As many residents have seen on the news and perhaps in your neighbourhood, the City of Markham and other urban areas have been home to a number of coyotes during these past pandemic months. There were a few families in the ravine along Parkway Ave in Ward 4 and one in Swan Lake Park in Greensborough Ward 5. Most of these coyotes have moved on but we do have 2 or 3 which feel very comfortable living among us. Coyotes have a 40 km movement radius and are comfortable walking through and resting in our parks, pathways and around our streets as they make their way to and from their dens. Animal Control Officers believe they are actually living just north of Donald Cousens Parkway in Rouge National Park but traversing through mainly Swan Lake Park, Swan Lake Village and some areas of Cornell Rouge.

The Swan Lake Village Community is the most frequented area and hence, residents there are very concerned and fearful when walking around their streets and pathways especially with small dogs.  I too am very concerned and am very disheartened that residents are afraid to walk around their community.

I have spoken to our local MPP Paul Calandra’s office, the Ministry of Natural Resources who manage all wildlife in Ontario; I have worked with City Animal Control staff and Swan Lake Board members to find a solution. Following the spring coyote discussion at General Committee, I requested another presentation on options for addressing the current situation. A date has been set for the Coyote Strategy Report and is confirmed to go to General Committee on Monday November 29th, 2021 at 9:30am.  Representatives from Coyote Watch Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will attend the meeting along with City Animal Control staff to respond to any questions. This will once again be a virtual meeting and I encourage all interested residents to attend as well make a deputations to voice your concerns.

Members of the public may submit written deputations by email to clerkspublic@markham.ca. Written submission must be received by 5:00pm on the weekday before the meeting, in this case on Friday November 26th, 2021 5:00pm or forward to akeyes@markham.ca over that weekend. I include the request to speak form should you wish to address General Committee directly.

I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me to voice your concerns and alert us to sightings. I trust we will find a solution that will ensure the safety of all residents.The City takes human safety with the utmost seriousness, and we are working on a resolution that balances the needs of residents and the ecosystem. Thank you again for your participation in our discussions.