Meeting today’s challenges for a better tomorrow

RICHMOND HILL – On October 27, Mayor David West delivered his 2025 State of the City Address at the Richmond Hill Board of Trade Mayor’s Luncheon, illustrating a year of progress, innovation and community building. The address provided highlights of the past year, including progress on the new pedestrian and cyclist bridge to connect our David Dunlap Observatory Park to Observatory Lane, traffic-calming solutions which have helped reduce speeding, investments in parks such as Richmond Green and the new Dave Barrow Civic Square, and the new Cultural Centre opening in the historic Old Post Office.

Mayor West emphasized that housing remains a top priority and shared the significant progress made in expanding options for seniors. Three upcoming developments will bring over 1,300 new units to the area, ranging from long-term care beds to affordable rentals and retirement suites. The Yonge North Subway Extension is also set to unlock the development potential of Richmond Hill Centre, positioning the city for smart, transit-oriented growth.

The Mayor also highlighted Richmond Hill’s global engagement. The City’s partnership with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health has led to collaborative initiatives in sustainability, micromobility and economic development. A trade mission to world’s largest industrial trade fair in Germany showcased the city’s strengths, resulting in promising opportunities for research and development collaborations and European investment in Richmond Hill.

Economic development remains a cornerstone of Richmond Hill’s success. With over 4,500 companies—including global leaders like Apotex, BMW, and Olympus—the City continues to attract and support innovation. The Small Business Enterprise Centre provided over 550 consultations, supported 81 new businesses, and helped create nearly 100 local jobs over the past year.

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“I enjoy giving this speech as it makes plain how much Richmond Hill is achieving each year through growth and innovation. Leading a City is complex work and I feel like Richmond Hill has really hit its stride this year. We are meeting today’s challenges – housing, safety, traffic, community building and economic development – for a better tomorrow. I’ll continue to advocate for all of us on the provincial, national and global stage, while keeping my focus clearly on our community.”  - Mayor David West