Vaughan’s golden decade

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua reflected on past accomplishments and outlined Vaughan’s many transformational city-building initiatives currently underway during his keynote address at the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Annual Mayor’s Luncheon.

Nearly 800 business, government and community leaders attended the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce’s signature annual event today.

“Vaughan’s present and future development efforts embody a higher purpose. They reflect planning decisions rooted in convictions that seek to protect and elevate the exceptional quality of life for our citizens,” Mayor Bevilacqua said, announcing that “in 2019, our City issued more than $1.3 billion in building permits — exceeding the previous year.” This marks the fifth year in a row that Vaughan has delivered more than $1 billion in building permits.

During the event, it was announced that Fazzari + Partners has launched the inaugural Maurizio Bevilacqua Scholarship Fund to support the next generation of business and community leaders. This scholarship will benefit one promising Niagara University student studying at the school’s Vaughan campus each year.

In 2019, Niagara University expanded to a modern, new location in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), marking the arrival of the first post-secondary institution to Vaughan. Earlier this month, Mayor Bevilacqua joined Niagara University President Reverend James J. Maher to commemorate another important milestone between the City of Vaughan and Niagara University, with the addition of three new programs offered at this site — Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Finance and Master of Science in Information Security and Digital Forensics.

“This announcement will help improve access to education and professional networks for aspiring entrepreneurs and accomplished business experts in Vaughan and beyond,” Mayor Bevilacqua said. “It will further expand our surplus of human capital and growing talent pool of hard-working, driven and innovative men and women.”

The City of Vaughan is committed to business excellence and continues to foster an environment where economic prosperity can flourish. With approximately 179 hectares of development opportunities, the VMC continues to be the largest and most ambitious project in the City’s history. From 2015 to 2020, Vaughan’s emerging downtown core attracted more than $9 billion in commercial and industrial investment, with much of this grounded in momentous construction projects that contribute to the VMC’s growing and towering skyline.

In his address, Mayor Bevilacqua reiterated the importance of leveraging resources to bring healthcare, innovation and jobs to the community. In October 2019, the City of Vaughan signed a memorandum of understanding with Mackenzie Health, York University and ventureLAB to unleash the full potential of the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct.

Progress on the construction and completion of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital continues. As chair of the Mackenzie Health Foundation’s $250-million Ultimate Campaign, Mayor Bevilacqua proudly announced that more than $175 million has been raised toward building Vaughan’s first hospital and Canada’s first smart hospital.

The City of Vaughan acknowledges Brian Shifman, President and CEO of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, and the entire organization for its remarkable ongoing partnership in building Vaughan’s strong economy.

QUOTE

“The past 10 years can be defined by one word: momentum. It has indeed been Vaughan’s golden decade. This momentum is rooted in the values of hard work, discipline and dedication that will continue to shape the next 10 years and ensure Vaughan reaches new and unprecedented heights. Since 2011, the City has approved more than $12 billion in building permits, seen the creation of more than 60,000 new jobs, and averaged an annual economic growth rate of four per cent – far outpacing Ontario and Canada. With enthusiasm, a laser-focused vision and a love for the city I proudly serve, I look forward to forging ahead, together. We have done exceptionally well as a city and we have only just begun. Vaughan deserves the very best and it remains my mission to ensure that is what our citizens receive. With civility, let us go forth united with unbridled enthusiasm, optimism and hope to work collectively for the common good. This is the way forward. And this is our Vaughan.”

-  Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

QUICK FACTS

• The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Mayor’s Luncheon was held on Feb. 25 at the Terrace Banquet Centre.
• This year marked Mayor Bevilacqua’s 10th annual State of the City address.
• The city of Vaughan is home to more than 12,000 businesses that employ upwards of 223,000 people.
• The City of Vaughan continues to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area.
• More than $30 million in budget savings have been realized since 2015.
  

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Mayor and Members of Council at the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Annual Mayor’s Luncheon.

 
Mayor Bevilacqua and Fazzari + Partners presents a cheque to Niagara University for the Maurizio Bevilacqua Scholarship Fund.