From the Desk of Mayor David West
April E-Newsletter 2025
Dear Neighbours,
With the changing season, we often feel a surge in energy and tackle our projects with renewed enthusiasm. I can say that my efforts are 110% directed towards building a strong and vibrant Richmond Hill. From building our community with my Member Motion to proceed with a central meeting place, the Dave Barrow Civic Square, to building strong economic opportunities with new potential trading partners during my many fruitful business meetings in Germany, I continue to be laser focused on our city. Read more in the “News from the Office of the Mayor” section.
There are so many opportunities to get outside and participate in building our community this spring! I hope to see you around town, whether at my upcoming Maple Syrup Festival or at a City event like a Clean up Green Up day.
As we celebrate Passover, Vaisakhi, and Easter this month, I send my good wishes to you for your celebrations, I hope you blessed to acknowledge these important dates with the love and company of friends and family.
I look forward to seeing you soon,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
Have You
Registered?
You don't want to miss out on this great celebration of
Maple Syrup, a truly Canadian sign of spring!
Maple Syrup Festival 2025
I am excited to host my annual Maple Syrup Festival on April 12th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Richmond Green Sports Complex, rain or shine.
This is a free, family-friendly event so register today and let us know you are joining the fun! I look forward to welcoming Richmond Hill residents and celebrating community, Canada, and maple syrup.
Are you interested in learning more about Richmond Hill? We have over 50 Richmond Hill community groups and services attending, looking forward to speaking with you.
Are you curious to learn more about the maple syrup making process? We have an authentic evaporator onsite, and the TRCA staff will be waiting to tell you about the old and new ways of making syrup. We also have tree tapping demonstrations, maple syrup tasting, and Grandmother Kim Wheatley will teach us the origins of this tradition, started long before settlers arrived.
Do you want to be entertained? We have two shows on our main stage that are going to be ‘tree-rific”, and Horse Drawn wagon rides from 12 – 3 p.m. There are ongoing pancake flipping contests and many of the community groups have planned special activities for you. There will also be a LEGO building station for builders of all ages and don’t forget the toe-tapping fiddle music, back by popular demand.
Are you hungry? Great! Come enjoy a free pancake breakfast with real maple syrup of course and other sweet maple snacks (while supplies last.)
There really is something planned for everyone! I hope to see you there.
Here is a handy checklist for to maximize your enjoyment at the Maple Syrup Festival:
Richmond Hill News
In 2024, Richmond Hill was named the first Frontrunner City in Canada for acting on sustainability. One example of how that honour was earned is the Richmond Hill Climate Plan.
This plan will help the city reduce the bad impacts of climate change (mitigation) and change in a way that helps us cope with the climate crisis (adaptation) which will ultimately save Richmond Hill money and help it be resilient to the climate crisis.
As Richmond hill residents, we are all a part of this plan. For example, you are directly contributing when you:
Travel by transit or bike or walk and/or buy electric vehicles
heat your homes and water with a heat pump
reduce food waste
or install solar panels on your property
We have an exciting opportunity to be leaders in this field, both in York Region and around the world. Learn more about the Richmond Hill Climate Plan and join the effort!
City of Richmond Hill - 'Springing' into Action!
There is a lot going on in April and the City of Richmond Hill website is a great source of information for staying up to date on press releases, surveys, and events.
Right now, there is an opportunity to have your say on the Pickleball Survey, and there is information about Lake Wilcox parking permits for RH residents, as well as a call for applicants to the Accessibility Advisory Committee and/or Heritage Richmond Hill Committee.
Mark your calendars for the Affordable Housing, Transportation, Community Uses and Other Topics Webinar which will focus on supporting affordable housing and local jobs, improving the transportation system, enhancing community uses, and other matters as a part of the ongoing Official Plan Update on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
If you are not already subscribed to the City of Richmond Hill newsletter, I highly recommend it as a great tool to stay up to date regarding our community.
News from the Office of the Mayor
The City of Richmond Hill Economic Development team organized a fantastic envoy to the Hannover Messe #HM25 trade show. Not only did we have the opportunity to meet with Richmond Hill companies at the event like MARI, Tool Holder Shop, BMW Canada, and SICK Sensor Intelligence, but we also spoke with numerous international companies who RESPECT Canada and who WANT to do business with us. Our efforts to explore and diversify trade relationships have been really well received.
This trip was planned to maximize a unique opportunity, capitalizing on one of the largest international trade shows with the goal of continuing to 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.
Sustainability Speaker Series
We had a great turnout for the inaugural event in the Sustainability Speaker Series, organized in partnership with the City of Richmond Hill, UNU-INWEH, and my office. I was happy to see so many engaged residents and youth taking an active interest in the topic. You can watch a recording of the conversation on my YouTube channel.
Thanks to Heather Auld from the Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society for an excellent article summarizing the evening.
Please mark your calendars for the next talk in the series, happening on June 19th. You can watch for updates in the May newsletter and on my website.
News from Council
I am happy to report that on March 26th Council approved the plans for the newest park in Richmond Hill – the Dave Barrow Civic Square.
When I tabled my member motion to create this park, I had our former Mayor and my friend and mentor, Dave Barrow, in the forefront of my mind. I envisioned a space with diverse uses that would become the natural meeting place for our community to gather together.
Thank you to the many Richmond Hill residents who took the time to share their vision for the park space – I hope you are as delighted as I am with the plans for this new park.
Details plans will be done in 2025 with construction beginning in 2026. Read more about the project here.
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
Discover Wellness and Community with the SCRHCAT
The South-Central Richmond Hill Community Action Table (SCRHCAT) is a community-focused, locally-driven table established to develop solutions to specific issues and promote positive change within areas in Richmond Hill that can benefit most, as outlined in York Region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.
Family Services York Region (FSYR) leads the SCRHCAT, collaborating with a diverse range of partners, including residents, service providers, representatives of York Region, local municipalities, York Regional Police, United Way Greater Toronto, school boards, libraries, and many valuable others. SCRHCAT’s goal is to enhance resident experiences of mental well-being, housing stability and overall community-belonging in South-Central Richmond Hill through collective action.
By fostering collaboration among residents, community organizations, and more, the SCRHCAT further aims to create opportunities for meaningful connections and shared learning to meet the community’s unique needs and bridge service gaps. For more information, click this link or contact sc*****@**yr.ca.
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 and memorials of the following Significant Provincial Heritage and Federal Dates:
- Sikh Heritage Month
- Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month
- April 9 – Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
- Second Wednesday of April – International Day of Pink
- April 23-24th Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
Come for a Communi-Tea!!
Saturday, April 26, 2025
12:00pm to 3:00pm
Centennial Pool
sc*****@**yr.ca
for more information
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
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
