City commemorates Benjamin Vaughan on Aug. 6

July 20, 2018 2:00 p.m.

Municipal facilities closed on the holiday

Do you know why the first Monday of August is a holiday in Ontario? If you answered no, you’re not alone. Most people simply associate it with having an extra day away from the office. Although that alone could be enough of a reason to celebrate, the true meaning behind the holiday in the city of Vaughan is to honour Benjamin Vaughan.

Many municipalities have renamed the day to honour a historical figure relevant to their community. In December 2013, Vaughan Council decided to rename the civic holiday to honour the significant impact Benjamin Vaughan had on this community.
 
In 1783, Benjamin Vaughan was a British diplomat that represented British interests as co-negotiator of the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolutionary War and was instrumental in keeping Upper Canada under British rule.
 
In 1788, the British purchased a large piece of land (including what is now the city of Vaughan) from the First Nations and divided it into four administrative districts. When Lt.-Gov. Simcoe arrived in 1792 to govern the new province of Upper Canada, the districts were divided into counties and then into townships. During this time, Lt.-Gov. Simcoe named Vaughan Township, now the city of Vaughan, in honour of Benjamin Vaughan.
 
That is why, when many municipalities were renaming the civic holiday, the City chose to honour its namesake. Happy Benjamin Vaughan Day!
 
Holiday closures
  • Vaughan City Hall, the Joint Operations Centre and Vaughan Animal Services will be closed for the holiday on Monday, Aug. 6.
  • Vaughan community centres will be closed Monday, Aug. 6. All registered programs will be cancelled from Saturday, Aug. 4 through Monday, Aug. 6.
  • Vaughan Public Libraries will be closed on Monday, Aug. 6.
  • Thornhill Outdoor Pool, located at 28 Centre St., will be open on Benjamin Vaughan Day for length swim and parent and tot swim from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and for recreational swim from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Reminders

  • Waste collection will not be affected and will continue as regularly scheduled for the week.
  • The City of Vaughan has a fireworks by-law (PDF) that allows family fireworks on Victoria Day and Canada Day only. For displays on other days, residents must apply for a permit (PDF) from Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service.
 
For more information about holiday closures, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
 
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