what matters most | PROTECTING RESIDENTS’ WALLETS
Fiscal Prudence and Proven Savings: Protecting Your Wallet with Banking Expertise
A Watchdog at City Hall
Vaughan families are paying enough. In an era of rising costs and economic uncertainty, Gino Rosati believes that the City must live within its means, just like the residents it serves.
Gino doesn’t just “vote” on budgets, he applies his professional banking background to scrutinize every line item, ensuring that service levels remain high while taxes stay amongst the lowest in the GTA.
01
Delivering a 0% Property Tax Increase
Gino Rosati understands that cost-of-living relief is the top priority for Vaughan families.
- Frozen City Property Taxes: Gino has consistently fought for the Lowest Tax Increases while maintaining all essential services every budget year – Council approved a 0% City Property Tax increase for 2026. Vaughan stands as the only municipality in York Region and the GTA to achieve this milestone.
- Fiscal Prudence Over Inflation: While inflation has pressured many municipal budgets, Gino has consistently pushed for re-examination and cost reductions to ensure your tax bill doesn’t exceed the
rate of inflation.
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The Banking Edge: Smarter Funding for Major Projects
Major infrastructure requires major capital, and Gino’s “banking smarts” have saved Vaughan taxpayers millions.
- Vaughan Healthcare Precinct Savings: Gino used his banking experience to lead the procurement of the hospital lands at the best possible price.
- Leveraging City Reserves: Instead of high-interest external loans, Gino advocated for borrowing the necessary $80 million from City reserves to fund hospital land acquisition. This strategy
avoided millions in interest costs and has already been fully repaid, removing the burden from the property tax bill much sooner than originally proposed. - “The Voice” for Accountability: Gino hasn’t been afraid to stand alone when he felt a project’s costs were excessive – or whether it was needed at all. He was a critical voice in questioning the scale and cost of the Vaughan Operations Centre, ensuring that capital projects are built for need, not for show.
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Strategic Long-Term Planning
Fiscal responsibility isn’t just about this year’s budget; it’s about the next decade.
- Development Charge Reduction Doubles Return: Gino voted to lower Development Charges to stimulate badly needed Housing Construction in Vaughan. This unlocked $697.2 million in Provincial and Federal funds recognizing Vaughan Council’s leadership. This will help build more homes and community infrastructure – projects that lower costs for families, and Keep Vaughan Moving.
- Revenue Stability: By incentivizing smart economic development, Gino is diversifying the city’s tax base, ensuring that businesses contribute their fair share and reducing the pressure on residential
homeowners. - Reducing Seniors’ Burden: Gino has worked collectively toward eventually eliminating the Education component of residential taxes for seniors, recognizing that those on fixed incomes need the most protection.
The Expertise to Guard Your Money
Managing a multi-billion dollar Municipal and Regional budget requires a professional level of financial literacy. Gino Rosati has the Proven Experience fostered during a career in banking and the Practical Results of delivering the Hospital Project plus a zero-percent tax increase to prove he is the fiscal watchdog Vaughan needs.
PROTECTING YOUR WALLET: Frequently Asked Questions
A: It’s about choices: every year I scrutinize each department for operational efficiencies and innovation. By using a “banking smart” approach, I prioritized essential services and safety while deferring non-critical projects. Vaughan is currently the only municipality in the GTA to deliver this for its residents.
A: When the City borrows from external lenders, we pay high interest. For the hospital land procurement, I advocated for borrowing internally from our own reserves. This saved millions of dollars in interest that would have otherwise been paid to a bank. Those savings stay in the City to fund services, and the loan has already been fully repaid – early.
A: Regional services such as York Regional Police(YRP), Transit(YRT) and Social Services are the largest drivers of the Property Tax bill – YRP is the largest single cost and its budget was increased by 13% in 2026 for 56 additional Front-line officers allocated to Community Safety. I continue to push at the Regional level for the same level of fiscal prudence we have achieved in Vaughan.
WHAT YOUR VAUGHAN TAX DOLLAR PAYS FOR
Vaughan’s “0% tax increase” applies to the City’s 27% portion only – Regional and Education taxes are set separately
18¢ – Recreation, By-law & Animal Services
Community centres, parks programs, swimming lessons, enforcement, animal services
17¢ – Fire & Emergency Services
Firefighters, emergency response, fire prevention & safety
65¢ – Core City Services
Roads & Snow Clearing, Waste collection, Libraries (6¢), Infrastructure, Parks, Planning & more
Your taxes no longer pay for recycling—but they still fund garbage and other waste services.
BIG PICTURE: YOUR FULL PROPERTY TAX BILL
Where your total tax dollars go:
53% – York Region
Police, transit, social services, major infrastructure
27% – City of Vaughan
Local services (shown above)
20% – Education (Province)
School boards and education funding
York Region 2026 Tax Dollar Breakdown
For every $1 of York Region property tax:
32¢ – Police Services
York Regional Police (largest single cost)
YRP 2026 budget increases 13% for 56 frontline officers specifically allocated to enhance Community Safety & Response times.
30¢ – Public Works
This is the big one people misunderstand—it includes:
- Roads
- Transit (YRT/Viva subsidy)
- Waste management
- Transportation infrastructure
20¢ – Community & Health Services
Public health, housing, social services, long-term care
~18¢ – Other Services & Reserves
Paramedics, planning, administration, debt, reserves
The largest drivers of your property tax bill are Regional services—especially police, transit, and social services
For more information on the budget, visit vaughan.ca/budget
Advance Poll October 9-18
ONLINE ONLY – OPT-IN TO VOTE EARLY…
Funding by Supporters like You is Crucial.
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