Vaughan Business Action Plan

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Vaughan Business Action Plan

The City has launched the Vaughan Business Action Plan, which includes a series of temporary measures to safeguard the local economy and protect businesses, consumers and all citizens from the unintended consequences of COVID-19. These measures are intended to support the immediate situation of businesses in this crisis.

The City is also closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will continue to offer business retention, expansion and attraction services to Vaughan business owners.

These measures include:

1. Support the restocking of shelves – by suspending noise by-laws and weight restrictions on roads to assist with ensuring stores have items people need.

The Municipal Emergency Act, 2020 will ensure that for the near future, the delivery of goods to Ontario's businesses and consumers isn't impacted by municipal noise by-laws that may unintentionally be impeding such deliveries when they are most urgently needed.

What this does: Supports restocking for retailers and enhances the movement of goods

2. Enhance the movement of goods – by suspending by-laws restricting the loading and unloading of commercial vehicles, transport trucks, and other vehicles between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. This will allow for 24-hour delivery.

For 30 days, beginning from March 17, 2020, deliveries to stores in Vaughan are allowed on a 24-hour basis with no restrictions on road routes.

What this does: Supports restocking for retailers and enhances the movement of goods.

3. Improve business ground-transportation – by suspending the weight and size of vehicles that can travel on certain roads throughout Vaughan. To ensure the sufficient safe supply of goods to stores.

For 30 days, beginning from March 17, 2020, deliveries to stores in Vaughan are allowed with no restrictions to weight.

What this does: Supports restocking for retailers and ensures the safe supply of goods to stores.

4. Suspend the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) – to support the travel and tourism industry by not requiring accommodation providers to charge the MAT at Vaughan properties.

From March 17 until June 1, 2020, the collection and remittance of the Municipal Accommodation Tax by Hotels, Motels, and Short-Term Rental providers is suspended.

For business: MAT collected by accommodation providers between their last remittance to the City and March 16, 2020 will be remitted to the City as follows:

Feb. 1 to 29, 2020 – currently being submitted, due date March 31, 2020
March 1 to 16, 2020 – to be submitted by April 30, 2020
First quarter 2020 (Jan. 1 to March 16) – to be submitted by April 30, 2020

Effective June 1, the collection and remittance of the MAT shall resume in accordance with relevant sections of City of Vaughan By-laws 029-2019 and 183-2019.

What this does: Supports the travel and tourism industry.

5. Maintain small business and entrepreneurship services – by ensuring, where possible, Small Business and Entrepreneurship frontline services are continued (either online or by phone).

Small Business and Entrepreneurship frontline services are available online and by phone to support and assist local businesses.

Latest additions to the Vaughan Business Action Plan:

Establish a grace period for business licence renewals

The City deferred license renewals for existing business by up to 90 days past the expiry date of the licence. New businesses are still required to be licensed.

Waive late penalty charge on interim property tax bills

Payments for the March 26, April 27 and May 27 interim property tax due dates will not be subject to any late payment fee or interest until June 1, 2020. Further extensions may be granted thereafter.

For more information, read the Vaughan Business Action Plan backgrounder (PDF).

Council also voted to ensure that end dates of by-law suspensions be subject to extension should the Emergency Management Team and City Council deem it necessary.

For more information on other business support services, tools and initiatives, please visit: vaughan.ca/business.

Contact Information

Economic and Cultural Development

Raphael Costa
Acting Director, Economic and Cultural Development
905-832-2281 ext. 8891
raphael.costa@vaughan.ca

Main Phone: 905-832-8526

North America Toll-free: 1-844-832-2112

Email: ecd@vaughan.ca

Location:
Vaughan City Hall, Level 200
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1