About Richmond Hill’s 2025 Budget
Photo taken from: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/find-or-learn-about/Budget.aspx
Richmond Hill’s 2025 budget reflects the city’s new vision of “A Vibrant and Inclusive Community of Neighbours” and aligns with the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. It includes both the Capital and Operating Budgets, covering water, wastewater, and stormwater services. Learn how your tax dollars are spent on the My City at Work page. The City’s budget is your budget.
The City’s annual budget impacts our everyday lives. Learn about Budget 2025 at an open house on November 6, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the McConaghy Centre, 10100 Yonge Street.
To see upcoming 2025 Budget council and Committee Meetings visit: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/find-or-learn-about/Budget.aspx
Active School Travel Program
Photo Taken from: Active School Travel – City of Richmond Hill
Active School Travel promotes human-powered travel to and from school—like walking, biking, or skateboarding. York Region, in partnership with local school boards, supports this initiative to encourage students and families to use active transportation, while also promoting bus use for eligible students. The program combines education with infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalk stencils and signage, to boost participation. Walking to school provides physical and mental health benefits, improves road safety skills, and reduces traffic and pollution. As part of Vision Zero, the Region is also adding Automated Speed Enforcement and “SLOW DOWN” markings to enhance safety near schools.
for more information visit: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/find-or-learn-about/active-school-travel.aspx
Richmond Hill News
New Park Opening and Ongoing Projects!
Photo Taken from: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/things-to-do/Parks-Projects.aspx
We are excited to share that a brand-new park at Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive West is now open for in-person visits starting October 10th! This new green space offers a perfect spot for you and your family to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
In addition, we have several ongoing projects dedicated to improving our parks and trails. These initiatives will bring even more outdoor spaces for recreation and connection with nature.
for more information visit: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/things-to-do/Parks-Projects.aspx
6 Places to See Stunning Fall Colors in Richmond Hill
Photo Taken from: Parks Showcase – City of Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill’s parks and trails are glowing with vibrant fall hues! Whether snapping the perfect photo or enjoying a peaceful nature walk, here are six must-visit spots:
- Lake Wilcox Park – Tree tour, boardwalk, and trails with colorful fall scenery. (Free parking)
- Rocking Horse Ranch – Horse-themed park with tree-lined views. (On-street parking)
- Richmond Green Park – Scenic gardens, walkways, and fiery red maples. (Free parking)
- Twickenham Park – Early morning visits offer stunning red maple views. (On-street parking)
- Morgan Boyle Park – Maple trees in vibrant red and orange. (Free parking)
- David Dunlap Observatory Park – Trails through colorful historic parkland. (Free parking)
Keep our parks clean: stay on trails, pick up after pets, and avoid littering. Tag @myRichmondHill or use #myRichmondHill for a chance to be featured!
for more information visit: RichmondHill.ca/ShowcaseParks
Richmond Hill Raises Flag for Truth and Reconciliation
On the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the City of Richmond Hill raises a flag to honor and recognize that Every Child Matters. This day commemorates the lasting impact of the Indian Residential School system, which operated across Canada for over a century, with the last school closing as recently as 1997. During this period, more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were forced to attend these schools, often taken far from their families and communities. Many of these children never returned home, leaving a legacy of trauma that continues to affect Indigenous communities today.
This flag-raising serves as a reminder of this painful history and reinforces our commitment to acknowledging and addressing these injustices.
Mayor’s State of the City Event 2024
A fantastic Mayor City of State addressed on October 8,2024.
Congratulations to @rhboardoftrade and @davidwestrh on a great event and job well done.
Mayor West: “I was delighted to share my annual State of the city address today. The theme, Stronger Together: Building for Today and Tomorrow, resonate deeply with our community’s journey toward growth and sustainability.”
York Region News
York Region Transit senior fare
Currently, York Region Transit (YRT) does not offer free transit for seniors, but provides a senior fare of $2.45 with PRESTO, a 44% discount from the regular cash fare. This fare includes a two-hour transfer window and free transfers to other transit providers (Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, GO Transit, and TTC).
After completing 28 trips in a month using PRESTO, all remaining YRT trips are free for seniors.
As part of the 2024-2027 Plan to Support Seniors, feedback showed that fares are not the primary concern for seniors; however, they suggested additional supports for those in need.
YRT offers several programs for seniors, including:
Accessible Transit Services: YRT provides accessible transit options, including kneeling buses, ramps, slip-resistant floors, and priority seating.
Support Person Assistance Card: Allows a support person to ride free with eligible seniors.
Discounted Senior Fare: Seniors 65+ receive discounted fares and can ride free after 28 trips per month using PRESTO.
On-Request 65+: Provides on-demand transit for seniors within 5 kilometers of their homes.
Mobility On-Request: A shared, accessible transit service for eligible individuals with disabilities.
MyRide Travel Training: Assists customers of all ages with skills to navigate YRT independently.
On-Request App: Available on App Store and Google Play, this app allows seniors to book on-demand rides. Visityrt.ca/OnRequestApp, call 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978), or chat live atyrt.ca/LiveChat for details
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.