Councillor Castro Liu - Community Update - January 2022

Dear Ward 3 Residents,

Happy New Year! I wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2022.

Changes to Recreation and Culture Services in Response to Provincial COVID-19 Restrictions

To help slow the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Government of Ontario announced the province will return to the modified version of Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen, effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. for at least 21 days subject to trends in public health and health system indicators.

What’s Closing/Cancelled Effective January 5

• All community centres, pools, fitness centres and arenas will close, except for athletes training for the Olympics and Paralympics. Rental permits will be cancelled and refunded. No new permits will be issued until further notice.
• All memberships will be put on hold.
• All indoor in-person and drop-in recreation and culture programs are cancelled. Program registrants will be contacted with alternative options where available. Credits or refunds will be issued .
• Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts will close to the public, with limited exceptions for rehearsals and recorded/broadcasted performances. Refunds will be issued to those impacted.
• Heritage Centre, McConaghy Centre and Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory will close.

City staff will contact those impacted directly in the coming days with more information. We thank you for your patience as we work through these closures and cancellations.

Virtual and outdoor recreation and culture programs will continue with new offerings coming soon. Register at RichmondHill.ca/RecGuide.

What’s Open

·       Weather permitting, staff are working to open the Richmond Green skate trail as early as January 8. Details will be communicated publicly once the timing is confirmed.

• Richmond Hill Public Library branches will remain open at 50 per cent capacity. All library locations will switch to reduced hours as of January 5 and all programs will switch to a virtual format for the remainder of January. Visit rhpl.ca/reopening for more information.
• Parks, playgrounds, off-leash dog areas and trails, including our Winter Lights display at Richmond Green Park’s heritage walkway, remain open. Note that winter walking and hiking trails are slippery when snow and ice are present, so proceed with caution.
• Virtual and outdoor recreation programs will continue. Registration is open at RichmondHill.ca/RecGuide.

2022 Mayoral By-Election

Voter Information Packages will be sent in early January. Each will contain a unique Voter ID number and PIN (Personal Identification Number), as well as instructions on how to cast your ballot using the internet voting system.

Be sure to visit the "Am I On the Voters' List" page to check if you are on the Voters' List, update your information, or add your name to the list. Making sure you are on the Voters' List with complete and accurate information is the best way to ensure that you are able to vote as smoothly as possible. If you are having trouble with the "Am I On the Voters' List" page or need additional assistance, please contact the Voter Assistance Helpline at 905-771-5555.

Am I On the Voters' List?

Vote Online: January 18-24, 2022
Vote In Person: January 22-24, 2022 

Voting closes at 8 p.m. on January 24, 2022.

Internet voting will be available starting from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 18, until 8 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2022. See below for the most recent information on voting options. In-person voting will be available on Saturday, January 22, 2022 and Sunday, January 23, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), and on Monday January 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST).

2022 Dog licenses now available

Richmond Hill requires all dogs to be licensed. License tags are easy to get and cost effective. They are valid from January 1 to December 31 each year.

Purchasing or renewing your dog licence is easy:

• Online
• Richmond Hill Municipal Office at 225 East Beaver Creek Road
• Community Centres (except Richvale CC and Wave Pool, which are currently closed)
• Select local pet stores and veterinary clinics

Lose your dog tag? Purchase a replacement tag online.

To obtain a dog licence for a Service Dog, please contact us at 905-771-8890

Benefits of licensing your dog

• Supporting Richmond Hill's Animal Services. Sales of dog tags - including 100% of online dog tag sales - help fund Animal Services.  
• The Free-Ride Home program should your dog get lost.
• Keeping up-to-date with vaccinations.
• Getting access to two off leash dog areas in Richmond Hill.
• Being a responsible pet owner.

For more information: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/our-services/Animal-Licences.aspx

Regards,

Councillor Castro Liu, Ward 3

City of Richmond Hill

225 East Beaver Creek Road

Richmond Hill, ON  L4B 3P4

T: 905 771 5497 | F: 905 771 2500 | e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.