Over the past term, I have worked to make our community stronger, safer, and more resilient. We have taken action to protect the environment, enriched life through parks, recreation, and culture, and planned responsibly for sustainable growth while balancing some very real financial cost pressures and finding efficiencies in our budget to keep the costs to taxpayers as low as possible.

I have focused on ensuring City Hall remains accountable and transparent with Council working well together for our community. Together, we have supported our local economy, maintained a laser focus on expanding access to housing and much-needed social and public health programs, and empowered our youth to help shape the future. We have made real progress, and I am committed to building on that momentum for the next four years.

Safe, Inclusive, and Livable Richmond Hill

Over the past term, I have focused on making our community safer, more inclusive, and livable for everyone by strengthening public safety, celebrating our diversity, and improving quality of life for residents of all ages. We accomplished the following over the past four years:

• Supported York Region Police’s AutoGuard program which has significantly reduced car theft. I was the only York Region mayor to represent the Region at the first auto theft summit in Ottawa to push for improvements in reducing auto thefts
• Approved the York Region budget to increase York Regional Police resources which has improved community safety
• Implemented the Traffic Operations Strategy which introduced traffic calming and management measures for some Richmond Hill streets with more to be added as needed in the future
• Hosted Black History Month events to celebrate the history of residents of African Heritage in our city
• Served as honorary Chair of the Uptown Asian Festival helping celebrate our Asian community and residents in Richmond Hill
• Remained a supporter of the BATO Persian festival to celebrate our Persian community in Richmond Hill
• Served as the Vice Chair of the York Region Housing and Homelessness committee which made progress in delivering housing across York Region for those at risk of homelessness
• We implemented the Age Friendly Community Strategy to make our community a better and more accessible community for our older adult population
• Advocated for and secured $39.1 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, enabling the creation of more than 1,000 rental units, 200 of which are affordable, to increase attainable housing choices
• By achieving our housing target thresholds in 2025, Richmond Hill received $5.9 million from the provincial Building Faster Fund which will help build much-needed infrastructure and enable our City budgets to do more, with less pressure on our City taxpayers
• Through my strong advocacy, long-term care homes at Mon Sheong, Carefirst, and Schlegel Villages are moving forward so we can provide more housing and care for our seniors in Richmond Hill
• We are building the Flight PS752 memorial to demonstrate my steadfast support for families and victims of the Flight PS752 disaster which was tragically shot down over Tehran by the IRGC

Affordability and Good Governance 

Over the past term, I have focused on responsible, transparent, and accountable leadership by keeping taxes low, advocating for fair funding from Provincial and Federal governments, and restoring professionalism and accessibility at City Hall. Here are a few ways we were able to accomplish these goals:

• Advocated for Richmond Hill at the federal and provincial levels to establish a better fiscal framework for cities to help relieve pressure on property taxes
• Restored civility to Council after a challenging previous term by asking all Council members to sign a Council Pledge at the beginning of the term, fostering a more constructive and respectful environment
• Kept tax rate increases low despite significant financial pressures on the Richmond Hill and York Region budgets and eliminated the draw on City reserves 
• Through the budget process we sought opportunities to find efficiencies and savings to keep our tax increases as low as possible while continuing to deliver great municipal services
• Reinstated the Committee of the Whole meetings to allow the public more access to their local government
• Council and I approved several By-law updates from the past four years including:
  • Noise, Idling, Parks Use, Site Alteration, Signs (Phase 1 and 2), Property Standards, Clean Neighbourhoods, Animal Responsible Pet Ownership, Tree Preservation, Micromobility, Fireworks (anticipated in 2026)
  • In the coming years, the City’s Highway Obstruction, Lawn Watering, and Fence by-laws are expected to be enacted

These updates benefited from extensive public input and reflect more modern, enforceable standards that we are all expected to abide by

• Remained active on many communications channels, including a monthly e-newsletter and social media, keeping residents informed at a lower cost and higher readership rate than traditional paper newsletters

Managing Growth and Development for the Future 

Over the past term, I have focused on guiding responsible growth by planning for sustainable development, improving transit and transportation, and ensuring community care and quality of life remain at the heart of our city’s future. We are growing our local economy, expanding access to housing, much needed social and public health programs, and empowering our youth to help shape the future. Here are some of the things we accomplished in this area:

• Oversaw the new Official Plan, the first since 2010, and the Comprehensive Zoning By-law review replacing decades-old zoning by-laws and incorporating the latest provincial growth plans and legislative requirements
• Championed the Hill House Hospice lease renewal and plans for expansion to help provide more compassionate care for families and loved ones when it is needed most
• Participated in numerous consultations to advance the York North Subway Extension at Hwy. 7 and Yonge St. The progress is now becoming evident with the tunnel launch shaft completed and work on the tunnel set to begin
• We received $31 million as part of the Housing Accelerator Funding from the federal government and were able to create more than 1,000 purpose built rental units including 200 units of affordable housing to increase the supply of attainable housing
• In an effort to engage our youth, implemented the Mayor for a Day program with plans for more youth engagement in the new term
• Continued to engage and support the Youth Action committee
• Attended numerous grand openings of new Richmond Hill businesses and expansions of existing local businesses including Apotex and Amazon, and many others
• Worked to establish the Sustainability Transition Accelerator of Canada (STAC) in partnership with the United Nations University, helping our local businesses accelerate great ideas and bring those initiatives to market faster and more effectively
• Announced the opening of the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Mackenzie Health in 2025 to address the growing need for mental healthcare in our community
• Continued to advocate at the Provincial level through the Ontario Big City Mayors to increase supports, funding, and legislative changes to address the homelessness, mental health and addictions crises in Richmond Hill and across Ontario
• Supported the opening of The Schroeder Ambulatory Care Centre in Richmond Hill in 2025, providing new and innovative health care options for our residents
• Helped broker the City’s partnership with United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNUIWEH), now located in our City Hall and a valuable partner for Richmond Hill in our mission to be a model of environmental sustainability
• Proud to see Richmond Hill added 203 businesses, a 2.1% increase in 2024-25 alone, indicating steady business growth with population-serving activities, including personal services, healthcare, and professional offices
• Led numerous trade initiatives and missions including a pair to Germany (in 2025 and 2026) where we promoted Richmond Hill businesses and the City as a great destination for businesses to locate

Healthy Environment, Sustainability and Community Resilience

Over the past term, I focused on building a stronger, more sustainable, and resilient community by taking action on the environment, supporting local initiatives, and working with residents and partners to protect our city’s future. Here are few of the accomplishments:

• Advocated for Richmond Hill to become a designated Front Runner City on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals from the Urban Economy Forum
• Championed the establishment of the headquarters of United Nations Institute for Water, Environment and Health now located in our City Hall
• Became the first Mayor of Richmond Hill to be invited to speak at the United Nations in New York City, showcasing our environmental achievements
• Advocated for the establishment of a solar panel pilot project in the city to accelerate our Community Energy and Emissions Program goal of making Richmond Hill a net zero carbon community
• Organized and hosted the Sustainable Speakers Series with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, City staff, and environmental groups
• Hosted a visit and round table with David Suzuki to discuss Richmond Hill’s environmental accomplishments
• Continued to implement and monitor the City’s environmental plan
• Advocated for an EV charging strategy for Richmond Hill
• Worked with Indigenous Treaty Partners to move our community towards the goals of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Report
• Through the budget process staff and I accelerated storm pond and flood infrastructure improvements to better protect our community from flooding with almost no impact on the tax rate
• Council and I worked on the Richmond Green Master Plan to improve the park and add more recreational options and amenities
• Advanced plans to revitalize parks such Mill Pond Park that play such an important role in our lives and the identity of our city

Quality of Life Through Recreation, Culture and Arts

Over the past term, I have worked to enrich community life by expanding parks and recreation spaces, supporting arts and culture, and creating opportunities for residents to connect, stay active, and enjoy vibrant community experiences. Here are many of the accomplishments in this area:

• Championed and opened the Richmond Hill Cultural Centre Hub to support and foster our vibrant arts and culture scene
• Reinstated and expanded the Cultural Grant Program, providing more community groups with support to plan events that enrich our cultural offerings to the community and support local artists
• Advocated for the new Festival and Events strategy for the City, strengthening the festivals and cultural event offerings, creating more opportunities for citizens to enjoy
• Championed the new Dave Barrow Square scheduled to start construction in 2026. The Square will become the heart of our city and the premier civic gathering place from daily activities to major cultural gatherings
• Advanced motions to create and accelerate a pickleball hub at Richmond Green and Brodie Park. Council also approved a pickleball strategy including new courts to meet the sport’s growing popularity and demand
• Attended the grand opening of the new Bayview Hill Park and skating rink in 2025 which includes several exciting new recreational amenities including a splash pad, outdoor skating rink and pickleball courts
• Continued to work with staff on the Mill Pond Park revitalization to restore and revitalize this important and much-loved park