COVID-19: latest updates from the City of Vaughan

April 26, 2020 10:00 a.m.
COVID-19 Updates
 
City of Vaughan news is released on a daily basis and kept on vaughan.ca for reference purposes. For the most recent updates and news as they happen, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the official corporate channels on and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 
 
Ongoing services and recent cancellations at vaughan.ca/COVID19
 
The City of Vaughan continues to manage the COVID-19 global pandemic and assess measures to help break the chain of transmission. The latest updates, including modified services and recent cancellations, are always available at vaughan.ca/COVID19. Citizens are also encouraged to sign up for the City’s eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate to receive emailed alerts as they are released.
 
ONGOING SERVICES
 
Essential services
Essential services, such as fire and emergency response, waste collection, water/wastewater services, by-law and enforcement services and the Access Vaughan contact centre at 905-832-2281, continue to operate.
 
Online programming
Many City services are offered online, including the Service Vaughan reporting tool at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan, Vaughan Public Libraries online resources such as virtual story time and bilingual reading materials, virtual fitness classes and online Vaughan Playschool activities through Recreation Services, and the City’s corporate art collection on Flickr.
 
Spring maintenance
Services that are currently underway or scheduled to begin include street sweeping, litter pickup, boulevard maintenance, grass cutting, tree inspections, pavement marking, and water and wastewater services.
 
Landscaping, lawn-care, fence and pool companies can continue to provide services related to safety, security, sanitation or essential maintenance purposes only. Businesses require a valid City of Vaughan Business Licence to operate and must comply with safe physical distancing measures set out by York Region Public Health.
 
Waste collections
Leaf and yard waste collection has been reinstated beginning the week of April 21 or April 28, as originally scheduled. It will be collected every second week, in accordance with garbage pickup. Due to volume, collection may be slower than usual – residents are asked to leave leaf and yard waste out into the next day to accommodate.
Double-Up Days are scheduled for the weeks of June 16 or June 23, on your regular garbage collection week. Place up to six items of garbage, no tags required. The City asks that large or bulky items, such as furniture, be held and not placed outside for pickup to help collectors manage the additional garbage volumes during this time.
 
Residents are asked to ensure recycling ends up, and stays, in the blue box. This can be achieved by leaving space (three inches) at the top of the blue box to not overfill it, obtaining another bin to match the amount of material and placing heavier items on top of lighter ones.
 
Litter
Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited and may be subject to a $205 fine. Instances of illegal dumping or littering can be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. By-law enforcement officers are proactively patrolling the City for violations of illegal dumping, including inspecting all commercial plazas. Private property conditions are governed by the City’s Debris By-law and Property Standards By-law. Those who do not keep their properties clear of litter, waste and debris may be subject to a fine of $5,000 for each offence. As well, the City may have the waste and debris removed at the owner’s expense, and it may be subject to an Order to Comply, under the Building Code Act. Failing to comply with an order is a chargeable offence.
 
By-law services
By-law officers continue to operate, patrol and respond to calls on a priority basis. The City’s recently adopted Emergency Measures By-law – which provides authority to further enforce social and physical distancing measures, in addition to other orders during this state of emergency such as limiting access to public property – is also being actively enforced. Failure to comply with the new by-law is an offence and subject to fines ranging from $500 to $100,000.
 
Administrative monetary penalties, such as a parking ticket, can be paid online at PayVaughanTicket.com. To arrange an alternative method of payment or schedule a dispute appointment, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 within 15 days of receiving it. Scheduled disputes are being conducted over the phone until further notice.
 
Vaughan Animal Services continues to operate and serve Vaughan, Richmond Hill and King Township communities. Limited access into the Vaughan Animal Shelter is permitted for adoption and pet recovery services, by appointment only. Book your appointment by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing animal.services@vaughan.ca.
 
Business services
The Economic and Cultural Development department continues to offer front-line services. These have been expanded to include guidance on adapting online business models, consulting on provincial and federal grants, connecting businesses able to supply personal protective equipment with organizations in need and encouraging remote shopping with #ShopVaughanLocal.  
 
Committee meetings
Electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council meetings continue. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, citizens are still encouraged to participate virtually. In addition to being able to tune in to the live stream at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil, individuals can submit a written communication for review by Members of Council as part of an agenda item. Written communications can be emailed to the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca. For more information on this process, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay. Upcoming agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings.
 
CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS
 
City facilities
All City facilities – including Vaughan City Hall, Joint Operations Centre, Vaughan Animal Shelter, City Playhouse Theatre, community centres, Vaughan Public Libraries and park facilities – remain closed to the public until further notice. Any violations of the park facility closures can be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Calls of this nature will be referred to the City's By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services department for investigation. Fines in the amount of $150 to $400 may be laid. 
 
Spring maintenance
Adjustments have been made to some regularly scheduled spring and summer public works operations. Services that are delayed or reduced include, tree planting and maintenance, weeding and mulching, road and sidewalk repair, replacement or addition of streetlight and traffic signals, implementation of new traffic operations and road safety measures, water meter replacements and water trailer event bookings.
 
Annual plantings, hanging baskets and planters have been cancelled until further notice.
 
Events
All City-led events from April to June have been cancelled or postponed, including the City’s Volunteer Recognition Awards, which have been rescheduled to November 25, 2020. For a complete list of events no longer taking place, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19.
 
The annual Canada Day event will be virtual this year, allowing Vaughan residents to mark this popular and much-anticipated event safely from the comfort of their homes. Check the Event Calendar webpage at vaughan.ca for the latest updates about non-City-led event cancellations.
 
Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service fire station tours are also cancelled until further notice.
 
Recreation and library programming
The City’s spring recreation programs and all permits have been cancelled. These include spring swim lessons, outdoor sports leagues, indoor facility permits, outdoor field permits and City Playhouse Theatre programs. Refunds will be issued automatically to all registered participants and permit holders without penalty.
 
While public libraries remain closed, citizens are asked to refrain from returning items to their local library branch. No fines will be incurred for late returns.
 
Integrity Commissioner and Lobbyist Registrar
While Vaughan City Hall remains closed, the Office of the Integrity Commissioner and Lobbyist Registrar will not be taking in-person meetings. Please email integrity.commissioner@vaughan.ca or call 905-832-2281, ext. 8314 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
 
By-law services
Event, filming and lottery permits will not be issued at this time. A grace period of 90 days has been established for business licence renewals.
 
For more information on the City’s latest efforts, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19 or follow the City of Vaughan’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Updates are frequently posted.
 
Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
 
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