidence, it may just help you on your journey to good health, especially after suffering from an illness,” says Ashley, recipient of the Small Business Award, and Young Entrepreneur Under 40 Award at the Business Achievement Awards in Vaughan. It was at that moment that Brows for the Brave™ was born. “I am grateful to have an opportunity to make a difference, one brow at a time,” she mentions.

Ashley Perri (left), Owner of Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic and Founder of Brows for the Brave™, performing a microblading treatment on Ida Tesa, a Brows for the Brave™ Ambassador. Microblading, is a semi-permanent makeup technique with the use of pigments to create hair-like strokes to enhance the look of a person’s eyebrows.

brave

ri’s inspiration of the birth of Skinprove-

To take advantage of Skinprovement’s initiative, your first step is to get a doctor’s note indicating that you are a good candidate to receive microblading services due to your current or past illness. Then, book an appointment at Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic through their Brows for the Brave™ initiative.

Ashley did not know as of yet, was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer. Her oncologist immediately

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chemotherapy,

which meant Yolanda would lose her hair on her head and eyebrows. One of her sisters, concerned about the physical and mental wellbeing of Yolanda, reached out to Skinprovement during their microblading giveaway. Even though Yolanda did not win from the draw that her sister entered her in, Yolanda’s fears about losing her hair and eyebrows hit Ashley very hard. Yolanda was a career business woman in her early 40’s, was married and had two teenage children. Ashley decided to give Yolanda a free microblading treatment even though she wasn’t the winner. This gave Yolanda the confidence she needed to continue her fight. Her story, her attitude and her beauty, inside and out, gave Ashley the desire to start a new initiative, Brows for the Brave™. Unfortunately, Yolanda developed cancer again and passed away in January of 2019. Since meeting Yolanda, Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic has performed over $75,000 worth of microblading treatments through this initiative. Her spirit continues to live on through each client that participates in Brows for the Brave™.

Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic 3590 Rutherford Road, Unit 6 Vaughan, Ontario 647.668.5494 www.skinprovement.ca www.skinprovementorganics.com

VAUGHAN WORKS

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service A Leader in Emergency Delivery — BY ROSANNA BONUR A —

“Emergency services are vital to communities,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “We are proud of the men and women of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) who put their lives on the line every day and are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of our families, friends and neighbours.”

“The VFRS professionalism remains grounded firmly in education, training and certification,” says Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi. “We use data to help inform future decision-making in terms of programs, initiatives and service delivery.”

VFRS employs 346 fire service personnel, including 300 firefighters, and is recognized in Ontario as a leader in emergency service delivery and fire prevention programming.

In 2018, VFRS responded to 11,834 calls, representing a 4.44 per cent year-over-year increase. Their Alarms for Life campaign led to 5,124 inspected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The need for more fire support, coupled with a recognition of the positive impact VFRS has on our community, has led to the building of a tenth fire station: Fire Station 7-4 in Kleinburg.

Every year, hundreds of men and women apply to VFRS’s rigorous 15-week recruit program. After a thorough vetting, only 21 made it through. They started this past summer and the community is safer with them on the job. One of the more lauded initiatives is a camp for 15- to 18-year-old girls to train with Vaughan firefighters, try their hands at the basic skills of the job and get a first-hand look into the industry to see if it’s for them.

Leading as a team

Firefighters. Fire prevention inspectors and investigators. Communications officers. Training officers. Mechanics. Clerks. Each plays a vital role in keeping Vaughan safe, and it starts by working together and committing to improvement.

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Growing in size and scope

The 10,250-square-foot facility was designed to meet current Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act standards. And it’s the fourth fire station in Vaughan with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. “We’re proud to call Vaughan our home,” “says Chief Rizzi. “We’re dedicated to protecting our neighbours and communities. And we’re committed to prevention through education.” Learn more about VFRS and other essential services in the residential services section of Vaughan.ca.

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Vaughan Works: A Hub For Entrepreneurs The City has helped close to 500 Vaughan-based companies start and grow since 2018. — DAN YURMAN — Small businesses represent more than 80 per cent of all businesses in Vaughan. It’s in everyone’s best interest to foster the City’s entrepreneurial spirit, and the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC) is a big help in this area. VBEC offers one-stop services, including access to business information, resources, training and hands-on assistance to start or grow a business. “We take pride in knowing that our city has been built on the framework of people who started with an idea,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “That entrepreneurial spirit defines our thriving business industry and continues to attract investment in Vaughan.”

12,000 businesses and counting That’s how many businesses call Vaughan home today. Together, they employ upwards of 223,000 people, and that number is rising rapidly. Since 2010, the City’s economic growth rate of four per cent far outpaced Ontario and Canada. More importantly, over 60,000 new jobs have been created in Vaughan in that time, many of which were created by small businesses. “Small business is the engine that drives our City,” says Mayor Bevilacqua, “but they are also what gives Vaughan its unique character. Every year, our economy diversifies even further. And when young people are responsible for it, even better.” In addition to a $100,000 grant to help small businesses use the internet better and a tool to better connect businesses, Mayor Bevilacqua recently announced a new partnership with ventureLAB to provide professional coaching/mentoring and advice from people who understand the Vaughan market.

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Activate!Vaughan Innovation Program In 2019, the City of Vaughan hosted, at KPMG, the first Activate!Vaughan Innovation Challenge. Focused on environmental sustainability, it attracted 26 pitches from local entrepreneurs. The five winning ideas included a way to reduce CO2 emissions in cannabis production by a factor of 15,000; a plant-based dairy alternative; a replacement for carbon-intensive bitumen in pavement; a high-pressure shower system that saves 80% of the water and energy used by traditional showers; and an anaerobic digestion system that converts organic waste

to biogas and fertilizer. The winning founders each received a $5,000 provincial grant and a spot in the 2020 Activate!Vaughan commercialization program. Four more Activate!Vaughan challenges are planned for the future. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch for help growing their innovative businesses in healthcare, Smart City, Transportation and Community Safety. Visit vaughan.ca/activate for details. “This is the kind of next-level support our entrepreneurial class has demonstrated it deserves,” Mayor Bevilacqua says. “The future of business in Vaughan is in good hands."

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VAUGHAN WORKS

Integrity of the City: Advancing a Culture of Excellence in Governance Maintaining and advancing a culture of excellence in governance is something the City of Vaughan takes pride in, and it’s what the Integrity Commissioner oversees. — ROSANNA BONUR A — Today, the role of Integrity Commissioner belongs to Suzanne Craig. With more than 15 years of legal, management and policy experience in the public and private sectors, Ms. Craig has built a comprehensive understanding of the procedures, rules and investigative processes of provincial and municipal agencies, boards and commissions; and she’s worked as an independent administrative tribunal agent, arbitrator and mediator across the province in the areas of labour relations, human rights, workplace safety, and insurance and tenant protection.

She also ensures that City business is open and transparent, that businesses are treated fairly and that citizens maintain their access to local leaders. The Lobbyist Registry tracks communication between public officials and people or businesses that have the intention to effect changes to legislation, regulations and programs. “Trust and accountability are key priorities at the City of Vaughan. I championed the creation of a Lobbyist Registry because I believe in an open government — giving the public access to information about who is communicating with public office holders,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

Her duties include providing policy advice, complaint resolution and education on issues of ethics and integrity. As well, she’s responsible for keeping the City government compliant with the Vaughan Accord’s mandate to maintain “a Council that is prepared to work together, constructively, and always in the best interest of the City of Vaughan.”

Out of 444 municipalities in Ontario, the City of Vaughan is one of 38 to have an Integrity Commissioner and one of six to voluntarily implement a Lobbyist Registry. Both roles help residents make well-informed decisions, and give businesses an equal playing field to work for, with and operate in the city.

In addition to her role as Integrity Commissioner, Ms. Craig began her part-time position as the City’s Lobbyist Registrar in January 2018. In this role, she provides public access to who is communicating with public office holders. 110

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Lobbyist registries do not affect citizens and residents accessing government services or speaking up on behalf of their communities. The City of Vaughan encourages its residents to continue to engage with their local government and speak out on the issues that matter to them.

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City Clerk’s Office: From “To-do’s” to “I Do’s” — BY SHER ALYN ROMAN — Are you planning on getting married this year? Would you like to share an idea or opinion at a Council Meeting? Do you need information on something related to your city? The City of Vaughan’s Office of the City Clerk is here to help. The City Clerk’s staff is available to help you navigate the processes for making a deputation to, and attending, Council meetings. It can assist with your understanding of Council and Committee processes. And if you have marriage on your mind, City Clerk staff can help you obtain a licence — and one of six marriage officiants can even perform your marriage ceremony in the beautiful Garden Room located at Vaughan City Hall! 112

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Deputations

If you’re looking to speak to the Mayor and Members of Council on a specific issue, a deputation might be on your “to-do” list. Deputations are an opportunity for citizens to have their say by expressing opinions or concerns at a Committee Meeting. For details on deputations, including when and how to register, rules and regulations, contact the City Clerk’s office or visit vaughan.ca/council/committee

VAUGHAN WORKS

Citizens are invited to get involved in the decisions made within their community, and the City Clerk’s office is available to help ensure everyone can either obtain information or share their thoughts on what matters most to them. For example, Committee of the Whole is an opportunity for all nine Members of Council to receive reports, hear deputations and make recommendations. The Council meeting takes place a week or two later, and this is where final decisions and votes are taken and recorded. If your “to-do” list also includes saying “I do,” look no further. From obtaining marriage licences to holding ceremonies in Vaughan City Hall, the Office of the City Clerk is here to help. Did you know that in 2019, the Office of the City Clerk performed more than 350 marriage ceremonies? More than one couple each weekday are committing to a life and future together, right here at Vaughan City Hall!

Here are some of the things you’ll need to consider for getting married: • The Office of the City Clerk in Vaughan City Hall is where you’ll need to apply for, and pick up, your marriage licence. • Licence requests and marriages take place daily between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (at least 15 minutes before closing time), and couples need to come equipped with all the necessary documentation. • You must be at least 16 years old, have original government-issued documentation, such as a birth certificate or valid passport, along with photo I.D. and a completed Marriage Licence Application form signed by both parties to qualify for a marriage licence. • Applicants under the age of 18 must have signed permission from a legal guardian to wed. • If you wish to hold your marriage ceremony at Vaughan City Hall, you will need to book in advance and attend a pre-ceremony consultation. During this consultation the Officiant will meet with you, share three possible civil ceremonies to choose from or work with you to customize your vows. • A marriage licence costs $170 and is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued, for a marriage anywhere in Ontario. • A civil ceremony held at Vaughan City Hall can be beautiful, intimate and dignified, and costs $371.50 plus tax. Drop by the City Clerk office, take a look at the Garden Room or outdoor space and begin your married life in Vaughan! The Office of the City Clerk can help you navigate the way. If you’ve got something to say, get to know your City Clerk today! 2 0 2 0 · C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N

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Work for the City That Works for You We’re one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities, and we’re hiring! — BY DAN YURMAN —

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Over the past decade, the City of Vaughan has evolved into a major urban centre. From the subway to the expanding VMC to the new community centres, parks, museums and neighbourhoods, our city is securing its spot amongst the most desirable places in Ontario to live, play and work.

We provide a thriving work environment, excellent benefits, learning and growth opportunities, and a place where collaboration and teamwork is fostered.

This rapid expansion has created countless employment opportunities in almost every sector and department. And we need good people to fill these roles.

This is our mission and everyone who works for the City of Vaughan adopts it. We all strive to give our citizens what they need to live their best lives. This includes promoting diversity, creating economic and educational opportunity, fostering vibrancy, stressing progressiveness, respecting the environment and ensuring sustainability.

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Citizens First Through Service Excellence

VAUGHAN WORKS

Our goal is for everyone who works at the City of Vaughan to feel:

We Value Respect, Accountability and Dedication

application of Human Resources policies, practices and procedures • supported, through ongoing career opportunities, training and development, rewards and recognition and investment in our current and emerging leaders • engaged, with a policy to actively involve employees in instances where conflicts need to be resolved • heard, because of an environment that welcomes differing ideas and fulsome, healthy, productive discussions • supported, by a commitment to health, safety and wellness that includes a full family focused benefits package

We demonstrate this through accessibility-, diversity- and safety-related initiatives, community involvement (Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike event, United Way, Christmas Toy Drive, etc.), professional development opportunities, rewards and recognition.

• respected, through the transparent and consistent

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply for our employment opportunities listed on our website. If you share our mission and vision for the City of Vaughan, please apply online at vaughan.ca/careers.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A BET TER WAY TO PURCHASE WINE, BEER AND GR APPA IN ONTARIO?

Discover our Family of Fine Wine

L E T O U R K N OWL ED G E A B L E A N D PASSI O N AT E T E A M H EL P YO U FI N D SOM E TH I N G E X T R AO RD I N A RY TO PU T I N YO U R G L ASS. SEE WH AT’S AVA I L A B L E AT STEMW I N EG RO U P.COM TO O RD ER O N - L I N E, O R CA L L US AT 416 -548-8824 TO A RR A N G E A TASTI N G.

got frango? Portuguese Churrasco & Rotisserie Chicken Come in and experience and savour the great selections from our hot table foods prepared fresh daily. VAUGHAN

3737 MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE 905.832.2918 BRADFORD

494 HOLLAND STREET WEST 905.778.9589

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www.costaverde.ca

Be Your Guest. We handle the details, so you can handle the fun. Our deep-rooted love for events and activities help us curate the perfect experience for you and your guests. EVENTS by AMG is an exclusive one stop shop that utilizes a local network of vendors and services to make your experience both cost effective and memorable.

905-660-3330 ext. 106 | alanad@amendolamediagroup.ca | Follow us @eventsbyamg

Taking Advantage of What Vaughan Has to Offer How to register for City-run registration programs and book public spaces — BY DAN YURMAN — The City of Vaughan prioritizes quality of life for residents. Nowhere is this more reflected than in the breadth and calibre of the programs we offer and the facilities we’ve built. “Our services are second to none,” says Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “Vaughan has 10 community centres with flexible schedules that offer many programs to keep families healthy and entertained. Whether you want to learn how to dance, swim or play sports, the City’s enthusiastic and highly trained staff are available to motivate and teach lifelong skills.”

City Programs

Pursue a sport. Attain a skill. Chase a dream. Expand a child’s mind. It’s all possible in Vaughan. In the pool, we offer swimming lessons, leadership courses, recreational swimming opportunities and fitness classes across 10 pools (nine year-round). These lessons are based on the Lifesaving Society's Swim for Life curriculum and are available from preschool to advanced 120 C E L E B R AT E VAU G H A N · 2 0 2 0

levels for all ages. Group, low-ratio classes, semi-private and private classes are also available. On the ice, we offer Learn to Skate programs for beginners, and skating and hockey lessons for kids and adults. Shinny and drop-in skate times are available at 10 rinks across the city. Athletes can join Vaughan Sports, our city-wide sports house league for kids. Creative types can find acting, singing, dancing and music classes, and can even try out for a part in a theatre production with the Vaughan Playhouse Academy. Foodies can sign up for cooking classes. Curious kids can expand their minds in STEM programs. And speaking of kids, Vaughan Playschool is a great pre-kindergarten readiness program. Visit vaughan.ca/recreation to find out more about all our programs.

VAUGHAN WORKS

How to Register

The easiest way to register is through RecOnline, or in person at your local community centre. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pleased to offer RecAssist, a program subsidy for lowincome individuals and families.

City Facilities

City-owned gyms, pools, arenas, activity rooms, heritage homes and theatres are available to rent for all occasions.

Residents and community groups have hosted special events, family functions, corporate workshops, receptions and exhibitions across the city. The newly renovated Pierre Berton Heritage Centre, conveniently located in the heart of Kleinburg, is available to host your next meeting or group event. How to Book: Contact Client Services at 905-832-8500 (option 2) or email reccsd@vaughan.ca.

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VAUGHAN WORKS

AT YOUR SERVICE THE CITY OF VAUGHAN RESOURCE GUIDE Stay informed, stay connected! Follow us on social media and keep up to date on what's new in Vaughan. You can also visit vaughan.ca/news and subscribe to our City Update eNewsletter.

Follow Vaughan thecityofvaughan city_of_vaughan cityofvaughan thecityofvaughan VaughanCityBlog.ca City of Vaughan vaughan.ca/podcasts 122

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VAUGHAN WORKS

Access Vaughan

Call 905-832-2281 TTY 1-866-543-0545 vaughan.ca | accessvaughan@vaughan.ca

City Services

Call 905-832-2281 | vaughan.ca/services Garbage/Recycling

Other Services

Transportation Services, Parks and Forestry Operations

1 (877) 963-6900 | alectrautilities.com

Roads Division

Enbridge Gas

Water Services

Alectra Utilities Inc.

1 (877) 362-7434 | enbridge.com

York Region Transit (905) 762-2100 | yrt.ca

Mobility Plus

(905) 762-2112 | yrt.ca/en/mobility-plus

Property Tax and Assessment

Building Standards Development Engineering Development Planning Parks Development

Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital

Policy Planning and Environmental Sustainability

(905) 883-1212 | mackenziehealth.ca

Vaughan Metropolitan

Mackenzie Health (10 Trench Street)

Centre Program

(905) 883-1212 | mackenziehealth.ca

York Regional Police (non-emergency number) 1 (866) 876-5423 | yrp.ca

Emergencies 911

Environmental Services Fleet Management Services Infrastructure Planning and Corporate Asset Management Human Resources City Clerk Legal Services Real Estate By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services Facility Maintenance Services Recreation Services Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service

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O AU UR G CH I AT NY W O R K S V

Community Centres

Public Libraries

Al Palladini Community Centre

Vaughan Public Libraries Administration

Chancellor Community Centre

Ansley Grove Library

Dufferin Clark Community Centre

Bathurst Clark Resource Library

Father E. Bulfon Community Centre

Civic Centre Resource Library

Garnet A. William Community Centre

Dufferin Clark Library

Maple Community Centre

Kleinburg Library

North Thornhill Community Centre

Maple Library

Rosemount Community Centre

Pierre Berton Resource Library

Woodbridge Pool and Memorial Arena

Pleasant Ridge Library

Vellore Village Community Centre

Vellore Village Public Library

Call 905-832-2281, visit vaughan.ca/recreation

9201 Islington Avenue

350 Ansley Grove Road 1441 Clark Avenue West 8141 Martin Grove Road 501 Clark Avenue West 10190 Keele Street

300 Pleasant Ridge Avenue

1000 New Westminster Drive 5020 Highway 7

1 Villa Royale Avenue

Call 905-653-READ (7323), visit VaughanPL.info

2191 Major Mackenzie Drive 350 Ansley Grove Road 900 Clark Avenue West

2191 Major Mackenzie Drive 1441 Clark Avenue West

10341 Islington Avenue North 10190 Keele Street 4921 Rutherford Road

300 Pleasant Ridge Avenue 1 Villa Royale Ave

Woodbridge Library

150 Woodbridge Avenue

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Members of Council Contact Information

Maurizio Bevilacqua

Mario Ferri

Gino Rosati

MAYOR

DEPUTY MAYOR AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR

LOCAL AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR

905-832-2281 ext. 8888 maurizio.bevilacqua@vaughan.ca

905-832-2281 ext. 8999 mario.ferri@vaughan.ca

905-832-2281 ext. 8441 gino.rosati@vaughan.ca

Linda D. Jackson

Marilyn Iafrate

Tony Carella

LOCAL AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR

WARD 1 COUNCILLOR

WARD 2 COUNCILLOR

905-832-2281 ext. 8085 linda.jackson@vaughan.ca

905-832-2281 ext. 8344 marilyn.iafrate@vaughan.ca

905-832-2281 ext. 8386 tony.carella@vaughan.ca

Rosanna DeFrancesca

Sandra Yeung Racco

Alan Shefman

WARD 3 COUNCILLOR

WARD 4 COUNCILLOR

WARD 5 COUNCILLOR

905-832-2281 ext. 8339 rosanna.defrancesca@vaughan.ca

905-832-2281 ext. 8342 sandra.racco@vaughan.ca

905-832-2281 ext. 8349 alan.shefman@vaughan.ca

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Home is where the heart is. At Zilli Home, we travel the globe searching for the latest in home furnishings. Allow our team of expert Design Consultants to curate customized furniture and accessories that reflect your personal style. Begin your design journey today - visit us in store or online.

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