My Plan For Keeping Jobs In Vaughan and Growing Vaughan's Economy

A strong local economy creates jobs, supports families and helps keep property taxes affordable.

Vaughan has become one of the GTA's leading economic centres, attracting businesses, investment and employment opportunities. But the next four years must focus on helping local businesses succeed, reducing red tape, protecting employment lands and ensuring the next generation can build their future right here in Vaughan.

The best way to reduce pressure on homeowners is to grow the economy, expand the commercial tax base and create more high-quality jobs.

I have done this before. Throughout my career in the public service, I did not just talk about growing Vaughan's economy. I helped support employment land development, attract investment, expand transportation infrastructure and strengthen Vaughan's position as one of the GTA's leading economic centres. Now I want to reduce red tape, support local businesses, create opportunities for entrepreneurs and ensure the next generation can find great jobs and build successful careers right here in Vaughan.

What Has Been Achieved Over The Last Four Years

• Launched Vaughan’s 2024-2027 Economic Development Action Plan, establishing a four-year strategy to help businesses grow, attract investment, promote living-wage jobs and strengthen Vaughan’s main streets, employment centres and industrial corridors. Advancing and future-proofing Vaughan’s economy vaughan.ca
• Earned recognition as one of Canada’s Best Locations for economic growth and investment. In 2025, Vaughan was home to more than 19,700 businesses and more than 220,000 jobs, representing 35 per cent of York Region’s employment. Vaughan recognized as one of Canada’s Best Locations vaughan.ca
• Grew Vaughan’s real economic output to more than $25.5 billion in 2023, outpacing provincial and national growth rates. Vaughan’s economy continues to grow vaughan.ca
• Tracked 23 major business investments representing more than three million square feet of commercial and industrial space, while supporting more than 60 companies exploring investment opportunities in Vaughan. Vaughan’s economy continues to grow vaughan.ca
• Supported thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses through advice, training, mentorship and grants. In 2025, the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre completed 1,079 consultations, responded to 4,583 inquiries and invested $227,000 through the Starter Company Plus and Summer Company programs. Vaughan powers local business growth vaughan.ca
• Advanced Vaughan’s MedTech, life sciences, automotive and mobility-innovation sectors, including launching five Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network Demonstration Zone projects to test innovative transportation technologies. Strengthening Vaughan’s economy vaughan.ca
• Advanced employment-land and commercial-land planning through the new Vaughan Official Plan process, addressing long-term employment growth, commercial development and future land requirements. Shaping the future of Vaughan vaughan.ca
• Improved transportation and transit connections serving businesses and employment areas, including routes serving employers in the Vaughan Enterprise Zone and near Jane Street and Teston Road, while advancing major road, bridge and active transportation projects. Vaughan’s economy continues to grow and Advancing Vaughan’s transportation network vaughan.ca, vaughan.ca

My 6-Point Jobs & Economic Opportunity Plan

The Next Four Years

1Create a Vaughan Small Business SWAT Team

Starting and growing a business should not mean fighting City Hall.

I will establish a dedicated Small Business SWAT Team, a concierge office to help entrepreneurs navigate permits, licensing, inspections, and municipal approvals through a single point of contact.

Goal Cut red tape and help businesses open faster. Make Vaughan the easiest municipality in York Region to do business with.

2Launch a Main Street Vaughan Revitalization Program

Strong local businesses need strong local destinations. I will launch a Main Street Vaughan initiative focused on:

• Woodbridge;
• Kleinburg;
• Maple;
• Thornhill; and,
• Concord Village.

The program will include façade improvement grants, beautification projects, streetscape upgrades, patio improvements, public art and business promotion initiatives.

Goal Create vibrant main streets that attract customers, investment, and tourism.

3Protect Jobs Through an Employment Lands Protection Strategy

Employment lands should create jobs, not disappear.

I will champion a formal Employment Lands Protection Strategy to ensure Vaughan continues attracting:

• advanced manufacturing;
• logistics;
• technology;
• life sciences; and
• innovation industries.

Goal Protect existing jobs and create new opportunities for future generations.

4Create Vaughan's Skilled Trades & Youth Opportunity Program

Too many young people leave Vaughan to find opportunities elsewhere.

I will advocate for Vaughan to partner with local employers, unions, colleges, and school boards to create:

• apprenticeship fairs;
• skilled trades scholarships;
• internship opportunities;
• co-op placements; and,
• youth job matching programs.

Goal Connect young residents with local careers and skilled trades opportunities.

5Make Vaughan the Best Place in Ontario to Open a Business

I will establish guaranteed timelines and annual performance targets for:

• business licences;
• site plan approvals;
• building permits;
• inspections; and,
• occupancy approvals.

Just as we are proposing service guarantees for residents, businesses deserve service guarantees too.

Goal Fast, predictable approvals that attract investment and create jobs.

6Create the Vaughan Innovation & Entrepreneurship Network

Vaughan should be a place where entrepreneurs launch businesses and grow them.

I will bring together local businesses, educational institutions, start-ups, innovation hubs and investors to support entrepreneurship, business growth and job creation.

Goal Turn Vaughan into one of the GTA's leading centres for innovation and entrepreneurship.

My Commitment

Throughout my career, I have understood that strong communities require strong local economies.

The best way to reduce pressure on homeowners is to increase the number of businesses helping pay for municipal services.

I will continue supporting commercial investment, employment growth and business expansion opportunities that grow Vaughan's commercial tax base.

Over the last four years, Vaughan continued attracting investment, advancing employment opportunities and expanding infrastructure needed to support economic growth. Over the next four years, I will focus on supporting local businesses, protecting employment lands, reducing red tape and creating opportunities for every generation to live, work and succeed in Vaughan.

More Jobs. Stronger Businesses. Greater Opportunity.