Profile - Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Gus Michaels
Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Gus Michaels has been appointed as the Deputy City Manager, Community Services.
Mr. Michaels’ career spans more than 32 years in the public sector with 28 years in the field of municipal law enforcement. Since November 2020, Mr. Michaels has served as the Interim Deputy City Manager, Community Services, leading and overseeing the operations of By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services, Recreation Services and Access Vaughan while playing a pivotal role in the City’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. He currently serves as Chair of the Region’s COVID-19 Enforcement Task Force, comprised of enforcement departments across the region, including York Regional Police, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and York Region Public Health. Since July 2013, Mr. Michaels has served as Director and Chief Licensing Officer, By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services for the City of Vaughan. Prior to joining the City of Vaughan, Mr. Michaels worked for the City of Toronto as Manager, Investigation Services/Senior Team.
As Deputy City Manager, Community Services, Mr. Michaels will report directly to the City Manager and serve as a member of the corporation’s Senior Leadership Team – Executive and Senior Leadership Team. Mr. Michaels leads a significant portfolio that provides efficient, responsive and innovative programs, services and events to promote healthy, vibrant and safe neighbourhoods while meeting the community’s needs. Vaughan’s Community Services portfolio plays an important role in enabling the City to foster Active, Safe and Diverse Communities – a strategic priority in the 2022-2026 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
Below is a list of services and departments under the Deputy City Manager, Community Services:
- By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services is responsible for issuing most of the licences and permits in the city, investigating by-law related complaints and ensuring compliance with City by-laws. Vaughan’s Animal Services, within the department, is dedicated to creating a safe community for pets and their owners by providing services such as dog and cat licensing, animal control by-law education, pick up of injured or sick dogs, cats and wildlife, reuniting owners with lost pets and pet adoption.
- Recreation Services plays an integral role in providing quality recreational, cultural and active living programs, services and events in an accessible, equitable and efficient manner. Programs aim to enhance the quality of life and leisure time of the city’s growing and diverse community. The Recreation Services department is comprised of Events and Recreation including the City Playhouse Theatre.
Community Services manages hundreds of services in its commitment to serving Vaughan residents. The portfolio provides efficient, responsive and innovative programs, services and events that promote healthy, vibrant and safe neighbourhoods while meeting the community’s needs. This includes the safety of Vaughan’s residents and businesses by delivering education, inspection, enforcement and community relations to the city.
Gus Michaels
Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Phone: 905-832-2281
TTY: 1-866-543-0545
Executive Assistant:
Celeste Jozefacki
905-832-2281, ext. 8639
Location:
Vaughan City Hall, Level 300
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1