Creating a more age-friendly community

June 18, 2024 3:00 p.m.

City News

Vaughan accepted into the World Health Organization's Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities

Vaughan is a growing municipality, expected to reach a population of approximately 500,000 by 2041. It is projected that older adults (55 years and older) will make up the largest portion of our population, representing more than 30 per cent of the total population by 2031. With this in mind, the City of Vaughan is taking steps to create a more age-friendly community, where all residents can be active and engaged members of society at every stage of life.

During a special ceremonial presentation at today’s Committee of the Whole (2) meeting, Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council celebrated the City being accepted into the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities. This international recognition is a testament to the work of Vaughan Council, City staff and the members of the Age-Friendly Vaughan Advisory Committee who have been diligently working to improve the lives of older adults in Vaughan.

In 2022, Council approved the Creating a city for all ages: Vaughan Age-Friendly Community Action Plan (PDF), which was developed under the guidance of the City’s Older Adult Task Force. The task force’s mandate was to make recommendations on policies, initiatives and strategies, including exploring opportunities to move towards an age-friendly community and the promotion of healthy seniors.

The mission of the WHO’s Network is to stimulate and enable cities and communities around the world to become increasingly age-friendly through international collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Quotes

“Older adults are a vital part of our community – they built the foundation of Vaughan, empowering us to grow from a small town north of our provincial capital into a thriving regional leader making an impact on the national stage. Our commitment to creating an age-friendly community is rooted in a deep respect and appreciation for these contributions, and we are focused on ensuring older adults are provided opportunities to stay active and connected. Our goal is to support aging with dignity, respect and independence and promote the inclusion of older adults in all areas of community life. We are committed to building a city where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can thrive.”

Mayor Steven Del Duca

“As Chair of the Age-Friendly Vaughan Advisory Committee, I am proud to continue our mandate to promote the inclusion of older adults in municipal services, programs, events and general city life. Vaughan’s older adult population plays a vital role in the City’s continued success, which now includes recognition by the World Health Organization as an Age-Friendly City and Community. Now more than ever, it is important to support the health and well-being of older adults to ensure they can age with dignity, respect and independence. I look forward to continuing our important work in making Vaughan accessible for all.”

Local and Regional Councillor Mario Ferri

“I am pleased to congratulate Vaughan Council and staff on the City’s acceptance to the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. As the lead department in advancing the City’s age-friendly efforts, Recreation Services is committed to integrating appropriate practices to ensure residents feel included and can access programs and services at all stages of life.”

Gus Michaels, Deputy City Manager, Community Services

Quick Facts

The City’s Creating a city for all ages: Vaughan Age-Friendly Community Action Plan (PDF) was approved by Council in 2022.
The role of the Age-Friendly Vaughan Advisory Committee is to make recommendations addressing older adult issues and promoting healthy seniors in Vaughan. This includes recommendations from the Vaughan Age-Friendly Community Action Plan and programs and services that make Vaughan a more age-friendly community, where all residents can be active and engaged members of society at every stage of life.