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The Vaughan Economic Monitor is a resource from the Vaughan Economic and Cultural Development Department that shares hard-hitting facts, figures and news related to economic, market and business activities here in Vaughan. New issues are delivered bi-monthly.
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Vaughan grows as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship
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This fall has been a landmark season for innovation in Vaughan. In October, the City announced two partnerships that mean increased opportunity for entrepreneurs. In November, Economic and Cultural Development launched Activate!Vaughan to provide an opportunity for innovators to collaborate.
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| Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Members of Council and signing partners mark the formalization of the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct MOU |
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On October 2, in a first-of-its-kind initiative in Vaughan, the City is leading a collaboration to transform an 82-acre parcel of land at Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive into the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the City of Vaughan, York University, Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB to identify transformational opportunities to maximize the best use of lands surrounding the site of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital through a feasibility study. The feasibility study will determine how best to create a world-class health experience and explore various options, including a new space for ventureLAB to expand and create another regional innovation hub in Vaughan and opportunities for Mackenzie Health to collaborate with York University in the area of academic health sciences. Learn more
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Left to right: Brian Shifman, CEO of Vaughan Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; Melissa Chee, President and CEO of ventureLAB, and Local and Regional Councillor Mario Ferri |
During Small Business Week, the City of Vaughan and ventureLAB partnered to provide
enhanced services to help entrepreneurs market their ideas, develop new and innovative services and remain ahead of the competition.
Learn more
In November, the City will Activate!Vaughan for a sustainable future. The Activate!Vaughan pitch challenge is open to all innovators who want to connect, disrupt, and grow their business, and takes place on November 28.
Learn more or register for the event
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New Canadian headquarters in Vaughan: Swiss-based GF divisions break ground
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GF Machining Solutions and GF Piping Systems, divisions of Georg Fischer (GF), a Swiss-based, international industrial corporation, have broken ground in Vaughan, Ontario. The 67,000-square-foot facility will be a joint headquarters, incorporating a 4,800-square-foot demonstration and distribution centre, along with an expanded custom fabrication area.
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Vaughan Metropolitan Centre welcomes PwC Canada's most tech-advanced office
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| PwC-YMCA Tower in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, 2019 |
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PwC Canada opens its doors to a brand new office this November, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. With over 350 employees strong, and servicing many clients out of the new office, PwC will significantly contribute to Vaughan's economic growth by attracting talent and investments to the region.
Specializing in financial crime and cybercrime, this location will feature a Digital Resilience Centre to serve clients out of Canada's second-largest tech hub. The environmentally sustainable office has been Fitwel Certified to support a healthier workplace environment. The PwC-YMCA Tower houses a new City of Vaughan public library and a YMCA that will include a fitness centre, pool, childcare centre and is adjacent to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway Station.
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IKEA and DHL partner in grand opening of Kleinburg Customer Distribution Centre
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IKEA Canada celebrated the grand opening of a 550,000-square-foot Customer Distribution Centre in Kleinburg. IKEA Canada, a subsidiary of Dutch-based IKEA, has partnered with German-based DHL Supply Chain to support expanded service offerings, including new lower pricing for parcel and truck delivery. The site will be operated by DHL Supply Chain and has created 120 indirect jobs.
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Vaughan Metropolitan Centre bus terminal opens
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Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and
Mary-Frances Turner, President of York Region Rapid Transit at the opening of the SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal
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SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) opened for service on
November 3, 2019.
This nine-bay terminal is serviced by York Region Transit (YRT) Routes 10, 20, 26 and Mobility On Request, which have moved from their temporary stop on Millway Avenue. Riders can easily connect to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway Station and vivastation (serving Viva and Zum buses) via a short walk above ground or the underground tunnel.
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New Viva rapidway segment opens early along Highway 7
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York Region announced the Viva bus rapid transit (rapidway) opened a 2.6 kilometre segment of the rapidway three months early, from Bathurst Street to Richmond Hill Centre Terminal near Yonge Street. The rapidway will total 12.6 kilometres when complete and create 10 new stations. More of the rapidway and five vivastations along Bathurst Street and Centre Street to Highway 7 are scheduled to open for service by the end of 2019. This project is part of a $1.4 billion transit investment from the Government of Ontario and Metrolinx.
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Vaughan business leader awarded Vinyl Institute "Lifetime Achievement Award"
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Mr. Vic de Zen, CEO and Chairman of the Vaughan-based Vision Extrusion Group of Companies, received a lifetime achievement award from the Washington D.C.-based Vinyl Institute, which recognizes outstanding service to the vinyl industry during a person's career.
Vinyl Institute Chair Dick Heinle said of Mr. de Zen, "Vic's unwavering commitment to the vinyl industry is unprecedented, and he continues to be one of the world's premier innovators in the vinyl sector."
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Vaughan City Council appoints Board of Directors for Tourism Vaughan Corporation
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The City of Vaughan continues to invest in the diversification of its local economy, leveraging the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) that came into effect on April 1 2019. Vaughan has incorporated a new Tourism promotion entity, 'Tourism Vaughan Corporation' (TVC), responsible and accountable for managing 50 per cent of the MAT revenue.
In preparation for the Corporation's start-up in January 2020, Council appointed a Board of Directors for TVC:
Tim Simmonds, Chair and President
Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, Vice Chair
Michael Coroneos, Treasurer
Christine Vigneault, Secretary
Joining the City in November 2019, Manager of Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, Ashley Travassos, will also serve as the Executive Director of TVC managing the day-to-day affairs of the Corporation in carrying out its tourism marketing, promotion and program delivery mandate. Learn more about how Vaughan is growing its tourism sector
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Vaughan receives three IEDC Excellence in Economic Development awards
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The City of Vaughan's Economic and Cultural Development department received three International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Awards: a Silver Award for the
Sector Profiles and a Bronze Award for the
VMC Lure Book in the category of Print Brochure, and a Silver Award for the
Social Innovation Challenge in the category of Innovation Programs and Initiatives. Mayor Bevilacqua, Members of Council and staff came together to celebrate these achievements and the City's commitment to economic opportunity.
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DisruptHR brings HR professionals together in Vaughan
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| DisruptHR Event at McMichael Art Gallery on September 18 |
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More than 150 professionals packed the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery in Kleinburg on September 18 for the inaugural event of the Vaughan chapter of DisruptHR. DisruptHR - billed as the rebellious future of human resources - is an information exchange and networking opportunity designed to energize, inform and empower people in the HR field. The night featured a lightning round of speakers - 14 presenters took to the stage for five minutes each to share their experiences, stories and vision for the future of work. "We're already planning our second event, and look forward to continuing to challenge employers, leaders and HR professionals to be the best they can," said Giorgio Follegati, one of the event's co-founders.
Learn more about DisruptHR
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Take your business global
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Did you know that on average, companies that export have sales 18 times greater than non-exporters? Selling your products and services outside of Canada is an excellent way to grow your business. Globalization is opening new international markets and creating new opportunities for small and medium-sized companies. Questions about exporting? Call Ontario Export Services toll-free within Ontario: Call 1-877-GOTRADE (4687233)
Upcoming workshop opportunities:
Business Opportunities in the European Union 2019
Nov. 26, 2019
Ontario Trade and Investment Centre
7:30 to 11 a.m.
Get practical information on how to establish or enhance your supply chains in Europe, and comply with EU tax and customs regulatory framework, as well as to meet one-on-one with the guest speaker from Europe.
Ontario Trade and Investment Centre
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Receive hands-on, practical learning experience from industry experts to show you how to take full advantage of the business opportunities offered by exporting. This seminar will cover:
- key opportunities and cultural aspects of doing business in the United States
- how to finance your international business expansion
- how to get your goods and services into market
- support services available to you as an exporter
RBC - Schulich Enterprise Forum V: Think Outside the Border
Dec. 4, 2019
Schulich School of Business, Rob and Cheryl McEwen Building
5 to 8:30 p.m.
Participate in this information and networking event with commercial and trade representatives of CPTPP member countries, leaders of Canadian companies in these markets and a selection or organizations dedicated to helping Canadian SMEs scale up internationally.
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Hiring and training incentives for employers
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Take advantage of funding, programs and federal tax incentives to help hire and train employees for your business, not-for-profit or public-sector organization.
Learn More
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Partners in Project Green Forum 2019
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Partners in Project Green, a valued City of Vaughan partner, is hosting a Forum on November 28. Join sustainability and environmental professionals from the corporate, municipal and NGO sectors to discuss the theme of a broad, systems-thinking approach to sustainability. Presentations will cover local examples related to water conservation, circular economy, and community energy planning issues.
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Have your say in 2020 budget consultations
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The City of Vaughan would like to extend an invitation to all local businesses and stakeholders to attend public meetings for the 2020 Property Tax and Water Budget consultation sessions. The public meetings will be held at Vaughan City Hall at 7 p.m. on December 2, 10 and 17, and can also be watched online. Can't attend but want to give your input? You can
fill out an
online feedback form
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leave a voicemail on the Budget Hotline at 905-832-8610, or
e-mail questions and comments to
[email protected]
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The City of Vaughan's Economic and Cultural Development department focuses on facilitating entrepreneurship, employment and investment opportunities, developing and promoting art and cultural experiences, as well as engaging thought leaders to generate insightful ideas, strategies and actions that drive economic, cultural and partnership investment. We work to make Vaughan a place where entrepreneurship, business, art and culture prosper and grow.
For more information, contact the City of Vaughan's Economic and Cultural Development team at
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