From the Desk of Mayor David West
June E-Newsletter 2024
Dear Neighbours,
Richmond Hill in the summer is hard to beat. City of Richmond Hill’s 2024 Canada Day celebrations sound incredible, Concerts in the Park, Open Mic nights, and Live at the Plaza outdoor music nights kick off in July, and don’t forget about Ribfest! Later in the summer you can enjoy Moonlight Movies with pre-show fun and snacks. Every year I am so appreciative to our great Events staff who hold these summer festivals for our Richmond Hill Community.
In this issue you will read about my ongoing efforts to advocate for Richmond Hilland to position us as a “Front Runner” on the international stage.
Read on for my June highlights.
Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hil
What’s On in Richmond Hill
Ontario is in a housing crisis, and the City of Richmond Hill is working to increase the housing supply for its residents.
Join one of the upcoming Open House events to hear about the City’s initiatives specifically related to Housing Accelerator Fund building, increasing gentle density to supply much-needed missing middle housing in the city. This will be achieved by proposing amendments to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to allow up to:
- four residential units on properties that currently allow single- and semi-detached houses or townhouses; and
- four storeys as-of-right in the Richmond Hill GO Station Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) and the MTSAs along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 priority transit corridors, where there is a mixed-use centre or corridor designations.
Residents are encouraged to attend the events to learn more about the amendments and share their thoughts.
Open House Details
In Person: Thursday, June 13, 6–8 p.m. at Elgin Barrow Arena (43 Church Street South)
Virtual Open House: Monday, June 10, 7–9 p.m. on Zoom Please register in advance
Have Your Say: More homes for More People Survey
Do you know someone looking for work?
The City of Richmond Hill Wave Pool is opening soon and there are permanent part time positions available for qualified individuals. Whether you know a student looking for a summer job, or a retiree with an interest, these are great positions to consider.
>> Learn more
Richmond Hill Blooms!
Summer is here, and that means it is time for Richmond Hill Blooms. Nominate your favourite front garden. All nominated gardens receive a sign to display.
5 minute Animal By-law Survey
The City of Richmond Hill is asking residents to take part in a new Animal By-law Review survey. Animal Control By-laws aim to protect the health and well-being of cats and dogs in the community by promoting responsible pet ownership through licensing, vaccination, and regulations. They also promote the humane treatment of all animals, both wild and domestic so please give your feedback and let’s meet the needs of our furry and feathered friends!
Take the survey today at RichmondHill.ca/AnimalServices.
For anyone with dogs in the community, when your pup stops and “drops”, that’s when you’re required to stoop and scoop… even in natural areas to help prevent parasites and bacteria from entering groundwater and runoff.
Let’s keep our park spaces clean for everyone.
News from the Office of the Mayor
San Antonio Texas, Monetray Mexico, and Lordina Brazil
One of my goals as Mayor of Richmond Hill is to promote our city and the good work that is happening here to as many people as I can.
It was an honour to be asked to represent Canada on an international panel of Compassionate Cities to do just that – sharing the successes and achievements of our hard working volunteers and City staff as it relates to the Charter for Compassion.
Among other things, Compassion in Richmond Hill means ensuring we have a community that includes everyone, shows compassion and stewardship for our natural environment and offers opportunities for housing for more people in more income ranges.
Richmond Hill is growing as a city and I know that we are all working hard every day to keep the spirit and sense of community that we are known for.
We are truly “a vibrant and inclusive city of neighbours”.
At City Council, I tabled a Member Motion this week: Richmond Hill’s Participation in Canada: Frontrunner of Urban SDGs Program.
While our focus in Richmond Hill is growth to meet the increasing housing demands, I believe we are also poised to meet Sustainable Development Goals. By establishing our city as a part of the Frontrunner City Program we are clearly positioning Richmond Hill as a leader.
As a firm and constant advocate for Richmond Hill, I was proud to table this motion and excited about the potential economic and environmental outcomes.
While attending the International Sister Cities conference, I took the opportunity to meet with the Consul General in Dallas, Susan Harper, who is the senior representative of the Government in Canada, responsible for Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas and our Agent-General who represents Ontario in the southern United States, Jag Badwal.
I was glad to discuss the exciting synergies we have achieved with our Federal and Provincial partners in Richmond Hill while also opening the doors for future consideration.
Richmond Hill is attracting attention as a business and economics centre, a city where we can live, WORK, and play.
Earlier this week we raised the Pride Flag at City Hall and I was happy to attend the YRP “We Belong” Pride breakfast and flag raising in recognition of the Launch of Pride Season. Visit PFlag York Region for a full schedule of events happening this month. I look forward to participating in the Pride Parade in Newmarket with City of Richmond Hill staff and Council. We will be marching and celebrating with the residents of York Region and you are invited to join so I hope to see you at the Pride Parade on June 15.
And last but not least, I was delighted to receive so many keen entries for the ‘Mayor for a Day’ contest. Civic engagement is really important and I believe that engaging our youth is a great way to capture their interest.
Congratulations to our winner and thank you to the many students who took the time to share ideas and suggestions, as well as praise for Richmond Hill.
Watch for a summary of the winner’s day in the July enews. This was an inaugural event and I look forward to incorporating the great feedback in 2025.
The City of Richmond Hill distributes the ‘My Richmond Hill’ print newsletter twice a year to all Richmond Hill households.
This page showcases the stories from the most recent edition as well as the link to Sign up for the monthly e-newsletter!
Committee of the Whole meetings and Council Public Meetings
As always, we welcome and encourage the residents of Richmond Hill to participate in these meetings in any way that is convenient for you.
- You can attend in person or watch a meeting virtually, either live or as a recording. The link to the City’s YouTube page is below.
- All the particulars about the meetings are on the City website if you prefer to attend in person.
- Provide your comments about an agenda item by 12 p.m. the day before the meeting by emailing cl****@ri**********.ca
Thank you for your civic engagement.
Access Council Meetings Videos
Dates of Significance
June is an important month as we celebrate and acknowledge the unique contributions of several community groups. In general we have both Federal and Provincial dates of importance and significance, which often overlap, but not always.
During the month of June, I would like to encourage you to visit both our Federal and our Provincial government’s websites respectively, to explore the rich history and cultural contributions behind these Heritage Dates and Dates of Significance:
Canadian Dates acknowledged in June:
- National Indigenous History Month
- Italian Heritage Month
- Filipino Heritage Month
- Portuguese Heritage Month
- Launch of Pride Season
- National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21
- National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism – June 23
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day – June 24
- Canadian Multiculturalism Day – June 27
Ontario Dates acknowledged in June:
- Filipino Heritage Month
- Italian Heritage Month
- Portuguese History and Heritage Month
- Ontario Day – June 1
- Portugal Day – June 10
- United Empire Loyalists’ Day – June 19
- Somali Heritage Week – June 25–July 1
Let’s continue to SHOW our diversity, our equity, and
our inclusive attitudes through actions.
#InclusiveRH
Community Events and News
The calendar of events in Richmond Hill continues to offer something for everyone.
Here are a few ideas to fill your free time. Please also visit the following calendars for local events:
Richmond Hill City Council came together to raise awareness about Canadian Mental Health Association Mental Health Week – join them at the Mental Health in Motion event on June 9.
Mental Health Week – CMHA National
Richmond Hill May Events
Here are a few of the events I was privileged to participate in lately,
on behalf of the City of Richmond Hill
Important Numbers and Information
ACCESS Richmond Hill
905-771-8800
Ac****@Ri**********.ca
City services, updates on damaged City property, snow clearing, streetlight maintenance
Animal Services
905-832-2281
Animal control and shelter services contracted through City of Vaughan
Alectra Utilities
1-833-253-2872
Hydro outage information, downed power lines
Inclement Weather Hotline
905-771-5487
City facility closures and recreation program cancellations
Parking Control
905-771-8860
Cars parked illegally on the street
York Region Roads
1-877-464-9675 ext 75200
Snow removal on regional roads
York Region Transit/Viva
905-762-2100
Snow removal at bus stops
