Vaughan voters want only the best from their next provincial representative

Residents voice their concerns, hopes for the future of Vaughan following provincial election

Yorkregion.com
June 8, 2022
Jeremy Grimaldi

If you were the next Vaughan MPP to have been elected in this most recent provincial election, what would your first act be as the local representative?

Not an easy task to figure out people's priorities, but there are definitely sign posts to the answers.

The Vaughan Citizen has given three voters the chance to voice their concerns and hopes for this iteration of Ontario's provincial government, locally.

John Mazzella, a retired Bell employee who lives in Woodbridge with his wife and disabled son, believes health care is the priority that needs to be front and centre for the new government.

"During the pandemic, especially with our situation with our son, it's been much harder to get doctors; it's almost impossible," he said. "It's hard enough to get a specialist, but when you need to do it on the phone and at larger intervals, it's even harder. I think our health system has been dealt a major blow."

Mazzella also believes the government needs to deal with the issue of minister's zoning orders (MZO), which have been controversially used for years as a tool to push through developments. Vaughan has seen buildings put up in numerous locations, including near Jane and Rutherford, near Vaughan Mills, and at Highway 7 and Yonge Street.

"All these huge developments will bring lots of traffic," he said, adding that he feels the rules surrounding MZOs need to be changed.

"There's a generation that are coming through that are wondering if they will ever be able to own a home," he added.

Mazzella also believes seniors care is a priority that cannot be ignored in the wake of the pandemic.

Raquel De Filippis, 30, a creative producer, from Woodbridge, said she believes inflation and affordable housing should be dealt with immediately.

"As soon as you come out of the house and press the gas pedal you lose money," she said, citing rising costs right across the board as a growing concern. "Some people are deciding whether to eat or leave the house, it's so expensive to live."

As for housing, she explained how stressful it was recently as she negotiated the purchase of her first home with her fiance.

"I was lucky to secure a home ... every week prices were going up," she said.
Michael DiMuccio, 58, who has three children and lives in Kleinburg, said he believes health care and education should be key focus areas for the new government.

"How we spend our money is a big question, but for me health is a big priority," he said. "The system is collapsing under our weight."