Vaughan is the place to be

City scores 97 per cent approval in Citizen Survey

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March 10, 2017

Ninety-seven per cent of residents agree - life is good in the City of Vaughan. The results are in from the 2016 Citizen Survey and it shows that citizens are happy with the quality of life here, giving high satisfaction rates for everything from libraries and recreation to fire services and waste collection. Since 2007, the City has consistently received top marks, scoring above the national average.

As one of the best places to live and do business in the country, the survey reinforces that Vaughan is a city of choice. It continues to outpace Ontario and Canada in economic growth and remains a leader in job creation. With one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area, programs and services have maintained the highest quality - 94 per cent of citizens are satisfied with them. As well, 85 per cent feel they receive good value for their tax dollars.

Vaughan is also in an elite group when it comes to transparency and accountability. Out of 444 municipalities in Ontario, the City is one of 38 to have an Integrity Commissioner, one of 19 to have an Internal Auditor, one of six to have an anonymous reporting system and one of five to voluntarily implement a Lobbyist Registry.

The survey, which is conducted every two years, plays an integral role in developing and improving the citizen experience, and is directly connected to the City's commitment to Service Excellence. This is reflected in the positive responses from residents - 88 per cent are pleased with the service they receive from staff, citing their knowledge, helpfulness and courtesy.

QUOTE

"It's a great time to be living in Vaughan. Each year we aim higher in the pursuit of excellence so we can fulfill our vision of creating a place where people want to live, work and play. As a city, we want to be renowned for our first-class administration, transparency, accountability and respect for hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Our commitment to public service and enhancing the citizen experience is what inspires us to continue to achieve great things, take pride in our quality of life and build a strong sense of community. Vaughan's transformation will continue over the next few years with a number of projects including the completion of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension and the anticipated Highway 427 Expansion as well as construction of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. From our thriving economy and growing business community to our vibrant neighbourhoods and new downtown - the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre - we have created a city with a high standard of living and quality of life that is well poised for a promising future."
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

QUICK FACTS

• Since 2007, the City has conducted citizen surveys to assess citizen satisfaction with existing programs and services, and to prioritize issues in order to improve municipal service delivery.
• In 2016, 97 per cent of residents found quality of life to be either good or very good.
• Some of the highest-rated services in Vaughan are:
  
  
• Fire services - 99 per cent satisfaction rating
• Vaughan Public Libraries - 97 per cent satisfaction rating
• Arts and culture - 92 per cent satisfaction rating
• Recreation and fitness programs - 91 per cent satisfaction rating
• Garbage, recycling, organics and yard waste collection - 91 per cent satisfaction rating

• In November 2016, Ipsos, on behalf of the City of Vaughan, conducted 800 telephone surveys to get input from residents on quality of life, delivery of City services, use of tax dollars, and communications and digital services. For the first time, the City also utilized an online version of the survey in an effort to encourage even greater participation.
• The 2016 Momentum Report highlights the progress Vaughan Council has made on its strategic goals including roads and transit, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (the City's new downtown), re-establishing the urban tree canopy and the Lobbyist Registry.
  

LEARN MORE

• Citizen Survey webpage
• Council presentation
• City of Vaughan Momentum Report

ABOUT VAUGHAN: The City of Vaughan is one of Canada's fastest growing cities with a population of more than 325,000. Incorporated in 1991, Vaughan includes the communities of Concord, Kleinburg, Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge. This culturally diverse municipality is located in the heart of York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.