Vaughan’s economy expected to recover in 2021 but environmental, social issues continue

2021 will also see Vaughan's first diversity and inclusion officer

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 4, 2021
Dina Al-Shibeeb

In a report, the Conference Board of Canada, in collaboration with York Region Economic Development and Planning, have forecasted a gross domestic product (GDP) decline of almost 6 per cent for Vaughan in 2020.

After all, COVID-19 has already spelled out a GDP decline of up to 11 per cent in Canada for 2020’s second quarter.

“In 2021, Vaughan’s 10-year (the average annual growth rate) AAGR will rise to 3.1 per cent. In comparison, York Region’s GDP is expected to fall 5.6 per cent in 2020 and rise at a slightly slower rate than Vaughan,” their report said.

Vaughan is also capping off 2020 with more than $1 billion in building permits, a key ingredient for its economic recovery.

“The global COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed city-building in Vaughan. In fact, the continuation of key infrastructure development projects is a vital part of the City of Vaughan’s COVID-19 reality,” the city told the Vaughan Citizen.

To accelerate recovery, part of Vaughan’s $488.8-million operating budget stemming from the combined tax-supported and rate-supported has some city building and transportation projects.

For 2021, the $105.6 million in capital projects for city-building includes the design and construction of the new Carrville Community Centre, District Park and Library, the North Maple Regional Park development, the Garnet A. Williams Community Centre renovation and the Maple Community Centre office space and library renovations.

There is also more spending on transportation, mobility reaching $86.7 million for 2021.

Some major projects include the reconstruction of Huntington Road, the Kirby Road extension, the design and construction of two pedestrian-utility bridges at Pine Valley North, various road rehabilitation projects, the construction of a number of road extensions within the Vaughn Metropolitan Centre (VMC) and the extension of Bass Pro Mills Drive.

“These investments will help the City continue to grow sustainably and fund building and repairing City infrastructure, including roads, pipes and buildings,” the city said.
However, with this fast growth, there comes reaction from residents.

“We're totally understanding that we all want to see our communities grow, prosper,” said Keep Vaughan Green’s (KVG) president Bob Moroz. However, “the biggest challenge we have is the same challenge we've had since day one,” Moroz spoke in reference to 2021.

In 2017, KVG was formed in reaction to the developer Clubhouse’s initial bid to build 600 homes after acquiring the 290-acre Country Club Golf Course in the rolling hills of the Humber Valley in the same year. KVG called it the “largest” infill project on a golf course in the city.

“We don't want (projects) at the cost of an established community,” Moroz expressed a widespread sentiment in Vaughan. “So that in itself is a bit of a challenge ... making sure that the community that has been paying taxes is protected.”

“The second challenge, which is probably the biggest challenge, is the lack of support and understanding that we get from council.”

To protect the green space in Vaughan, KVG members went on protesting this summer, sounding alarm over any potential Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZO), and called for an Interim Control Bylaw to study the proposal.

While Vaughan’s council had previously endorsed two MZOs for two different projects, in December it vowed to “repeal” amendments brought by the Ford government to Bill 229, which are seen as cutting clouts of any municipal powers on development projects in case of an MZO.

However, Moroz sees the council more in favour of the developers.

“I mean, they'll say one thing, and then they'll do something else. We're asking for some support. We don't get it, but yet they're willing to give developers millions of dollars to help them with their projects,” he said.

While development issues continue, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest is bringing some changes to Vaughan itself.

Vaughan is also on the verge of naming its first ever diversity and inclusion officer.

Charline Grant, a parent activist, who long called for reforms on anti-Black racism, said after BLM protests, there is now some “progress” made on the education front. However, at a city level, change isn’t noticeable.

While Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua expressed solidarity to BLM movement, Grant said, “There needs to be an acknowledgement of anti-Black racism by the city."

“We are not just guests, we are residents. Services have to reflect that.”

2020 was a year of discovery for many learning that Vaughan was named after a slave owner Benjamin Vaughan. Grant is among those who call to change the city’s name to end this legacy.