Mayor Del Duca: Strong, stable leadership in Vaughan

Highlights from the 2025 Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Annual Mayor’s Luncheon

Mayor Steven Del Duca issued the following statement today after delivering his keynote address during the 2025 Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Annual Mayor’s Luncheon:

“I always welcome the chance to address Vaughan’s thriving business community and provide them with an update on how our city is growing and changing for the better. I want to thank everyone at the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, especially Jennifer Coletta-Rashty, President and CEO, for her unwavering commitment to supporting our local businesses and entrepreneurs. 

“Vaughan is in high demand. It is a place where people aspire to call home, work and raise a family. As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, we are guiding this impressive growth and ensuring the community’s vision comes to life.

“As Mayor, I am proud to lead our collective efforts in building a community that accommodates our growing population today, while laying the groundwork for success for the needs of tomorrow. 

“We are focused on what matters — keeping life affordable, strengthening our economy against potential U.S. tariffs and protecting our residents now and for the future. 

“I can’t imagine how difficult it is for many of our businesses and entrepreneurs who are getting ready to absorb some of the challenges coming their way under the threat of tariffs.

“There are more than 13,000 auto sector jobs and more than 22,000 food and beverage jobs here in Vaughan. These women and men will be directly impacted by the pending threat of tariffs. 

“It is time to move beyond the rhetoric to protect and support our jobs and local economy. We need to set businesses up to make sure we are never stuck in this position again. 

“Protecting our businesses starts here at home. On Feb. 5, I put forward a Member’s Resolution directing City of Vaughan staff to develop a procurement strategy that prioritizes buying Canadian products, goods and services and ensure we continue to put Vaughan first.  

“All levels of government need to work together, stop the talk and make things happen – to bring confidence back to Canadians. 

“Here in Vaughan, we are working to keep taxes low, maximize every dollar and ensure our city remains a place where people and businesses can succeed.

"The City of Vaughan is driving forward-thinking initiatives that support the development of complete communities. We are cutting development charges by nearly 50 percent, fast-tracking construction, and making housing more affordable for young families.

We are also taking bold steps to ease traffic congestion and enhance Vaughan’s road network through key projects like the Kirby Road Extension and the Canada Drive-America Avenue Bridge, ensuring smoother and more efficient travel for everyone.

“Through strong and stable leadership, we are shaping a future of success. Vaughan is a city that doesn’t back down. We are a city that adapts, takes bold action and stands tall as proud Canadians.

“Vaughan will always rise to the occasion, and as Mayor of this city, I promise we will continue to deliver results for you.

“We are Vaughan – home to dedicated, resilient, ambitious and hard-driving people who won’t accept second-best. We are Vaughan – a City on the Move and, together, nothing will slow us down.”

QUICK FACTS 

• By 2051, Vaughan’s population is expected to grow to 576,000 people. This growth will account for almost one-third of York Region’s growth over the next three decades.
• Construction is underway in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre to build 6,016 new residential units for 11,912 future residents. An additional 12,923 residential units, enough to house 25,588 future residents, have been approved by Council.
• Vaughan remains the economic engine of York Region, accounting for 35 per cent of all businesses, 36 per cent of all employment and 36 per cent of all economic output in 2023.
• On Nov. 19, Vaughan Council approved reductions to the City’s development charges. This came following a Member’s Resolution from Mayor Del Duca to find solutions to the housing crisis, position the City to address affordability challenges and make life easier, particularly for young families.

LEARN MORE 

• City of Vaughan’s development engineering webpage
• City of Vaughan’s VMC webpage 
• City of Vaughan’s planning process webpage
• Nov. 19, 2024 News Release: Making housing more affordable for families
• Nov. 20, 2024 News Release: BILD applauds City of Vaughan for leadership in reducing Development Charges to enable more housing supply