Your City Update: News featuring Together Delivering Results and ...

October 9, 2018

City Update eNewsletter

During the final City Council meeting of the 2014-2018 term, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua spoke about the record-setting achievements made by Council and members of the administration. Of note, the arrival of TTC subway service to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Subway Station; that Vaughan has one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area; and the recent opening of Phase One of the new 900-acre North Maple Regional Park.

Thanksgiving Season

During the Thanksgiving season regardless of your ethnicity or faith, we all have a reason to be grateful, and as a city that speaks 105 languages, there are so many ways to express appreciation for the blessings we enjoy each day. We are reminded that we are fortunate to live in the best city and country in the world. With values rooted in humility, optimism and hope, we can all be thankful to call Vaughan home.

Take advantage of advance voting in Vaughan

Municipal Election Day in Vaughan is Monday, Oct. 22. Vote early and avoid the lines at any of the eight convenient advance voting locations from Oct. 11 to 18. Vaughan voters can vote at ANY one of the locations regardless of the ward in which they live. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/elections.

Project of the Year Award for the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Mobility Hub

The City of Vaughan received the Ontario Traffic Council's Project of the Year Award for the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Mobility Hub. This award recognizes excellence in the field of transportation planning and is given to projects that display innovation, support sustainability and contribute to quality of life.

2018 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award (AEP)

The City of Vaughan received the 2018 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award (AEP) from the National Procurement Institute. The award recognizes organizational excellence in public procurement and is given to organizations that excel in innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity and leadership attributes of the procurement function.

SURVEY: Your opinions matter

Do you have ideas on how we can improve Vaughan.ca? Take our online survey today! Your feedback will help decide what changes to make to ensure our new website addresses the future online needs of our community and website users.

To learn more and take the survey, visit vaughan.ca/WebStrategy.

October is walk to school month

The City of Vaughan supports sustainable transportation which means any transportation that is 'green' and has low impact on the environment, balancing our current and future needs. Ontario students are encouraged to choose active and sustainable transportation that is safe and enjoyable. Learn more at ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca.

Fire Prevention Week October 7-13

Fire Prevention week focuses on three fundamentals to be fire-safe: Look, Listen and Learn.

Look for potential fire hazards around your home.

Listen for the smoke alarms in an emergency. Early detection of fire provided by smoke alarms gives you the extra seconds you need to get out safely.

Learn two ways out of every room.

Canadian Library Month and Ontario Public Library Week October 14-20

Celebrate Library Month by telling us how much you ❤ Vaughan Public Libraries(VPL) staff! Snap a photo with your favourite VPL staff and tell us what makes them special or submit a thank you note to share your experience! One lucky winner will be selected each week for one of four private Maker experience packs.

Waste Reduction Week October 15-19

The City of Vaughan is a proud supporter of waste reduction week. We encourage our residents to reduce, reuse and recycle! Use reusable bags for shopping, visit local farmer's markets and donate gently used items! All of this can make a difference for our environment. Learn more at vaughan.ca/waste.

Vaughan Small Business Week

(October 16-18)

Entrepreneurs and small business owners - join us for this year's Vaughan Small Business Week from Oct. 16-18, 2018. This multi-day event offers a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including inspiring speakers and local leaders with one goal in mind - to create new possibilities for business. For more information and to register, visit vaughan.ca/VBEC .

Finders Keepers, Thrifty Seekers!

The City of Vaughan is hosting the last Curbside Giveaway event this year on Oct. 20 to 21. Place gently-used items on your property next to the sidewalk or curb for others to take. Unclaimed items must be removed by 5 p.m. on Oct. 21.

Save your spot in our Vaughan Recreation Guide & eGuide!

Do you own a business in Vaughan? Reach new and existing customers where they live, work and play by featuring your business in the Recreation Guide, the city's official publication and parents #1 resource for recreation information. Check out our advertising package, featuring digital options like video plus advertising at community centres.

Portraits of Giving

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) is honoured to have been selected as part of the 2019 Portraits of Giving. This exhibit recognizes community members and organizations for their social responsibility. The long standing alliance between VFRS and the Vaughan Food Bank is one of the many examples of their commitment to helping others. VFRS encourages people to donate non-perishable food donations to any VFRS station all year round.

Leaf and Yard Waste

Beginning October 23, leaf and yard waste collection will be every week with your regular garbage collection day until Dec. 14. Remember to use Kraft paper bags designed for leaf and yard waste or open-top rigid containers without lids, with handles and marked "leaf and yard waste".

Have a Question?

Access Vaughan is a dedicated citizen service that operates Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., that continuously improves accessibility to non-emergency City services and information. Access Vaughan has a language line which provides verbal translation in more than 150 languages and is available free of charge to residents. Access Vaughan can be reached at 905-832-2281.

Are you using the right bins?

The common 190-litre garbage bin is NOT an acceptable garbage container for curbside pickup. Bins must be a max of 121 litres with two handles and removable lids. Please use recycling bins only - recyclables in plastic bags will not be collected. Make sure your items are at the curb before 7 a.m. for pickup. For more information visit vaughan.ca/waste.

Coffee with a Firefighter

October 12

Have questions about fire prevention or the fire profession? This is your chance to ask questions, learn something new and get to know the firefighters in your community.

McDonald's 3140 Rutherford Rd.

10 a.m. - Noon

vivaNext Update

From Oct. 9 until Oct. 17 from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., the eastbound curb lane on Highway 7 west will be closed from the northbound Highway 400 ramp to Interchange Way/Edgeley Blvd., to facilitate overnight storm sewer work .

Beginning Oct. 12 at 10 p.m. until Oct. 15 at 5 a.m., Highway 7 will be closed from Edgeley Blvd to the Highway 400 NB off ramp (S-E/W ramp). This closure will allow culvert work on Highway 7 West.

Highway 427 Expansion

The third Public Information Centre (PIC) for the Highway 427 Expansion took place on Sept. 27. Presentation boards are still available to view and provide feedback / comment / concerns which will be incorporated into Design and Construction Report #4, scheduled for public review in December 2018.

Highway 427 Expansion Traffic Disruptions until October 12

Due to the expansion of Highway 427 there are several temporary lane restrictions occurring within the City of Vaughan until Oct. 12.

Major Mackenzie Dr. between Highway 50 and Huntington Road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

Highway 7 between Vaughan Valley Blvd. and New Huntington Rd. and

Rutherford Road between McGillivray Rd. and Huntington Rd. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Woodbridge Village Farmers' Market - Last Day!

October 13

The farmers' market at the Woodbridge Memorial Arena from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop by for the last market day of the season and celebrate Customer Appreciation Day on October 13th!

GO Service Adjustments - Barrie Corridor

October 13 - 14

Work to the GO Barrie Corridor will occur on Oct. 13-14. During this weekend, trains will run between Union Station and Rutherford GO. Buses will replace trains north of Rutherford GO to accommodate work on bridges, level crossings and platforms.

P.A. Day Fun

October 22

Looking for a fun way to pass your PA Day with the kids? Enjoy a day of camp activities including games, sports and arts & crafts in one our recreation programsor check out some of the library programs like cardboard fort fun, comic book day and monster mash.

Make it! Learn it! Create it!

November 3

Discover and explore virtual reality. Together we'll assemble VR glasses, tour the virtual reality world and you get to take the glasses home!

Registration starts October 13

Healthy Halloween Treats

This year, give those little goblins a fun surprise with cost-effective and unique alternatives to candy. Be a trendsetter this Halloween and give out skate or swim passes. Books of 10 passes are now 1/2 price and are available at community centres and City Hall. Passes are valid for youth aged four to 17 years old and expire on Dec. 31.

Halloween Spooktacular

October 25 - 30

Hauntingly spooktacular stories and activities await you at our Vaughan Public Libraries' annual Halloween party!

Vellore Haunted Village

October 26

Have a spooky good time exploring the Vellore Haunted Village! Enjoy family-oriented Halloween activities, crafts and movies in the Vellore Cultural Centre. Costumes optional.

A Haunting We Will Go!

October 26

Check out the thrills and chills, spook and scares at our Haunted Library...if you dare! Don't forget to wear your costume!
Take a tour of a Haunted Library and enjoy our spooky activities.