Statement: Entrepreneurs drive Vaughan’s thriving business environment
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Mayor Bevilacqua delivers keynote address at Vaughan
Business Expo
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement after delivering a keynote address at the 18th annual Vaughan Business Expo:
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement after delivering a keynote address at the 18th annual Vaughan Business Expo:
“Today, we celebrate the forward-thinking
entrepreneurs who innovate and advance our thriving business community. The Vaughan
Business Expo provides a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to strengthen
their corporations and connect with fellow peers.
“My vision for Vaughan has been and continues
to be a city that is praised for its character and integrity, acclaimed for responsible,
sustainable planning and economic leadership, and renowned for its first-class
administration, transparency, accountability and respect for the hard-earned
taxpayers’ dollars.
“We are fortunate to have something called the
Vaughan Advantage. Beginning with our location, we are situated within a
ten-minute drive from Canada’s busiest airport — Toronto Pearson International Airport. We have
excellent highway accessibility with the 407, 400 and 427 and market access to
more than 155 million people within a 24-hour drive.
“The ongoing construction of the Mackenzie
Vaughan Hospital — Canada’s first smart hospital, the arrival of the TTC subway
station in Vaughan and the grand opening of Niagara University Vaughan campus
are all transformational achievements that are unique to our city. These are
just some of the many reasons to be proud to live, work and play in Vaughan.
“The City of Vaughan is committed to business
excellence and is an economic leader in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.
With more than 12,000 companies that employ upwards of 223,000 people, Vaughan
has the talent, resources, networks and transportation connections to help
businesses of all sizes scale and expand.
“Council has voted to launch a new Economic
Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital Task Force and to renew the mandate
of the Mayor’s Smart City Advisory Task Force — two working groups that bring
together Members of Council, leading stakeholders and engaged residents to work
toward ideas that diversify and strengthen our local economy because we
understand that by working together, we can achieve excellence.
“Through the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre
(VBEC), the City offers invaluable planning advice, access to industry experts
and assistance with brand development to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing
business owners. The VBEC team meets one-on-one with business leaders who want
to learn about operations and provides them with the necessary resources to
grow. Since 2010, VBEC has helped entrepreneurs start or expand nearly 3,600
businesses in our community.
“We recently announced a new partnership
between the City of Vaughan and ventureLAB to provide enhanced services to help
entrepreneurs market their ideas, develop new and innovative services and
remain ahead of the competition. This partnership expands ventureLAB’s reach
across York Region, to offer better access to professional coaching, mentoring
and strategic advice from an experienced growth advisor for Vaughan-based
businesses.
“In Vaughan, we believe in providing
entrepreneurs with the tools that are required to drive innovation and achieve
the ultimate goal of creating a successful and environmentally sustainable
business. The City’s Economic and Cultural Development department launched the
Activate!Vaughan Innovation Challenge in November 2019 by partnering with
businesses and connecting with Vaughan entrepreneurs and startups.
“Through this program, local startups can
connect with business leaders, gain market knowledge and pitch to earn funding.
Corporate enterprise partners will gain access to local entrepreneurs who can
help generate solutions to sustainability challenges, such as packing
innovations, energy-saving technologies, creative waste-reduction methods and
identify resource-sharing opportunities. It is a remarkable concept because it
provides face-to-face engagement opportunities that facilitate business growth.
“I am proud to announce this spring, we will be
calling on all entrepreneurs once again to partake in the Activate!Vaughan
Health Challenge. Participants will present their innovative business solutions
to advance a technology-enabled healthcare system that delivers high-quality,
effective and patient-focused care.
“Programs like Activate!Vaughan catalyze
Vaughan’s economic prosperity, showcase our entrepreneurial spirit and promote
environmental stewardship — all priorities that are outlined in our Strategic
Plan.
“This connects back to the Vaughan Healthcare
Centre Precinct, a first-of-its-kind initiative that will leverage strategic
partnerships to bring healthcare, innovation and jobs to our growing community.
Last October, we signed a memorandum of understanding with York University,
Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB to identify transformational opportunities to
maximize the best use of lands surrounding the site of the Mackenzie Vaughan
Hospital through a feasibility study.
“In November, I led a mission trip to Israel
with a mandate to encourage job-creating trade, build alliances, pursue
investments, support the growth of local companies and globally recognized
institutions taking part in this effort, and strengthen relations with Jewish
and Israeli communities. Our delegation took part in a series of meetings with
leading Israeli government, business and academic officials to discuss Israel’s
startup nation culture and how they are working to improve patient care.
“This includes meeting with Dr. Rafael Beyar,
an experienced, accomplished and trusted leader with the world-class Rambam
Medical Center — one of the largest medical centres in Israel. Dr. Beyar
discussed his country’s extensive efforts to bring together startups and
academic institutions to create medical breakthroughs and enhance front-line
health services. The presentation was followed by a study tour of the Rambam
Medical Center and The Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital. We were fortunate to
witness the cutting-edge technologies that are improving patient care and bring
that knowledge with us back to Vaughan.
“Building a city is a team effort, and since
2010, we have made enormous strides. We have seen more than 60,000 new jobs
created, issued nearly $12 billion in building permits and enjoy an economic
growth rate of four per cent — year over year. Small businesses remain the
backbone of Vaughan’s thriving economy — representing more than 80 per cent of
all local job creators.
“Vaughan is reaching unrivalled heights as a
rapidly emerging marketplace that is rich with investment opportunity. The
entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication to customer service
demonstrated in our city serves as an inspiration for the next generation of
thought leaders. Vaughan’s high quality of life is a testament to our diverse
and generous citizens who set us apart as a destination of choice.
“Niagara University — Vaughan’s first
university — recently announced it is expanding program offerings here in
Vaughan to include a new MBA and Master of Science in Finance. This
announcement will help improve access to education and professional networks
for aspiring entrepreneurs and accomplished business experts. It will further
expand our surplus of human capital and growing talent pool of hard-working,
driven and innovative men and women.
“I want to extend my warmest and sincerest
gratitude to our emerging business leaders and everyone who joined us at the
18th annual Vaughan Business Expo. Each of you are helping to lay the
foundation for a bright and promising future for all.”
LEARN MORE
- Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VEBC) webpage
- Vaughan and ventureLAB partner to expand services for entrepreneurs news release
- 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan webpage
- A groundbreaking collaboration puts healthcare in Vaughan at the forefront news release
- Vaughan advances city-building agenda in Israel news release
- Mayor B
- evilacqua announces first university in Vaughan news release
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