RICHMOND HILL AND UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY PARTNER ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
Richmond Hill, ON – Today, Mayor David West and UN Under-Secretary-General Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University (UNU), announced a partnership focused on sustainability, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support Richmond Hill’s environmental goals and broader global sustainability efforts.
The agreement will engage the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), led by Prof. Kaveh Madani. Richmond Hill became UNU-INWEH’s headquarters in April 2024, chosen for its sustainability leadership and strong talent pool. The MOU focuses on:
- Reducing Environmental Impact: Lowering carbon emissions, conserving water and energy, and reducing waste.
- Ecosystem & Community Sustainability: Enhancing local ecosystems and fostering a sustainable community.
- Sustainability Innovation Hub: Creating partnerships with tech providers, start-ups, and innovators.
- Environmental Training & Awareness: Building local expertise and engaging the community in sustainability efforts.
Mayor West emphasized the City’s commitment to impactful environmental action, while Prof. Madani highlighted the ideal partnership with Richmond Hill to drive meaningful change locally and globally. Prof. Marwala noted the shared goal of addressing urgent environmental challenges, with a commitment to advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Richmond Hill is home to 4,500+ businesses, including leaders in tech and sustainability. It benefits from proximity to top universities and a strong environmental strategy guiding its path toward a low-carbon future.
UNU-INWEH has been tackling water, health, and environmental issues worldwide, with a focus on the Global South, and continues to work with UN Member States on innovative research and policy to improve global well-being.
For more information visit:https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/news/richmond-hill-and-united-nations-university-partner-on-sustainability-initiatives.aspx
Richmond Hill News
Amazon Richmond Hill Grand Opening!
for more photo visit: https://www.facebook.com/JoeDiPaolaRH
This was a very special day for our community. I had the honour to make the official announcement 3 years ago #Amazon was coming to our community and now this special day has arrived.
This main location will create jobs and provide improved delivery service of your packages. With 50,000 packages going out daily.
Welcome to Richmond Hill Amazon we are glad you are now part of our City.
for more photo visit: https://www.facebook.com/JoeDiPaolaRH
Registered Recreation Programs
Photo taken from: https://www.richmondhill.ca
Winter Programs Registration
Winter programs are now available for viewing online. Browse programs and create your wish list to prepare for registration day on Tuesday, November 26 at 7 a.m.
to view winter program visit: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/things-to-do/Community-Recreation-Guide.aspx
York Region News
Working Together to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths
Enbridge Gas partners with Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services through Safe Community Project Zero
RICHMOND HILL, ON, November 6, 2024 – Enbridge Gas Inc. and Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services (RHFES) have teamed up through Safe Community Project Zero to help eliminate fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths in Ontario.
RHFES received 432 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as part of the program, which, in collaboration with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC), will distribute over 14,500 alarms to high-risk residents in 75 Ontario communities. Enbridge Gas has invested $450,000 this year, continuing its 16-year support, which has supplied over 101,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.
“Carbon monoxide alarms are vital as a second line of defense against this silent killer,” said Rodney Smallwood, Operations Supervisor, Enbridge Gas. “We’re proud to support Ontario communities and increase awareness to keep people safe.”
Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of FMPFSC, emphasized the project’s focus on delivering these life-saving devices to the most vulnerable communities: “Every Ontario home with a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage needs a working carbon monoxide alarm.”
About RHFES
Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services is a full-time career department dedicated to safeguarding residents and visitors through fire prevention, education, and emergency response.
Learn more at RichmondHill.ca/Fire or connect with us on social media @RHFES
About Enbridge Gas
Enbridge Gas is Canada’s largest natural gas company, providing energy to nearly 3.9 million customers. Enbridge continues to innovate for a lower-carbon energy future.
for more information visit: enbridgegas.com
Provincial Regulatory Updates
Jun 24, 2024
Open for Comment
- The Ministry of Energy has released a proposal regarding amendments to Ontario Regulation 509/18 (Efficiency Regulation). These amendments would harmonize the standards for 42 products by incorporating Natural Resources Canada standards, and would revoke now obsolete efficiency requirements to three products. For more information, or to submit a comment, please visit the first hyperlink. Comments can be submitted until August 2 2024.
Bulletins/Decisions
- The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has updated a previous decision on protecting black ash and its habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The Ministry is advising that the technical guide for black ash health assessments is now available. For more information, please visit the hyperlink.
- The Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism has updated a previous decision regarding amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act and Schedule 2 of the Proposed Homeowner Protection Act. As Bill 200 (Homeowner Protection Act) received Royal Assent on June 6, the public comment function for this posting is now closed. For more information, please visit the first hyperlink.
- The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has released a decision regarding the proposed changes to the Planning Act and Municipal Act through the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act (Bill 185). Through Bill 185, which received Royal Assent on June 6, these changes include the removal of upper-tier planning responsibilities for York Region, the establishment of a regulation-making authority that enables standardized housing designs, implementation of “Use it or Lose it” tools to support efficient allocation of housing-enabling infrastructure, and enhancing the framework for additional residential units through the removal of zoning barriers. For more information, please visit the hyperlink.
- The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has released a decision regarding changes to the Development Charges Act, which would enhance municipalities’ ability to invest in housing-enabling infrastructure. Through Bill 185, the Ministry has repealed the phase-in of development charges, reinstated studies as an eligible cost for development charges, reduced the Development Charge freeze period, and streamlined processes for extending existing Development Charge by-laws. For more information, please visit the hyperlink.