Vaughan Powers Down for Earth Hour
The City of Vaughan and its residents and businesses joined millions around the world by turning out the lights for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 26.
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund helps Vaughan Measure Sustainability Performance
Hans Cunningham, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and director of the Regional District of Central Kootenay, B.C., and the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Vaughan, today announced a Green Municipal Fund™ (GMF) grant for the City of Brampton, the Town of Richmond Hill and the City of Vaughan.
The municipalities will put the $85,000 in GMF funding toward creating sustainability guidelines for development and redevelopment projects.
Vaughan Health Care Receives Federal Funding
The federal government is providing $10 million for planning a health-care network and hospital in Vaughan (Canadian Press, March 16, 2011). Said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua: “The need for expanded healthcare services in Vaughan is widely recognized and is a priority for Council. I am proud that all levels of government are working with the community to attract innovative health-related industries which will provide employment and promote business growth in Vaughan."
Budget Public Consultation Process Continues
The Finance and Administration Committee will be finalizing discussions relating to the 2011 budget at the two remaining meetings. The public is encouraged to attend.
Tap into Vaughan's Water on Tuesday, March 22
The City of Vaughan is encouraging residents to drink local tap water in support of World Water Day to be held on Tuesday, March 22.
Court Decisions End Compliance Audit Charges Arising from 2006 Election
The Court decisions issued last week dismissing election finance prosecutions against Linda Jackson, Mario Campese and Michael Di Biase will not be appealed.
The Court decisions mean that remaining charges against Michael Di Biase and Bernie DiVona would also likely be dismissed. As a result, the City will not be pursuing any further proceedings in respect of these matters, as any further proceedings would involve additional legal costs for Vaughan's taxpayers.
Vaughan Receives OGRA Award for Innovative Practices
At the annual conference of the Ontario Good Roads Association on March 1, 2011, the City of Vaughan was named the winner of the John Niedra Best Practices Competition for Innovative Management Practices.
The award recognized the City’s in-house development of a customized electronic Utility Management System to receive, process and retrieve thousands of permit applications from various utility companies, resulting in an increase in productivity and decreased processing times.
The Utility Management System is just one example of the City
2011-2012 Budget Process - Public Meeting on Tuesday, March 8
The City of Vaughan's Finance and Administration Committee is discussing items relating to the 2011/2012 budget at an evening meeting on Tuesday, March 8. The public is invited to attend.
City of Vaughan Wins Award and Provides Council Input at Infrastructure Conference
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua led a delegation yesterday to ask the provincial government to fast-track investment in several key infrastructure projects in the City of Vaughan. The discussions were held with the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation who was participating in the annual conference of the Ontario Good Roads Association and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association in Toronto.
New Federal Environment Minister Tours New City Hall
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua played host to federal Environment Minister Peter Kent on Sunday, February 20 and took the Thornhill MP for a tour of Vaughan’s new City Hall.