April 2023 Edition

A Message from the Mayor

At this year's Annual Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Mayor's Luncheon, I issued a call-to-action to fight traffic.

Tackling gridlock is my number one priority. I believe that having the forethought to adequately prepare for future challenges, and turn them into opportunities, is a fundamental test of real leadership.

I feel a profound obligation to ensure that we do what is needed to build a comprehensive and modern transportation network.

To that end, I explained a 10-year Action Plan to Fight Traffic Gridlock in Vaughan, featuring several Council-approved city-building projects currently planned or underway that will enhance the quality of life for residents and strengthen the City’s economic competitiveness to retain and attract investment. These projects include:

Widening Highway 7 to six general-purpose lanes of traffic between Wigwoss Drive and Kipling Avenue.
Connecting Langstaff Road over the CN MacMillan Yard and upgrading the interchange at Langstaff Road and Highway 400.
Connecting Kirby Road between Dufferin and Bathurst Streets. Construction begins in 2023 and the road opening is expected in 2025.
Connecting Teston Road between Keele and Dufferin Streets. The Environmental Assessment for this project is underway and will be completed before the end of this year.
Building two additional east-west bridges over Highway 400, one linking Colossus Drive to the southern Vaughan Metropolitan Centre south of Highway 7; and the other linking Canada Drive and America Avenue north of Major Mackenzie Drive.
Building the extension of Bass Pro Mills Drive to Weston Road to help improve general traffic flow without negatively impacting existing residential neighbourhoods.
Continuing Council’s strong support for the Yonge North Subway Extension.
Continuing Council advocacy for GO Train service for Woodbridge and Kleinburg-Nashville, and for new GO stations on the Barrie GO corridor at Concord and Kirby.
Continuing support for York Region Rapid Transit’s plan to deliver Bus Rapid Transit on Jane Street, Major Mackenzie Drive and Steeles Avenue.

We now have a responsibility to take action and get them done. Each of these projects, taken together and combined with additional improvements to roads, transit and active transportation, will give Vaughan what we need to continue to excel.

Steven Del Duca

Mayor

IN THE NEWS

I welcome news that Canada's Justice Minister, David Lametti, announced targeted reforms to the Criminal Code to update Canada's bail system. I have previously written to Prime Minister Trudeau on this matter.

I welcome the provincial government’s announcement that it is launching a capital stream of the Skills Development Fund.

I want to thank Premier Ford & Minister McNaughton for their continued efforts on this critical province-building priority.

With the Ontario government’s support for building and expanding training centres, Vaughan residents will gain access to training for in-demand skills and, consequently, more employment opportunities.

I was pleased to celebrate the opening of the MedTech Lab at Sterling, a state-of-the art facility that focuses on the development of microelectronic hardware devices for medical applications.

The $2.5 million investment secured by ventureLAB from the Government of Ontario is significant for Vaughan as our city continues to emerge as a leading destination for healthcare and life science innovation.

The Hardware Catalyst Initiative is one-of-a-kind in Canada and will be a huge boost for Vaughan’s growing MedTech sector.

This new facility will attract high-potential medical companies and offer opportunities for entrepreneurs, healthcare practitioners, tech-sector talent and researchers to advance the next generation of healthcare and health technology.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Public safety is a leading priority for the City of Vaughan, and many steps are being taken to preserve and enhance our quality of life. From City-led community meetings to collaborating with other levels of government and key stakeholders, work is underway to advance this important matter.

I'm hosting a Mayor's townhall in each ward throughout the year and would like to hear from you! The next town hall will be on Monday, September 18 in Ward 3.

RECAP FROM MARCH

Vaughan Chamber of Commerce

Annual Mayor's Luncheon

I delivered a keynote address during the 2023 Vaughan Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Mayor’s Luncheon to an audience of Members of Council, business, government and community leaders.

Learn more about my 10-year action plan on how to get Vaughan Moving by clicking here.

The City of Vaughan celebrated International Women's Day with a wonderful event at City Hall.

So proud to have been joined by some of our City’s trailblazers at today’s celebrations!

We are committed to continue supporting and empowering strong women in our community.

Thank you so much to the residents who joined us for our second townhall in Ward 4.

The next townhall is scheduled for September 18 in Ward 3.

The Righteous Among the Nations award commemorates the selfless acts of non-Jewish people who risked their own lives to rescue Jews during the Holocaust.

We recognize the late, Stanislaw Kolodziejski , who showed remarkable courage and humanity, risking his own life to save the lives of others.