My Plan For Improving Quality of Life For All Vaughan Residents

For more than 50 years, my life's work has been helping people build stronger communities.

Before entering politics, I spent 27 years leading community organizations that served children, youth, seniors and families. Throughout my time on Vaughan Council, I helped establish initiatives such as the Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative (SAVI), the La Rocca Youth Bursary, MapleFest and numerous programs that strengthen community connections and improve quality of life for Vaughan residents. marioferri.ca, vaughan.ca

The next four years must focus on making life more affordable, more connected and more enjoyable for residents of all ages.

I have done this before. Over the past term of Council, I did not just talk about building strong communities. For decades, I have worked with youth, seniors and families to create the programs, events and organizations that help make Vaughan a great place to live. Over the last four years, Vaughan continued investing in parks, recreation, libraries, trails and community facilities. Now I want to make recreation more affordable, support seniors and youth and strengthen the community connections that make Vaughan special.

What Has Been Achieved Over The Last Four Years

• Opened the Carrville Community Centre, Library and District Park, delivering two swimming pools, a gymnasium, fitness and dance spaces, a new library, splashpad, sport courts, walking track and programs for residents of all ages and abilities. Carrville Community Centre, Library and District Park opens vaughan.ca
• Advanced Vaughan’s Community Spaces Plan, undertaking long-term planning for parks, recreation and library facilities based on current needs and future growth. Planning for future parks, recreation and library services vaughan.ca
• Advanced new parks and playground improvements, including a modern playground, shaded seating, pathways and renewed bocce courts at Sports Village Park. New recreation and play amenities at Sports Village Park vaughan.ca
• Delivered more than 70 Culture Days events in 2024, helping Vaughan rank fifth overall and second among small municipalities participating across Canada. Vaughan’s Culture Days celebration ranks among Canada’s best vaughan.ca
• Expanded active transportation infrastructure, with more than 11 kilometres of new cycle tracks and multi-use pathways opened in 2023 and 29 kilometres of existing pathways and trails updated with pavement markings and signage. Creating more places to walk or ride in Vaughan vaughan.ca
• Opened the Major Mackenzie West Bus Terminal, expanding transit options and improving connections to jobs, businesses, community destinations and healthcare services at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. Major Mackenzie West Bus Terminal opens vaughan.ca
• Expanded youth recreation and engagement opportunities, including more than 50 free activities at 10 community centres and the Vaughan Studios & Event Space during Vaughan Youth Week in 2025. Vaughan Youth Week programming vaughan.ca
• Approved Vaughan’s first Urban Forest Management Plan and secured nearly $2 million to plant more than 2,900 native trees and 2,700 seedlings, supporting the goal of increasing Vaughan’s tree-canopy coverage from 20 per cent to 25 per cent by 2051. Vaughan’s first Urban Forest Management Plan and Planting more trees in Vaughan vaughan.ca, vaughan.ca

My 7-Point Quality of Life Plan

The Next Four Years

1Cut Recreation Fees by 10%

Families are facing rising costs everywhere.

I will reduce City recreation program fees by 10% and undertake a comprehensive review of recreation pricing to ensure programs remain affordable and accessible.

This includes:

• Swimming lessons
• Fitness programs
• Community programs
• Summer camps
• Sports programs
• Seniors' programs

Goal Make recreation more affordable for families, youth and seniors.

2End the Recreation Registration "Hunger Games"

Every registration season, families experience frustration trying to secure spots in recreation programs.

Parents should not have to compete online for seconds to obtain swimming lessons or community programs.

I will modernize Vaughan's recreation booking platform by:

• Improving system capacity and reliability
• Creating fairer registration processes
• Implementing waitlist optimization
• Enhancing resident access and user experience
• Exploring priority access models for Vaughan residents

Goal Fair access to recreation programs for all residents.

3Deliver Universal Public Wi-Fi in Parks and Community Facilities

In today's connected world, internet access is no longer a luxury.

I will work toward providing free public Wi-Fi across:

• Community centres
• Libraries
• Major parks
• Sports fields and recreation facilities
• Civic spaces and gathering places

Goal Improve accessibility, connectivity, and convenience for residents, students, seniors and families.

4Create a Seniors First Strategy

Vaughan's seniors built our community and deserve our support.

I will champion a Seniors First Strategy focused on:

• Expanded seniors programming
• Age-friendly public spaces
• Improved accessibility
• Wellness initiatives
• Greater support for seniors' organizations
• Enhanced opportunities for social connection

Goal Make Vaughan the most age-friendly municipality in York Region.

5Invest in Youth, Sport, and Recreation

Strong communities begin with opportunities for young people.

I will support:

• Expanded recreation opportunities
• New sports facilities where needed
• Youth leadership initiatives
• Mentorship opportunities
• Partnerships with community organizations
• Programs that encourage participation and healthy living

Goal Give every young person the opportunity to participate, grow and succeed.

6Expand Community Spaces and Programs

As Vaughan grows, our community infrastructure must grow with it.

I will continue advocating for:

• Additional recreation and community space
• Expanded programming
• Support for cultural organizations
• More opportunities for volunteers
• Community-building initiatives that bring residents together

Goal Strengthen the sense of community that makes Vaughan special.

7Build a More Connected Community

Strong communities are built when neighbours know one another, residents are engaged, and people of all ages feel connected to the place they call home.

For more than 50 years, community-building has been at the heart of my work. Long before entering politics, I spent 27 years serving children, youth, seniors and families through community organizations. Throughout my career, I have supported initiatives that bring people together, strengthen neighbourhood pride and create opportunities for residents to connect.

I will continue supporting:

• More neighbourhood festivals, street events and community celebrations;
• Expanded volunteer recognition and community volunteer programs;
• Inter-generational initiatives that bring seniors and youth together;
• Additional community gathering spaces and programming opportunities;
• Partnerships with cultural, religious, charitable and community organizations; and,
• Community-building initiatives that strengthen neighbourhood identity and civic pride.

A great city is more than roads, buildings, and infrastructure. It is the connections between people that make a community special.

Goal Strengthen community connections, expand civic engagement, and build a stronger sense of belonging across Vaughan.

My Commitment

Long before I entered politics, I dedicated my career to serving children, youth, seniors, and families.

That commitment has guided my work for decades and continues today.

Over the next four years, I will focus on making recreation more affordable, improving access to community programs, supporting seniors, investing in youth and strengthening the quality of life that makes Vaughan one of Canada's best places to call home.

Affordable Recreation. Strong Communities. Exceptional Quality of Life.