
Richmond Hill and York University forge new partnership
New MOU agreement supports City’s business development,
environmental sustainability, continuous improvement and innovation initiatives
Richmond Hill, Feb. 3, 2025 – Earlier today, Richmond Hill Mayor David West and York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to set a path forward on shared goals to benefit both Richmond Hill residents and businesses.

The MOU will provide a number of new opportunities for the City of Richmond Hill and York University faculty and students with a focus on new research projects that support business and entrepreneurship; new experiential learning opportunities at the City for York University students; professional development and training opportunities for staff within the City; and additional education opportunities for the community.
In addition, the MOU will support local economic development initiatives including continued collaboration related to York University’s Food Business Incubator and ELLA Women Accelerator programs.
Richmond Hill has a long history of welcoming York University graduates and faculty to the community. This new partnership builds on shared goals of community building, business development, environmental sustainability and continuous improvement and innovation for which the City and York University each pursue a wide range of initiatives and projects.
Quotes
“I am truly excited about this opportunity to further collaborate with York University. York is a top international teaching and research university and a driving force for positive change in our Region. By deepening our partnership, we are bringing a lot of smart people together to work on developing shared projects that will ultimately benefit our community as a whole. I am looking forward to this next chapter and seeing where it takes us!”
- David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill
"York University and Richmond Hill have a long history of partnering to create opportunities for the communities we serve. With a shared focus on advancing sustainability, societal well-being and economic prosperity, we are well-positioned to create meaningful change. I want to thank the City of Richmond Hill for partnering with us. I am confident that together, we can realize a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for us all.”
- Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University
About the City of Richmond Hill
- Richmond Hill is home to more than 200,000 residents and almost 5,000 businesses.
- The City offers access to world-leading professional services, top-notch incubators and research facilities and over 20 universities and colleges within a one-hour drive.
- Smart people from all over the world come to Richmond Hill to build and grow innovative businesses. The City is home to over 4,500 companies, many of whom are designing and developing the next generation of cutting-edge products.
- Richmond Hill is part of Canada’s largest technology cluster and a pioneer in the four key business sectors (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Health Industry, Finance and Insurance, and Information and Cultural Industries).
- Richmond Hill is a leader in environmental management and sustainability. Its forward-thinking Environment Strategy and Community Energy and Emissions Plan help guide the City and community’s environmental efforts and tackle climate change issues from various angles.
- The City is committed to working with innovative and engaged citizens, as well as key government and private sector partners, to build a sustainable, resilient, low-carbon city.
About York University
- York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university with three campuses in the Greater Toronto Area including Keele and Markham, in the heart York Region, one of the most diverse and dynamic urban communities in the province.
- York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.
- We are committed to ensuring that our students have an array of opportunities inside and outside the classroom to hone the skills they need for success including co-op and other forms of work-integrated learning.
- We also provide transnational learning activities both online with international partner institutions and through exchanges and courses offered at our Las Nubes Campus in Costa Rica and/or summer programs.
- Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we are committed to providing the talent, research and innovation to help solve societal challenges and drive positive change for the communities we serve.
Media Contacts
Sandra McLean Senior Writer and External Communications Specialist, York University
Sandramc@yorku.ca
Candice Debi
Director, Communications, City of Richmond Hill
Candice.Debi@RichmondHill.ca
Kate Davey
Communications Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Kate.Davey@RichmondHill.ca