From the Desk of Mayor David West
July E-Newsletter 2026
Dear Neighbours,
One more to go!!
In October of this year, we will have Municipal Elections – so, in compliance with Richmond Hill’s election rules, I will stop my enews mailings from August 1 – October 31, 2026. You can continue to follow me on my social media to get news about our city and I will be fully available through all the regular channels as usual.
Have you been following the FIFA fever? I have been happy to join the watch parties here in Richmond Hill. The atmosphere has been electric!
Mark your calendars – right now there are two more scheduled Watch Parties:
- Saturday July 4 at Dave Barrow Square at 12 noon when we face Morocco
- July 19th for the final game watch party, happening at the fabulous annual Ribfest event at Richmond Green. RichmondHill.ca/WatchParty for all the details.
These next two months are some of the best times to enjoy our city, in my opinion. Outdoor entertainment is plentiful, the parks and green spaces are perfection, and events and festivals are in full swing. Read on for July events.
If these last couple days are any indication, it looks like it will be a steamy hot summer. Please take care during heat events, supporting vulnerable family and friends with extra care and remembering to look in on neighbours. Richmond Hill has splash pads, pools, and cooling centres available and the library is also an excellent place to cool down. Richmond Hill Cooling Centres
Personally, I am finding that I am enjoying cycling more and more as I get the hang of getting around the city on two wheels. I’d love to hear about your favourite summer activities in our city, send me an email and share your gems.
I look forward to seeing you around the city!
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
Mayor for a Day Contest
Applicant Appreciation Night
Thank you to all the students who entered my 3rd Annual Mayor for a Day contest.
It was my pleasure to welcome many of the applicants and their families to an Appreciation Night last week. Students spoke with many City of Richmond Hill departments, toured Council Chambers, and I was delighted to speak with them. WOW – these Richmond Hill youth are exceptional! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, with youth like this, Richmond Hill definitely has a bright future!
Community Safety
I want Richmond Hill residents to know that I hear your concerns about safety in our city. As your Mayor, I am listening and working to do all I can to ensure our city is a safe one.
June was a momentous time at York Regional Police. The official retirement of Chief Jim MacSween was followed by tbe swearing in ceremony of incoming Chief Paulo Da Silva. These are exciting times for YRP and while there changes at the top, there is no doubt that the dedicated and professional service that we have come to associate with our local police will continue.
I would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to Chief MacSween for his years of service, dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our residents.
It will be our pleasure to work with Chief Da Silva as we build on the foundational work that has been done.
The newly designed YRP website has a direct link to District 2, providing news and information about Richmond Hill. Check it out today.
E scooters and E bikes are becoming more commons in our community. Keep watch for the educational campaign that YRP is running to make sure that users are aware of the laws for everyone’s safety.
News from the
Office of the Mayor
Every year, it has been my pleasure to disburse charitable donations with the funds from my annual Maple Syrup Festival. This year, thanks to the generosity of the Maple Syrup Sponsors, I am able to support two organizations in our community who embody the saying ‘rooted in community’.
It was my distinct pleasure to visit Hill House Hospice and present two cheques totaling $14,422.64 in support of the Building the Future of Hospice Care capital campaign.
These donations were made possible both through my Maple Syrup Festival and the remaining funds in the late Mayor Dave Barrow’s Charity Golf Tournament. It was an honour to share the proceeds of these events, and to continue the legacy of support for Hill House Hospice that I know was so important to Mayor Barrow.
I have always been in awe of folks who provide compassionate end of life care, with professionalism and kindness. My mom was a palliative care nurse so I grew up with an appreciation for the importance of this work. We are so fortunate to have an organization like Hill House Hospice in our city – they offer compassion and care, supporting entire families along the final journey.
The capital campaign is underway to allow them to serve even more families in need of hospice care with a 12 bedroom residence. This is the future of hospice care. Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and Board of Hill House Hospice who are truly “Rooted in Community, United in Care”.
To learn more about their plans and how you can get involved, visit their website.
Stay tuned for one more charitable donation announcement coming in my next newsletter.
Unity Park Revitalization and Flight PS 752 Memorial
On June 19, I hosted a Press Conference to mark the groundbreaking of the Unity Park Revitalization and the PS752 Memorial, commemorating the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 on January 8, 2020.
This tragic event represents the greatest loss of life abroad in our city’s history, and its impact continues to be felt deeply here in Richmond Hill — home to many of the families and loved ones affected.
The planned Memorial was designed in partnership with families of the victims and will serve as a civic landmark in Richmond Hill.
Thank you to both the Federal Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Minister Gregor Robertson, and Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Minister Graham McGregor, for supporting this project, and thank you to the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims for your collaboration.
The Memorial at Unity Park will serve as a permanent space for reflection and remembrance, uniting the community in honouring the victims of this tragedy.
To learn more about the design plans for the revitalized Unity Park, you can view the details here.
One of my priorities this term of council was to make Council meetings civil and welcoming to Richmond Hill residents. It is important to me that everyone in Richmond Hill feels able to attend these meetings which shape our city. You can visit the City of Richmond Hill website and select “Council, Council Calendar” to get to the search page shown here and learn about what your elected official are discussing.
Please remember that 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.
City of Richmond Hill News
Summer Festivals are Underway!
July brings a full roster of award winning events and activities in Richmond Hill so get ready for the fabulous local fun.
Retro Ribfest – July 17-19 at Richmond Green Park
Get ready for three days of smoky, saucy goodness! Our Retro Ribfest is back with professional ribbers from across North America, live music, contests and activities, plus a family-friendly Fun Zone.
Whether you’re there for the ribs, the music or the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come hungry and enjoy one of the city’s most popular summer traditions.
Concerts in the Park are back again this summer, happening on Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. at Mill Pond Park. Starting July 9, bring a lawn chair and settle in for a relaxed night with family and friends as you enjoy a fabulous lineup of tribute bands and live performances in the great outdoors.
Check the full schedule online and plan your perfect weeknight outing.
Live in the Plaza – Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m.
Presented by Wilson-Niblett listen to live music on Tuesday nights and take to the stage yourself during Open Mic Wednesdays at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts outdoor plaza. Bring a friend, grab a seat and enjoy live entertainment in a relaxed outdoor setting. Performances begin July 7.
With something happening every week, there are plenty of ways to make the most of summer without leaving the city. Our Summer Series continues through August with more live entertainment and outdoor fun.
Don’t forget to check in with our Passport to Culture while you’re out – visit events and attractions across the city, including Summer Series favourites, to collect stamps and explore Richmond Hill’s arts and culture scene.
Find full schedules, event details and Passport to Culture information here
Growing together, 🌱smarter!
Together with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and York Region, the City of Richmond Hill is happy to be part of an innovative project aimed at reducing the amount of salt entering our waterways.
Here in Richmond Hill, we are lucky to have many headwaters and several kettle lakes in our borders, and it is important that we do all we can to protect them.
That’s where halophytes 🌱 come in – these little plants are salt-tolerant, and they have been planted along one section of Bayview Avenue to reduce the amount of salt entering Lake Wilcox and the watershed. Here is a great video that explains the project and the hard working plants.
Of course, we need to keep road conditions safe in the winter months, and salting is an important part of that process, but the hope is that with these new plants on the job, we can reduce the negative impact that salt is having on our natural environment.
You can help protect these plants and our fresh water by not walking on them and giving them space to grow. Learn more
Share your Thoughts with the City
On the roads…
Community Events and News
Climate Action – Affordable Living
Enjoy this summer with our wallets and the planet in mind!
Borrow from the Library of Things for Free!
You can borrow birdwatching kits, board games, experience passes, gardening tools, kitchen utensils, STEAM kit, home improvement tools, and more!
Grow Your Own Organic Food!
Grow container-friendly vegetables: spinach, lettuce, berries, green onions, cherry tomatoes, and herbs. Start with small-space gardens that grow delicious food for your families.
Prepare Your Homes for Extreme Weather— for FREE!
TRCA experts will guide you through energy efficiency upgrades, flood protection, water conservation, and landscaping that can lower costs and better protect your homes. Book a free consultation today!
Climate resilience starts with everyday life in Richmond Hill.
Yes, at the Library...
Make waves this summer with Richmond Hill Public Library’s free Summer Reading Club for kids ages 3–12! Enjoy weekly water-themed activities, exciting prizes, and a chance to win an ultimate prize pack just for reading all summer long. Register today
Safe Splashing All Summer Long
Summer fun often centres around pools, splash pads, and lakes. According to the Lifesaving Society’s Ontario Drowning Report, the province sees roughly 150–200water‑related fatalities each year. July is a reminder that water safety is life safety.
• Never swim alone – always swim with a buddy.
• Keep young children within arm’s reach of a responsible adult at all times, and don’t rely on flotation devices for supervision.
• Make sure backyard pools are fully enclosed with self‑closing, self‑latching gates that meet local safety standards.
• Have rescue equipment and a phone close by so you can respond quickly in an emergency.
• Wearing a life jacket around water is always a good idea.
Whether at home or away, attentive supervision, swimming skills, and clear rules help prevent tragedies. Let’s make every swim a safe one. For more information visit: RichmondHill.ca/Fire.
July Dates of Significance
- July 1 Canada Day
- July 28 Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval
Ontario Dates of Significance are sometimes duplicates of the National dates, and there are also often Provincial dates that we also recognizing:
Thank you for your ongoing engagement as we cultivate an inclusive community.
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:
August Events
Richmond Hill June 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