Your City Update: News featuring festive season closures and...

Dec. 16, 2019

City Update eNewsletter

Vaughan is getting into the holiday spirit

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah or Kwanzaa - it is a great time to spend it with friends and loved ones. Vaughan offers many places for the entire family to enjoy:

Drop in at a Vaughan community centre for recreational activities, such as swimming, basketball, skating and shinny hockey.
Experience the beauty of winter. Explore our Great Walks of Vaughan and discover local neighbourhoods, nature walks and trails.
Explore the McMichael Canadian Art Collection to see extraordinary works of art.
Visit the Experience York Region website for events taking place throughout the region.

Read the City's public service announcement for more information on facility closures, alternate hours and changes in programming for the holiday season.

Attend the Special Council Meeting for the City's budget approval

The City of Vaughan's budget is based on the principles of integrity, accountability and responsibility. You can participate and learn how your tax dollars are allocated. There will be a Special Council Meeting to approve the budget on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. The meeting will also be streamed live on vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.

Menorah Lighting Ceremonies

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council invite you to take part in the celebrations at the City of Vaughan Menorah Lighting Ceremonies. Join in the festivities on Monday, Dec. 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Vaughan City Hall, and on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 3:30 p.m. at Garnet A. Williams Community Centre. Celebrate the season with festive music, holiday goodies and fun activities.

Send in the plows

Did you know the City of Vaughan maintains more than 2,000 lane-kilometres of roads? That's the equivalent of driving from Vaughan City Hall to Winnipeg, Manitoba - a 21-hour drive. The City starts plowing once five centimetres (two inches) of snow have accumulated on the ground. Main roads are cleared within four hours after a snowfall has ended to keep them clear for emergency and transit vehicles. Residential streets are cleared within 12 hours after a snowfall has ended. Major roads in Vaughan, such as Bathurst Street, Dufferin Street, Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive, are maintained by York Region. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/snow.

Mayor Bevilacqua and provincial ministers discuss Vaughan contribution to Ontario's strong economy

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued a statement after meeting with Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction on Dec. 13.

Mayor Bevilacqua welcomes Her Excellency, Sinem Mingan to Vaughan

On Dec. 11, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua met with Her Excellency, Mrs. Sinem Mingan, who was recently appointed as the Consul General of Turkey in Toronto. The meeting provided an opportunity to share insights about important projects that are propelling Vaughan's transformation. Read the Mayor's statement to learn more.

Mayor's Lunar Gala raises $75,000

The City of Vaughan held the second Mayor's Lunar Gala on Sept. 20, at Riviera Parque to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. On Dec. 11, Mayor Bevilacqua and Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco presented a cheque of $75,000 to the Mackenzie Health Foundation. The Mayor's Lunar Gala event raised a total of $50,000, which includes a $25,000 pledge from Mayor Bevilacqua through his Spirit of Generosity initiative. Read the City's news release to learn more.

Four residents invested with the Order of Vaughan

The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of the City of Vaughan, presided over the Order of Vaughan investiture ceremony on Dec. 9 at Vaughan City Hall. The Mayor bestowed the honour on four outstanding people who have played a pivotal role in shaping the city. Read the City's news release to learn more.

Half-price skate and swim passes

Give the gift of activity this holiday season. Books of 10 skate and swim passes are now half price and available at Vaughan community centres and at City Hall. Passes are valid for youth aged four to 17 years old.

Alectra Utilities payments will no longer be accepted at Vaughan City Hall

Alectra Utilities is making changes to its payments process. Payments at Vaughan City Hall are no longer accepted. Alectra Utilities is encouraging residents and businesses to use online options, pre-authorized payments, telephone banking or VISA/MasterCard payments via Paymentus at alectrautilities.com. Payments can also be made in person at banking institutions or by mail. For more information, contact Alectra Utilities at [email protected] or 1-877-963-6900.

Community leader recognized for generosity

Aldo Di Cristofaro is a local volunteer, a strong voice for seniors and a generous philanthropist who is invested in the future of his city. At a Committee of the Whole Public Hearing meeting on Dec. 3, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council presented him with the City of Vaughan's 2019 Ward 3 Civic Hero Award. Read the City's news release to learn more.

Cook with care

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is urging everyone to pay special attention when cooking for their holiday celebrations. In Ontario, cooking is the number one cause of fires, so be sure to keep flammable items away from the stove, drink responsibly and remain in the kitchen while cooking. For more information on fire prevention, visit vaughan.ca/fire.

December school break camps

Recreation Services is holding fun camps for children, aged five to 16 years old, during the school break. With everything from basketball and swimming to arts and games, there is something to keep your kids busy while hanging with friends and making new ones. Extended day camp is also available starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending as late as 6 p.m. Register now at vaughan.ca/RecOnline.

Skate for free this holiday season

Tim Hortons is sponsoring FREE recreational skate times this December at Al Palladini, Maple and Garnet A. Williams community centre arenas. View the Holiday Activity Schedules on the Holiday Central webpage for dates and times.

Purchase your visitor parking permits online

Is your home the gathering place for your friends and family this holiday season? The City of Vaughan is making it easier for you to accommodate everyone for all your celebrations. Create your online account today at vaughan.ca/parking to easily purchase parking permits.

Tips for happy holidays with pets

Here are a few tips from Vaughan Animal Services to help you pet-proof your home for a safe and happy holiday season.

Chocolate is harmful to pets. Do not leave chocolate goodies wrapped under the tree.

Poinsettias, Christmas cactus, lilies, holly berries, mistletoe and pine needles can be poisonous to pets. Keep these out of their reach.
Road and sidewalk salt can irritate the pads on your pet's feet. Wash or wipe off their feet after walks.
Never leave your pet alone in a car during cold weather. Leave them at home where they are safe and warm.

For more information on Vaughan Animal Services, visit vaughan.ca/AnimalServices .

Need to request assistance with a City service?

The Service Vaughan tool allows users to submit City service requests online and track the status of their requests. The tool was implemented to make it easier for residents to report issues with City services anywhere, anytime. Residents can access the tool by visiting vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan or by going to vaughan.ca and clicking the Service Vaughan icon. Citizens can request assistance with, or report on, matters relating to:

debris, vandalism and graffiti
garbage and recycling
parks, trees and grass
roads and sidewalks
signs and streetlights
water

Listen to the Vaughan Rising Podcast - the City's first podcast series

The Vaughan Rising Podcast series concludes! Vaughan is the commercial real estate market to watch. Big developments, a business-friendly environment and a bold approach to city-building are creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses and residents. Host Michelle Samson, City of Vaughan economic development officer, takes a deep-dive into Vaughan's most exciting projects with the leaders making this city the place to be. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and at vaughan.ca/podcasts.

Pet-ential new off-leash dog areas in Vaughan

The City of Vaughan recognizes the value off-leash dog parks bring to dogs and their families. To ensure the City clearly understands and responds to the needs of residents, a review of off-leash dog areas throughout Vaughan is underway. The City is continuing to explore additional spaces for pets to roam free. What does your ideal local off-leash dog area look like? What location, features and amenities would you and your pup like? An online survey is available to collect input on local off-leash dog park needs, including issues, opportunities and desired outcomes. Take the survey and have your say.

Attend the 18th annual Vaughan Business Expo

Get your tickets now to attend the 18th annual Vaughan Business Expo presented by BMO on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the Terrace Banquet Centre. Explore different business zones for targeted networking and learn about what businesses in each zone are doing. Participants will also have unprecedented access to industry experts. There will be three different sessions throughout the day led by experts in importing and exporting, sales, marketing and branding, and funding and finance. To attend the event, or for more information on reserving a booth, visit vaughan.ca/BusinessEvents.

Apply now to join the Accessibility Advisory Committee

The City of Vaughan is looking to appoint one citizen member to the Accessibility Advisory Committee. The role of the Accessibility Advisory Committee is to advise Council and support the City's work in identifying and removing barriers to lay the foundation for creating and sustaining a safe and inclusive city for all residents. Make a difference in your community by applying today. The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20. An application package (including Terms of Reference and eligibility criteria) is available from the Office of the City Clerk at Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., at all City of Vaughan public libraries and community centres, and online.

NEW PARK COMING! Attend a public open house and help design Vaughan's new park

The City of Vaughan is developing a new park at the northwest corner of Peter Rupert Avenue and Rutherford Road. This park will be a community destination and is proposed to include playground structures, water play, new trail connections and places to gather and connect with family and friends. What other elements, features and amenities would make this new park space special for you? Complete an online survey to share your ideas. Visit vaughan.ca/PeterRupertPark for more information and to take the survey.

Transforming transportation together in Vaughan

The City of Vaughan is dynamic and is growing quickly. More residents, businesses and visitors mean more travel demands and the potential for road congestion. Vaughan continues to focus its efforts on increasing transportation options to help everyone get where they need to go - safely and efficiently. But your help is needed. How can the City help you drive less and consider alternative transportation options outside of the single-occupant vehicle? Participate in the online survey and help shape the future of transportation in Vaughan. For more information and to take the survey, visit vaughan.ca/TransportationPlan .

Check your mailbox for the 2020 waste calendar

Have you looked through the 2020 waste calendar? It has everything you need to know about waste collection, including what to put out each week, proper set-out and which containers to use. It's a great resource to use throughout the year to learn about changes to the collection schedule and special events. The calendar is also available to view or download at vaughan.ca/WasteCalendar.

Waste collection changes over the holidays

Due to Christmas and New Year's Day, there will be no waste collection on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019 and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. During the weeks of Dec. 23 and 30, waste collection will be moved back one day for residents who usually have collection on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For more information about waste collection and services, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca/waste.

Lighting the way to safer, more efficient streetlights in Vaughan

The City of Vaughan's city-wide LED Streetlight Retrofit Program has begun. The City is taking steps to reduce energy use and costs by changing approximately 20,000 streetlight fixtures to LED technology throughout Vaughan. This project reflects the City's commitment to environmental stewardship by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving roadway safety for pedestrians and drivers. Visit vaughan.ca/LEDStreetlight for project updates.

Keele Street bridge improvements

York Region is repairing the bridge on Keele Street, north of Teston Road, in the city of Vaughan. The repairs will make the surface smoother to drive on and prolong the life of the bridge. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2020, weather permitting. Keele Street will remain open to traffic during construction, as will access to residences and businesses. The area surrounding the bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and work may occur during evening/nighttime hours. For more information and project timelines, visit york.ca.

Road closures due to Highway 427 Expansion

T he Highway 427 Expansion project will extend the highway 6.6 kilometres, from Highway 7 to Major Mackenzie Drive, and widen the existing highway to eight lanes between Finch Avenue and Highway 7. New interchanges will be added at Langstaff Road, Rutherford Road and Major Mackenzie Drive. For project updates, visit 427expansion.ca .

New transit hub opens in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

The SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) opened on Nov. 3. This new terminal -- located at the corner of Millway Avenue and Apple Mill Road, just north of the VMC subway and rapidway station at Highway 7 -- makes it even easier to get around Vaughan and beyond. Customer convenience, comfort and accessibility played a key role in its design.

York Region improving the intersection of Teston Road and Mosque Gate

York Region is making improvements to the intersection of Teston Road and Mosque Gate in Vaughan, including the installation of a new traffic signal. The intersection will remain open, however temporary lane closures will be in place between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2019. For additional details on this project, visit york.ca.

vivaNext Rapidway on Highway 7 West, and Bathurst and Centre streets will support more efficient transportation in Vaughan

To support future growth and travel demands, and to help reduce long-term traffic congestion throughout the city and region, road and transit infrastructure improvements are being made. The vivaNext Rapidway on Highway 7 West, and Bathurst and Centre streets will connect residents across the city. The project is currently 94 per cent complete and is expected to open for service by the end of 2019. For project updates, visit vivaNext.com.

Major Mackenzie Drive Humber River bridge construction

York Region is making improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive from Highway 50 to Highway 400 in the city of Vaughan. Construction is already underway to accommodate growth, improve traffic flow, provide public transit connections and more travel options for all - including the bridge over the Humber River. To learn more about this project, including images on what the bridge will look like, read York Region's full update.

Be an Earth Ranger

Do you have a passion for animals and the environment? Become an Earth Ranger and help Vaughan Public Libraries complete missions while learning about biodiversity and sustainability to protect the world we live in. This opportunity is available for children ages seven to 12 years old. To register, visit Eventbrite.

Rainbow club

C ome out to Vaughan Public Libraries' social club for LGBTQ+ teens and allies . Play games, learn together and have fun. This club is available to youth aged 13 to 18 years old.

Baby Social

Drop in to Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) to meet other parents and babies in your community. VPL will feature a new topic every week along with activities, singing, free play, and occasional guest speakers. This is available for parents or caregivers with babies one year or younger.

Kids Book Club

Get the book, read the book and then come to Vaughan Public Libraries to share your thoughts on it while enjoying activities and games based on the story. Every library branch has a unique book of the month. This club is offered to children aged eight to 12 years old.