Virtual public meetings continue in July

Public consultation remains an important part of the planning and city-building process. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed in response to COVID-19, there are many ways citizens can participate in the electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council meetings scheduled for the month of July: 

• Make a live electronic deputation via teleconference to Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council during the meeting. To pre-register to make an electronic deputation, send a completed deputation form (PDF) to clerks@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Participants will be provided instructions on how to connect to the meeting. A test meeting is also held before every electronic-participation meeting to allow participants to test their connection and software. Members of the public can connect through their own computer, smartphone or tablet. 
• Make a live deputation from a telephone (regular landline or cellphone) during the meeting. To pre-register to make a telephone deputation, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. 
• Submit a written communication for review by Members of Council as part of an agenda item. All written communications can be emailed to the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca. 

The following meetings are scheduled to take place virtually this month:

• Committee of the Whole (Public Hearing) – Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m.
• Special Committee of the Whole – Wednesday, July 8 at 7 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole (1) – Monday, July 13 at 2 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole (Public Hearing) – Monday, July 13 at 7 p.m.
• Special Council Meeting – Wednesday, July 15 at 2 p.m. 

A full schedule of meetings and agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. Electronic-participation Council meetings can also be watched live at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil. More information on planning applications being considered at public meetings, including reports, studies and plans, is available on the PLANit Application Viewer at maps.vaughan.ca/planit. 

All deputation requests and written submissions must be received by noon on the last business day before each meeting. In addition, they must relate to a matter on the agenda, clearly state the request or message trying to be conveyed and include the name and contact information of the participant. The name and address for any citizens submitting a communication – written, electronic or by telephone – will appear in the public record and will be posted online following the meeting. For details about submitting a communication or making a live deputation, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay.

Electronic-participation meetings 

On March 17, 2020, the Province of Ontario declared a province-wide state of emergency pursuant to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. On March 19, 2020, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario enacted the Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 (Bill 187) to permit meetings of Council to be conducted through electronic means during declared emergencies. This allows municipalities to make decisions on vital planning matters during the emergency using technology to enable electronic participation and ensure meetings continue to be open to the public. 

On April 14, 2020, the Province made changes to the Planning Act and enacted a regulation to suspend decision-making timelines retroactively from the start of the provincial emergency. Those changes were intended to allow municipalities to refocus time and resources on the COVID-19 outbreak, while also allowing councils to continue to make decisions on planning matters as municipal capacity evolved. The temporary suspension of the timelines within the Planning Act has ended as of June 22, 2020. Although the suspension has been lifted, restrictions are still in effect for public gatherings of more than 10 people. As a result, virtual meetings are the only way to move the business of municipalities ahead during the pandemic. Moreover, virtual meetings are encouraged by the Province. 

The City continues to monitor evolving COVID-19 developments and implement precautionary measures to further protect the community. To receive the latest updates on response efforts, check vaughan.ca/COVID19, 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. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.          

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