What they say
We have made real progress, and I am committed to building on that momentum for the next four years.
By issue
From the candidate's campaign site, read 5 October 2026. David West campaign · read 5 October 2026
Background and overall goals
“I have focused on ensuring City Hall remains accountable and transparent with Council working well together for our community. Together, we have supported our local economy, maintained a laser focus on expanding access to housing and much-needed social and public health programs, and empowered our youth to help shape the future. We have made real progress, and I am committed to building on that momentum for the next four years.”
Nothing found yet on: Transit, City services.
On council
25 recorded votes located
Most motions pass without a recorded vote. These are the recorded votes we found, not a complete history.
Taxes and spending
Taxes and spending4 votesReopen Council's September 2024 decision on the committee for the 2025 capital budget
Carried 7-1
Revise the timing of key indoor recreation and park projects
Carried 8-1
Set the 2024 tax increase target at up to 3%, not counting the asset sustainability levy
Carried 5-3
Approve the rest of the 2024 budget strategy
Carried 8-0
Housing and development
Housing and development9 votesDefer City development charges on non-luxury rental buildings to match York Region (rentals kept at least 40 years), with 5% of units at affordable rents for 20 years
Failed 1-8
Receive the staff report on deferring development charges for non-luxury rental buildings
Carried 9-0
Send the development charge deferral motion back to staff for more analysis, with a report by September 16
Failed 3-6
Tell the Ontario Land Tribunal that Council does not support the Parkway Hotels redevelopment applications at Highway 7 and Leslie Street
Carried 8-1
Ask staff to report on a full secondary plan for Bathurst Street and Highway 7
Failed 1-8
Approve a revised Official Plan update timeline and a $2.04M project for two secondary plans along Highway 7
Carried 9-0
Send the Official Plan update and secondary plan report back to staff
Carried 8-1
Approve Official Plan and zoning changes for a Metroview Developments project and assign it servicing capacity
Carried 9-0
Approve revised Official Plan and zoning changes for a Sabella Ridge Estates development on Yonge Street
Carried 7-1
Community safety
Community safety1 votePay York Regional Police for up to five more CCTV cameras, about $20,000 each
Carried 9-0
City services
City services8 votesEnd recycling pickup at super mailboxes in January 2026 instead of 2027
Failed 4-5
Receive the staff report on changes to Blue Box recycling
Carried 9-0
Keep recycling pickup at City buildings from January 2026
Carried 8-1
Keep recycling pickup for downtown businesses in the business improvement area
Carried 9-0
Charge downtown businesses in the business improvement area a $365 waste fee in 2026
Carried 6-3
End recycling pickup at super mailboxes on 1 January 2027
Carried 5-4
End recycling pickup for places of worship, non-profits and daycares from January 2026
Carried 8-1
End all garbage and recycling pickup for industrial and commercial properties outside the business improvement area from January 2026
Carried 9-0
Governance and accountability
Governance and accountability1 voteMove the City's corporate communications away from X (Twitter)
Failed 4-5
Other
Other2 votesConsult the public on a proposed radio antenna system
Carried 9-0
Urge the federal government to hold a second national summit on combating antisemitism
Carried 8-0
Motions moved or seconded
Moving or seconding a motion is not the same as the final vote on it.
What they say they did on council
David West campaign · read 5 October 2026
“Supported York Region Police’s AutoGuard program which has significantly reduced car theft. I was the only York Region mayor to represent the Region at the first auto theft summit in Ottawa to push for improvements in reducing auto thefts”
“Implemented the Traffic Operations Strategy which introduced traffic calming and management measures for some Richmond Hill streets with more to be added as needed in the future”
“Advocated for and secured $39.1 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, enabling the creation of more than 1,000 rental units, 200 of which are affordable, to increase attainable housing choices”
11 more
David West campaign · read 5 October 2026
“Through my strong advocacy, long-term care homes at Mon Sheong, Carefirst, and Schlegel Villages are moving forward so we can provide more housing and care for our seniors in Richmond Hill”
“We implemented the Age Friendly Community Strategy to make our community a better and more accessible community for our older adult population”
“Kept tax rate increases low despite significant financial pressures on the Richmond Hill and York Region budgets and eliminated the draw on City reserves”
“Restored civility to Council after a challenging previous term by asking all Council members to sign a Council Pledge at the beginning of the term, fostering a more constructive and respectful environment”
“Reinstated the Committee of the Whole meetings to allow the public more access to their local government”
“Oversaw the new Official Plan, the first since 2010, and the Comprehensive Zoning By-law review replacing decades-old zoning by-laws and incorporating the latest provincial growth plans and legislative requirements”
“Worked to establish the Sustainability Transition Accelerator of Canada (STAC) in partnership with the United Nations University, helping our local businesses accelerate great ideas and bring those initiatives to market faster and more effectively”
“Advocated for the establishment of a solar panel pilot project in the city to accelerate our Community Energy and Emissions Program goal of making Richmond Hill a net zero carbon community”
“Through the budget process staff and I accelerated storm pond and flood infrastructure improvements to better protect our community from flooding with almost no impact on the tax rate”
“Championed and opened the Richmond Hill Cultural Centre Hub to support and foster our vibrant arts and culture scene”
“In an effort to engage our youth, implemented the Mayor for a Day program with plans for more youth engagement in the new term”
About our research on this candidate
On the City's certified list, checked 24 August 2026. Campaign site read in full on 5 October 2026. Council record: 25 recorded votes from 11 meetings. Not a complete history. Press search: not done yet. Last reviewed 6 October 2026.