Dear Neighbours,

We started April with a terrific community gathering l and I would like to thank the many Richmond Hill residents who joined us on April 1st for my Maple Syrup Festival.

As the weather warms, there are signs of spring everywhere, not just in the maple forest. Spring cleaning is underway, inside and outside, and registration is closing soon for the Richmond Hill Clean Up, Green Up event, happening April 21- May 5. Earth Day is April 22nd, a time to celebrate and appreciate our planet. There are celebrations happening across the City, such as our April 23 Spring Greening Fair.

On April 18th I am excited to share my State of the City address, hosted by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade. This buffet luncheon is an exciting opportunity for Richmond Hill residents and the business community to join me as I share news of the City’s progress and plans. Register today, seating is limited.

Please share this e-newsletter with anyone you know who would like to receive this mailing and encourage them to sign up to receive the e-newsletter in their inbox.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill

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What’s On in Richmond Hill

April is another busy month in Richmond Hill. Here are a few upcoming events: Join the spring cleaning of our outdoor spaces in the Clean Up Green Up program running April 21st to May 5th. You can register until Monday April 10th on the City website to receive supplies and arrange for garbage bag pick up.  Clean Up, Green Up Weeks Registration Form Registration closes on Monday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. Registered Cleanup Locations There is also an interactive map on the City site that shows where other groups have already registered to clean up. Once you register for this event, your cleanup location will be added to this map.  The #RH150 celebrations are continuing all year long. Have you entered the contest to win some terrific Richmond Hill branded swag yet? Share your favourite things about Richmond Hill for a chance to win. I loved some of the quotes that have been shared to date:

April Dates

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In April, there are many dates to celebrate.

April marks a significant time across various faiths. It is recognized as Sikh Heritage Month across Canada. Aligning with Vaisakhi which occurs on April 14, this occasion provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions Sikh Canadians have made to shape the country we live in.

April is also the month we acknowledge Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention Month during which time we are compelled to recommit to denouncing prejudice in all its forms. 

April 6 to April 13 is Pesach (Passover) and to everyone celebrating we extend our wishes for a very happy Passover. As well, April 7 was Good Friday, followed by Easter Sunday on April 9 and Easter Monday on April 10, with Orthodox Christians observing Good Friday on April 14 and Easter Monday on April 17. Easter is celebrated in a variety of ways across different cultures. To those of you observing, I wish you a Happy Easter. 

International Day of Pink is the second Wednesday in April, April 12th, and on this date we wear pink to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to stand up against discrimination of the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.



Marking the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr takes place on April 21. During this time, Muslims will engage in prayer, and visit friends and family. Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating.

Let’s continue to SHOW our diversity, our equity, and 
our inclusive attitudes through actions. 
#InclusiveRH

Council News

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“We are gathering on lands that have been home to First Nations Peoples from time immemorial. We acknowledge that what we now call Richmond Hill is on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations of the Williams Treaty. We also recognize that we are on part of the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and the Huron Wendat.  

We would also like to acknowledge all First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples from across North America, also known as Turtle Island, who now reside in the City of Richmond Hill. We are committed to rebuilding constructive and cooperative relationships.”

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City Council also adopted our first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and Action Plan as part of our ongoing pledge to expand diversity, inclusion and equity efforts. I am very happy about these two steps for our City because I feel that they embody one of my platform topics, which was to build our inclusive City, a place that welcomed and appreciated all residents.

The other topic I would like to highlight from March Council activities was our commitment to the 2031 Municipal Housing Target Pledge. Richmond Hill’s housing target is 27,000 new units by 2031. The target was set by the province as part of Ontario’s goal to achieve 1.5 million new housing units by 2031. I acknowledge our growing community needs housing options that are more affordable. With this Pledge, the City of Richmond Hill commits to undertaking the initiatives outlined in staff report SRPI.23.033 and to working with stakeholders and governments at all levels to deliver the housing, infrastructure and services needed for current and future residents to thrive. As I said to media: 

“Council and City Staff are working to meet the requirements of Bill 23 including our new municipal housing target pledge. We all agree that our current and future community members deserve a range of affordable housing choices. They also deserve the infrastructure and services needed to make a City feel like home, including parks, community centres, waste collection, snow clearing, libraries, recreation and more.”  

It is important that we all educate ourselves about the impact of Bill23, and the City of Richmond Hill has added an information page to the City website that explains Bill 23 and their understanding of its potential impacts on our City. If you missed my previous Official Statement on Bill 23, it is available on my website.



On International Women’s Day, March 8th, it was an honour to acknowledge the service and career of City Manager, Darlene Joslin. Together with her colleagues, friends, and family, we applauded Darlene’s 40 year career with the City of Richmond Hill.

Watch Council Meetings Live or Watch the Recording

We continue to offer the opportunity for residents to attend Council meetings in person,
to watch live, or to watch a recording.

Access Council Meeting Videos

Arts Update in Richmond Hill

In March we had a number of events in our Arts community that I was fortunate to attend and appreciate. The Richmond Hill Group of Artists held their 45th Juried Art Show and I was honoured to attend and select the Mayor’s Choice winners. Congratulations to the many talented participants. The Show continues April 8th and 9th so please take the time to visit.

The Art Creative Association of Canada, ACAC, held their 6th exhibition at the RHCPA in March. I was happy to meet with the artists, including some of the younger participants. For more information about ACAC, please visit their website.

I am happy to share that the City has extended the deadline for Artist applications to participate in the 150th anniversary commemoration Art Project to capture the community’s past, present and future. The submission deadline for the Community Mural has been extended until April 14. Learn more and apply today at RichmondHill.ca/RH150.

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Spring in Richmond Hill

Community Events

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Richmond Hill March Events

Here are a few of the events I was privileged to participate in lately, 
on behalf of the City of Richmond Hill