Vaughan wins AMO Federal Gas Tax Award

Ottawa, Ontario, August 20, 2019 – The City of Vaughan has been recognized by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for using the federal Gas Tax Fund to improve energy-efficiency at its Civic Centre Resource Library (CCRL). Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, presented the award today to Tim Simmonds, Vaughan’s Interim City Manager at the annual AMO Conference in Ottawa.

"Canadians need recreational places where they can learn and play," said Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne. "Vaughan has demonstrated its leadership in its use of the federal Gas Tax Fund to meet the specific needs of its community. Upgrades to the Civic Centre Resource Library will ensure residents will continue to benefit from this important hub for generations to come."

The CCRL is a captivating space that serves more than 20,000 people each month. Home to more than 70,000 books, the library provides a dedicated space for community learning, gathering, creating and celebration.

Vaughan invested the federal Gas Tax Fund in the building’s energy-efficient components, which helped it achieve a LEED Silver certification. Energy-saving features include LED and motion sensor lighting, efficient mechanical and electrical systems, high-performance insulation and windows, drought tolerant landscaping, low-flow plumbing, roofing that reduces heat loss and more.

"Municipal governments deliver the services that are closest to the people," said Jamie McGarvey, AMO President. "Vaughan’s Civic Centre Resource Library offers programs and resources in a modern public space, all while using less energy than traditional building models. Spaces like this help make communities healthier and local economies stronger."

"The Civic Centre Resource Library is an exceptional project that has redefined traditional expectations of libraries," said the Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, P.C. Mayor, City of Vaughan. "Through its beautiful and interesting architecture, warm and welcoming interior, thoughtful and engaging programming, as well as its innovative environmental features, this award-winning building is a highly sought-after destination for every citizen. This project demonstrates our commitment to building a dynamic and engaging city for the future. We have a subway connected to the heart of our new downtown, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre; Canada’s first state-of-the-art smart hospital, Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, will soon be complete; we recently welcomed Niagara University, the first university in Vaughan and York Region; and our 900-acre North Maple Regional Park, which is larger than New York’s Central Park, is open for the community to enjoy. I want to express my gratitude to AMO for recognizing Vaughan's Civic Centre Resource Library with this outstanding recognition."

The AMO Federal Gas Tax Award is given out each year to municipal governments that demonstrate excellence in the use of the federal Gas Tax Fund. The Awards highlight infrastructure projects that make a difference in our communities by addressing local needs, creating economic growth or achieving environmental outcomes.

The federal Gas Tax Fund is a permanent and stable source of funding for municipal infrastructure. AMO delivers the Fund directly to Ontario’s municipalities, except Toronto, twice a year, on a per capita basis. Thanks to a one-time doubling of the federal Gas Tax Fund as part of Budget 2019, AMO will administer more than $1.2 billion from the Fund this year – a major injection in Ontario’s local infrastructure that will help municipalities move forward on hundreds of projects. Learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund in Ontario at www.gastaxatwork.ca. Follow us on Twitter @GasTaxinOntario and Instagram @federalgastaxontario.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipal governments. AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada’s political system.