INSIDE THIS ISSUEEconomic Development News

Small Business Highlights

Market Indicators

Business Bulletin

DFT – ONE OF NORTH AMERICA’S LEADING DATA CENTRE PROVIDERS – CHOOSES VAUGHAN

Data drives business. The largest, most sophisticated organizations demand unique computing solutions that are efficient and flexible with no danger of power shortages or grid overloads. As such, there is an increasing need for colocation data centres to address these changing business models across a wide spectrum of sectors, particularly financial services, media/content, government and technology. That’s where DFT Data Centres comes in.

DFT is a leading owner, developer, operator and manager of multi-tenant wholesale data centres. With 12 centres throughout the United States, DFT is building its first-ever Canadian facility – branded TOR1 – in Vaughan to meet the increased demand for data centre capacity in Ontario.

“We are very excited about TOR1,” explains Geoff Ois, Canadian sales lead for TOR1. “This Vaughan location gives us access to the fourth-largest market in North America and the financial capital of Canada. More importantly, the market is underserved. Despite the rising demand for data centres in Canada, there is limited wholesale capacity with stable pricing. DFT is excited to fill this void for companies looking for secure data centre options.”

DFT is transforming the iconic Toronto Star printing facility, which closed last year when the Star outsourced printing to better focus on digital outlets. DFT will honour the paper’s legacy while offering a state-of-the-art data centre featuring the best in flexibility and performance. Representing an investment of more than CAD $54 million, TOR1 will be the first facility to utilize DFT’s latest industry-leading design, featuring perpetual power, high efficiency, superior cooling, environmental friendliness and unmatched security. TOR1 will include 711,000 square feet and 23 computer rooms – with a critical load capacity of up to 46 megawatts of power.

“DFT is a welcome addition to our growing business community and another step forward in the transformation of Vaughan,” says Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of Vaughan. “As a city that encourages innovation and opportunity, Vaughan is well positioned for a high-calibre centre like TOR1. We are pleased that DFT has chosen Vaughan for its first location outside of the USA.”

As we look to the future, it’s predicted that our society will continue to generate ever-larger amounts of data, increasing the need for processing and storage. With TOR1, DFT is building for this future. Corporations wanting to learn more about TOR1 are asked to contact Geoff Ois at 416-587-5001 or gois@dft.com.

VAUGHAN SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2017 OCTOBER 17-19

Are you an entrepreneur or aspiring to be one? You are invited to explore and create new business opportunities during Vaughan Small Business Week, Oct. 17 to 19.

The three-day event, hosted by the City of Vaughan and the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre, will kick off with a breakfast launch in partnership with the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce during which established local business owners will share their entrepreneurial journeys.

That will be followed by a peer-to-peer problem-solving session involving growth-oriented entrepreneurs exchanging ideas and insights.

There will also be a free evening with “ask-the-experts” sessions covering: legal and human resources matters, such as business structures, contracts, intellectual property, hiring and managing employees; sales and marketing to help local businesses establish a marketing plan; and accounting and finance issues, including accounting basics and grant and financing options for small businesses.

Vaughan Small Business Week is hosted by the City of Vaughan with support from the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, Costi Immigrant Services, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, RBC, BDC, Vaughan Public Libraries and Futurpreneur Canada.

Space is limited. Register online at www.vaughan.ca/VBEC

Vaughan.Business Link.

BUSINESS NEWS AND STATISTICS FROM THE CITY OF VAUGHAN FALL 2017

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua at Vaughan Small Business Week launch.

DFT is investing more than $54 million in its first Canadian data centre in Vaughan.

BusinessIncentives.

Economic DevelopmentNews.

LESS ENERGY. MORE COMPETITIVE

The Retrofit program is all about less is more.

Using less energy, spending less on electricity,

and having less waste can give your business

a competitive edge. How? By being more

efficient, more productive, more environmentally

friendly, and giving you more money to reinvest

in your business. And you can enjoy a faster

payback by getting up to 50% of project costs.

Who would have thought that upgrading

to energy efficient technologies could be

so beneficial?

There are several energy-saving projects that

can receive funding under the Retrofit program.

You only need to prove energy savings, and

your project will be considered for a cash

incentive. Projects with quick paybacks include

lighting upgrades, adding variable frequency

drives (VFDs) to motors, and upgrading your

compressed air system or fixing air leaks.

TRANSFORMING ELECTRICITY: ALECTRA PUTS ENERGY SUPPLY IN THE HANDS OF CUSTOMERS

In February 2017, the second-largest municipally owned electric utility in North America was born in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area. Four utilities – including Vaughan’s PowerStream – merged to create Alectra, an entity whose combined innovation and resources is bolstering the power grid and already helping to reduce the electricity bills of nearly one million customers.

A testament to this energy transformation sits next to Highway 400 near Major Mackenzie. Alectra’s office of innovation and sustainability, at 161 Cityview Boulevard, was Ontario’s first commercial office building to be LEED gold certified.

Along with a long list of design elements that elevated this remarkable building to such a high environmental performance level – many targeting the efficient use of water and natural sunlight – are samples of technologies Alectra is using to revolutionize the electricity industry, including a solar car port that not only helps to power electric vehicles but also delivers electricity back into the building through a microgrid.

Alectra created this independent microgrid to demonstrate a system that sustainably delivers multiple sources of clean, renewable energy. Microgrid technology can support the larger provincial grid during major power failures, reduce a residence’s or company’s carbon footprint and, above all, help customers control their own electricity supply.

“We are intent on providing new energy choices for customers, ones that go well beyond simply buying electricity from their local distributor,” said Mark Henderson, Alectra senior vice-president, Energy Solutions & Services. “Our Vaughan building illustrates the renewable energy technologies that are now possible to scale out.”

The building’s microgrid consists of a wind turbine, natural gas generator, ground-mounted solar panels, and a fleet of specialized batteries through which Alectra seamlessly controls its energy flow. All the building’s lighting, refrigeration and air-conditioning – three electrical loads – can be shifted off the traditional power grid at any time to this suite of alternative energy solutions.

An hour away, the Town of Penetanguishene has already seen the benefit of adopting Alectra’s microgrid technology, where at least 400 customers can still have electricity for hours during a local blackout.

As an important contributor to a progressive and dynamic municipality with a growing business core, Alectra’s mandate is to help Vaughan residents and businesses achieve their objectives around energy use. Since 2015, energy conservation programs in Vaughan have realized energy savings equivalent to removing 14,000 homes from the grid. Alectra’s plan for further conservation in the coming years is expected to see energy savings equal to the removal of another 20,000 homes.

Furthermore, the City of Vaughan is one of Alectra’s largest shareholders and gains additional dividend streams and economic opportunities from the commercialization of new energy technologies.

“This has been an exciting time, as Vaughan has come together with other municipalities to create a company that will provide enhanced services for customers,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, who is Chair of Alectra’s Integration Committee. “With Alectra, we have created a larger and more dynamic utility that can seize opportunities for the future. From the beginning, our focus has been on increasing value for taxpayers and reducing costs for customers. Together, we remain committed to advancing our ability to deliver reliable power safely and efficiently as we invest in technology and drive innovation.”

We even provide incentives for new equipment

that isn’t replacing anything. All you need to

do is choose the more energy efficient model,

and we calculate your savings and incentive

on the difference between the base model

and the energy efficient model. Woodbridge

distributor Mike & Mike’s Organics did exactly

that. They were looking to double the size

of their certified organic food distribution

facility, while minimizing the increase in

their electricity costs. By incorporating VFDs

and high-efficiency motors in their new

refrigeration equipment, not only did they

receive an incentive of almost $13,000 with

the Retrofit program, they also save over

$14,000 annually on their electricity bill.

To take advantage of the Retrofit program,

visit www. retrofitmybusiness.com or call

us at 1-855-215-7235 for more information.

Four utilities – including Vaughan’s PowerStream – merged to create Alectra, the second-largest municipally owned electric utility in North America.

Alectra Energy Solutions’ head office located in Vaughan provides oversight of the newly merged corporation’s solar generation, smart grid technology, sales and marketing services, meter services, street lighting maintenance, conservation and demand management services.

Small Business Highlights.

A VAUGHAN STARTUP SUCCESS STORY

Not another tutoring company, Brain Power offers unique and progressive

after-school educational programming, hosting about 1,000 of the GTA’s best

and brightest young minds from grades 1 through 12. At Brain Power, students

gather weekly in an ideal learning environment where they are immersed

in a curriculum that weaves together academic excellence with social justice

and global consciousness, preparing them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

With humble beginnings in the 1990s in their Vaughan home, a father-

daughter duo – Dr. Reuven Rashkovsky, Ph.D. and Dr. Karine Rashkovsky-

Tomas, Ph.D. – grew their mission “to provide unique curriculum, world-

class teaching, and experiential learning opportunities, all while exceeding

current educational standards and promoting a social conscience.”

Through vision and determination, Rashkovsky-Tomas eventually turned

her father’s “hobby” into a successful enterprise, opening their inspiring

eco-flagship location in 2014. Today, as founder and director of Brain Power,

Rashkovsky-Tomas is a trailblazer in supplementary educational programs,

and an entrepreneurial role model. She has received multiple awards, is

the official Education Expert for Vaughan’s Schwartz Reisman Centre (SRC),

and a Mentor for the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre located at

Vaughan City Hall.

To find out more, visit www.brainpower.ca

Regardless of the type of small business you’re growing – an innovative

creative company, a technology startup, a professional or medical

service enterprise, or otherwise – the Vaughan Starter Company Plus

program can provide you with the training, mentorship, networking

and the opportunity to apply for a provincial grant of up to $5,000

to help your business grow.

Applications for Vaughan Starter Company Plus are NOW OPEN!To apply or for more information, including eligibility requirements,

visit www. vaughan.ca/VBEC

VAUGHAN IS A MULTICULTURAL CITY

The 2016 Census data on the composition of families, households

and marital status shows that the average size of census families

(married or common-law couples with or without children, or lone

parent families) in Vaughan is 3.2 persons, higher than both the national

average (2.4 persons) and the provincial average (2.6 persons).

The Census presents a portrait of Vaughan as a family-oriented city, with

87 per cent of residents living in households consisting of two or more

people. Just over 95 per cent of people living as a couple were married.

In 2016, there were 110 same-sex couples in Vaughan.

Vaughan’s population growth is reflected in a 7.1 per cent increase in

census families, climbing 5,715 families from 2011 to a total of 86,550.

In 2016, among couple census families, 31 per cent were without children

and 69 per cent had children. The proportion of adults 20 to 34 living

with at least one parent grew to 66.6 per cent from 61.7 per cent in 2011.

Of all residents 15 and older, 59.3 per cent were married, 27.3 per cent

were single, 4.9 per cent were widowed, 5.8 per cent were divorced

or separated, and 2.8 per cent were common-law. Almost 13 per cent of

Vaughan households are one person. Nationally, single-person became

the most common household type for the first time in 2016.

The census language data reinforces Vaughan as a multicultural city,

with its residents speaking 105 languages, up from 99 reported in 2011.

There is a relatively even split between residents speaking either English

or French as a mother tongue and those speaking neither as a first

language.

The top non-official languages spoken as a mother tongue in Vaughan

in 2016 were Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Spanish and Persian (Farsi).

Mandarin made the largest gain at 254 per cent, moving from an

18th-place ranking in the 2011 census, followed by Cantonese at 47 per cent

and Persian at 38 per cent.

MarketIndicators.

TOP NON-OFFICIAL LANGUAGE MOTHER TONGUES IN VAUGHAN, 2016

MOTHER TONGUE TOTAL % OF TOTAL POPULATION

Italian 37,400 12.28%

Russian 20,685 6.79%

Mandarin 8,860 2.91%

Spanish 7,365 2.42%

Persian (Farsi) 6,605 2.17%

Cantonese 6,305 2.07%

Urdu 5,120 1.68%

Punjabi 4,760 1.56%

Tagalog 4,600 1.51%

Hebrew 4,525 1.49%Source: Census 2016

THE VAUGHAN STARTER COMPANY PLUS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

SMALLBUSINESSES

CREATIVEENTREPRENEURS

TECHNOLOGYSTARTUPS

PROFESSIONALSERVICE

ENTREPRENEURS

In partnership with:

Printed in Canada © City of Vaughan 2017

CITY OF VAUGHAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE SERVICES2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L6A 1T1 tel: 905-832-2281 • email: ecdev@vaughan.ca • web: vaughan.ca

STAY INFORMED.Subscribe to the Economic Development e-News! Send an email with the subject line “Sign me up for e-News!” to ecdev@vaughan.ca

CITY OF VAUGHAN APPOINTS NEW LOCAL AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR

City of Vaughan Council appointed Sunder Singh as the new local and regional councillor at a special council meeting on June 28. Councillor Singh has extensive leadership experience and has been an active member of the Vaughan community for many years.

Prior to the appointment, Ms. Singh had been serving as the executive director of the Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women. While there, she introduced the Reduce Abuse program aimed at making a difference in the lives of thousands of newcomer, immigrant and refugee women facing domestic violence. The program was awarded the Mayor’s Community Safety Award in 2011, the Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction in 2015 and Leading Women Building Communities Award in 2016.

Ms. Singh was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award in 2012 in recognition for her outstanding commitment to the community.

A total of 53 people submitted applications to fill the vacant seat on council. The term of this position is from the date of the appointment to the end of the current term of council on Nov. 30, 2018.

BE INVOLVED. BE INFORMED. LEARN ABOUT THE BUDGET.

The City of Vaughan wants to hear from you about the property tax and water budgets.

n Come to a budget meeting at City Hall at 7 p.m.: • November 6, 13, 27 and December 11

• Watch live on vaughan.ca

n Fill out the feedback form at www.vaughan.ca/budget

n Comment on social media using #vaughanbudget2018

n Email: budgeting@vaughan.ca

n Phone: 905-832-8610

For more information, visit www.vaughan.ca/budget

CONTRACTORS REQUIRE A LICENCE TO OPERATE IN VAUGHAN

Did you know all renovators, fence installers, pavers, landscapers and pool installers operating in Vaughan are required to be licensed?

Learn more and find out how to get a licence at www.vaughan.ca/BusinessLicensing

BusinessBulletin.

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IT’S EASY TO FILE YOUR ACCESSIBILITY COMPLIANCE REPORT

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was passed in 2005, with the goal of making Ontario accessible by 2025.

Businesses with one or more employees need to be compliant with Ontario’s accessibility laws. Additionally, a critical deadline is approaching for businesses with 20 or more employees.

If your business has 20 or more employees, you are legally required to file a 2017 accessibility compliance report by December 31, 2017.

The compliance report is a series of yes or no questions. You are asked to download a quick and easy accessibility compliance reporting form at www.ontario.ca/AccessibilityReport

What is Accessibility?It simply means giving people of all abilities opportunities to participate in everyday life. One in seven people in Ontario has a disability. That’s 1.65 million Ontarians. By 2036, that number will rise to one in five as Ontario’s population ages. Businesses that are accessible will be able to better reach this massive segment of Ontario’s consumers. Being inclusive benefits our society, businesses and economy.

WE CAN HELP: There are additional resources to assist organizations in meeting Ontario’s accessibility laws. For a complete list of your requirements, tools, resources and templates, visit www.ontario.ca/accessibility. Organizations can find help by phone or email at:

n Phone: 1-866-515-2025

n TTY: 1-800-268-7095

n Email: accessibility@ontario.ca

n www.ontario.ca/accessibility

TTC LINE 1 EXTENSION OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, Oct. 28

Pioneer Village, Highway 407 and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Stations

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) cordially

invites the public to preview the three most

northerly subway stations on the Line 1 extension

on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Line 1 extension was jointly funded by

the Government of Canada, the Province of

Ontario, the City of Toronto and The Regional

Municipality of York.

Tour inside Pioneer Village, Highway 407 and

Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Stations before the

start of subway service on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017.

Visitors and future riders will have access to

the stations, may take a self-guided tour,

discover unique facts about the new stations,

how they were built and how they will operate.

They can also talk to project staff and artists,

architects, designers, construction and subway

systems staff and some of our neighbours.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Shuttle bus service will be

offered by TTC from Sheppard West Station’s

bus terminal (formerly Downsview Station) to

Pioneer Village Station and regular fare rates will

apply. Sheppard West Station is located at 1035

Sheppard Ave. West and free parking is available

on weekends. Details about station accessibility

will be available closer to the Open House date.

YRT/Viva will offer free shuttle bus service from

Pioneer Village Station to and from Highway 407

and VMC Stations.

For more project information, contact the

Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension at:

n Phone: 1-800-223-6192 (live operator 24/7)

n Email: tysse@ttc.ca

n www.spadina.ttc.ca

From Left: Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman; Ward 1 Councillor Marilyn Iafrate; Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Mario Ferri; Regional Councillor Sunder Singh; Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; Regional Councillor Gino Rosati; Ward 3 Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca; Ward 2 Councillor Tony Carella; Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco