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SUBWAY CONSTRUCTION IS COMING TO VAUGHAN!ROAD CLOSURES STARTING THIS SUMMERArticle courtesy of: Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
A new subway station is coming to Vaughan! Late in 2015 you will be able to Ride the
New Rocket between York Region and the City of Toronto. The Toronto-York Spadina
Subway Extension will start construction this summer at Highway 7, west of Jane St.,
in the future development area of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
Construction of the new subway Station at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre The new subway station will be built at Millway Ave. at Highway 7. You will notice that
we will be installing fencing, building traffi c detours and making changes to roads in
this area to make room for a large construction site.
Millway Avenue to be Closed - Summer 2011 to 2014Access to Millway Ave. is required for long term station and tunnel construction.
Millway Ave. will be closed starting this summer from Portage Pkwy to Highway 7
including the intersection of Applemill Rd. A notice will be published when the exact
date of the road closure is known.
What Should You Expect During Construction?Highway 7 will remain open at all times during construction, with limited lane
closures. Eastbound and westbound YRT bus stops at Millway Ave. and Highway 7
will be closed during construction. Notice will be provided in advance of changes
to roads or bus services.
Keep Informed During Construction
1.800.223.6192 | www.spadina.ttc.ca | [email protected]
Sign-up for email construction notices and newsletters at [email protected]
BE A PROUD SPONSOR – REGISTER EARLY
The City of Vaughan is celebrating an important and
historical milestone this year, its 20th anniversary.
We invite you to join us to celebrate at the Mayor
Maurizio Bevilacqua Annual Charity Golf Classic on
Monday, August 15, 2011, at the Copper Creek Golf Club
in Vaughan. The chair of the organizing committee is
Brian Bentz, President & CEO of PowerStream. This
event is in support of not-for-profi t and community
organizations that need our help to fulfi ll their essential
role of providing vital services to our citizens.
By becoming a sponsor, you will be a key player
in this important community-wide project.
In addition to a round of golf at one of Canada’s top
golf courses, the event features a gourmet dinner, silent
auction and other activities, including the chance to win
a lease on a new car. There will be a number of on-course
activities, including hole-in-one, closest-to-the-pin and
longest drive competitions. The tournament will be a
double shotgun format. Space is limited, register early.
To download the event brochure and sponsorship
packages, please visit the City of Vaughan’s website at
www.vaughan.ca and click on the ‘Annual Charity Golf
Classic’ icon located in the left sidebar under ‘Featured
Projects’. There are several sponsorship packages
available allowing you to customize your level of support,
and we’re certain you’ll fi nd one that suits you best.
For more information, please contact Anna Dara,
Manager of Events, City of Vaughan, at 905-832-8585
ext. 8028.
Vaughan.Business Link.
BUSINESS NEWS AND STATISTICS FROM THE CITY OF VAUGHAN SUMMER 2011
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Profi le in Sustainability
Commissioner of Planning
International Business Development News
Building Statistics and Tax Rates
Business Bulletin
WHEN IT COMES TO ENERGY SAVINGS,ROYAL BUILDING PRODUCTS SEES THE LIGHT
At Vaughan-based Royal Building Products (Royal), the company’s
commitment to sustainability is more than a slogan or sign on a wall.
“We are constantly looking for ways to reduce our consumption of
natural resources and to be good corporate and environmental
stewards,” said Rob Howe, operations manager for the company’s
Residential Aluminum Plant business in Vaughan.
In 2010, Royal lived up to that commitment by investing more than
$70,000 to upgrade the lighting system at Howe’s Concord facility.
The project included:
• replacement of 185 400-Watt metal-halide fi xtures with 173 200-Watt high-bay induction lamps
• installation of motion switches for low-traffi c areas
• relocation of fi xtures to maximize lighting coverage
The company immediately realized a return on the investment.
“Each of the original fi xtures was drawing
1.8 amps of electricity compared with a
0.6-amp draw from the new fi xtures,” Howe
said. “As a result, it has been calculated that
the electricity used for lighting in the plant will
drop from 250,024 kWh to 102,672 kWh per
year. That’s a 59-percent reduction.”
In terms of cost savings, the company
estimates that the combination of reduced
electricity consumption and need to
replace light bulbs less often will save Royal
approximately $19,000 per year at current
electricity rates.
“If you factor in the Canadian government’s
forecast that electricity rates could increase
46 percent during the next fi ve years, the
potential cost savings are even more
dramatic,” Howe said. Either way, Royal
expects to recoup its investment in the new
lighting system by early 2013.
“All of our employees have reacted positively
to the new lighting,” Howe said. “Not only did
the lighting improvements save energy and
money, we also have created a brighter work
environment that is having positive safety
implications,” Howe said.
The positive feedback and prospect of
ongoing savings is moving Royal to investigate
future energy-saving investments at the
Concord facility. Potential projects include the
installation of LED light fi xtures for the exterior
of the building and parking lot, as well as
converting all of the plant’s heaters
to automated thermostats.
Commissioner of Planning.
Vaughan Council has announced the
appointment of John MacKenzie, M.Sc. (Pl),
MCIP, RPP as the City’s new Commissioner
of Planning, effective June 13, 2011.
“On behalf of the City and Members of Council,
I would like to welcome Mr. John MacKenzie
to the City of Vaughan,” said Mayor Maurizio
Bevilacqua. “With his wealth of experience
in both the public and private sectors,
Mr. MacKenzie will be making a major
contribution to the planning and continued
growth of our great City.”
A registered professional planner,
Mr. MacKenzie moves from his position as
General Manager of Planning, Appraisal and
Survey and Director of Development and
Alternative Financing and Procurement
Initiatives at the Ontario Realty Corporation/
Infrastructure Ontario. Previously, he was with
the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
and the Ministry of the Environment. In addition
to his real estate, planning, development and
infrastructure responsibilities, he has served as
an Advisory Committee Member of the Ontario
Greenbelt Foundation.
“Mr. MacKenzie has an impressive background
and is highly respected in the industry for his
technical knowledge in the fi eld of urban and
environmental planning and his ability to
create and maintain strong relationships with
community stakeholders and government
agencies,” said City Manager Clayton Harris.
“We are confi dent that John will be an asset to
the Senior Management Team and our entire
staff in shaping the future of our City.”
Machine operator Prince Pal Meelu enjoys the new energy effi cient lighting at
Royal Building Products’ Aluminum Plant in Vaughan. The new lighting has
resulted in cost savings and a brighter work environment.
Profile in Sustainability.
VAUGHAN ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW COMMISSIONER OF PLANNING
John MacKenzie, the new
Commissioner of Planning.
Regional26.3%
Municipal14.6%
Education59.1%
$0
$100,000,000
$200,000,000
$300,000,000
$400,000,000
$500,000,000
$600,000,000
2010
2011
Residential Commercial Industrial Institutional Miscellaneous
International Business Development News.
SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO CHINA FOR VAUGHAN DELEGATION
A four-member delegation from Vaughan, led by Mayor Maurizio
Bevilacqua, completed a successful economic development trip to Yiwu,
China. The delegation attended the 2011 Cultural Products Fair for the
opening of the Canadian Import Centre and the launch of Vaughan
products in China.
“For us, what is fundamental is that Vaughan becomes more outward
looking and to that end, China has a great deal of potential for us. China is
in a very important phase of its economic development and it’s important
to establish relationships early on,” Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said.
“These relationships take time and have to be nurtured. This trip was
important in showing we’re very interested in a mutual relationship that
has benefi ts for both countries.”
This latest initiative works in concert with the International Business
Development actions in the City’s Economic Development Strategy:
The process of fostering trust and communication in order to achieve
economic and social benefi ts requires regular reciprocal visits and/or local
representation or agents in the partner market.
A recent development, illustrating the benefi ts of seeking economic
partnerships, is the announcement by the China Investment Corporation
(CIC) of their new Toronto offi ces. CIC chose Toronto as the location of its
fi rst overseas representative offi ce over numerous international fi nancial
centres, including New York and London.
The decision is seen as a ringing endorsement of Canada’s stable and
secure investment climate and the rising profi le of the Greater Toronto
Area as one of the world’s leading fi nancial centres.
Analysts have perceived CIC’s decision to be both practical and strategic.
The choice refl ects the CIC’s interest in continuing investments in
natural resources, agriculture and infrastructure, and is “symbolic and
substantively signifi cant because it speaks of CIC taking Canada very
seriously and wanting to have a permanent presence here,” according to
David Emerson, former federal Trade and Foreign Affairs Minister and
advisor to CIC.
CIC administers China’s sovereign wealth fund, a state-owned corporation
with a $300 billion (U.S.) fund.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN VAUGHAN: 2010 VS. 2011ISSUED BUILDING PERMIT DOLLARS, YEAR TO DATE (JAN. – MAY 31)
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL TAXES WHERE DO YOUR 2011 TAXES GO?
Source: City of Vaughan, Building Standards Department, June 2011
Graph illustration is based on the 2011 total commercial / industrial
tax levies allocated into City, Region and Education requirements.
Vaughan offi cial opens the Canadian Import Centre (Canada Mart).
Dignitaries from left: Mr. Gong You Qun, Vice Chair Yiwu Committee
of the CPPCC; Ward 4 Concord / Thornhill North Councillor
Sandra Yeung Racco; and Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.
Building Statistics and Tax Rates.
New Industrial and Commercial Tax Rates, 2011
The City’s approach to budgeting is multi-facetted beginning with public
consultation throughout the process, applying adherence to strict budget
guidelines to all departments, applying best practices, expenditure control
and alternative revenue strategies. This structured approach provides
the ability to maintain service levels and contain cost pressures thereby
keeping business property tax to a minimum.
$510.6 million
$323.6 million
Source: City of Vaughan, Finance Department, July 2011
VAUGHAN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TAX RATES – 2010 VS. 2011
Year Industrial Occupied Commercial Occupied
2010 2.457994% 2.157674%
2011 2.334500% 2.028171%
UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS INFORMATION WITH YORK REGION THIS SUMMER
In partnership with the City of Vaughan,
the Regional Municipality of York will be
contacting local businesses from May through
September to conduct an employment
survey. The collected information is used for
many purposes, including: monitoring local
economic trends; updating the York Region
Business Directory; analyzing and marketing
local business sectors; creating business
attraction and retention strategies; forecasting
infrastructure and hard service requirements;
and transit service planning.
One of the benefits of participating in
this survey is the opportunity to receive a
FREE listing in local and regional business
directories. For more information, please
contact: [email protected]
VAUGHAN RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP 10 ONTARIO CITIES FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
The Real Estate Investment Network™
(REIN™), Canada’s leading real estate research
organization has just released its latest report
on the top Ontario cities and towns for real
estate investment. Out of the hundreds of cities
and towns in Ontario, Vaughan ranked #10 in
the province.
The report, entitled Top Ontario Investment
Towns 2011-2015 analyzes the current and
future prospects for real estate investment
opportunities in Ontario, and identifies the
top regions that will outperform in the
coming decade.
REIN’s findings are based on in-depth research,
analysis of the latest statistics, economic and
social trends, and on-the-ground reports from
REIN™’s research staff and members, along
with reports and statistics from organizations
such as Canadian Mortgage and Housing
Corporation (CMHC), Statistics Canada,
Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Canadian Home
Builders Association, city and regional real
estate boards, and local economic development
offices. For more information please visit
REIN’s website at www.reincanada.com
across Canada.” As the economy recovers, it
is important that small businesses are able to
hire new workers so they can take advantage
of emerging opportunities and compete in the
global economy. To encourage additional hiring
by this vital sector, Budget 2011 proposes a
temporary Hiring Credit for Small Business
of up to $1,000 against a small employer’s
increase in its 2011 EI premiums over those
paid in 2010. This temporary credit will be
available to approximately 525,000 employers
whose total EI premiums were at or below
$10,000 in 2010, reducing their 2011 payroll
costs by about $165 million.
For more information about the Next Phase
of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please
visit online at www.ActionPlan.gc.ca or call
1-800 0-Canada.
BUSINESS BUILDING SEMINARS – HOSTED BY THE VAUGHAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE (VBEC)
• VBEC Introduction to Entrepreneurship Every Tuesday, 10 AM – 12 NOON and Thursday, 2 PM – 4 PM
• Tax Issues Presenter: Howard Halpern, CA September 13, 6 PM – 8:30 PM Cost: Free
• Make Your Site Sell Presenter: Sarah Zeldman, Internet Marketing and Social Media Expert September 20, 12 NOON – 2 PMCost: $35
• Goal Setting Presenter: David Cohen, Certified Management Consultant October 13, 6 PM – 8:30 PMCost: $35
Register today, space is limited. To register
or for more information, please contact the
Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre at
905-832-8526 or email [email protected]
All seminars will take place at the VBEC office
(9995 Keele Street) unless otherwise specified.
Business Bulletin.
CLEAN-TECH OPPORTUNITIES IN U.S. – APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 26, 2011
A new multi-phase Trade Commissioner
Service program will give qualifying Canadian
businesses in the clean-tech sector a chance to
accelerate their growth in the U.S.
C4, or the Canadian Clean-tech Colorado
Connection Program, was developed by the
Trade Commissioner Service in Denver. The
Rocky Mountain region is an innovation hub
and clean-tech leader and features multiple
clean-tech multinational R&D facilities
including the U.S. Government’s National
Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).
C4 is designed to help innovative and emerging
clean-tech companies to reduce the risks of
bringing their technologies to market and to
connect with strategic partners and investors.
Companies must apply by August 26, 2011,
and must meet the following criteria:
• Focus on clean, renewable and energy-efficient technologies;
• Be headquartered in Canada;
• Have high growth potential;
• Possess disruptive technology, usually characterized by IP;
• Have a management team that can execute and persevere;
• Possess a completed business plan;
• Communicate how your investors will profit.
For more information, please contact:
Trade Commissioner at the
Canadian Consulate in Denver
Tel: 303-626-0662
HIRING CREDIT FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Small businesses are a key part of Canada’s
economy. The Government agrees with the
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
that “small businesses are indispensable in
their role as job creators and innovators all
Printed in Canada © City of Vaughan 2011
CITY OF VAUGHAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L6A 1T1 tel: 905-832-8585 email: [email protected] www.vaughan.ca
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