From the Desk of Mayor David West
October E-Newsletter 2024
Dear Neighbours,
Fall is here and with it there are new and exciting opportunities to enjoy our City and participate in shaping it. The City of Richmond Hill wants to hear from you, the residents, on many important topics. Most of these surveys take a mere minute to complete, I hope you can find the time to add your voice.
I am most excited to hear from our community regarding the new Destination Park at Yonge and Major Mackenzie on the lands around the Central Library. These lands have been mostly vacant for decades and I’m looking forward to finally having this space transformed. It has been a priority of mine for years to have this space reach its true potential and I envision this to be a central gathering place like Mel Lastman Square or Nathan Phillips Square for our community. Please join the in person Open House on October 10 to share your input and vision for this “Gathering Place on the Hill”.
As we appreciate the fall colours in Ontario, I hope you will enjoy the display right here at home. Did you know that over 11,000 trees and shrubs were planted through our annual Community Stewardship and Healthy Yards programs?
I hope to see you around town,
Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill News
In September, we recognized the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It was a privilege to be joined by both Odeiwin and one of our Treaty Partners, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
On a day that is all about the children, the participation of Eden and Evan, the youngest members of Odeiwin, was a dramatic reminder of all the children who did not come home from residential schools in Canada. Watching these two young people as they participated in their traditional customs, in their language, at City Hall was a living demonstration that change is happening.
I am personally grateful to Odeiwin which is an Indigenous-led not-for-profit organization that was founded two short years ago right here in Richmond Hill. The work they have facilitated has truly supported reconcilitation efforts for all and York Region is fortunate to have them as active members of our community.
Please join me in actively seeking out opportunities to listen and learn as we make reconciliation with the past actions that have been so harmful to our Indigenous peoples.
Without truth, there can be no reconciliation.
As the City continues to implement its Traffic Safety and Operations Strategy (TSOS), 18 new priority locations have been identified in Richmond Hill to receive traffic calming measures in 2025.
The Traffic Safety and Operations Strategy is a 10 year plan that sets out policy directions, programs and tools that will allow the City to proactively manage road safety for all.
The City is continuing to host Public Education sessions in October
- Monday, October 7, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Elgin Barrow Arena, Ward 2
- Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Elgin West Community Centre, Ward 4
- Thursday, October 10, 7 – 9 p.m. Richvale Community Centre, Ward 5
If you are unable to attend in person, you can register to participate virtually.
For more details and to learn more about the Traffic Safety and Operations Strategy, visit RichmondHill.ca/Traffic.
Have your say!
Join us for a virtual open house on Thursday, October 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and share your ideas for a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law to help develop:
– Yonge and 16th/Carrville Key Development Area
– Newkirk Local Centre, Oak Ridges Local Centre
– Village Local Centre
The City of Richmond Hill is undertaking a comprehensive review of its existing Zoning By-laws to implement the policies and vision of its Official Plan. The City is also currently working on an Official Plan update.
The Planning Act requires municipalities to review and update Zoning By-laws to conform with their Official Plans.
The objective of the City’s review is to develop one Comprehensive Zoning By-law that is:
- user-friendly, and easy to administer, enforce, and understand;
- reflective of current and emerging planning and development practices and trends; and,
- fully accessible online in an interactive format.
Help shape the future of programs and activities at your local Community Centre.
Whether you’re passionate about fitness, arts or social events, your feedback is essential for creating a space that truly serves everyone in the neighbourhood!
Share your feedback to help Richmond Hill plan, program and connect residents with recreation and culture. Complete this survey by October 15 and you have the chance to win one of two $50 credits on your ActiveRH account.
Take the Neighbourhood Survey
News from the Office of the Mayor
Richmond Hill had another ‘first’ as I joined JOLT at the launch of the first 7kWh free-of-charge to EV drivers in the community and supports the federal government’s ambitious goal of installing 200,000 public EV chargers by 2030.
As I said at the event, Richmond Hill is happy to lead the way in the GTA and we welcome JOLT as another green partner in our city … It’s a win-win for our residents, local businesses in the area, and our city as a whole.
Operation Auto Guard 2.0
On October 2, I joined York Regional Police and dignitaries at the official launch of the second year of this proven auto theft reduction program. In it’s first year, Operation Auto Guard made a significant impact on York Region auto theft rates, resulting in:
o 80 vehicles recovered
o with a value of $5 million, and
o a year over year reduction in auto thefts of 30%!
But Richmond Hill residents are still experiencing auto thefts, so Operation Auto Guard 2.0 is a welcome action.
When I represented Richmond Hill residents at the National Summit on Combating Auto Theft in Ottawa this year, it was encouraging to hear auto makers, insurance organizations, and all levels of government agree to further actions because auto theft is recognized as a complex problem that requires a collaborative solution.
I was grateful for the chance to ride along with our Richmond Hill YRP this year because it allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities of policing in our city and the cooperative approach used between different divisions.
It is noteworthy that Operation Auto Guard 2.0 will have a strong emphasis on the community engagement – I know from both my experience during the Ride Along and my many conversations with residents, that engagement with concerned citizens and the support of our community are two sure fire ways to make an impact in Richmond Hill.
Richmond Hill residents expect safety and stability in our community. I want you to know I am l listening, and I will remain vigilant, working hand in hand with York Regional Police because the increased auto theft in our city is unacceptable.
Homelessness, mental health, and addictions have reached a crisis level across our province and Richmond Hill is not immune to this.
That’s why in addition to the important work being done on the ground with York Region, I support the Ontario Big City Mayors “Solve the Crisis” campaign which calls on all levels of government to take immediate action on homelessness and mental health issues in cities across Ontario.
I am committed to working with my colleagues across the GTA to address this crisis – this is not just a crisis of housing or of economics, it’s a crisis of humanity.
Please, join the campaign by calling and writing your MPs, MPPs, the premier and key cabinet ministers and sharing your perspective of the impact this crisis is having on your family, community, business, neighbourhood, and city.
Visit SolveTheCrisis.ca for more information.
In Richmond Hill, we are doing everything we can with the tools we have available to us to address the housing crisis.
Thanks to the Federal Housing Accelerator Funding Richmond Hill received, we are actively working on 9 targeted areas to streamline processes and to our part to get shovels in the ground.
The most recent 2024 Municipal Benchmarking Study was in the news last week, comparing 21 Canadian municipalities on factors related to housing starts. David Wilkes, President and CEO of BILD has been widely quoted in the media blaming municipalities for the continuing housing shortage. I strongly disagree with him, and remind residents of the 11,000 approved units, waiting for the builders and developers to build in Richmond Hill.
Interestingly, I can agree with one of his statements: “To improve housing affordability, governments must act to accelerate approvals and reduce the overall tax burden they are placing on new home buyers.”
That means ALL levels of government, not municipalities alone, which echoes the thoughts of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
Stronger Together - Building for Today and Tomorrow
On October 8th, 2024 I look forward to sharing my annual State of the City address, hosted by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade. This is always a highlight of the year for me, as I get to share some of the key successes we have realized in Richmond Hill and outline our goals and plans for the year ahead.
Richmond Hill Community Food Bank
Demand is Through the Roof!
I spent a morning in September volunteering with my staff at Richmond Hill Community Food Bank, our local non-profit food bank, which has been serving our community since 1991.
We served the clients, packed the groceries, and stocked the shelves while the fantastic team of volunteers explained the continual increase in demand for support our Richmond Hill community is experiencing. We are not alone in this trend – unfortunately, recent news reports across Ontario document a worrisome increase in food bank usage.
We left the Food Bank with a renewed sense of urgency to do all we can. The Food Bank welcomes all help – non-perishable food donations, volunteers, monetary support.
If we each do a little, the impact will be huge!
MOST URGENTLY NEEDED ITEMS: Cereal; pasta; canned and baked beans; baking items such as cake mixes, muffin mixes, jello powder; 1 litre juices; condiments such as mustard, ketchup, relish, pickles, olives & barbecue sauce; soups; plus tinned vegetables; as well as size 5 and 6 baby diapers.
#GiveWhereYouLive
You can attend Committee of the Whole meetings and Council Public Meetings in person at City Hall Council Chambers, watch live from home, or watch the recordings of any meetings you missed at the link below.
Thank you for your civic engagement
Join Richmond Hill Public Library’s vibrant community!
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Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, 2024
Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!
Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services (RHFES) encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 Fire Prevention Week, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”
“Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said Fire Chief Burbidge. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.”
RHFES offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
Visit RichmondHill.ca/FirePreventionWeek to find out more about the year’s FPW campaign, and events happening throughout the week, including our annual Open House.
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:
Celebrating Athletics
Sunday, October 6, 2024
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Elgin Barrow Arena-43 Church Street South
Outdoor Walk and Learn Tours are back!
Free Event, No Registration Required
If you can’t make it to my State of the City, may I recommend this event instead!
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
9:45am to 11:15am
Richmond Hill Central Library
Why? – to connect the community. People, organizations, business, events….
Richmond Hill September 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
Access@RichmondHill.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
