Skip to content
Surf Wiki
Save to docs
geography

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Vaughan

Vaughan

FieldValue
nameVaughan
official_nameCity of Vaughan
native_name
settlement_typeCity (lower-tier)
image_skyline{{multiple image
borderinfobox
perrow1/2/2
total_width290
caption_aligncenter
image1Vaughan Metropolitan Centre aerial view 2022.jpg
caption1Vaughan Metropolitan Centre
image2View from the top of Behemoth (Canada's Wonderland).jpg
caption2View from Canada's Wonderland
image3VaughanCityHall16.jpg
caption3Vaughan City Hall
image4CN MacMillan Yard (3496432845) cut.jpg
caption4MacMillan Yard
image5Vaughan Mills 2022.jpg
caption5Vaughan Mills
image_flagFlag of City of Vaughan.svg
flag_size100px
image_sealVaughan seal.png
seal_size100px
image_blank_emblemVaughan logo.svg
blank_emblem_size100px
blank_emblem_typeLogo
image_mapVaughan within York Region.svg
mapsize250px
map_captionLocation of Vaughan within York Region
pushpin_mapCanada Southern Ontario
pushpin_mapsize200
pushpin_map_captionVaughan in relation to southern Ontario
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameCanada
subdivision_type1Province
subdivision_name1Ontario
subdivision_type2Regional Municipality
subdivision_name2York
subdivision_type3Communities
subdivision_name3{{Collapsible list
titleList of major subdivisions
frame_styleborder:none; padding: 0;
list_styletext-align:left;display:none;
1Concord
2Kleinburg
3Maple
4Thornhill
5Woodbridge}}
government_typeMunicipal (City)
leader_titleMayor
• Deputy Mayor
leader_nameSteven Del Duca
Linda D. Jackson
leader_title1Regional Councillors
leader_name1Mario Ferri
Gino Rosati
Mario Racco
leader_title2City Manager
leader_name2Nick Spensieri
leader_title3Governing Body
leader_name3Vaughan City Council
leader_title4MPs, and MPPs
leader_name4{{Collapsible list
titleList of MPs
frame_styleborder:none; padding: 0;
list_styletext-align:left;display:none;
1Michael Guglielmin (CPC)
2Melissa Lantsman (CPC)
3Anna Roberts (CPC)}}
titleList of MPPs
frame_styleborder:none; padding: 0;
list_styletext-align:left;display:none;
1Stephen Lecce (PC)
2Laura Smith (PC)
3Michael Tibollo (PC)}}
established_titleSettled
established_date1792
established_title1Incorporated
established_date1
established_title2• Township
established_date21850
established_title3• City
established_date31991
area_footnotes
area_land_km2272.44
population_as_of2021
population_footnotes
population_total323103 (17th)
population_density_km21,185.9
population_blank1_titleTotal Private Dwellings
population_blank1107159
timezoneEST
utc_offset−05:00
timezone_DSTEDT
utc_offset_DST−04:00
coordinates
elevation_footnotes
area_codes905, 289, 365, and 742
website
Note

the Canadian city

• Deputy Mayor Linda D. Jackson Gino Rosati Mario Racco Vaughan ( ) (2021 population 323,103) is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located in the Regional Municipality of York, just north of Toronto. Vaughan was the fastest-growing municipality in Canada between 1996 and 2006 with its population increasing by 80.2% during this time period and having nearly doubled in population since 1991.{{cite web |access-date=2006-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017023950/http://geodepot.statcan.ca/Diss/Highlights/Page12/Page12_e.cfm |archive-date=2006-10-17 |url-status=live

Toponymy

The township was named after Benjamin Vaughan, a British commissioner who signed a peace treaty with the United States in 1783.

History

In the late pre-contact period, the Huron-Wendat people populated what is today Vaughan. The Skandatut ancestral Wendat village overlooked the east branch of the Humber River (Pine Valley Drive) and was once home to approximately 2,000 Huron in the sixteenth century. The site is close to a Huron ossuary (mass grave) uncovered in Kleinburg in 1970, and one kilometre north of the Seed-Barker Huron site.

The first European to pass through Vaughan was the French explorer Étienne Brûlé, who traversed the Humber Trail in 1615. However, it was not until townships were created in 1792 that Vaughan began to see European settlements, as it was considered to be extremely remote and the lack of roads through the region made travel difficult.

Despite the hardships of pioneer life, settlers came to Vaughan in considerable numbers. The population grew from 19 men, 5 women, and 30 children in 1800 to 4,300 in 1840. The first people to arrive were mainly Pennsylvania Germans, with a smaller number of families of English descent and a group of French Royalists. This migration from the United States was by 1814 superseded by immigrants from Britain. While many of their predecessors had been agriculturalists, the newer immigrants were highly skilled tradespeople, useful for a growing community.

Among the facilities established by this group were a number of hamlets, the oldest of which was Thornhill, where a sawmill was erected in 1801, a grist mill in 1815, and had a population of 300 by 1836. Other such enclaves included Kleinburg, Coleraine, Rupertville*(Maple), Richmond Hill, Teston, Claireville, Pine Grove, Carrville, Patterson, Burlington, Concord, Edgeley, Fisherville, Elder's Mills, Elgin Mills, Jefferson, Nashville, Purpleville, Richvale, Sherwood, Langstaff, Vellore*, and Burwick (Woodbridge).

In 1846, the Township was primarily agricultural but had a population of 4,300. There were six grist mills and 25 saw mills. By 1935, there were 4,873 residents.

However, World War II sparked an influx of immigration, and by 1960, the population stood at 15,957. The ethnocultural composition of the area began to change with the arrival of different groups such as Italians, Jews and Eastern Europeans.

Incorporated in 1850 as Vaughan Township, a municipal government was established, and meetings were held at the "Township Hall" (Vaughan Memorial Hall) in Vellore. Vaughan Road was a historic road constructed in 1850 that linked Vaughan Township with Toronto. It incorporated parts of present-day Dufferin Street north of Eglinton Avenue in Toronto, though all that remains of it today is the separate alignment farther south, running through the eastern half of the former City of York.{{cite web |access-date=2008-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207151702/http://www.lostrivers.ca/points/vaughanrd.htm |archive-date=2012-02-07 |url-status=live

In 1971, the new regional government of York Region was established, acquiring policing and welfare services from the communities it served; simultaneously, the township merged with the Village of Woodbridge to form the Town of Vaughan. In 1991, it changed its legal status to City of Vaughan.{{Cite book

Two F2 tornadoes tore through the city of Vaughan during the Southern Ontario Tornado Outbreak on August 20, 2009. Premier Dalton McGuinty and Mayor Linda Jackson toured the destruction the next day and reported 200 homes in critical shape and as many as 600 additional homes likely to be demolished. The tornadoes also ripped up trees, flipped cars, and left thousands of people without electricity. Vaughan declared a state of emergency because of the widespread damage. No deaths were reported from the tornadoes, but one man who was injured in the storms suffered a heart attack the following morning.

North American telephone customers placing calls to Vaughan may not recognize the charge details on their billings. Although Vaughan has been a single municipality since 1971, the local incumbent local exchange carrier, Bell Canada, splits the city into three historical rate centres–Kleinburg, Maple and Woodbridge. Part of the Thornhill rate centre extends into Vaughan. Indeed, Vaughan does not even appear in the telephone book.

Mayor and councillors

Vaughan City Hall

Vaughan is governed by a ten-member council comprising a mayor, four regional councillors, and five local councillors. The mayor, elected at large, is the head of the council and a representative on York Region Council. The four regional councillors are also elected at large, and serve on both the city council and York Regional Council. Five local councillors are also elected, one from each of Vaughan's five wards, to represent those wards on Vaughan Council.

City councillors meet at Vaughan City Hall, located in Maple. The city's City Hall was opened on September 25, 2011, and is named in memory of late Mayor Lorna Jackson. The new Civic Centre is one of the first in Canada to conform to a LEED Gold Standard, the second highest environmental classification available.{{cite web |access-date = 2008-02-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928071247/http://www.city.vaughan.on.ca/newscentre/2006/news06-079.cfm |archive-date = 2007-09-28 |url-status = dead

Vaughan is the first municipality in Ontario to have a Youth City Councillor. The youth city councillor is appointed as a non-voting member of Council every six months to represent the youth of Vaughan. Vaughan council originally rejected the proposal of a youth councillor but, after the Vaughan Youth Cabinet amended its proposal, Council accepted the recommendation.

After serving as mayor for nine years, Lorna Jackson saw the Town of Vaughan become incorporated as the City of Vaughan. Following the death of Mayor Lorna Jackson in 2002, Michael Di Biase was appointed mayor by Vaughan council by virtue of his position as one of two regional councillors representing Vaughan, Joyce Frustaglio was the other regional councillor. Gino Rosati, a Vaughan local councillor, was subsequently appointed by Vaughan Council to fill Di Biase's position as regional councillor and a by-election was held to fill Rosati's local councillor's position which was won by Linda Jackson, the daughter of Mayor Jackson. Di Biase first became involved in the city's politics in 1985, when he was elected as a local councillor in 1985. Di Biase retained the mayorship in the 2003 municipal election, defeating challenger Robert Craig.

In the municipal election on November 13, 2006, Di Biase was narrowly defeated by Linda Jackson, who was sworn in as mayor on December 4, 2006. On June 18, 2008, an audit of Jackson's 2006 campaign finances found that the politician exceeded her legal spending limit of $120,419 by at least $12,356, or 10 per cent. The auditors, LECG Canada Ltd., say that amount could almost double if what they believed to be unreported contributions in kind at various election events but couldn't prove are later verified.

They also found other apparent contraventions of the Canada Elections Act, including at least five instances where associated companies made donations that exceeded the normal $750 donation limit per company.

On June 24, 2008, Vaughan Council voted unanimously to hire a special prosecutor to consider laying charges against Mayor Linda Jackson under the Municipal Elections Act in reaction to the auditors' report. Council hired Timothy Wilkin, "an expert in municipal law" to decide what if any charges are to be laid. If Jackson is charged and found guilty, she would face punishments ranging from fines to removal from office.

Subsequently, an audit was conducted on former Mayor Di Biase's 2006 election campaign funds. This exposed 27 contraventions under the Elections Act, along with a $155,000 anonymous cash payment made to his lawyer to cover his legal fees. Di Biase has refused to disclose who made this payment.

On 25 October 2010, longtime MP Maurizio Bevilacqua was elected mayor and he assumed office in December 2010.

On 24 October 2022, former Ontario Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca was elected mayor; he assumed office on November 15, 2022. Del Duca is the architect of the Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law, which prohibits nuisance demonstrations within 100 metres of the property line of child-care centres, congregate care facilities, hospitals, schools and places of worship. The bylaw was unanimously approved by Vaughan Council on June 25, 2024, making it the first municipality in Canada to adopt such legislation.

Geography

Vaughan is bounded by Caledon and Brampton to the west, King and Richmond Hill to the north, Markham and Richmond Hill to the east, and Toronto — in the dissolved cities of Etobicoke and North York, to the south.

Communities and identity

The city is made up of nearly a dozen historic communities. Likely as a result of the municipality being established when it was still largely a rural area with scattered settlements, most residents (and even non-residents) identify more with the larger communities than they do with the city as a whole and have greatly expanded their areas, and the City officially designates five in the urban area as major communities, with all of the built-up areas of the city considered as being within one of them. This includes corporations such as Bell Canada, which uses the original community rate centres and lists them separately in the phone book, resulting in local calling areas being different throughout the city.

  • Woodbridge: North/South - Major Mackenzie/Steeles, East/West - Hwy 400/Hwy 50
  • Maple: North/South - King Vaughan Line/Rutherford, East/West - Bathurst/Hwy 400
  • Thornhill: North/South - Hwys. 7 and 407 (Major Mackenzie for the area west of Bathurst)/Steeles, East/West - Yonge/Dufferin
  • Concord: North/South - Rutherford/Steeles, East/West - Dufferin/Hwy 400
  • Kleinburg: North/South - King Vaughan Line/Major Mackenzie, East/West - Hwy 400/Hwy 50

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

Vaughan skyline

The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) is a 179-hectare (442 acre) city centre under development around the intersection of Highway 7 and Jane Street, at the site of the former hamlet of Edgeley.

When the Township of Vaughan officially became a town in 1971, it was made up four historic communities (Maple, Kleinburg, Thornhill and Woodbridge) large enough to have their own village or town centres. Vaughan committed to building a new business and commercial core distinct from all of them. This commitment became policy in 1998 when Official Plan Amendment 500 called for the Vaughan Corporate Centre, as it was then branded, to become a focal point for business activity and major commercial development.

It is served by the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station, which is the northwestern terminus of Line 1 Yonge–University of the Toronto subway system. It is also a major transit hub for York Region Transit (YRT), as well as Viva and Züm bus rapid transit services.

Climate

Vaughan, like much of the Greater Toronto Area, features a humid continental climate (Dfb) and has four distinct seasons.

Services

Health care

Vaughan was the largest city in Canada without a hospital until the 2021 opening of Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital on Major Mackenzie Drive north of Canada's Wonderland. Its planning began in 2007. The provincial government of Ontario approved construction of the hospital in July 2011, and a tender for bids to construct it was issued in 2014 or 2015. Land preparation for construction began in the summer of 2014. Construction on the grounds began in October 2016. The expected date of completion was late 2020. It is part of a regional hospital system with a "single governance, administration and medical staff" managed by Mackenzie Health. Officially opened on 6 June 2021, the hospital is 1.2 million square feet and has 350 beds. Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital is Canada's first smart hospital, with technology that lets medical systems and devices communicate with each other to maximize information exchange and improve patient care.

Fire services

Main article: Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Vaughan

Vaughan offers a complex transportation infrastructure, which includes highways, public transit, regional roads, municipality-funded roads, and train services.

Demographics

|1971|16,189 |1976|18,120 |1981|30,386 |1986|67,595 |1991|115,477 |1996|132,549 |2001|182,022 |2006|238,866 |2011|288,301 |2016|306,233 |2021|323,103

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Vaughan had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of . With a land area of 272.44 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

Median age as of 2021 was 41.6, on par with the Ontario median age of 41.6.

Language

According to the 2021 Census, English is the mother tongue of 45.2% of the residents of Vaughan. Italian is the mother tongue for 9.8% of the population, followed by Russian (6.0%) and Mandarin (4.0%). Each of Spanish, Persian, Cantonese, Urdu, Punjabi, Hebrew, Tagalog (Filipino), Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Korean have a percentage ranging from 2.9% to 1.3%, signifying Vaughan's high linguistic diversity.

Religion

As of 2021, most reported religion among the population was Christianity (53.1%), with Catholicism (38.6%) making up the largest denomination. This was followed by Judaism (13.2%), Islam (7.4%), Hinduism (4.8%), Buddhism (2.4%) and Sikhism (1.8%). 17.0% of the population did not identify with a particular religion.

Ethnicity

Ethnic Origin (2021)PopulationPer cent
Italian85,03026.5
Chinese27,2358.5
Jewish25,3257.9
Russian18,2455.7
Canadian17,7805.5
East Indian17,3305.4
Polish9,8853.1
Filipino9,1402.9
Portuguese8,3002.6
English8,2652.6
Vietnamese7,3052.3
Ukrainian7,0802.2
Iranian6,9352.2
Irish6,7152.1
Scottish5,8951.8

As of 2021, visible minorities make up 35.4% of the population.

Panethnic
group20212016201120062001Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Total responses321,315304,145286,300238,005181,600Total population323,103306,233288,301238,866182,022
European187,985195,830195,770174,485146,965
South Asian35,89030,61027,72520,37010,665
East Asian33,85526,42018,03513,0708,550
Middle Eastern17,62512,9759,0005,8252,250
Southeast Asian16,92015,52516,3209,6554,725
African10,5108,3257,7656,1103,580
Latin American8,3207,3606,0554,8102,165
Indigenous675630555320180
Other/Multiracial9,5406,4655,0803,3552,515
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Crime

The total crime against persons in 2017 was 619.43 per 100,000 population, with 1.49 per 100,000 being violations causing death. Organized crime also has a notable presence in Vaughan. Notable incidents include mob shootings outside the Terrace Banquet Hall in July 2013 resulting in two deaths, one of which was mobster Salvatore Calautti and the Regina Sports Café in April 2014 resulting in the death of Carmine Verduci, as well as the Woodbridge Cafe shooting at Islington Avenue and Highway 7 in June 2015. Three killings in March 2017; on March 14, a 28-year-old Vaughan woman was shot as she sat in a car parked outside of a lighting business on Caster Avenue, on March 23, a shooting of a 26-year-old Ajax man at Jane Street and Highway 7, and on March 30, a private social club shooting near Martin Grove Road and Highway 7. In April 2017, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua spoke after the third March murder, stating people "should not live in fear".

On July 18, 2019, the York Regional Police announced the largest organized crime bust in Ontario, part of an 18-month long operation called Project Sindicato that was also coordinated with the Italian State Police. York Regional Police had arrested 15 people in Canada and seized $35 million worth of homes, sports cars and cash in a major trans-Atlantic probe targeting the most prominent wing of the 'Ndrangheta in Canada (the Siderno Group), allegedly headed by Angelo Figliomeni of Vaughan. On July 14 and 15, approximately 500 officers raided 48 homes and businesses across the GTA, seizing 27 homes worth $24 million, 23 cars, including five Ferraris, and $2 million in cash and jewelry. The charges laid included tax evasion, money laundering, defrauding the government and participating in a criminal organization. The investigation was motivated by a series of violent incidents in Vaughan in 2017 according to CBC News, "including an attempted murder, drive-by shootings and arsons". The charges laid included tax evasion, money laundering, defrauding the government and participating in a criminal organization.

In response to increasing hate crimes, on June 5, 2024, Vaughan became the first municipality in Ontario to introduce a "bubble zone" bylaw that prohibits demonstrations within 100 metres of vulnerable social infrastructure, such as religious institutions, schools, child care centres, hospitals and assisted living facilities.

Culture

Attractions

Yukon Striker and Vortex at Canada's Wonderland
  • Baitul Islam Mosque, headquarters of the Canadian Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
  • Boyd Conservation Area, park located east of Islington Avenue, south of Rutherford Road
  • Cam Lo Vuong Buddhist Community Temple, at Keele Street and Teston Road
  • Canada's Wonderland, Canada's largest amusement park, located on the east side of Highway 400 between Rutherford Road and Major Mackenzie Drive
  • Cinplex Cinemas Vaughan, located near Highway 7 and Weston Road
  • City Playhouse Theatre, located at Bathurst Street and New Westminister Drive
  • Copper Creek Golf Club, located in Kleinburg
  • Dave & Buster's located near highways 400 and 7
  • Eagles Nest Golf Club, near Dufferin Street and Major Mackenzie Drive West
  • J. E. H. MacDonald House
  • Kortright Centre for Conservation, located between Rutherford Road and Major Mackenzie Drive east of Islington Avenue
  • Maple Downs Golf & Country CLub, near Dufferin Street and Elgin Mills Road West
  • McMichael Canadian Art Collection, located in Kleinburg
  • Promenade Shopping Centre, near Bathurst Street and Clark Avenue in Thornhill
  • Putting Edge, located near Weston Road and Highway 7
  • Reptilia Zoo, a 25,000 sqft Reptile Zoo and Education Centre located near Vaughan Mills and Canada's Wonderland
  • SilverCity Richmond Hill Cinemas. located near Yonge Street and Highway 7
  • The National Golf Club of Canada, located in Woodbridge
  • Vaughan Mills, a large shopping mall opened in 2004, which includes Legoland Discovery Centre

Sports

Vaughan is home to many amateur sports teams for a variety of sports, with an organization running a league for each of the four major sports. There are also rep and select levels of these sports where the Vaughan Rangers, Vaughan Panthers, and Vaughan Kings represent the city in youth hockey, the Vaughan Vikings represent the city in baseball, the Vaughan Rebels represent the city in football, and the Vaughan Panthers, and Royals United represent the city in basketball. Vaughan also has a high softball following, with the Vaughan Vikings and Woodbridge Warriors offering house league and rep opportunities, as well as and adult World Series Slo Pitch league. The city also hosts the Vaughan Flames, a youth organization exclusively for woman's hockey. The name also belonged to the former CWHL hockey team that folded in 2010. Additionally, the Vaughan Vipers formerly played in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League. In 2012, the Vipers were decommissioned and withdrew from their league.

The city is also home to numerous golf and country clubs. These include The National Golf Club of Canada, one of Canada's highest ranking golf clubs.

SportTeamLeagueYearsStadiumLeague
SoccerToronto FC IIUSL2015-2017Ontario Soccer Centre0
Vaughan AzzurriL1O2014–presentNorth Maple Regional Park2
Woodbridge StrikersL1O2014–presentVaughan Grove 10
York Region ShootersCSL1998–presentSt. Joan of Arc Turf Field3
HockeyVaughan FlamesCWHL1999-2010Vaughan Sports Village0
BasketballRoyals UnitedFIBA3x32024–presentN/A0
BRLVaughan Sportsplex II1

Soccer

Vaughan SC, Woodbridge SC and Kleinburg Nobleton SC offer house league and rep programs for youth soccer, as players for Vaughan Azzurri Woodbridge Strikers KNSC Lions respectively. These team names are also used for the city's two League1 Ontario teams. Additionally, Vaughan is home to the Ontario Soccer Association, the largest sports organization in Canada. The OSA has over 400,000 registered players, and runs leagues across the entire province. Vaughan is also home to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. Vaughan is also home to the semi-professional York Region Shooters from the Canadian Soccer League.

Prior to 2018, Vaughan also played home to Toronto FC II, the United Soccer League affiliate team for Toronto FC. Because the stadium's expansion to include more seating fell through, the team announced it would be moving to play in BMO Field/Lamport Stadium for the 2018 season.

Media

Print

Vaughan's weekly newspaper the Vaughan Citizen was first published in 2001 and has a circulation of roughly 59,000. The neighbourhood of Thornhill has its own weekly paper, the Thornhill Liberal. From 1878 to 2000 Vaughan's news was covered by The Liberal published in Richmond Hill.

Lo Specchio is an Italian-language newspaper published in Vaughan since 1984.

City Life is a Vaughan-specific lifestyle magazine published bi-monthly by Dolce Publishing since 2003.

Film

Kleinburg was once home to the Cinespace Film Studios, a centre for television and motion picture production. The popular children's TV show The Forest Rangers, starring Gordon Pinsent, was filmed here between 1963 and 1965. In 2006, the movie The Sentinel was filmed at the McMichael Art Gallery.

More recently, Vaughan City Hall has served as a film location, when it was used as the new Red Center (the Rachel and Leah Center) in season 2 of Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale. It also served as the United Federation of Planets building and Office of the President in the season 1 finale of Star Trek: Discovery.

Education

York University in North York, Ontario lies on the Toronto side of the Toronto-Vaughan border. It is a major comprehensive university, with more than 55,000 students enrolled in 11 faculties. The York University School of Medicine will open its door in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct just right beside Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital in 2028.

There are also a number of elementary and high schools in Vaughan, which operate under the York Region District School Board, the York Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French-language Catholic schools) and Conseil scolaire Viamonde (French-language public schools). There is also a Waldorf school, the Toronto Waldorf School, which offers early childhood, elementary and accredited high school programs.

The American private Catholic Niagara University runs a branch campus in Vaughan, its first university in the city. The Ontario branch of Niagara University opened a 12,000 square foot facility at Expo City in downtown Vaughan. This campus will offer Master of Science in Education and Bachelor of Professional Studies in Education programs.

Thornhill's large Jewish population lead to the establishment of several Jewish schools in the area, including Associated Hebrew Schools (Kamin branch), Bialik Hebrew Day School (Himel brach), Ohr HaEmet Sephardic School, Eitz Chaim Schools (boys branch), Netivot HaTorah Day School, Yeshivas Ner Yisroel.

Economy

Within the Greater Toronto Area, Vaughan is the third-largest employment center, after Toronto and Mississauga. With a real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $20.6 billion in 2018, it is the largest contributor (35%) to York Region's economy.

In 2018, the city was home to 12,105 businesses employing more than 222,000 people. Between 2008 and 2018, Vaughan's average annual employment growth was 3.2% and its business growth was 2.9%, exceeding provincial and national rates.

Manufacturing continues to dominate the local economy, accounting for 22% of total employment, followed by Construction (13%), Retail Trade (12%), Wholesale Trade (10%) and Transportation and Warehousing (6%). Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees account for 81% of all business establishments.

In 2018, the Accommodation and Food Services industry accounted for $295 million of Vaughan's real gross domestic product. Vaughan currently has 12 hotels and four motels with a total of 1,845 rooms. Development applications have been submitted that have the potential to add another 1,200 rooms to current supply in the coming years. Major tourism operators include Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan Mills, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the Kortright Centre for Conservation, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Reptilia, the mainstreet and village cores of Kleinburg, Thornhill, and Woodbridge.

Entrance to McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg

Construction activity, as measured by value of building permits, has exceeded the $1 billion mark in eight of the last ten years.

As of 2018, the largest employers in Vaughan are:

  • Canada's Wonderland
  • United Parcel Service (UPS) Canada
  • Canadian National Railway
  • KPMG
  • Bondfield Construction
  • Ganz
  • NPL Canada Ltd.
  • Condrain Company Ltd.
  • Ozz Electric
  • Rollstamp Manufacturing

Vaughan is home to 184 Canadian or regional headquarters, including:

  • Adidas Canada
  • GFL Environmental
  • Recipe Unlimited
  • St. Joseph Communications
  • Toys "R" Us
  • Yum! Brands

Archaeology

The Seed-Barker archeological site is a 16th-century Iroquois village on the Humber River in Vaughan. It has been used as a summer school field trip site since 1976 by the Boyd archeological field summer school for high school students. The school is sponsored by the York Region district school board in co-operation with the Royal Ontario Museum and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). In 1895, a local farmer began finding Iroquoian artifacts in the area. In 1895, Roland Orr recognized the classic ecological features favoured by the Iroquoian people for their villages: floodplains along a river, an easily defensible plateau and nearby forests. The Iroquois used the floodplains to plant maize, beans and squash, known as the three sisters. In the 1950s, University of Toronto professor Norman Emerson and the students excavated artifacts from the Seed-Baker site. Since 1975, more than a million artifacts were discovered and nineteen longhouses were excavated revealing that the village was occupied by the Iroquois from c. 1500 - 1550 AD.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Vaughan

Order of Vaughan

In 2016, to celebrate the city's 25th anniversary, Mayor Bevilacqua introduced the Order of Vaughan. This award is meant to be the highest honour bestowed by the city. Initially, 25 recipients were given the award as a reflection of the anniversary; however, the city announced in 2017 that up to ten new individuals would receive the award each year thereafter. The award is meant to recognize people in the categories of: accessibility, arts and entertainment, athletics, business, education, environment and spirituality, equity and diversity, health and wellness, media and communications, not-for-profit, philanthropy, public service, and science and technology.

Twin cities

Twin city sign with Sora, in Woodbridge
  • Sora, Italy (1992)
  • Ramla, Israel (1993)
  • Sanjō, Japan (1993)
  • Yangzhou, China (1995)
  • Baguio, Philippines (1997)
  • Delia, Italy (1998)
  • Lanciano, Italy (2002)

Notes

References

References

  1. "Place names - Vaughan". [[Natural Resources Canada]].
  2. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022-02-09). "Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Vaughan, City (CY) [Census subdivision], Ontario".
  3. Salvage excavations of nationally significant Huron sites in Vaughan continue into 2010. Cf., Gail Swainson, ''Toronto Star'', [https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/854119--first-nations-want-say-in-the-preservation-of-important-archaeological-sites-in-ontario First Nations want say in the preservation of important archaeological sites in Ontario] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-10-22 , Aug. 29, 2010; [https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/856282--thousands-of-native-remains-being-held-in-u-of-t-storage U of T basements hold thousands of remains] {{Webarchive). link. (2012-10-22 , Sept. 3, 2010; [https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/859013--first-nation-battles-for-history-in-court First Nation battles for history in court] {{Webarchive). link. (2012-10-22 , Sept. 10, 2010. See also Archaeological Services, Inc., "[http://www.iasi.to/web.nsf/resources/Site+Reports/$file/Baker+Site+Report.pdf Stage 4 Salvage Excavation of the Baker Site] {{Webarchive). link. (2013-11-10 , June 2006.)
  4. University of Toronto, Anthropology Dept., [http://anthropology.utoronto.ca/Exhibit/seedbark.htm Seed-Barker Site] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-02-29 .)
  5. Rumble, Mrs. Arnold. (1948-10-28). "Historical Notes on Maple". The Liberal.
  6. (1984). "A History of Vaughan Township Churches". Vaughan Township Historical Society.
  7. Smith, Wm. H.. (1846). "SMITH'S CANADIAN GAZETTEER - STATISTICAL AND GENERAL INFORMATION RESPECTING ALL PARTS OF THE UPPER PROVINCE, OR CANADA WEST". H. & W. ROWSELL.
  8. Reaman, G. E.. (1971). "A History of Vaughan Township". University of Toronto Press.
  9. (2009-08-20). "'Miracle no one killed' by Vaughan tornado, mayor says". Vaughan Citizen.
  10. "Relief and disbelief in Vaughan". Cnews.canoe.ca.
  11. Roberts, Rob. (2009-08-21). "Vaughan man suffers heart attack after tornado injuries; McGuinty visits damaged neighbourhood". National Post.
  12. "Youth in Politics Article".
  13. (2016-09-27). "City of Vaughan Celebrates 25 Years since Incorporation". GTA Real Estate News {{!}} Presented by Living Realty.
  14. [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/vaughan-mayor-to-face-election-financing-charges-1.738818 Vaughan mayor to face election-financing charges] CBC News 25 June 2008
  15. [https://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/448803 Vaughan mayor faces charges over election] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-10-21 Phinjo Gombu, Toronto Star 25 June 2008.)
  16. [http://www.yorkregion.com/article/96804 Former Vaughan mayor Di Biase faces 27 election-related charges] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-02-22 Caroline Grech, Yorkregion.com 17 Sept 2009)
  17. "Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law {{!}} City of Vaughan".
  18. "Vaughan–Woodbridge - Maps Corner - Elections Canada Online".
  19. (March 30, 1998). "Vaughan Corporate Centre OPA No. 500".
  20. "First Look: New TTC Map - Vaughan Metropolitan Centre".
  21. "Ontario starts planning for new hospital in Vaughan". Canhealth.com.
  22. Dobranowski, Alexis. (May 28, 2009). "Where is our hospital?". Vaughan Today.
  23. (April 27, 2007). "City of Vaughan Hospital Announcement". Councillor Alan Shefman's Ward 5 - Thornhill Update.
  24. (21 July 2011). "York Central Hospital Receives Approval to Build New Hospital in Vaughan". CNW Group Ltd..
  25. Guran, Catalina. "Early Work Preparation to Begin on Site of New Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital".
  26. Kelly, Tim. (26 October 2018). "Mackenzie Vaughan hospital reaches for the top 2 months ahead of schedule". Vaughan Citizen.
  27. "Quick Facts".
  28. "Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital".
  29. "York Region Population Growth 1971 to 2006". York Region.
  30. (January 2, 2007). "Community Highlights for Vaughan". Statistics Canada.
  31. (2007-03-13). "Community highlights for Vaughan". [[Statistics Canada]].
  32. (25 October 2017). "Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity Highlight Tables". Statistics Canada.
  33. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario". [[Statistics Canada]].
  34. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population".
  35. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2021-10-27). "Census Profile, 2016 Census".
  36. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2015-11-27). "NHS Profile".
  37. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2019-08-20). "2006 Community Profiles".
  38. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2019-07-02). "2001 Community Profiles".
  39. "Statistics Report January-December 2017". York Regional Police.
  40. Grimaldi, Jeremy. (30 December 2015). "Organized crime continues to be huge problem in Vaughan - YorkRegion.com".
  41. (July 12, 2013). "Alleged mobsters shot to death at Vaughan stag party". [[CTV News]] Toronto.
  42. (25 April 2014). "Rizzuto revenge suspected in murder of GTA mobster Carmine Verduci in Woodbridge". Toronto Star.
  43. Armstrong, James. (June 24, 2015). "Double murder in Vaughan close to 2 other café murders over last year". [[Global News]] Toronto.
  44. Kelly, Tim. (23 March 2017). "Second Vaughan killing in nine days; man shot on Hwy. 7 near Jane - YorkRegion.com".
  45. Kelly, Tim. (1 April 2017). "UPDATE: Police identify man killed outside Vaughan private club - YorkRegion.com".
  46. Kelly, Tim. (2 April 2017). "Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua speaks after third recent murder - YorkRegion.com".
  47. Herhalt, Chris. (1 April 2017). "Vaughan mayor urges residents not to 'live in fear' after 3 deadly shootings".
  48. (July 18, 2019). "Largest mafia bust in Ontario history: 15 arrests, $35 million worth of homes seized". toronto.ctvnews.ca.
  49. (July 18, 2019). "CHARGES LIST- ORGANIZED CRIME CHARGES LAID AND PROCEEDS OF CRIME SEIZED". yrp.ca.
  50. (July 18, 2019). "Project Sindacato ends in arrests of 9 members of alleged crime family in Vaughan". cbc.ca.
  51. (July 18, 2019). "Project Sindacato ends in arrests of 9 members of alleged crime family in Vaughan". CBC.
  52. (18 July 2019). "Following dirty money leads police to alleged Mafia clan north of Toronto living life of luxury". National Post.
  53. (18 July 2019). "dal Siderno Group al Crimine in Canada". Corriere del la Calabria.
  54. "Protecting Vulnerable Social Infrastructure By-law {{!}} City of Vaughan".
  55. [https://longthien.org/ Cam Lo Vuong Buddhist Community Temple]
  56. [https://www.cineplex.com/theatre/cineplex-cinemas-vaughan Cinplex Cinemas Vaughan]
  57. [https://www.vaughan.ca/explore-vaughan/city-playhouse-theatre City Playhouse Theatre]
  58. [https://www.coppercreek.ca/ Copper Creek Golf Club]
  59. [https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/canada-vaughan Dave & Buster's]
  60. [https://www.eaglesnestgolf.com/ Eagles Nest Golf Club]
  61. [https://mapledowns.com/ Maple Downs Golf & Country CLub]
  62. [https://www.puttingedge.com/locations/vaughan/ Putting Edge]
  63. [https://www.cineplex.com/theatre/silvercity-richmond-hill-cinemas SilverCity Richmond Hill Cinemas]
  64. "LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto {{!}} The Ultimate Indoor LEGO Playground".
  65. "About Us (City of Vaughan Hockey)".
  66. "Home".
  67. "Mission & Rules – Vaughan Vikings".
  68. "Vaughan Football".
  69. "Vaughan Panthers Basketball {{!}} Rep Basketball".
  70. "Royals United Basketball Club".
  71. "Vaughan World Series Slo-Pitch {{!}} ..: the sunday night league :..".
  72. "Vaughan Girls Hockey Association powered by GOALLINE.ca".
  73. Hayakawa, Michael. (2012-03-09). "OJHL decomissions Vaughan Vipers". YorkRegion.com.
  74. "2017-18 Ranking: Top 30 Courses in Canada - Golf Digest". Golf Digest.
  75. "Contact Us".
  76. "Who We Are".
  77. (2007-06-28). "Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Vaughan". YorkRegion.com.
  78. Kelly, Tim. (April 15, 2016). "Toronto FC II Aims to Take Strong Start Into Home Opener". YorkRegion.com.
  79. (2018-01-26). "Toronto FC II announce 2018 home venues". Toronto FC.
  80. (2017-04-25). "York Region : About Us {{!}} YorkRegion.com".
  81. Kelly, Tim. (February 2, 2016). "In Memoriam: Sergio Tagliavini, 80: co-founder, co-editor of Lo Specchio".
  82. (2017-07-21). "Publications {{!}} City Life Magazine Vaughan Woodbridge".
  83. (21 January 2019). "Niagara University campus opens doors to 300 students in Vaughan". yorkregion.com.
  84. (June 2005). "The "dirt" on the TRCA's archaeology program". Ontario Archaeological Society.
  85. "Vaughan celebrates 25 years".
  86. Kelly, Tim. (2016-10-21). "City reveals 25 who make cut for Order of Vaughan". YorkRegion.com.
  87. "Ten residents invested with the Order of Vaughan".
  88. "Vaughan introduces the Order of Vaughan".
  89. (August 18, 2010). "City of Vaughan Economic Development Strategy". Millier Dickinson Blais.
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Vaughan — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report