Vaughan recognized for excellence in Public Works

Every year, the City of Vaughan goes all out for National Public Works Week – a celebration of the people who keep our roads safe, our water clean, our parks beautiful and so much more. Our efforts to mark this occasion are being recognized – with the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) National Public Works Week Award!

During a special ceremonial presentation at today’s Council meeting, Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council recognized the Public Works portfolio for this outstanding achievement. This contest recognizes public works agencies across Canada for their education and outreach activities during National Public Works Week.

In Vaughan, this year’s National Public Works Week festivities kicked off with an opening ceremony and flag-raising event at the Joint Operations Centre – home base to the City’s more than 400 dedicated Public Works staff. 

To wrap up the week, there was a community Open House, featuring educational games and activities for residents and families to enjoy. The community was invited to drop off textiles at the donation bin, exchange damaged City-issued blue boxes and green bins or purchase new ones, get their face painted and meet and greet animals from Reptilia Zoo! Attendees could also take home a free lily plant and up to three free bags of mulch from pruned trees. 

Vaughan’s Public Works staff help keep our community strong by providing services in transportation, water, wastewater and stormwater, solid waste management, public buildings and spaces, parks and grounds, emergency management and first response. They make our community a great place to live, work and play. 

Learn more about the City’s National Public Works Week celebrations at vaughan.ca/PublicWorksWeek. 

QUOTES

“The dedicated Public Works professionals at the City of Vaughan work tirelessly to ensure our city runs smoothly and our residents stay safe. Their achievements continue to receive national recognition for innovative thinking, implementing new best practices and an ongoing commitment to delivering service excellence. Our 2023 National Public Works Week campaign was recognized by the Canadian Public Works Association for being creative, engaging and educational, and bringing the community together to celebrate the important work of our Public Works staff. It was, by any definition, an overwhelming success. Our Public Works team deserves our thanks for their incredible contributions to our city and continued efforts to make Vaughan the best it can be.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

“I am pleased to congratulate the Public Works portfolio for receiving the 2023 National Public Works Week Award from the Canadian Public Works Association. This achievement reflects their tireless service and our city’s spirit of collaboration and progress. To our Public Works team, thank you for your commitment to keeping our city safe, clean and beautiful. Your dedication continues to enhance the high quality of life for everyone who lives and works in Vaughan.”

- Nick Spensieri, City Manager 

“I’m always amazed at the great lengths this portfolio goes to keep our community moving. These professionals are the ones who look after our infrastructure and play an important role in the overall quality of life in Vaughan. This award serves as a symbol of our appreciation for the work our Public Works professionals do and their continued commitment to Service Excellence. This award is, in essence, about celebrating the people who make it all possible. It’s about recognizing the outstanding efforts of the individuals who work behind the scenes and out in the community to ensure Vaughan functions seamlessly – from the roads we drive on to our clean drinking water. During National Public Works Week and beyond, I am pleased to recognize the entire Public Works portfolio on their efforts and dedication to serving our community.”

- Zoran Postic, Deputy City Manager, Public Works

QUICK FACTS 

• Since 1960, the third week in May has been celebrated as National Public Works Week in Canada.

• This year, the City received the 2023 Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) National Public Works Week Award for a community of 100,000 or more.  

• The 2023 theme for National Public Works Week was “Connecting the World Through Public Works,” which highlights how Public Works professionals connect us physically, through infrastructure, and inspirationally, through services to our community.

• Every year, municipalities across the country celebrate National Public Works Week with open houses, project and facility tours, parades, education, media events, school visits and career events.

• The City of Vaughan’s Public Works portfolio has four departments: Environmental Services; Transportation and Fleet Management Services; Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations; and Business Excellence and Operational Performance. Public Works provides quality services that directly impact residents and businesses across the city every day. Services include seasonal maintenance of municipal roads, sidewalks and pathways; maintenance of parks, boulevards and open spaces; forestry and horticulture services; fleet management of all City vehicles and equipment; traffic services and administration of the crossing guard program; management of garbage and recycling collection; and water, wastewater and stormwater services.

LEARN MORE 

• City of Vaughan’s website

• City of Vaughan’s National Public Works Week webpage

• Canadian Public Works Association’s webpage