Vaughan council seeks public input on Bill 66, cannabis, budget

3 key public meetings set for January

Yorkregion.com
January 7, 2019
Dina Al-Shabeeb

For any democracy to thrive, many of its citizens must be seriously engaged.

Here are three key City Hall meetings aimed at involving citizens in Vaughan this month, with major decisions on Bill 66, marijuana and the 2019 budget.

1. Let's talk Bill 66 on Jan. 17

On Jan. 17 at 6 p.m., people are invited to attend the special committee of the whole working session at in the council chambers at Vaughan City Hall to share their thoughts on Ontario's Bill 66.

Bill 66, or the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018, is the second in a series of bills through Ontario’s Open for Business Action Plan intended to stimulate business investment, create good jobs, and make Ontario more competitive by cutting regulations the provincial government deems inefficient, inflexible or out of date.

The bill is set to amend several acts, affecting multiple ministries.

Residents who don't attend the meeting can also submit their comments directly to the Ontario government.

Provincially, the consultation closes at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 20.

For more on the meeting, visit http://www.vaughan.ca/news/Pages/Have-your-say-on-Bill-66.aspx.

2. Let’s talk budget and water and wastewater on Jan. 21

People can attend public meetings at Vaughan City Hall on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 4 at 7 p.m., or watch the meetings live online at vaughan.ca.

A special council meeting to approve the budget is planned for Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

Council will discuss the operational budget, which affects property taxes, and the water, wastewater and stormwater budgets during the upcoming deliberation process.

People can also provide input through an online budget feedback form at vaughan.ca/budget or call 905-832-8610 to leave a message that will be shared with staff.

For more information, visit http://www.vaughan.ca/cityhall/city_budgets/Pages/Give-Us-Your-Thoughts.aspx.

3. Let’s talk cannabis on Jan. 21

On Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at Vaughan City Hall, people are encouraged to attend to discuss if provincially licensed retail cannabis stores should be allowed to operate in Vaughan.

After the meeting, the council will vote on whether to allow cannabis to be legally sold at stores in Vaughan.

Ontario imposed a deadline on all municipalities to decide by Jan. 22. If a decision is not made by then, municipalities will by default permit licensed retail cannabis stores to operate.

For more on the meeting, visit http://www.vaughan.ca/news/Pages/Should-provincially-licensed-retail-cannabis-stores-be-allowed-to-operate-in-Vaughan.aspx.