Statement: City launches Vaughan Business Action Plan
The following statement was issued by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua following a special Council meeting held on March 17:
“During these unprecedented times, we must do everything in our power to ensure we minimize the unintended consequences of COVID-19 in our city. As a result, we have launched the Vaughan Business Action Plan, which includes a series of temporary measures to safeguard the local economy and protect businesses, consumers and all citizens. These include:
1. Support the restocking of store shelves – by suspending noise by-laws and weight restriction on roads to assist with ensuring stores have items people need.
2. Enhance the movement of goods – by suspending by-laws restricting the loading and unloading of commercial vehicles, transport trucks, and other vehicles between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. This will allow for 24-hour delivery.
3. Improve business ground-transportation – by suspending the weight and size of vehicles that can travel on certain roads throughout Vaughan. To ensure the sufficient safe supply of goods to stores.
4. Suspend the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) – to support the travel and tourism industry by not requiring accommodation providors to charge the Municipal Accommodation Tax at Vaughan properties.
5. Maintain small business services – by ensuring, where possible, Small Business and Entrepreneurship frontline services are continued (either online or by phone).
“Council also voted to ensure that end dates of by-law suspensions be subject to extension should the Emergency Management Team and Council deem it necessary.
“As home to 12,000 businesses that employ upwards of 220,000 people, Vaughan has the talent, resources and networks to help companies of all sizes grow and flourish. Since 2010, we have seen the creation of 60,000 new jobs and maintained an economic growth rate of four per cent, year after year.
“Small businesses remain the backbone of our thriving economy and make up more than 80 per cent of our local workforce. The Vaughan Business Action Plan will allow us to move forward together and will ensure we continue to stand up for our local economy.
“We recognize that these measures are intended to support the immediate situation of businesses in this crisis. City staff are planning for further action that support businesses in their mid to long-term recovery efforts.
“The City is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to offer business retention, expansion and attraction services to Vaughan business owners. Vaughan entrepreneurs can access tools and resources at vaughan.ca/business.”
“We are working closely with our government partners and stakeholders to ensure people remain safe. That is our number one priority. In fact, as one of the safest communities in Canada, Vaughan is committed to being prepared to respond to all possible situations.
“I want to remind all residents and business owners that we are in this together, and we will emerge stronger.”
For more information on the City’s response to COVID-19, please visit vaughan.ca.
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