Vaughan declares August civic holiday Benjamin Vaughan Day

Yorkregion.com
July 31, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

Until now, Vaughan residents have been stuck enjoying a plain old civic holiday long weekend in August, but this year they get to show some civic pride by celebrating the city’s namesake.

City council in December declared that the first Monday in August will henceforth be known as Benjamin Vaughan Day.

Vaughan isn’t the only community to give the day an official moniker.

Toronto has been celebrating it as Simcoe Day for decades and in Ottawa it was dubbed Colonel By Day in 2010, in honour of Lieutenant-Colonel John By, who oversaw construction of the Rideau Canal.

The city of Vaughan was given its name by Lt.-Gov. John Simcoe in honour of the British diplomat, Benjamin Vaughan.

In 1783, he represented British interests as co-negotiator of the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolutionary War, and was instrumental in keeping Upper Canada, which was later to become Ontario, under British rule.

To mark Benjamin Vaughan Day, the city’s municipal offices, including city hall and the Joint Operations Centre, will be closed.

Vaughan Animal Services will also be closed Monday while Vaughan Public Libraries will shut its doors Sunday and Monday.

Most community centres and swimming pools will be closed, with the exception of the Thornhill outdoor pool, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Waste collection, however, will continue as regularly scheduled.