Vaughan continues to provide support for the local economy
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Late fees to be waived for business licence renewals
Supporting the local economy throughout the global pandemic has been a top priority for the City of Vaughan. New measures and programs have been launched, including the recent decision to waive late fees for all businesses that have not renewed their business licence as well as allowing businesses that are closed due to COVID-19 to cancel their licence until they reopen.
Approved by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council on Wednesday, March 10, this business licence relief program supports the local economy while recognizing the ongoing need to maintain the regulatory framework that protects the public.
This is in addition to a series of programs and measures over the last year designed to relieve financial pressure for the community and businesses.
Open for Business
The voluntary Open for Business online directory includes both essential services and businesses that are open or providing modified operations by phone, online, takeout or delivery in compliance with provincial and municipal regulations. Vaughan businesses interested in being included in the list must apply and can do so through this online form.
Vaughan Business Resilience Plan
On June 23, the City launched the Vaughan Business Resilience Plan (PDF) as an immediate and long-term plan to help Vaughan’s business community build capacity to adapt to the post-COVID-19 world.
Through this plan, the Economic and Cultural Development department helps businesses and the economy build resilience; builds resilience into key economic opportunities and strategic sectors like healthcare, supply-chain and manufacturing, and tourism; and shares Vaughan’s reimagined public spaces within physical distancing guidelines and invite the community to experience Vaughan’s culture and arts.
#ShopVaughanLocal
Show local love for Vaughan businesses! There are many ways to support local.
Make a difference by:
- ordering takeout or delivery from a local restaurant.
- shopping online from local businesses.
- sharing the #ShopVaughanLocal on social media platforms.
- buying gift cards from local businesses to use at a later date.
Launched in April 2020, the #ShopVaughanLocal initiative is one of the many measures introduced by the City to provide relief to the business community and help ease the financial burden caused by COVID-19.
Advisory consultations and business events
The Economic and Cultural Development team continues to offer advisory consultations via tele- or video-conference, email and phone. They also host new and educational webinars. For information, additional resources or to book a consultation, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.
The City continues to offer and promote events for local businesses and entrepreneurs to attend virtually and network with others in their industry. For a list of events for businesses, continue to check vaughanbusiness.ca/events.
As the virus continues to evolve, the City remains committed to working with all levels of government to stand up for entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Maintaining the competitiveness of the local economy throughout the global pandemic is a priority.
To receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
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