Mayor Bevilacqua welcomes Ontario Budget 2018

“On behalf of Vaughan Council and our administration, I welcome today’s 2018 Ontario budget and how this financial plan reaffirms long-held commitments to investing in quality public infrastructure. Vaughan has a proven record of working closely with the Province and our provincial representatives to undertake and achieve real and transformational city-building initiatives for the citizens of our community.

 

“The budget calls for investing approximately $19 billion over 10 years to build and renovate hospitals. The ongoing construction of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is an example of what we can achieve when we work together. Cranes tower over the 1.2-million-square-foot site, which can house up to 550 hospital beds. The new hospital is a $1.6-billion initiative. It will employ over 1,800 full-time hospital staff. Last week, the provincial government announced over $21 million in new funding for modern, accessible, front-line health care.

 

“Vaughan has also worked closely with other levels of government to strengthen infrastructure, like our vast and expansive roads, rails and regionally integrated public transit network. The budget commits that over the next 10 years, the Province will invest about $25 billion in highways, bridges and roads to address emerging needs in the transportation system, which includes the widening of Highway 400. On April 23, we will break ground on the new 6.6-kilometre Highway 427 extension. I am also encouraged Metrolinx agrees there is a solid business case for the creation of the Kirby GO Station. The need for a station was identified in master plans by both York Region and Vaughan, and soon the Kirby GO station will be a vital part of a new vibrant community.

 

“The opening of the subway to Vaughan, along with the other major transit additions to our downtown core, is proof that we share a common agenda to get people moving and where they need to go. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to our federal, provincial and regional partners for making this project come to life.

 

“As we look ahead, Vaughan will leverage these new funding opportunities to build a more prosperous and thriving future.”