Statement: Mayor Bevilacqua marks 100-day milestone
Historic announcements
mark a successful start to the term
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement, highlighting a successful start to the 2018 to 2022 Term of Council:
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement, highlighting a successful start to the 2018 to 2022 Term of Council:
“It has been a very
productive 100 days since this Term of Council began on Dec. 4, 2018. As Mayor,
I believe it is important to mark this milestone by recognizing the successes
that have been realized as a result of our focused approach to city building.
“Early this year, we
made history by welcoming the first university in Vaughan and York Region.
Niagara University is located in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre’s (VMC) EXPO
City Tower and steps away from the VMC Subway Station. In addition to promoting
our values of higher learning and education, it will serve as a magnet by
igniting opportunities in the community.
“The Vaughan
Metropolitan Centre, our dynamic new downtown, continues to rise. By
re-establishing our commitment to the VMC Sub-Committee, we renew our shared
goal of transforming the VMC into a thriving urban hub of economic opportunity,
culture, greenspace and healthy active living.
“We engaged and
listened to citizens about the issue of recreational cannabis and the presence
of cannabis retail stores in the city and it was clear that families do not
want greater access to cannabis in our community. I introduced a motion to
opt-out from allowing licensed retail cannabis stores to operate in Vaughan,
which was supported by Council. Vaughan, and all municipalities, require
dedicated, predictable and substantial funding from both the Canadian and
Ontario governments to help ensure the administration and consumption of
recreational cannabis is done in a safe, informed and responsible manner.
“After consultation
with residents and concerned citizens, we approved a motion that made clear we
do not support Bill 66 in its present form. Our message to the provincial
government was clear – major flaws exist within this legislation and further
engagement and analysis is required. The province responded positively to our
suggestions and concerns by announcing it will not proceed with Schedule 10 of
Bill 66. This was the right decision and an important win for the citizens of
Vaughan and our Council.
“In February, the
Vaughan Chamber of Commerce set an attendance record by welcoming over 800
business professionals and entrepreneurs to the Annual Mayor’s Luncheon. In my
State of the City address, I reflected on purpose-driven leadership and the
transformational projects that are fueling our city’s success. I also presented
Rev. James J. Maher, President of Niagara University, with the distinguished
recognition of the Key to the City of Vaughan, for his commitment to providing
exceptional educational opportunities to students right here in our city.
“On Feb. 20, Council
unanimously approved a budget that stays true to our promise of keeping tax
rate increases at or below three per cent. Vaughan proudly maintains one of the
lowest tax rates in the GTA and we continue to secure efficiencies and maximize
every dollar we are entrusted to manage. Since 2015, we have saved
approximately $30 million in tax dollars. We do this without sacrificing the
vital services local youth, growing families and our active seniors require and
expect of us.
“In honor of people who
have given of themselves to the noble cause of taking care of human beings in
the last stage of life, and through my role as Chair of the Hospice Vaughan
Capital Campaign, I am proud to announce that we have reached our $12 million
fundraising goal with a generous $1.3 million donation that was announced at
the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Mayor’s Luncheon.
“We look forward to next year’s completion of
the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Ours will be the first hospital in Canada to
feature fully integrated smart technology systems and medical devices that can
speak directly to one another to maximize patient care. As Chair of the $250
million Exceptional Care Belongs Here Campaign, I am pleased to share that our
campaign has raised $118 million-dollars. I have also made a personal
commitment to this community that I will continue to work hard and diligently
to secure the largest donation in the history of our city, which will result in
the naming of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.”
“We closed in on the
100-day mark with an inspiring celebration in honour of International Women’s
Day. This event provided a catalyst to further reflect on the outstanding
achievements made by women in our city and around the world. It gave me great pride to sign the Leadership
Accord on Gender Diversity on behalf of the City of Vaughan – making ours the
first municipality in Canada to do so. This Accord is a call to action that
challenges organizations to do more to bring about equal opportunities for
women in the workplace.
“These are the type of
city building initiatives which aid in the evolution of our community. The past
100 days are consistent with the values, principles and beliefs I offered the
citizens of Vaughan back in 2010. Though our deeds and actions, we have made a
significant difference to our city. The best is yet to come!”
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