​The fourth annual RAVE (Recognizing Arts Vaughan Excellence) Awards reception was held on November 1, at Vaughan City Hall.  Established in 2008, the RAVE Awards formally recognize the contributions made by individuals, businesses and organizations to the visual, performing and literary arts in Vaughan.

​The City of Vaughan’s Recreation & Culture Department was presented with the 2012 E.A. Danby Award during a ceremonial presentation at Council on Tuesday, October 30. The award is from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO). The department received the award for its PayExpress time-entry project. The electronic PayExpress system replaces paper time sheets and automates the payroll process of more than 600 Recreation & Culture Department part-time staff with varying positions and pay rates, working at 10 community centres.

The City of Vaughan has introduced a detailed Financial Master Plan that focuses on financial sustainability as the key consideration in preserving the municipality’s strong fiscal position. The 165-page report will build awareness of the City’s strong financial situation as it identifies challenges and opportunities facing the municipal sector and makes specific recommendations for funding the  delivery of municipal services in the future.

The City of Vaughan has accepted a challenge issued by the York Region Gift of Life Association to increase organ donor registration rates across the City.  The York Region Municipal Organ Drive Challenge – the largest organ and tissue donor registration drive in Ontario – has been extended to all nine York Region municipalities in an effort to increase donor registration rates locally and across the Region as whole.

​Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council recently recognized 20 homeowners for helping beautify the City during its annual Curb Appeal program. The program encourages residents and businesses to enhance the appearance of their properties using flowers, plants, shrubs and trees.

A City of Vaughan delegation led by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has successfully completed a 10-day business trip to Italy as part of a 17-member Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO) Trade Mission. Numerous meetings with Italian officials and business people included signing ceremonies for two letters of agreement to explore future business and economic relationships. 

The City of Vaughan is currently soliciting public input for how its parks, recreation and library facilities are provided through the review and update of the Active Together Master Plan  which was last amended in 2008.