Mayor Bevilacqua highlights Vaughan’s proven track record to build a more promising future
Mayor, Council and administration join leaders from the building industry to renew commitment to investment-ready planning best practices
This statement by Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua was issued following a stakeholder event organized by The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) on June 18. Mayor Bevilacqua highlighted Council and administration’s commitment to use best practices to undertake developments and plan for Vaughan’s promising future.
“Good morning, everyone. Let me begin by welcoming the leadership and stakeholder community from BILD – The Building Industry and Land Development Association – here to the City of Vaughan. I would like to acknowledge: Dave Wilkes, President & CEO of BILD and Michael Pozzebon, Chair of BILD’s York Region Chapter. I also want to single out Members of Council and the administration who are in attendance.
“BILD is made up of hardworking, accomplished and visionary city-builders. Thank you for all you do to partner with municipalities - like Vaughan and our administration - so that we can plan for a more promising future for our citizens and businesses.
“Today’s pledge is a call to action for local leaders to undertake investment-ready planning that addresses both the challenges and opportunities that come with growth. A city that uses investment-ready planning is one that thinks strategically about how we can best attract job-creating investments, create new and welcoming neighbourhoods, and ensure we have the public transit and infrastructure in place to move people, goods, services and our economy forward. These ideals and principles have long been the foundation of our efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive Vaughan. We continue to be a city of choice.
“Aspiring entrepreneurs and established businesses continue to choose Vaughan to launch innovative products into the marketplace, create new employment opportunities and remain ahead of the global competition.
“In the last year alone, the City set a new construction record by issuing nearly $2 billion in building permits – far surpassing previous years. This represents more than $5 million of construction work invested in the city every day. Since, 2010 we have seen the creation of 55,000 new jobs. We are the largest employment centre in York Region. We are a net importer of jobs. More people come to Vaughan each day to work than leave.
“There is an economic responsibility - but also a social responsibility - to provide people with employment opportunities. It means shovels in the ground, work underway and men and women with well-paying jobs as architects, engineers, financial analysts and in-demand skilled trades professionals, to name a few, who work in the ever-important building industry.
“It also means people earning respectful incomes and peace of mind when it comes to paying mortgages - saving for a child’s education - managing the family budget so that there’s still enough to give back to a good cause – and investing back in the economy as customers supporting local businesses.
“As part of our responsible planning efforts, Council and our administration have identified the need to create and manage affordable housing options, like secondary suites. This is a core Term of Council priority. Our efforts truly demonstrate how our city is coming of age. Everyone should have an opportunity to live in our community and the Secondary Suites Policy, we championed in 2017, is a step in the right direction.
“It makes these units safer for the people and families who are living in them. We have always been a strong proponent of providing affordable housing options because we recognize the changes taking place right across Vaughan.
“As an open and accessible city with values rooted in hope and optimism, we are creating the best standard of life for our citizens. We need to maintain our commitment to investment-ready planning. We are one of Canada’s fastest growing cities. Over the next two decades, Vaughan is projected to be home to nearly half-a-million people and 321,500 jobs.
“The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) – our emerging downtown core – continues to be the premier destination for unprecedented, world-class commercial, transit and residential developments. Some of you may have even taken the subway this morning to get to this announcement.
“The Transit City development - located in the VMC - won People’s Choice Award at the 2018 BILD Awards. Transit City, and other nearby development projects, will provide a much needed housing supply to this part of the Greater Toronto Area where employment opportunities are also present. This mixed-use project will create an exciting destination and a place to live, work and enjoy an unrivalled quality of life in the new heart of the city.
“With approximately 179 hectares of development opportunities, the VMC is the largest and most ambitious project in the City's history and will include approximately:
- 1.5 million square feet of office space
- 750,000 square feet of retail space
- Density targets of 200 people and jobs per hectare by 2031
- Employment targets of 11,500 jobs of which 5,000 will be new office jobs
- 12,000 residential units to be home to 25,000 people
“I am proud that BILD has brought forward this pledge initiative to raise awareness about the importance of responsible growth and to ensure the public and private sectors continue working together. I am honoured to sign it. Thank you.”
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