From the Desk of Mayor David West
December E-Newsletter 2024
Dear Neighbours,
As 2024 comes to a close, it is remarkable to reflect on all we have achieved together. Everyday, I witness acts, both big and small, that remind me how fortunate I am to serve in Richmond Hill. The efforts by the community to build neighbourhoodsin our growing city never cease to impress me. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to each and every Richmond Hill resident who gets involved in our city and contributes in their own way to this fantastic, multicultural and inclusive place we get to call home.
It would be my pleasure to thank you in person, so I hope you can plan to attend my New Year’s Levee on January 11, 2025. This is a chance for us to exchange good wishes for the year ahead, renew acquaintances, and make new ones. All Richmond Hill residents are welcome, I hope to see you then.
As we celebrate the season with our own unique customs, I wish you peace, joy, and above all, the warmth of friendship and family by your side. Happy Winter Solstice. Happy Yalda. Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas. Joyous Kwanzaa.
Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill News
On December 11, I will table the 2025 budget after weeks of discussion, public consultation, and months of staff effort.
The 2025 City of Richmond Hill budget is a plan for today and for the future. This budget reflects a responsible approach, working to maintain the rich programming and City services that the residents of this great city have come to enjoy. The amenities offered by the City of Richmond Hill are so important to how our community can live, work, and play, every day and it was key to this Council that the budget reflect the importance of these services.
The public has been welcome to attend or watch the Budget Committee of the Whole Meetings throughout November and are also welcome to join us when I table the budget at the December 11th Council Meeting at 9:30 a.m.
Annual Richmond Hill Holiday Donation Drive
Make the holiday season brighter for someone in need. Richmond Hill’s annual Holiday Donation Drive is on now through to Sunday, December, 15 and we invite Richmond Hill residents to participate!
Please drop off non-perishable food items, new clothes and unwrapped toys to any Richmond Hill Fire Station.
Fire Station Locations
Fire Station #8 – 1 (191 Major Mackenzie Drive West)
Fire Station #8 – 2 (13067 Yonge Street)
Fire Station #8 – 3 (1371 16th Avenue)
Fire Station #8 – 4 (1365 Elgin Mills Road East)
Fire Station #8 – 5 (150 High Tech Road)
Fire Station #8 – 6 (101 Gamble Road)
Let’s make the season a little brighter for our fellow community members. All food donations will be forwarded to the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank. All other donations will be distributed to the Salvation Army, Yellow Brick House and York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families.
Richmond Hill Labour Disruption
The CUPE905 labour disruption continues. To stay up to date on what services are impacted and the latest news, please continue to monitor the City of Richmond Hill website.
As a former hockey parent, I really understand the frustration that those who use our Richmond Hill arena ice pads are feeling. I have to repeat, this is not a strike that the City wanted and I continue to encourage both bargaining committees to return to the bargaining table so that Richmond Hill residents can get back to enjoying all the programming and services they have come to expect.
That is why the City of Richmond Hill has reached out to CUPE 905’s bargaining teams to seek their agreement to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible with the assistance of a third-party mediator. The services that CUPE 905 employees provide to residents and businesses of Richmond Hill are very important and we would like to see them return to work with a collective bargaining agreement that is fair to them and to the taxpayers of Richmond Hill.
Statement from Mayor David West: Return to Bargaining – December 5
City of Richmond Hill Press Release regarding Winter Maintenance Operations
Mayor West Statement on the Labour Disruption
News from the Office of the Mayor
Welcoming Delegations to Richmond Hill
It was a privilege to welcome a delegation from Lowell, Massachusetts to Richmond Hill. They were interested in discussing the efforts taken to make our city the first Frontrunner City in Canada. Once again, I was honoured to be asked by the Urban Economy Forum to discuss the approach we are taking in Richmond Hill towards Sustainable Development Goals at a grassroots level.
These ongoing conversations with other cities, levels of government and industry partners have confirmed to me that we have a lot to offer on this topic – the hands on approach that the City has taken to build resident engagement and interest is certainly one of the critical success factors to embracing sustainable practices. We also benefit from excellent non-profit organizations in our area such as L.E.A.F. and T.R.C.A. who provide education, awareness, and engagement opportunities.
The final piece of this puzzle is working with industry and the choice of J.O.L.T. Charge earlier this year to make Richmond Hill the first GTA site for their free, green, EV charging stations demonstrates the powerful potential of green partnerships. Richmond Hill is committed to leading on the climate initiatives outlined in our Community and Energy and Emission Plan as we strive to reach Net Zero by 2050 and our doors are open to partnerships that help us achieve that goal. It’s a win-win for our residents, local businesses in the area, and our city as a whole.
Building for Today and Tomorrow
There are so many businesses doing fascinating work in Richmond Hill. I am grateful to our Economic Development office for their ongoing effort to highlight and showcase these entrepreneurs in our city.
While visiting Maple Advanced Robotics Inc. (MARI), it was incredible to learn about their cutting edge, 3D vision AI-driven robot path generation using an “Autonomous Adaptable Robot System” (AARS).
And while at Acentury, I had the opportunity to learn about the automation and orchestration solutions they have built to help test and deploy client’s networks. Acentury has benefited from the “Industrial Research and Assistance Program” which is a federal program from the National Research Council. The advisors work with companies who are working on innovative projects and fund a portion of these programs and provide mentoring and guidance.
Richmond Hill has four key business sectors: Professional Scientific and Technical Services, Health, Finance and Insurance, and Information and Culture. These employers offer fantastic job opportunities and growth potential for our talented residents – another opportunity to live, work, and play in Richmond Hill.
Collaboration and Partnership in Richmond Hill
Amazon Grand Opening
Amazon Canada is open in Richmond Hill! It was a pleasure to join the celebration and grand opening for this new 225,000 square foot delivery station. We appreciate the small but meaningful touches that Amazon Canada has taken to celebrate and integrate with our Richmond Hill community, from the mural showcasing our city, to the nod to our National Historical Destination, the David Dunlop Observatory.
This Grand Opening event showcased another multinational company that has chosen Richmond Hill. Companies decide to come to Richmond Hill for many reasons – our central location, our educated work force, and our growing population are all important factors. I believe Richmond Hill can be known for all those qualities, as well as our determination to maintain our environment and our community of neighbours.
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
Kick off your holiday season with Richmond Hill Public Library!
RHPL is your go-to for festive fun—and it’s all free with your library membership! Enjoy story times and creative crafts at Hillcrest Mall, movie marathons with heartwarming classics, and exciting family programs like Hanukkah songs and African rhythm drumming. Learn more and join the fun.
Keep Your Holidays Bright and Safe: Fire Safety Tips
As we deck the halls and gather for festive celebrations, it’s important to keep fire safety top of mind. Here are some tips to ensure your holiday season stays merry and safe:
- Choose Decorations Wisely: Choose flame-resistant or flame-retardant decorations. Keep flammable items away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, and candles.
- Tree Safety: If you have a real tree, water it daily to keep it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Place it away from heat sources and ensure it doesn’t block exits. For artificial trees, make sure they are labeled fire-resistant.
- Check Lights and Cords: Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires or broken bulbs. Use lights that are certified by a recognized testing laboratory and avoid overloading electrical outlets.
- Candle Caution: Consider using flameless candles as a safe alternative, If using real candles, keep them on stable surfaces, away from flammable items, and never leave them unattended.
Follow these tips and our 12 Days of Holiday Safety campaign for a festive and safe holiday season. Happy holidays from all of us at Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services!
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:
EXCITING NEWS FROM THE RICHMOND HILL CAMERA CLUB (RHCC)
The Richmond Hill Camera Club has won the Stuart Freedman Award in the 2024 Ontario Council of Camera Club’s (O3C) Open Challenge. The O3C represents thirty-eight camera clubs in Ontario with over 3500 members across Southern Ontario. The Open Challenge was held this year with twelve separate categories and received over 2600 entries. The award is presented to the highest scoring club in Ontario. Congratulations to all the twenty-nine members who participated.
In addition to the Top Club award, the RHCC has also won the top Club awards in five categories: Animals, Architecture, Botany, Birds, and People in Action. Special recognition goes to the Category Specialist Winners from the Club: Nick Shearman in Animals and Ben Liu in Landscape/Geology.
In total the club won 154 individual awards. Seven medals (1st, 2nd, 3rd), 16 Honorable Mention awards as well as 131 Acceptances. The top placing images were from Chuck Rowe, Kam Ming Mak, Louie Luo, Philip Wong, Ben Liu, and Betty Chan.
The RHCC continues to accept new members. Anyone joining after December 1st will be entitled to join at the half season rate of only $40. If you or one of your family or friends is interested in photography, consider joining our City’s award-winning club
Artists’ Co-op Richmond Hill – 3rd Annual Holiday Gallery
Enjoy this special intimate shopping experience in the historic Boynton House as you shop local and support our York Region artists. You will find a wide range of artistic mediums represented, offering one of a kind art and a chance to ‘meet the makers’.
- Open 11am to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday, until to Dec. 29th
- Boynton House, on the grounds of Richmond Green Park
Richmond Hill November 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
