Clear a space on your refrigerator or garage wall: the City of Vaughan’s 2022 Waste Collection Schedule will be arriving in Vaughan mailboxes starting the week of Dec. 6. The new schedule offers a year at a glance of weekly and seasonal changes to services, including Double-Up Days and leaf and yard waste collection, all on one page. Don’t want to wait? The schedule is easily accessible online now at vaughan.ca/WasteCalendar.

Every year, the City of Vaughan brings the community together to celebrate Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights. This year, the City invites everyone to tune in to its annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony, virtually, today – Monday, Nov. 29 – at 4 p.m. The event will be live streamed at vaughan.ca/festive.

Are you looking for something to do this winter? Maybe you want to take up a hobby you have always wanted to try or learn a new skill? Explore the City of Vaughan’s Winter Recreation eGuide to find everything you need to stay active and have fun this season! With both in-person and virtual options, there is something for everyone. Registration for recreation programming opens on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 8:30 a.m. at vaughan.perfectmind.com.

Planning to drop by the gym but not sure what time? No problem! Starting Monday, Nov. 29, Vaughan Fitness members no longer need to pre-register to work out and a new digital scan process for checking in will be in effect.

The forecast is calling for the first snowfall of the season – beginning tonight through to Monday morning – and the City of Vaughan is ready! The team is working to ensure residents and visitors can travel safely regardless of the weather … but are you prepared? There are a number of simple ways residents can help ensure the City’s winter operations run smoothly, efficiently and safely:

As fall quickly makes way for winter, colder temperatures may have you turning on the furnace, fireplace or portable heater in your home and getting cozy. While you do this, keep in mind that heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in Ontario. To help ensure you and your family stay safe this winter, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is providing important fire safety tips to follow.

Do you want to help shape Vaughan’s future as a world-class tourism destination? As a member of the City of Vaughan’s Tourism Vaughan Advisory Committee, you can advance the development and implementation of the Vaughan Destination Master Plan. Public recruitment has been extended and applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10. View eligibility requirements and the application package at vaughan.ca/council/committees.

Vaughan is a city on the move – and despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, city-building has not slowed down. Public consultation remains an important and necessary part of the process and Vaughan is committed to providing virtual opportunities for citizens to be engaged, learn about active projects, provide feedback and get involved.

The City of Vaughan recognizes the importance of protecting citizens from the global COVID-19 pandemic while also continuing to move the city forward. Supporting this direction, electronic participation for Committee of the Whole, Council and task force meetings will continue next month.

With winter weather on its way, you may find yourself in a situation on the road where you need to call a tow truck for assistance. The City of Vaughan’s Licencing By-law 315-2005 (PDF) regulates how tow truck operators can conduct business in Vaughan and what information they must provide to citizens. The City also regulates collision tow truck rates to protect the public from excessive charges at a time when people are vulnerable.

The City of Vaughan is initiating a study to help inform the planning of parks and outdoor facilities like baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and more – have your say! Which sports fields and courts do you use in Vaughan? What additional facilities do you feel are needed? Until Sunday, Dec. 12, visit vaughan.ca/SportsFacilities to get involved and help inform the City’s City-wide Sports Facilities Needs Assessment Study.

What kind of city do you want Vaughan to be in 30 years? As part of the City of Vaughan’s Official Plan Review, two Virtual Visioning Workshops are being hosted for the community to provide their input and help shape the city’s future. Sessions will be held on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit vaughan.ca/OPR to register in advance for your preferred timeslot.

Today, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua hosted the inaugural Vaughan-Ramla Summit in partnership with Mayor Michael Vidal from the City of Ramla, Israel. The virtual summit marks the two-year anniversary since the City of Vaughan led a business mission to Israel in 2019.

As fall transitions into winter, leaf and yard waste collection will be ending the week of Dec. 7 depending on your regular collection day. Before raking up your lawn and putting materials curbside, the City of Vaughan is here to provide three things you need to know about leaf and yard waste.

Celebrating this year’s accessibility heroes! On Monday, Dec. 13, the City of Vaughan will host a virtual ceremony to recognize the recipients of the 2021 Vaughan Accessibility Champion Awards. During the event, four awards will be presented to deserving individuals and businesses that advance accessibility within the Vaughan community. Tune in to watch the broadcast beginning at 1 p.m. at vaughan.ca/accessibility.