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Home > Newsroom > COVID-19 > Service Updates
Service Updates
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The guidance on this page is constantly updated to reflect the new restrictions and public health measures. Any out-of-date content will be changed shortly.
 
A disciplined, responsible and measured approach
 
The City of Vaughan continues to work with all levels of government to implement precautionary measures to ensure public safety in response to COVID-19.
 
With the Province of Ontario’s announcement that all public health units in Ontario will be moved into a shutdown zone (emergency brake) for at least four weeks, citizens are urged to stay vigilant and continue to follow York Region Public Health guidance – such as staying home as much as possible, wearing a mask and physical distancing.
All decisions about closing and opening facilities and amenities continue to be informed by Vaughan-specific data and reflect guidance issued by York Region Public Health and the provincial government – with public safety being the priority. 
 
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
Essential services remain uninterrupted, including fire and emergency response, waste collection, water/wastewater services, by-law and enforcement services, and the Access Vaughan contact centre at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca, among many others. 

CITY FACILITIES AND AMENITIES
The following facilities remain CLOSED:
  • Vaughan City Hall
  • Baseball diamonds and natural grass soccer fields – Opening beginning of May, weather dependent
  • City Playhouse Theatre
  • Community centres – Maple Community Centre will continue to operate as a vaccination site by appointment only. Father E. Bulfon Community Centre will serve as a future vaccination site
  • Fitness centres
  • Joint Operations Centre
  • Outdoor volleyball courts – Opening beginning of May, weather dependent
  • Parking lots in parks adjacent to synthetic soccer fields
  • Pools
  • Synthetic soccer fields
  • Vaughan Animal Shelter – except by appointment, for adoption purposes only
  • Vaughan Public Libraries – curbside pickup only
The following amenities are OPEN (users are reminded to follow all public health guidelines – including practising physical distancing – when visiting these amenities): 
  • Off-leash dog park
  • Outdoor basketball courts
  • Outdoor bocce courts
  • Outdoor exercise equipment
  • Playgrounds
  • Skateboard parks
  • Tennis courts
  • Trails  

RECREATION SERVICES 

Fitness centres 
Fitness centres are closed. In-person fitness classes are cancelled. Refunds will be issued automatically to all registered participants and permit holders without penalty during this closure. All memberships will be extended for the duration of the closure. Virtual fitness classes will continue to be available via Zoom and YouTube. Maple Community Centre will continue to operate as a vaccination site by appointment only. Father E. Bulfon Community Centre will serve as a future vaccination site.
 
Fitness equipment packages for members
Recreation Services is continuing to offer fitness equipment packages for loan to current Vaughan Fitness members over the age of 18 for the duration of the current facility closures.
 

Members can choose between a light or heavy package (while quantities last, limit of one package per household) and the program is free of charge – all that is required at the time of booking is a security deposit. Equipment includes hand weights, resistance bands, tubes, gliders, aerobic step platforms and risers. All equipment comes prepackaged and has been individually inspected, cleaned and disinfected. It is available through contactless curbside pickup at the community centre specified at the time of booking. Once the booking is completed, a staff member will be in contact to provide further information, including next steps, pickup arrangements and return process. Short videos are posted on the Recreation Services social media channels on how to use the equipment safely on Instagram – @recvaughan and Facebook – Recreation Vaughan. 

Registration for the program is available through vaughan.perfectmind.com. For more information or to obtain a member barcode and PIN, please contact Access Vaughan by calling 905-832-2281 or TTY at 1-866-543-0545 or by emailing accessvaughan@vaughan.ca.
 
For more information and hours, visit vaughan.ca/fitness. 
 
Pools
City swimming pools are closed. Visit vaughan.ca/swim.
 
Facility rentals and events
All indoor and outdoor permits (community centres, heritage homes and the City Playhouse Theatre) are cancelled until further notice. Contracts will be adjusted without penalty and refunds will automatically be issued. Refunds will be issued automatically to all permit holders without penalty during this closure. All City of Vaughan community centres and the City Playhouse Theatre remain closed to the public, and in-person City-led events are postponed until further notice.
Recreational programming
In-person April Break camps and aquatic leadership programs, scheduled April 12 to 16, are cancelled. Refunds will be issued automatically. Virtual April Break and spring programming will continue to be offered.
 
In-person special needs programming starting April 17 is postponed until May, pending provincial public health regulations.
 
VAUGHAN PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Vaughan Public Libraries’ three resource libraries (Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library) are closed. Curbside pickup will resume and be available at all locations except Maple Library. Virtual programs and Virtual Information Desk services continue.
 
In addition, VPL’s fully digital library provides access to a robust collection of resources as well as online programming to enrich, inspire and transform. Digital resources include e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, music, a wide range of databases and more. Engaging online programming is provided for all ages across multiple platforms and includes everything from story times to guest speakers and virtual author visits. To access this service, visit vaughanpl.info/VPL_at_home.
 
COUNCIL MEETINGS
Electronic-participation Committee of the Whole and Council meetings are continuing. Upcoming agendas can be viewed at vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings. While Vaughan City Hall remains closed to the public, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay to learn more about how to participate virtually, including speaking live to Council via teleconference or telephone. Email or written communications are also accepted. Citizens can watch the meetings by tuning in to the live broadcast at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.  
 

WASTE COLLECTIONS
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Vaughan continues to modify and transition many services and programs online to support citizens and businesses. As part of this approach, the 2021 Waste Collection Schedule (PDF) has been redesigned and will be easily accessible online and in a condensed hard-copy version.

Residents can also receive customized notifications about their collections by downloading the Recycle Coach mobile app. For one-on-one video coaching on how to divert more materials into blue boxes and green bins, book a Waste-less Virtual Visit session by contacting 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. 

While the City’s Joint Operations Centre remains closed for in-person visits, residents can purchase garbage tags, blue boxes and green bins online on Service Vaughan. A new temporary bin exchange program is also being offered, which allows residents to replace broken City blue boxes and green bins through home delivery. 
 
PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
Keeping Vaughan clean has been an ongoing focus for the City’s Public Works team. Through the street sweeping program, the removal of more than 10,000 tons of material from roads has been completed. This removal accounts for approximately half of the material that would have made its way into the City’s stormwater management ponds and catch basins. Other maintenance priorities include litter pickup, garbage collection, boulevard maintenance, grass cutting, pavement marking and water and wastewater services. 
 
The department has also launched a pilot project using Quick Response (QR) Codes to alert staff about full garbage cans in select City parks. Residents can scan the code found on the garbage can using their smartphone to notify City staff when it is full and needs to be emptied. Regular waste collection of these bins continues, but the codes allow residents to alert the City when additional cleaning is required. These bins have smaller openings that help deter animals from getting inside as well as illegal household dumping. 
 
BUILDING STANDARDS
The City’s Building Standards department continues to provide essential city-building services such as building code enforcement, processing building permits, conducting inspections and issuing occupancy permits. The department has also launched a new digital permitting portal enabling citizens and building industry professionals to apply, track and pay for permits online. Discover the services at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan.
 
Additional online permitting options launched by the Development Engineering department for pools, grading for sheds, home additions and more can now be submitted and approved through the platform at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan. 


DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
The City’s Development Planning and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) teams have innovated their processes to ensure planning approvals and shovel-ready projects can move forward during the pandemic. These include new digital development applications, electronic-participation Pre-Application Consultations and virtual Heritage Vaughan and Design Review Panel meetings. 

Several projects are underway that will guide development for intensification areas, such as the VMC, Vaughan Mills Centre and the Yonge Steeles Corridor, with a focus on safety, active transportation and sustainability. Work also continues on the Maple and Kleinburg-Nashville Heritage Conservation District Plan Reviews, as well as a heritage inventory update. 

POLICY PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The City, in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and several community members, is co-developing a plan to bring a Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP) to Thornhill. The SNAP program is about revitalization, making communities more sustainable and seeking urban renewal opportunities such as flood risk reduction, energy and water conservation, tree planting and natural heritage enhancements, improving walkability and accessibility, recreation, and arts and culture. Learn more at vaughan.ca/environment. 

City staff have initiated the Official Plan Review, which will guide growth in Vaughan until 2051. Phase 1 of the project is well underway, which consists of the background work, research and gaps analysis. To date, initial Council and stakeholder engagements have taken place – additional public feedback engagements will be conducted virtually in the coming months. 

Land use studies are also underway to guide the development of transit-supportive, complete communities in Vaughan. Current studies include the Promenade Centre Secondary Plan, Weston 7 Secondary Plan and supporting Transportation Master Plan, and Concord Go Centre Mobility Hub Study and supporting Transportation Master Plan. Various stakeholder and public feedback opportunities will continue to be explored throughout the process. For more information on these transformational City-building initiatives, visit vaughan.ca/PolicyPlanning.

BY-LAW AND COMPLIANCE, ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
Permits for outdoor dining patios will be temporarily suspended. Delivery, drive-through and takeout can continue to operate.

Enforcement and education efforts have been increased across the city. Greater attention and a more assertive, proactive approach to enforcement are underway. Public complaints, concerns and inquiries should be reported to Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 for follow up by the By-law Enforcement team. 

Online payments of administrative monetary penalties, such as parking tickets, can be made via payvaughanticket.com. To arrange an alternative method of payment or schedule a dispute appointment, call 905-832-2281 within 15 days of receiving it. At the time of call, individuals will be asked their preferred option for a screening – phone or online. If an online screening is requested, an online form will be sent via email. Once completed, the Screenings Officer will review the information and inform the resident of the decision via email, in addition to any applicable next steps.

On-street, visitor and overnight parking permits can be obtained online at vaughan.ca/parking. 
 
VAUGHAN ANIMAL SERVICES

Vaughan Animal Services continues to serve the Vaughan, Richmond Hill and King communities through regular patrols and response to service calls. The Vaughan Animal Services Shelter remains closed, with limited access for adoption and pet recovery services by appointment only. Book an appointment by contacting 905-832-2281 or animal.services@vaughan.ca. Vaughan pet licensing and tag purchases are also available online. For general information, please visit vaughan.ca/AnimalServices. 

INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER AND LOBBYIST REGISTRAR
The Office of the Integrity Commissioner and Lobbyist Registrar will not be taking in-person meetings while Vaughan City Hall remains closed. To book a virtual meeting, email integrity.commissioner@vaughan.ca or call 905-832-2281, ext. 8314 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
 
BUSINESS SUPPORTS
Virtual programs and new services are being offered to further support local businesses, including:
  • the vaughanbusiness.ca website with a dedicated COVID-19 information page.
  • virtual business advisory services to support with registering a business, business planning, accessing government assistance programs and more. Local businesses can access these services through this online form.
  • sector-specific eNewsletters to keep businesses up to date on government announcements, funding and relevant programming. Businesses can subscribe here.
  • online resources such as the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign and the Open For Business webpage.
  • access to all events and webinars hosted virtually for businesses across York Region via vaughanbusiness.ca/events.
  • season two of the Vaughan Rising Podcast, which examines the resilience of Vaughan’s business community and talks to leaders who are pivoting, innovating and doing what it takes to make it through to the other side of the pandemic.  
OTHER SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR CITIZENS
Many services continue to be offered online or via telephone, including:
  • the City’s Art Integration Collection in a digital art gallery on Flickr, which features the 77 art acquisitions by local and GTA-based artists housed permanently in the collection.
  • the Service Vaughan portal to complete online services or report a non-emergency issue with waste collection, roads, traffic lights and more.
  • visitvaughan.ca – a new visitor website that offers an exploration of all there is to see and do in Vaughan. The “explore online now, visit later” platform, developed in partnership with the Tourism Vaughan Corporation and Central Counties Tourism, offers interactive content, including museum tours, cooking lessons, educational webinars, roller-coaster rides and more.  
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. Residents can also visit:
  • vaughan.ca/CityUpdate to sign up for the City’s eNewsletter and receive news as it is released.
  • the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels to stay up to date on the latest news.
  • york.ca/COVID19 for COVID-19-related resources, online tools and more information from York Region Public Health.
  • ontario.ca/COVID19 for news and updates on provincial public health measures.      


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