You asked, we answered
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Access Vaughan answers the top five resident questions received in January
Have a question about a service in Vaughan? Want to report an issue? Looking for an update on the City’s COVID-19 response efforts? Access Vaughan is standing by with Citizen Service Representatives ready to respond to all resident inquiries. Reach the City’s contact centre by phone at 905-832-2281 (toll-free: 1-844-832-2112) or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
Every month, the City releases popular questions received and responded to by Access Vaughan in a series called ‘You Asked, We Answered.’ Below are the top five inquiries received in January.
1. What outdoor amenities are currently open?
With new, enhanced safety measures in place, the City’s outdoor ice rinks, toboggan hill and off-leash dog park have reopened. These latest efforts are consistent with the disciplined, responsible and measured response Vaughan has taken since it became the first city in Ontario to declare a state of emergency in March 2020.
The following guidelines are in place at the City’s outdoor rinks to keep all users safe while enjoying the fresh air:
- All five of the City's outdoor rinks are open every day from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. until March, weather permitting.
- Pre-registration for outdoor recreational skating is required at vaughan.perfectmind.com, and skate sessions are available for registration one week in advance.
- Skate sessions are 45 minutes in duration with a 30-minute break between sessions.
- The number of skaters on the ice at one time is limited to 25.
- Waitlists and walk-ons are not permitted.
- All skaters are required to provide proof of registration and arrive no more than 10 minutes before their reserved skate time.
- Skaters are required to complete the Provincial Public Health Self-assessment prior to arriving at an outdoor rink.
- Only registered skaters will be permitted within the skate enclosure.
- Skaters must be residents of Vaughan.
- Watch this video demonstration on how to register for recreational outdoor skating.
These measures are in place for the outdoor skating rinks at Chancellor Community Centre, Dufferin Clark Community Centre, Father E. Bulfon Community Centre, Garnet A. Williams Community Centre and Vellore Village Community Centre. With indoor washrooms closed at community centres due to COVID-19 restrictions, portable washrooms are being added at skate areas and select highly-used parks and trails, with enhanced cleaning services provided. For more information on outdoor rink safety guidelines, please read the City’s recent public service announcement or visit vaughan.ca/skate before going to a rink.
Safety measures are also in place at the City’s toboggan park and off-leash dog park so all residents can enjoy the outdoors safely. A mandatory mask zone is in effect for all participants and observers, with security on patrol.
2. How does the stay-at-home order impact the City?
Throughout the pandemic, essential services have continued uninterrupted, including fire and emergency response, waste collection, water/wastewater services, by-law and enforcement services and the Access Vaughan contact centre, among others. Where adjustments needed to be made, virtual programs were introduced – through online, teleconference or modified in-person methods – offering a safe, efficient and streamlined experience for residents and businesses. Most City facilities, including Vaughan City Hall and the Joint Operations Centre, remain closed to the public until June 2021, at the earliest.
As of Jan. 14, 2021, the Province of Ontario issued a stay-at-home order in effect for all of Ontario.
This means you must stay at home. You should only go out for necessities, such as:
- getting food, beverages or medication
- going to medical appointments
- supporting vulnerable community members
- child care
- attending school or a post-secondary institution
- going to a bank
- accessing government services
- getting exercise or walking pets
- going to work, if you can’t do it remotely
The City’s enforcement and education efforts have increased across Vaughan in response to the Province’s declaration of emergency on Jan. 12. Greater attention and a more assertive, proactive approach to enforcement are underway. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
3. What waste items go in the recycling bin?
The City is here to help make waste collection days run smoothly for both residents and staff. Below are examples of items that are recyclable in Vaughan:
- Plastic bottles, jugs and containers
- Milk/juice cartons and drink boxes (no straws)
- Steel/aluminum food and beverage cans, trays, plates and foil
- Empty paint and aerosol cans (lids removed)
- Unbroken glass bottles and jars
- Household paper and paper products (books, magazines, etc.)
- Cardboard, broken down and flattened containers (detergent, dry food boxes, etc.)
- Corrugated cardboard
Personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves cannot be recycled and must go in the garbage.
The City offers an online sorting tool to help residents understand what waste items go where. The Recycle Coach app for mobile phones is also available for download. The app provides waste-less tips and a personalized waste schedule with optional alerts on what to put to the curb each week. Residents can also download the waste guide (PDF) which lists what waste belongs in each bin (recycling, organics or garbage).
Residents can also view the 2021 Waste Collection Schedule (PDF) online. The schedule includes Double-Up Days, leaf and yard waste collection and other important waste reminders. For more information about waste in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/waste.
4. Where can I purchase garbage tags and blue or green bins?
The Joint Operations Centre is closed to the public until further notice. To continue to serve the community, the City sells garbage tags online through the Service Vaughan Portal. Tags are mailed to residents’ homes through Canada Post, and payment can be made with Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Currently, the City is not selling blue boxes and green bins. However, residents can register online through the Service Vaughan Portal to exchange damaged blue boxes and green bins that have the City logo on them. For more information on waste services, visit vaughan.ca/waste.
5. What are the pre-authorized payment plans for property taxes?
Pre-authorized payments can be made in 10 monthly instalments or through the due date instalment plan this year. For 2021, the monthly instalment plan will only have 10 payments instead of the usual 11. The first automatic withdrawal date is on Monday, March 1 as the City transitions to a new tax system. A bill will be sent to residents in February that will outline their instalments from March 1 to July 1, and another bill will be sent in June outlining their instalments from Aug. 1 to Dec. 1. On the due date plan, the instalment amounts for the interim and final billing are deducted from the resident’s bank account on each due date. To qualify for either payment plan, the tax account must be at a zero balance.
Taxpayers can sign up for these programs by filing a pre-authorized payment application form (PDF) with the tax office. For additional information on property taxes and payment options, please contact the tax office at 905-832-8502 or visit vaughan.ca/PropertyTax.
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, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
For more information about City matters, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca. To receive the City’s latest updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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