Past Engagement

Phase 1 Visioning and Background Studies

Thank you to everyone who participated in Phase 1! The feedback received will be used to guide the direction of the next phases of the Official Plan.

To see the engagement events completed in Phase 1, please check out the Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report now by visiting this link here or viewing the document in the Document Library located on the right-hand side of the page.

If you are interested in viewing recordings of the Webinar Series please see links below for the recordings.

• Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation | April 20, 2022 | Recording
• Affordable Housing | April 27, 2022 | Recording
• Placemaking | May 9, 2022 | Recording
• Healthy Communities | May 12, 2022 | part 1 Recording and part 2 Recording

Phase 2 Policy Directions

To see the engagement events completed in Phase 2, please check out the Phase 2 Engagement Summary Report now by visiting this link here or viewing the document in the Document Library located on the right-hand side of the page.

The Project Team hosted three Virtual Public Open Houses in November 2022. Interested in viewing the Virtual Public Open House? Please follow the link here to watch a recording of the November 14, 2022 Virtual Public Open House.

• November 14, 2022, from 6pm to 8pm | Recording

Community sessions took place in all Wards throughout June in various Vaughan community centres:

• Ward 1 community session was held at the Pierre Berton Heritage Centre on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Ward 2 community session was held at the Al Palladini Community Centre on Monday, June 5, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #1
• Ward 3 community session was held at the Vellore Village Community Centre on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #2
• Ward 4 Community session was held at the North Thornhill Community Centre on Monday, June 12, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room A
• Ward 5 community session was held at the Dufferin Clark Community Centre on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Activity Room #1

Part A OPA Engagement

On Sept. 26, 2023 the City hosted an Open House where participants were able to speak to the City planners updating the Vaughan Official Plan. The Open House was held at the Maple Community Centre from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A notice for the Public Open House can be found here - Part A OPA Public Open House Notice.

The City of Vaughan hosted a Public Meeting for Part A OPA on Oct. 3, 2023. The Public Meeting was held at Vaughan City Hall, Council Chamber, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive at 7 p.m.

A notice for the Public Meeting can be found here - Part A OPA Public Meeting Notice. The notice was published on September 8, 2023 and contains additional details regarding participation and the purpose of the application.

Part 3 Engagement

About the Project

Vaughan is Growing and Evolving

Vaughan's communities are constantly growing and changing. Vaughan is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada with a population of 340,700 people and 240,100 jobs in 2021. Vaughan's forecasted growth will account for almost one-third of the region's growth over the next three decades. It is important the City plans for new growth in a way that is strategic, thoughtful, appropriate and aligned with what our residents and businesses value most.

The Official Plan is a strategic planning document that establishes a policy framework to guide the physical, social, environmental and economic development of the city. It is a document that:

• Implements goals, objectives and land use policies to serve the city's communities
• Directs density, housing supply, protection of environmental features and agricultural areas, cultural heritage preservation and more
• Guides growth and development to implement the vision for the city's long-term evolution

Updating the Vaughan Official Plan

The updated Official Plan must conform with new Provincial policies and plans, including the Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and 2051 growth targets for people and jobs. It must also conform with the York Region Official Plan which was approved by the Province on November 4, 2022.

For more information, please check out the FAQ!

The Official Plan Process

The Planning Act is Provincial legislation that sets out the ground rules for land use planning in Ontario. The Planning Act requires municipalities to update their official plans every five to ten years to ensure the plan implements any changes to Provincial policies and plans. The Vaughan Official Plan is being updated to conform to the updated Provincial and Regional policies and plans that direct growth and development in Ontario, including the Provincial Policy Statement, Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and the York Region Official Plan.

In addition to updating the Official Plan to meet Provincial and Regional requirements, municipalities can also update and create policies that enhance the quality of life and better meet the needs of current and future residents, visitors, and businesses.

Policy Directions Report

In February 2023, the City released the Policy Directions Report. The policy directions are being used to inform policy development in the updated Official Plan.

The Policy Directions Report can be reviewed via the link below. Any comments to be considered in future policy work can be submitted using the Ideas Tool, or by sending an e-mail to opmanager@vaughan.ca. Access the Policy Directions Report February 2023 - Full Report

Background Studies

Staff Reports

Special Council Meeting - Statutory Initiation of the Official Plan Review - October 13, 2021