City of Vaughan Wins Award and Provides Council Input at Infrastructure Conference
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Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua led a delegation yesterday to ask the provincial government to fast-track investment in several key infrastructure projects in the City of Vaughan. The discussions were held with the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation who was participating in the annual conference of the Ontario Good Roads Association and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association in Toronto.
Vaughan was also in the conference spotlight when it was named the winner of an achievement award for improving the delivery of City services.
“I expressed to the minister the importance of expediting the construction of the Highway 427 extension as well as the Yonge Subway extension,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “My message to the Hon. Kathleen Wynne was similar to the one I delivered to the Premier of Ontario last week in Vaughan. Our city is growing and infrastructure funding is required. It is essential to the growth of Vaughan’s and the GTA’s economy. Our agenda is one of jobs and growth.”
The discussions with the province focused on expanding public transit and the highway network. Vaughan Council has formally expressed its support of the Yonge Subway Extension, recommending its early implementation.
Council also has asked the province to expedite the design and construction of the Highway 427 Extension to Major Mackenzie Drive. The project will be a critical component in the development of the Vaughan Enterprise Zone, a new employment area which will provide 60,000 future jobs.
The third project discussed with the minister was the introduction of GO commuter rail service between Bolton and Toronto, which would involve the construction of three new stations in the City of Vaughan.
“Vaughan is a critical transportation hub in the GTA that is essential to maintaining a competitive edge for industry and providing transit services for a growing population,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “With the support of all levels of government, we should move forward with these projects to realize our full potential as a city and as a province.”
At the conference, also attended by Councillors Tony Carella and Alan Shefman, the City of Vaughan was named the winner of the John Niedra Better Practices Competition in the category of Innovative Management. The award recognized the City’s in-house development of an electronic Utility Management System which customized existing software to receive, process and retrieve Road Occupancy and Municipal Consent permit applications, as well as allow the ongoing maintenance and inspection of approved permits. The result has been increased productivity and decreased processing times.
“The City of Vaughan is committed to continuous improvement and the efficient delivery of services to the City’s residents and businesses,” said City Manager Clayton Harris. “This award is another milestone in our efforts to utilize technology in new and cost-effective ways.”