From public safety debates to political change and major health-care investments, Vaughan was at the centre of several high-profile stories in Ontario throughout 2025.
One of the most talked-about incidents occurred in June, when a Vaughan resident fired a gun at suspected car thieves attempting to steal his white Lamborghini from his driveway. The 35-year-old man was charged with weapons offences after York Regional Police responded to the incident near Pine Heights Drive around 4 a.m.
Police later arrested four suspects — including a 16-year-old — in connection with the attempted theft. No injuries were reported, but authorities emphasized that discharging a firearm in a residential neighbourhood poses serious risks to the public.
The shooting sparked widespread debate across the Greater Toronto Area about self-defence and so-called “castle law” protections in Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in publicly, suggesting the homeowner deserved praise and arguing for laws similar to those in parts of the United States that allow residents to use force to defend their property. Critics, including police sources, warned against glorifying gun use in densely populated areas, noting the potential for tragic consequences.
Concerns about violent crime persisted later in the year, particularly after a Kleinburg man was killed in his home during an alleged home invasion in August, prompting renewed calls for bail reform from local officials, including Mayor Steven Del Duca.
Vaughan also experienced a major political shift in 2025. In the federal election, the Vaughan—Woodbridge riding flipped to the Conservatives, with Michael Guglielmin defeating longtime Liberal MP Francesco Sorbara in a decisive victory. Guglielmin secured more than 40,000 votes, while Sorbara garnered just over 25,000, ending his decade-long tenure.
The result reflected a broader swing toward Conservative candidates across York Region, driven by voter concerns over housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures and geopolitical tensions. While Liberal leader Mark Carney became Canada’s 24th prime minister, his party fell short of a majority government.
Another landmark development came with York University’s announcement of a new School of Medicine in Vaughan. In July, the university revealed the future site of the medical school beside Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, with plans to welcome its first students in fall 2028.
The school will be Canada’s first medical program dedicated to community-based primary care education, aimed at addressing shortages in underserved communities, including York Region. York Regional Council approved a one-time $25 million contribution to the project, translating to roughly $2 per year for the average property tax bill.
University officials say the initiative builds on provincial investments in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct and will strengthen long-term health-care capacity by training future primary-care physicians while supporting services for the region’s growing and aging population.
