City Hall to reopen to the public
In line with the Province of Ontario’s decision to lift the majority of COVID-19 public health and workplace safety measures, the City of Vaughan is preparing to reopen City Hall, the Joint Operations Centre and the Vaughan Animal Shelter to the public effective May 2, 2022. Community centres and Vaughan Public Libraries branches reopened in January.
This is the latest step in the City’s disciplined, responsible and measured approach to close and gradually reopen City facilities and amenities in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Committee and Council Meetings
Starting on May 3, 2022, with the Committee of Whole (1) meeting at 1 p.m., Committee and Council meetings will transition to a hybrid approach with both in-person and virtual options. Members of Council will have the option to attend in person or remotely.
There are several ways the public will be able to address Members of Council:
- Attend a meeting in-person at Vaughan City Hall to speak to Members of Council regarding an item on the agenda. Pre-registration is encouraged by completing the online Request to Speak Form or calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 by noon on the day before the meeting.
- Submit a written communication for review by Members of Council as part of an agenda item. All written communications can be emailed to the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca.
- Speak via teleconference (through a computer, app or by phone) live during the meeting. Pre-registration is required by noon on the day before the meeting – complete the Request to Speak Form or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Members of the public must provide a valid email and/or phone number to participate in a meeting electronically.
Individuals can continue to watch these meetings live at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
In-person Services
In-person services are being enhanced as part of the Service Vaughan Strategy, which includes the closure of several service counters with a more streamlined approach in the atrium of City Hall. This integrated approach will be completed this year – in the interim, visitors to City Hall will be greeted at the Welcome Desk located on the main floor and directed to the appropriate location. All City facilities are cashless.
The City’s robust online services continue to be offered and expanded. Residents are encouraged to use them! Right now, visitors to vaughan.ca can apply for a job; register and pay for recreation programs; report missed waste collection; buy bins and tags online; report road maintenance, including potholes; pay parking tickets online; apply for building/engineering permits; report litter/graffiti; request tree pruning and shrub maintenance; request park or splashpad maintenance and so much more. Vaughan property owners can pay taxes online through their financial institutions or in-person, through the bank machine, or via telephone.
Please note: the Public Works counter at the Joint Operations Centre will remain closed as all public works-related services are now provided online.
Safety Screening
Visitors are encouraged to self-screen for symptoms prior to entering any City building. Signage on the main doors outlines COVID-19 symptoms and asks the public not to enter if they are symptomatic. Patrons should remain vigilant and stay home if they are sick. Individuals who would like to continue wearing a mask are welcome to do so.
Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on the virus, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
For more information, visit the City’s COVID-19 webpage at vaughan.ca/COVID19.
For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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