Your City Update: News featuring Mayor Bevilacqua announces first university in Vaughan and ...

Jan. 28, 2019

City Update eNewsletter

Jan. 21 was a historic day for the citizens of Vaughan as Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua formally welcomed students, professors and members of the administration on the first day of studies at Niagara University's modern new site located in the Vaughan Metropolitan C entre . Founded in 1856, Niagara University, with its main campus located in Lewiston, N.Y., has relocated its bi-national presence with this new site in Vaughan.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day statement

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued a statement to remember the six-million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and pay tribute to the survivors. Vaughan is a multicultural community where nearly half of the population was born abroad and 105 different languages are spoken. The City of Vaughan has one of the largest populations of Jewish people outside of Israel.

Building on our success

On Jan. 21, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council took part in the first public meeting to discuss the Draft 2019 Budget and 2020-2022 Financial Plan. Vaughan is committed to prudent fiscal management ensuring every tax dollar collected is allocated to support the City's long-term vision. The next public meeting to discuss the draft budget is Monday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. For more information on how you can get involved, visit vaughan.ca/budget .

Changes to Bill 66

On Jan. 23, the Ontario government announced it will not proceed with Schedule 10 of Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018. Council unanimously approved a motion on Jan. 17 that the City of Vaughan did not support Bill 66 in its present form and that further engagement was needed on the draft legislation.

Mayor Bevilacqua welcomes provincial funding for Hospice Vaughan

On Jan. 18, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua welcomed $2 million in provincial funding for the Hospice Vaughan - Mario & Nick Cortellucci Hospice Palliative Care Centre of Excellence which is anticipated to be opened spring/summer 2019. It will include a 10-bed residential hospice, family support services, bereavement services and visiting hospice services.

Mayor Bevilacqua marks the re-opening of Bathurst Clark Resource Library on its 25th anniversary

On Jan. 20, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council welcomed guests to the official re-opening ceremony for the Bathurst Clark Resource Library . The library has been the cornerstone of the Thornhill community for 25 years. Several new features included in the library are free Wi-Fi, a children's area and a self check-out.

Vaughan Council votes to opt-out of allowing licensed retail cannabis stores

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua's motion to opt-out from allowing licensed retail cannabis stores to operate in Vaughan was passed with majority support from Council. The decision was made following a Special Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 21 at City Hall.

City of Vaughan staff raise more than $86,000 for United Way Campaign

During a special presentation at Committee of the Whole on Jan. 22, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, Members of Council and the City of Vaughan United Way Committee presented a cheque to United Way Greater Toronto. As part of the Spirit of Generosity commitment, Mayor Bevilacqua pledged $15,000, bringing the campaign total to $86,087. Since 1994, the City of Vaughan has raised more than $1 million through its annual United Way Campaign.

Mayor Bevilacqua recognizes St. Joan of Arc senior boys soccer team

During the Jan. 22 Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council congratulated the St. Joan of Arc Thunder - Tier 1 senior boys soccer team for their victory in the York Region Athletic Association Tier 1 Senior Boys Soccer Championship.

City staff achieve professional designation

During the Jan. 22 Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council congratulated two outstanding members of City staff - Gus Michaels, Director of By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services, and Italo Joe Luzi, Manager of Enforcement Services-who have reached an executive-level designation in the field of Municipal Law Enforcement and Property Standards from the Ontario Municipal Management Institute.

Pride and honour tradition continues

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service's tradition of pride and honour was passed on to the newest generation of firefighters at a ceremony on Jan. 25. Twenty-three recruits were welcomed as they solidified their commitment to protect the city of Vaughan. Ten recently promoted firefighters were also recognized for their dedication to service excellence and teamwork.

Spring and Summer Recreation Vaughan Guide coming soon

It's coming! The Spring and Summer Recreation Vaughan Guide will be delivered to homes by Friday, Feb. 1. Look through the guide for great programs for the whole family. Start planning! Registration (summer camps included) starts Feb. 19-27, depending on location. Online registration is easy, secure and available 24 hours a day at vaughan.ca/RecOnline.

Celebrate Lunar New Year

You're invited to the City of Vaughan's Lunar New Year celebration on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Come by Vaughan City Hall to enjoy a traditional lion dance, eye-dotting ceremony and other cultural performances.

Get inspired, share ideas, shape your Creative City

Connect with Vaughan's business community at the Vaughan Business Expo and Creative Industries Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Network with Vaughan businesses and discover opportunities for 2019 and beyond. Participate in breakout sessions and have your say in shaping the future of Vaughan and its creative industries!

Join us for the 30th anniversary of Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest

The 30th annual award-winning Vaughan Celebrates Winterfest event returns on Sunday, Feb. 10 at Vellore Village Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This free, fun-filled winter carnival offers first-class entertainment, indoor and outdoor activities and so much more! Free shuttle bus service will be provided from Vaughan City Hall and Emily Carr Secondary School.

Roses are red, violets are blue, we have half-price swim passes just for you!

Treat your little Valentine to more than just a card this year. The City is offering swim passes for children four to 17 years old at a special rate of $12.50 for 10 passes. Passes are sold at Vaughan community centres until Thursday, Feb. 14, or while quantities last. They can be redeemed between Feb. 1 and March 31 .

Are you interested in entrepreneurship and the arts?

The York Region Arts Council is thrilled to launch the Artrepreneur Youth Program, a one-week intensive for high-school students in grades 9-12 interested in entrepreneurship and the arts. The a pplication deadline is Monday, Feb. 18.

Be in the know when it snows

Do you want up-to-the-minute information on winter maintenance operations? Sign up for alerts to be sent directly to your email with all the details about the winter operations within Vaughan. To receive alerts, you must create a profile on the City's website and sign up for the Snow Information Alert. You can do this by going to vaughan.ca and clicking on "register" at the top right-hand corner.

Energy efficiency in the winter

Colder weather makes us want to turn up the heat to stay warm and cozy inside our homes, but this can result in more energy use and higher energy bills. Luckily, there are easy ways to reduce energy consumption in the winter and save on our energy bills.

Geotechnical work starts for the Yonge Subway Extension

The preliminary planning, design and engineering phase of the Yonge Subway Extension is underway. Beginning Monday, Jan. 28 and for approximately two weeks, crews will be working along Yonge Street between Kirk Drive and Langstaff Road East. Work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and there will be a northbound curb lane closure in the work area from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Happy new you!

Vaughan fitness centres are here to help you reach your goals this year. Sign up for a one-year membership by Thursday, Jan. 31 and you'll get three FREE personal training sessions! Already a member? You can save 25 per cent on all personal training packages. Learn more about this great promotion at vaughan.ca/fitness .

Highway 427 expansion

traffic impacts

Due to the expansion of Highway 427 , multiple lane restrictions and traffic impacts are in place.

Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and to drive according to conditions. All work is weather permitting.

P.A. Day Activities Friday, Feb. 1

Looking for a fun way to spend the P.A. Day with your kids? Check out some of Vaughan Public Libraries' programs including Winterlude, an indoor celebration of all things the winter season offers with fun games and activities ; Lifesize Games for kids who like HUGE games; Colouring 2.0 where you can move beyond crayons and explore colour with different apps and devices; Escape your P.A. Day where kids can enjoy a fun-filled day of cryptography and puzzles both virtually and in real life; and Mechanize IT! where kids can have fun with mechanics, engineering, physics and lots more.

vivaNext watermain work on Highway 7 West

To accommodate ongoing
vivaNext watermain installation work on Highway 7 West, there will be lane closures on Wigwoss Drive and Helen Street from Tuesday, Jan. 22 until Tuesday, Feb. 5 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. with lane restrictions in place 24 hours a day.

Major Mackenzie Drive to Keele Street Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

York Region has completed a Schedule 'C' Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study for roadway operational improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive West from McNaughton Road and Avro Road to Keele Street. The report can be downloaded from the York Region website and is available to view at the Office of the City Clerk until Saturday, Feb. 2, during normal business hours.

Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 27 intermittent intersection closures

York Region is working on improvements along Major Mackenzie Drive. Beginning Monday, Jan. 21 until Friday, Feb. 8, short, intermittent closures will take place every half hour for five to 10 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 27.

Looking for a summer job?

The City is hiring summer camp staff, including counsellors, directors and specialists. The a pplication deadline for general staff is Monday, Feb. 11. Visit vaughan.ca/RecJobs for job postings and the 2019 Summer Camps Employment Guide.

Protect your pets

Keep your pets safe and healthy by getting them vaccinated and microchipped. Vaughan Animal Services is hosting a Microchip and Rabies Clinic on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 905-832-2281 to make an appointment.

Maple Pumping Station upgrades

York Region is working to upgrade the Maple Pumping Station located at 10588 Keele St. to ensure the continued supply of safe drinking water to the community. There is no anticipated impact to traffic or water services in the area. Work is expected to be completed in March 2019.

Islington Avenue watermain rehabilitation

York Region is rehabilitating the Islington Avenue watermain. Approximately 1.6 kilometres of the watermain have been re-lined. Crews will be working occasionally from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to complete re-lining the remaining section of the watermain from January to May 2019.