From the Desk of Mayor David West
March E-Newsletter 2025
Dear Neighbours,
For the past month, I have reflected on healthy ways to manage in these uncertain times. There is a lot happening in the world and at times I find my newsfeed very overwhelming, filled with headlines that makes life feel very unsettled, so I am redoubling my efforts to focus on our Richmond Hill community. The answer for me is to focus my energy on impacting what I can control, not what I cannot, and I’m thinking about ways to Build a Strong Richmond Hill – with a strong economy and a strong community that is sustainable.
To support a strong economy, I am happy with the staff report Council received in response to my “Made in Canada Procurement Policy” motion. (Details in Office of the Mayor section) Later this month, I will travel to one of the largest technology conferences to invite new business to come to our city – and while I’m there, I will visit with MARI, winner of the prestigious Robotics Award, another Richmond Hill company doing incredible things on the global stage. (More details in the Office of the Mayor section.) We all have a part to play in celebrating local business – Let’s continue to support local entrepreneurs and our business community in any way possible.
And to foster a strong and sustainable community, in March you are invited to join the first night of my Sustainability Speakers Series, and on April 12, my Maple Syrup Festival will be back at Richmond Green. Let’s celebrate and support community building and strengthen our city …
In support of the City of Richmond Hill’s Strategic Plan tagline, “A vibrant and inclusive city of neighours“, I welcome the opportunity to embrace the rich diversity of celebrations that we are fortunate to be able to enjoy in our city. In March, we have many celebrations:
- Ramadan begins on February 28 and Eid al-Fitr will take place on March 29. During this sacred month of fasting and spiritual reflection, I wish you Ramadan Mubarak, may you have a blessed Ramadan.
- March 4 is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Tuesday, followed by Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. (Go ahead an use up all your maple syrup, you can buy more at my Maple Syrup Festival April 12!)
- Happy Purim, celebrated with joy this year on the evening of March13 – March 14. Chag Purim Sameach!
- On March 14, the religious festival Holi, the Festival of Colours, marks the end of winter and a celebration of spring, famous for the brightly coloured powder thrown in the air. DYK – The pigments have a precise meaning: green for harmony, orange for optimism, blue for vitality and red for joy and love.
- The start of spring is a joyful occasion, made all the sweeter with the celebration of Norouz on March 20 – Happy Norouz – watch for a special message from Richmond Hill Council.
- and in March both Provincially and Federally, we acknowledge many cultures who contribute to the diverse tapestry we call Canada.
I look forward to seeing you soon,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
Registration is Open!
Together with subject matter experts from City of Richmond Hill staff, United Nations University Institute of Water, Environment, and Health, and L.E.A.F. (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), I am looking forward to hosting these casual community conversations as we gain a better understanding the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and explore what our community believes sustainability looks like in Richmond Hill.
The inaugaral conversation details are:
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Plaza Suite
March 18 – Topic: Introduction to SDGs
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the conversations will run from 7-8 p.m.
Register today to save your seat for this free event
Building a Strong Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill News
City of Richmond Hill Spring Programs are open for registration.
Don’t delay, find your new hobby here and activities for the whole family.
City of Richmond Hill - Micromobility Strategy Consultations
You are invited to Get Involved at the upcoming Public Information Centre sessions, intended to gather resident feedback and share information regarding regulating micromobility devices and sidewalk cycling. Currently, there are limited by-laws governing the use of micromobility devices and cycling on sidewalks and other on-road and off-road facilities.
Get Involved
Public Information Centre
In-Person
- Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
- Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Yorkshire Room in Langstaff Community Centre, 155 Red Maple Road
Virtual
- Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
- Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
- Register online
Spring is Coming - Clean Up Green Up is Back!
You know spring is close when the City of Richmond Hill opens registration for their “Clean up Green Up” weeks!
From April 21 to May 5, residents, businesses, community groups and schools are invited to participate in this clean up effort. I personally find I am proud to join in, and participating let’s me feel like part of the solution, while meeting and connecting with Richmond Hill residents.
The City will provide registered participants with gloves and garbage bags and arrange for collection of the filled bags.
Register Today
News from the Office of the Mayor
Congratulations MARI!
Congratulations MARI, Winner of the 2025 MESSE HANNOVER ROBOTICS AWARD
Richmond Hill based Maple Advanced Robotics Inc. won the HANNOVER MESSE’s prestigous ROBOTICS AWARD 2025! This is another testimony to the high-calibre technology innovation coming out of Richmond Hill.
MARI’s Autonomous Adaptable Robotic System, will be featured at the annual HANNOVER MESSE 2025, the world’s most important tradeshow for industrial and energy technologies, taking place in Hannover, Germany, from March 31 to April 4, 2025. As the partner country for the tradeshow, Canada will showcase some of its cutting-edge advanced manufacturing capabilities, highly skilled talent, culture and innovation ecosystems, and will highlight its commitment to sustainable solutions and inclusive growth fair this year and Richmond Hill will be there!
Our envoy has a busy schedule meeting with technology companies interested in learning more about Richmond Hill and exploring potential business opportunities.
This is one prong of our effort at City Hall to cultivate and build a strong Richmond Hill economy. I continue to be ferociously proud of our business community and I am committed to working hard to sustain and grow local opportunities.
Safety in Richmond Hill:
YRP's "Community Safety is a Shared Responsibility"
Recently, York Regional Police issued a Press Release sharing the success of “Project Dusk”. They reported the following results:
- 20 individuals charged
- with more than 230 criminal offences
- after a four-month investigation, dubbed Project DUSK, focused on residential break-and-enters committed by organized crime groups across York Region.
Thank you to all the staff at YRP for working hard in our city, everyday, for the betterment of Richmond Hill. This is the second year that Project Dusk has been implemented, focusing on residential break-and-enters that occur from the fall into winter. Between October 2024 and January 2025, IPCTF investigators dismantled six separate crime groups responsible for break-and-enters across York Region and the Greater Toronto Area. Well done!
But YRP also wants our participation because “Community Safety is a Shared Responsibility” so please review and implement the 6 tips they are sharing with Richmond Hill residents to build a safe Richmond Hill.
It's Cold Out There!
Let's Do Something About It...
As the winter weather persists, it is unimaginably more difficult for people who are experiencing homelessness to cope.
On March 6th, I am leading the York Region Mayors Team in the 360 Experience to raise funds and awareness about the realities of youth homelessness in York Region. Let’s be there for our youth in their time of need.
Please show your support
2025 Maple Syrup Festival is April 12
The ideal weather for a good syrup season includes temperatures that rise above zero in the daytime and fall below freezing at night, so we are off to a great start and I’ve heard from my syrup makers network that the sap is running already!
Come to my annual Maple Syrup Festival to learn more about the sap making process and gain a further appreciation for this sweet natural resource, another Canadian product we can be proud of! Tasting is believing…
A Maple Syrup Festival update newsletter will be sent to you the weekend of March 22, with the schedule of events and an invitation to register and attend on April 12, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Richmond Green Park.
I’ll look forward to seeing you then for a taste of maple syrup, a yummy pancake breakfast, and free, fun for the whole community.
Watch my website for the latest news as MSF2025 gets closer.
News from Council
At the February 26 Council meeting, as a result of my member motion tabled at the February 12 Council meeting, I was pleased to receive the Staff Report “SRCFS.25.007 – Response to February 12, 2025 Member Motion – Regarding a “Made in Canada” Procurement Policy“.
This is another example of my determination to effect change where I can. Some of the highlights of the report include:
- “That staff be directed to modify current procurement practices to give effect to prioritizing Canadian goods and services by:
- Increasing the threshold for High Value Acquisition procurement to $133,800 to align with Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) thresholds;
- Specifying goods or services that are Made In Canada where they are available to meet functional requirements and are within budget for any procurement values below Canada European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Thresholds;
- That the City Clerk be authorized to include any by-law or by-laws required to amend the City’s Procurement By-law on a future Council agenda in order to effect the actions set out in b) without any prior consideration;
- d) That staff be directed to explore ways to further support the Richmond Hill business community and;
- e) That staff be directed to continue to monitor the proposed tariffs and report to Council as necessary regarding the impacts to the City. “
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
Community Events and News
Spark Safety: Fun Fire Education Activities for March Break
Make fire safety engaging and memorable this March Break with these family-friendly activities:
- Create a Home Escape Plan: Draw your house layout and plan two exits from each room. Practice your escape routes as a family.
- Smoke Alarm Scavenger Hunt: Have kids locate all smoke alarms in the house and test them together.
- Fire Hazard Hunt: Go room by room, identifying potential fire risks. Make it a game by awarding points for each hazard spotted.
- Fire Safety Art Project: Design colorful posters with fire safety tips to display around the house.
- Kitchen Safety Cooking Class: Teach kids about kitchen fire hazards while preparing a simple, supervised meal.
- Go on a tour of Fire Station 8-6 with our virtual station tour!
Participate in these activities and share your photos with Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services (@RHFES) on social media using #RHFESMarchBreakFireSafety for a chance to win exciting prizes in our contest!
Stay safe while having fun this March Break!
For more fun activities, visit Sparky.org.
RHPL On the Go – Library Books, Anytime!
Richmond Hill Public Library’s new RHPL On the Go Express Kiosks make borrowing and returning books more convenient than ever! Located at Ed Sackfield Arena and Elgin West Community Centre, these self-serve kiosks offer a curated selection of books for all ages—perfect for a quick pick-up while you’re at the community centre or Arena.
📅 RHPL Pop-Up Events – Stop by to demo the kiosks, explore the collection, and sign up for a library card!
📍 Tuesday, Mar. 4 | 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Elgin West Community Centre
📍 Saturday, Mar. 8 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Ed Sackfield Arena & Elgin West Community Centre
What's On in #myRichmondHill
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:
- OnRichmondHill,
- City of Richmond Hill, and York Region
- T.R.C.A.
- Richmond Hill Public Library
Watch out for celebrations of the following Provincial Heritage Months:
- Bangladeshi Heritage Month
- Hellenic Heritage Month
- Persian Heritage Month
- Irish Heritage Day – March 17, Irish Heritage Month
Mark your calendar and watch for local events related to these important dates from the Federal calendar:
- International Women’s Day – March 8 See link below to join Richmond Hill Small Business Entrprise Centre 2nd annual International Women’s Day Celebration Week, Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
- Commonwealth Day – March 14
- International Day to Combat Islamophobia – March 15
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – March 21
- International Transgender Day of Visibility – March 31
- National Indigenous Languages Day – March 31
Richmond Hill February 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****@**********ll.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
