With recent announcements from the Province of Ontario – including a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes – it’s more important than ever to support the local economy.

While the provincial stay-at-home order remains in effect, the City of Vaughan is reminding citizens that everyone has a role to play in protecting the community from further transmission of COVID-19. Plus, staying at home can be fun! Vaughan’s Recreation Services department and Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) continue to introduce and enhance online resources, programs and activities for all ages and skill levels to participate in from the comfort of home.

With winter in full swing, snow and icy weather causes many ponds in Vaughan to freeze over. Though they may look safe to skate or play on, the ice on stormwater ponds is often thin, making them unstable and unsafe to be on.

As part of the disciplined, responsible and measured approach to COVID-19, the City of Vaughan is closing its outdoor skating rinks, toboggan hill and dog park effective Friday, Jan. 15 in response to rising cases of the virus. This announcement comes following the Province of Ontario’s recent stay-at-home order and declaration of a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).

The City of Vaughan is continuously working to support businesses and entrepreneurs throughout 2021 with resources and virtual networking opportunities, including the 19th annual Vaughan Business Expo presented by Allstate Canada.

The City of Vaughan continues to work closely with all levels of government to monitor and respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic and ensure the health and well-being of citizens and staff.

Are you pursuing remote studies? Learning in a virtual classroom? Taking courses online? Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) is here to help. As students head back to school virtually after the December break, VPL’s digital learning resources, curbside program and educational services assist with continued learning support. Tools are available for students at any age, and at any skill level. Learn more about VPL’s valuable at-home learning at vaughanpl.info.

The City of Vaughan remains committed to preserving and maintaining the history and integrity of Vaughan’s communities – such as the Maple Heritage Conservation District. The area’s unique culture, design, streetscapes, landscapes and architecture are an important part of what makes Vaughan a dynamic and attractive place to live, work and play. To continue to protect the area’s heritage properties and natural landscapes, and plan for the future, the City has initiated a review of the current Maple Heritage Conservation District Plan. Join the conversation and help inform the study by attending a virtual Public Information Session on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Register at vaughan.ca/MapleHeritage.

The first P.A. Day of 2021 is just around the corner – do your kids have any plans yet? If not, why not sign them up for the virtual P.A. Day Programs with the City of Vaughan! City instructors will livestream programs for children ages five to 12 via Zoom – they can make simple crafts, battle it out on the dance floor freestyling hip hop, conduct a snowstorm science experiment and get active with yoga or a circuit workout. There are also fun winter-themed crafts and exercises for individuals with special needs.

Vaughan’s residents and businesses have a generous spirit and continue to look for ways to give back to the community. To help foster opportunities to create positive social impact, the City of Vaughan has partnered with the Centre for Social Innovation, York Region, the City of Markham and the City of Richmond Hill to provide virtual programs to support local entrepreneurs and citizens in becoming social innovators.

The festive season is over and you may be going back to work at an at-home office. To help keep your workspace safe, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service has some fire prevention tips to keep in mind.

It’s 2021 and the City of Vaughan wants to help residents start the year off on the right foot – that includes understanding all there is to know about litter and waste. This is part of a year-long series highlighting the City’s waste services and programs to help reduce litter in the community and everything in between.

Residents are encouraged to join the conversation as the City of Vaughan continues its comprehensive review of the city’s five ward boundaries. In addition to the online survey, a series of virtual public open houses are being hosted next week. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and raise questions about the review while providing feedback on the current ward structure. Register to attend at vaughan.ca/WardBoundary.

Following a successful public recruitment process, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua is pleased to announce that Zincia Francis is the City of Vaughan’s first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Officer and will join the City in this new role beginning Monday, Jan. 11.

The City of Vaughan’s online reporting tool – Service Vaughan – is a digital platform that enables individuals to easily submit a service request, report on non-emergency City services and track submissions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The tool is available at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan.