COLUMN: Renewed energy abounds in Vaughan

Yorkregion.com
March 30, 2017
By Maurizio Bevilacqua

There is a renewed energy in Vaughan. Our economy is thriving. Major city-building projects are being realized.

We have been named one of the top places to live and do business in Canada. And that’s not all - according to our recent Citizen Survey, 97 per cent of residents agree life is good in Vaughan.

We received high satisfaction rates for everything from libraries and recreation to fire services and waste collection.

Since 2007, the city has consistently done well, scoring above the national average, and our staff is one of the reasons why. An overwhelming majority of residents are happy with their interactions with Vaughan employees and give them high marks for knowledge, helpfulness and courtesy.

It is clear Vaughan is the place to be.

Our values are rooted in hope, faith and optimism and each year we aim higher in the pursuit of excellence. We strive to be renowned for our first-class administration, transparency, accountability and respect for hard-earned taxpayer dollars. We have one of the lowest tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area and residents are taking note - 85 per cent feel they receive good value for their money.

Elevating the city to a higher level and working to create a place where people want to live, work and play has been my priority. Vaughan is now among the top municipal performers in Canada in resident satisfaction, economic development and staff excellence. It is no surprise that people want to raise their families here, work in the area and enjoy our vibrant community.

The city’s transformation will continue over the next few years with the completion of the Toronto-York Spadina subway extension and the anticipated Highway 427 expansion as well as construction of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, our new downtown, will be bustling with residents and businesses and the new VivaNext system that is underway.

It’s a great time to be living in Vaughan.

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.

We have created a city with a high standard of living that is well-poised for a promising future.