Local businesses leading the way toward a more sustainable Vaughan

The City of Vaughan celebrated the achievements of two local businesses at the March 10 Committee of the Whole (2) meeting, recognizing their commitment to building more sustainable, resilient operations through participation in the 2025 Better Your Business program.

Congratulations to the Chef Upstairs and the Health Spot Family Wellness Inc.

Through the City’s 2025 Better Your Business program, these organizations received one-on-one consultations with Dr. Mark Terry, a professor at York University, who helped guide the development of each company’s new sustainable business model to incorporate the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Adopted at the 2015 Paris Climate Summit, these goals aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.

The Better Your Business program is designed to increase awareness of the resources available to help Vaughan’s business community improve their processes, practices and policies. 

Learn more at vaughanbusiness.ca/BetterYourBusiness. 

QUOTES

“Vaughan takes pride in being a sustainable city, and it’s up to all of us to help keep it that way. The City of Vaughan’s Better Your Business program is one of the many initiatives advancing a more environmentally conscious future for our community. Through this program, participating businesses gain valuable education and tools to build more sustainable business models – protecting our planet while strengthening their long‑term resilience. I want to congratulate and thank the Chef Upstairs and the Health Spot Family Wellness Inc. for their commitment to making positive changes for their customers, staff and operations. I also want to thank Professor Mark Terry for his continued guidance and the City’s Economic Development department for continuing to bring forward innovative ideas that support our business community.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

“Today, it’s more important than ever for organizations to innovate and embrace new sustainable practices. Thank you to the participating businesses of the City’s 2025 Better Your Business program – the Chef Upstairs and the Health Spot Family Wellness Inc. – for stepping up to take care of our planet. I also want to express my gratitude to Professor Mark Terry for continuing to share your knowledge and expertise, and the City’s Economic Development team for spearheading this initiative year over year.”

- Michael Genova, Deputy City Manager, Strategic Initiatives

“Our Economic Development team remains committed to undertaking projects that support Vaughan’s small businesses. On behalf of the team, I want to congratulate the participants of the 2025 Better Your Business program for taking meaningful steps to make their businesses more socially and environmentally sustainable. This program runs on the passion and dedication of the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre, to whom I am very grateful. I also want to thank Professor Mark Terry for his ongoing collaboration with the program by providing his invaluable guidance and expertise.”

- Raphael Costa, Director, Economic Development

QUICK FACTS

• In 2025, the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre’s Better Your Business program guided two local businesses on their journey to implement and maintain practices to create a more sustainable city. 
• The participating organizations received one-on-one consultations with acclaimed York University Professor Mark Terry, PhD, who helped guide the development of each company’s new sustainable business model to incorporate the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

• The Better Your Business program is designed to increase awareness of the resources available to help Vaughan’s business community improve their processes, practices and policies.

   

LEARN MORE

• Better Your Business program webpage