The Fall/Winter 2025 edition of the Ward 5 Markham printed newsletter is being distributed to Ward 5 residents next week. You can read a PDF of the newsletter here. As always, please let us know what you think or send us any question by contacting us. Ward 5 Fall/Winter 2025 Newsletter Outside PDF Ward 5 Fall/Winter 2025 Newsletter Inside PDF
On Friday Oct 31st during a Special Council meeting, Mayor Frank Scarpitti presented and tabled the 2026 City of Markham Budget. How is this broken down? The City of Markham has announced its 2026 budget. The City’s 2026 capital budget is $160.4 million, alongside a primary operating budget of $309.3 million. This budget will include a property tax increase of 3.9%, maintaining the lowest average property tax rate increase in the GTA over two decades. Markham continues to ... Read More
The Honda Indy Race is coming to Markham next year, moving from its former home in Toronto. The major event was announced at a press conference held on September 3rd at Markham's Pan Am Centre. Many people collaborated to secure this deal for Markham. Mayor Frank Scarpitti specifically thanked Ward 5 Councillor Andrew Keyes for his ongoing efforts related to bringing the Indy to Markham. "I would also like to acknowledge Team Markham, particularly Councillor Andrew Keyes…Thank you, ... Read More
The issue of home and community safety is of concern to all Markham residents. For a number of years Councillor Keyes has been working with local retailers and York Regional Police (YRP) to introduce a program that would raise awareness of improved home safety measures and provide an incentive for residents to install cameras and other devices to protect their home. Many types of home safety equipment can be added to a homeowner’s property to help deter crime, not ... Read More
As you are likely are aware, the Ontario provincial recycling program is transitioning to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This means that producers of packaging and paper products will become financially and operationally responsible for managing the collection, processing, and recycling of those materials, rather than municipalities. The transition began in July 2023 and will be fully implemented by 2026. The City of Markham will transition beginning January 1st, 2026. On June 17th Staff presented the transition report to General ... Read More
At the City of Markham April 6th General Committee meeting, staff presented their Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Program (item 2.0,5.12) presentation. As you may know, ASE has been used for the past few years across York Region, with five cameras in the Markham area. The City of Markham is proposing the addition of 16 cameras to new locations across Markham. The implementation of ASE programs on the roads under the jurisdiction of the City of Markham is a recommendation ... Read More
At this week’s Development Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 8th, we were joined by Paul Jankowski, President, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation. I include the presentation for your perusal at this link. While we're grateful there is finally a Canada Public Transit Fund MetroRegion Agreement Stream, many municipalities will apply for a limited amount of funding. At this time, we are competing against 17 other municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe who will also be lobbying their submissions ... Read More
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many residents who contacted my office to let me know about your snow clearing concerns this past week, and thank you for your incredible patience. I share your disappointment and frustration, and though I understand the challenges our crews have been facing, I agree that clearing was not done well on some laneways and a number of laneways were missed entirely. This is not our usual standard. I met ... Read More
I recently met with Senior Operations staff to discuss the concerns we've been hearing over the last few winters - especially in the Cornell area. Last winter we did receive more snow than usual, which contributed to a few of the issues, and we experienced back to back snow falls with 35 cm – 50 cm, which is not common and difficult to manage. These conditions are amplified when applied to our many lane-based neighbourhoods. Laneways pose unique challenges related to ... Read More
On Monday Oct 28th during a Special Council meeting, Mayor Frank Scarpitti presented and tabled the $674.7 million Markham Milestone 2025 Budget. How is this broken down? A $296.2 million operating budget, which is primarily funded through property tax and supports general day to day operations and services. A capital budget of $178.9 million; a waterworks budget of $154.2 million; a planning & urban design budget of $17. million; an engineering budget of $12.6 million and a building ... Read More