Vaughan mayor makes pitch for York University campus at annual luncheon

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 26, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

 

About 500 people attended Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua's annual luncheon Wednesday.

 

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua’s annual speech to local business leaders Wednesday afternoon was cut short by a power outage, but not before he made an important pitch to York University president Mamdouh Shoukri.

“We consider ourselves very much tied to York University. We are from York Region, after all,” Mr. Bevilacqua, a York University graduate, said. “And so, as you contemplate a new site for a new campus of York University, on behalf of the over 500 people that are here, ... I want to really ask you to consider our city for a new campus.”

That plea, made seconds before the flickering lights finally cut out at Hazelton Manor Event & Conference Centre, drew rousing applause from hundreds attending the 2014 Mayor’s Luncheon.

Mr. Shoukri, who said he wasn’t completely surprised by the mayor’s request, wouldn’t commit to opening a campus in Vaughan, but he did say if the university branches out, it would “definitely” be into York Region.

“I believe that, wherever we end up going, it will be in York Region,” he said in an interview. “And it should be a source of economic development for the entire region, irrespective of what particular municipality we’re in.”

Mr. Shoukri added that “it’s very early in the game” and York University is currently looking at all its options.

“The (provincial) government basically said, we want to know which universities are willing to expand by creating new campuses in areas that are in need. York Region is an obvious one,” he said.

“And they said, based on the expression of interest by universities, they will articulate a request for proposals.”

The pitch for a university campus came about 30 minutes into the mayor’s speech, in which he also outlined many of the city’s accomplishments during this term of council.

Mr. Bevilacqua, as he often does, touted the Vaughan Accord, signed by all members of council, and the city’s program review, aimed at better prioritizing municipal services.

He also noted the complete change in senior staff at city hall during his term, marked most recently by the abrupt departure last month of the commissioner of community services.

“Over the past three years, where changes in the administration were required, changes were made,” he said. “The senior management team of 2014, led by city manager Barb Cribbett, is entirely different than the senior management team of 2010 - reflecting the evolution of a city requiring new approaches, innovative thinking and a management style that is modern ... and in keeping with the new Vaughan.”

The mayor spoke at length about key infrastructure projects under way in the city, and largely driven by the provincial government including: Mackenzie Vaughan hospital, slated to break ground in 2015; the Hwy. 427 extension to Major Mackenzie Drive, expected to start in 2017, as well as the Spadina subway extension, to be completed by fall 2016.

Of course, he also trumpeted Vaughan’s strong job growth the past few years.

“There are 20,000 more jobs in Vaughan today than there were three years ago, when I took office as mayor, “ he said. “That is an impressive number and it speaks to the desire and drive by our business community to grow our city’s economy and expand our business base.”

In an interview afterward, Mr. Bevilacqua appeared unfazed by the power failure, caused by a defective switch at a nearby transformer station, which left about 500 area customers in the dark.

“The message got out,” said Mr. Bevilacqua, who earlier cracked a joke about recently being appointed chairperson of PowerStream’s board of directors.

“Really what it is about is the future of the city looks great. The job numbers, economic activity and social responsibility are all part and parcel of the present and the future of the city. And getting over 500 people, the largest turnout ever (at this event), is very positive. It means the community is engaged.”