COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on residents, businesses and the City. Our number one priority remains the health and safety of the people who live and work in Richmond Hill.

Over the past seven weeks, we have worked hard to protect our community and staff by closing facilities and cancelling programs. Council has approved additional measures such as providing tax relief to those facing financial challenges due to COVID-19. These were the right things to do. However, the reality is they come with a cost and have put the City in a tough financial situation. While we made the difficult decision to lay off a significant number of part-time staff in early April, we are now faced with the need to take further steps to contain costs.

Beginning May 4, 2020, as many as 60 staff in non-essential functions will be temporarily redeployed to service areas in need of additional support such as parks maintenance. As well, we are reducing to a mandatory four-day work week, Monday to Thursday, for administrative staff throughout the organization. This does not include Fire and Emergency Services, By-Law Enforcement and Public Works Operations.

These decisions are not made lightly. I am proud of how our staff have stepped up to support our community throughout this challenging time. Unfortunately, the extended nature of this situation requires us to put additional measures in place to adapt our business operations and lessen the financial burden of this pandemic on our community. It is not easy, but it is the responsible path to take to help mitigate the longer-term impact of COVID-19.

Residents can be assured the City continues to be here for you and we will continue to maintain the services you rely on every day, including Access Richmond Hill which, starting next week, will be available to handle inquiries by phone and email seven days a week.

Mary-Anne Dempster
Interim City Manager

Media Contact
For more information, please contact:
Kathleen Graver, Manager, Communication Services at kathleen.graver@richmondhill.ca