Welcome

In January,  there are important dates acknowledged by the Ontario government (https://www.ontario.ca/laws) including:

• Tamil Heritage Month

From Community level:

• A community safety event is scheduled on Jan 30, 2026 Friday at Elgin West CC

From City level:

• Richmond hill launches property tax customer portal: https://propertytax.richmondhill.ca/ords/r/prod/tax-portal/login
• Firework bylaw survey: https://RichmondHill.ca/Bylaws.

From Regional level:

• The York Regional Police Service Board and the York Regional Police Service are seeking feedback from community members through this survey as part of their strategic planning process.

Thank you!

Simon Cui

Richmond Hill Ward 4 Councillor

Cellphone: 437-326-0206

Website: https://simoncui.ca

Email: simon.cui@richmondhill.ca

Chapter 1 Incoming Events in February 2026

Jan 31-Feb 1: Emerging Directions

Richmond Hill, ON —  Hill Potters’ Guild of Richmond Hill is proud to present Emerging Directions, a dynamic exhibition showcasing the work of ten Guild members who participated in an intensive, year-long mentorship program designed to foster artistic growth, innovation, and creative excellence in ceramics. Led by renowned Canadian ceramicist Angelo di Petta, the mentorship challenged participating artists to push beyond their established practices and explore new techniques, conceptual approaches, and artistic directions. Through guided critique, experimentation, and sustained creative inquiry, each artist developed a fresh body of work that reflects both personal growth and a broader evolution of contemporary ceramic practice.

Date:

• Friday 6pm-9pm
• Saturday 11am-8pm
• Sunday 12pm-4pm

Address: Boynton House, 1300 Elgin Mills Rd. E, (at Richmond Green Park), Richmond Hill

Feb 1 Sunday: RHGA Member Gallery Show and Sale - Inkspots

This special art exhibit is part art show and part educational experience. It will feature eight different artists and approximately twenty-five ink paintings. These paintings are made using homemade inks from materials commonly found in your kitchen compost such as avocado pits, yellow onion skin, and grape vines. You will be amazed at the variety of rich harmonious coloured inks that can be made for free from discarded materials. Visit, discover, and learn what colours can be made from compost materials and homemade inks.

Sunday, February 1, 2026 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Address: Mill Pond Gallery, 314 Mill Street, Richmond Hill, L4C 4B5

Feb 7 Saturday: 57th Annual Richmond Hill Winter Carnival

The 57th Richmond Hill Winter Carnival returns Sat and Sun, Feb. 7 and 8, 2026 at Mill Pond Park, Mill and Trench sts! Enjoy children’s games and crafts, the amazing wood carver, children’s colouring contest, birds of prey displays, live entertainment, hot drinks, food trucks, photos with Ookpik, Saturday afternoon wing-eating contest and spaghetti dinner and, of course, the traditional and popular Sunday pancake breakfast. Meet new carnival friends, Labubu and Chase from Paw Patrol and rare black-faced sheep from Aberdeen Acres. Enjoy selfie/Instagram stations, trackless train rides, snowshoe fun and many other family-friendly activities!

Admission is free; purchase a $3 carnival button to win fun prizes and support our volunteer-run carnival. Free parking is available on Trench Street, in the east Mackenzie Health Hospital lot.

• Saturday, February 7, 2026 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
• Sunday, February 8, 2026 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Address: Mill Pond Park, Mill and Trench streets, Richmond Hill

Feb 14 : Anne in Costume - Exhibit

In celebration of iconic Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, this exhibit showcases costume designs inspired by her beloved novel Anne of Green Gables. The featured reproductions are of original designs by award-winning costume designer Martha Mann, on loan from the Toronto Public Library's Special Collections in the Arts. Presented alongside artifacts from the Richmond Hill Artifact Collection, this exhibit invites visitors to explore how storytelling, design and heritage come together to shape cultural memory—offering inspiration that continues to resonate across generations.

Now accepting requests to book an exhibit tour or discovery package for school and youth service groups. On display at the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre until March 21, 2026.

Saturday, February 14, 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Gallery Hours:

• Tuesdays 1 – 4 p.m.
• Thursdays 4 – 8 p.m.
• Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Address: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church St North, L4C 3E6

Feb 16 Monday :  Ice Skating Spring Festival Gala

February is Ontario's Chinese Heritage Month, celebrating the significant contributions of Chinese Canadians to society, the economy, politics, and culture. On Monday, February 16, 2026 (Family Day), the Toronto Youth Ice Skating Spring Festival Gala will be held at the Elgin Barrow Arena in Richmond Hill. 

This event will cleverly blend competitive ice sports with traditional Chinese culture, presenting a unique ice cultural feast to the audience amidst the festive atmosphere of the Year of the Horse. Families, ice sports enthusiasts, and those who love Chinese culture can all experience the unique charm of ice and snow merging with the spirit of the New Year. Performances include competitive figure skating (men's singles, women's singles, and pairs ice dance), specially choreographed dances (such as "Ten Thousand Horses Galloping"), Chinese animation-themed programs, a performance by the University of Toronto figure skating team, ice Peking Opera, and interactive lucky bag distribution by the God of Wealth/Ambassador. Due to limited parking, please park in nearby parking lots or at the Arts Centre.

Date: February 16, 2026 (Monday, Family Day) 1 PM - 4:30 PM

Location: ELGIN BARROW ARENA (43 CHURCH ST S)

Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventgo.ca/event/2026-1000400031903

Feb 28 Saturday: Traditional Chinese Ink-Brush Painting

Discover the beauty and simplicity of Traditional Chinese Brush Painting, “the art of painting with the spirit.” This ancient art form uses brush, ink, and rice paper to capture the feeling or essence of a subject rather than every detail. Artist Meng (Pauline) Li will guide you step-by-step as you paint simple yet graceful nature scenes.

Register for Traditional Chinese Ink-Brush Painting with Meng (Pauline) Li: https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/richmondhill/activity/search/detail/136433?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Address: Rouge Woods CC - Aspen Room B

Chapter 2 Community, City and Regional Service Changes 

City Services:

RICHMOND HILL LAUNCHES PROPERTY TAX CUSTOMER PORTAL 

Richmond Hill – Richmond Hill is launching an online Property Tax Customer Portal to give property owners a simple, convenient and secure way to manage their property tax accounts. 

Following the success of the City’s Water Customer Portal introduced in 2024, the new portal supports the City’s move toward more efficient, customer-focused digital services, which is a part of its commitment to providing accessible services to the community. 

Through the Property Tax Portal, property taxpayers can easily and securely manage their property tax accounts from any device with an internet connection (e.g., phone, tablet or computer), with features including:

• 24/7 access, secure and easy to use
• Manage accounts: View property tax bills, check balance and more
• Never miss a due date: Pay bills online
• Go paperless: Sign up for e-billing to stay on top of bills with email notifications, plus save paper, reduce waste and protect the environment 
• Get important tax documents: Download tax bills, order receipts, certificates and more
• Sign up now at PropertyTax.RichmondHill.ca to manage your property tax account. 

https://propertytax.richmondhill.ca/.../tax-portal/login

York Regional Police Community Survey

The York Regional Police Service Board and the York Regional Police Service are seeking feedback from community members through this survey as part of their strategic planning process.

Your input will help us understand community safety priorities and learn how York Regional Police can best meet evolving expectations.

This survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and will remain open until Sunday, February 15, 11:55 PM. Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time simply by closing your browser window.

If you would like to complete this survey in another language, please select your preferred language from the options on the top right of your screen.

https://linktr.ee/yrp

HELP SHAPE RICHMOND HILL’S FIREWORKS BY-LAW

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill is reviewing its Fireworks By-law to better reflect community needs and ensure we have the emergency best practices in place.

If you live or work in the City, we want to hear from you! Tell us how you use fireworks to celebrate and share your thoughts about the use of fireworks throughout the City. 

What happens with your feedback?

Your responses will help City staff shape future updates to the Fireworks By-law so celebrations remain safe and enjoyable for everyone. The survey is anonymous and takes just a few minutes to complete. If you require the survey in an alternate format or need assistance, please contact our By-law Education and Enforcement team at 905 771 0198.

Have your say by taking our short survey by February 13. 

Your feedback will help guide future updates that keep our parks, neighbourhoods and celebrations enjoyable for everyone.

Take the survey today at RichmondHill.ca/Bylaws.