Issues

Map of Coyote Sightings in York Region

Wed., April 6, 2022 Newmarket The Era Coyotes and humans usually live in close proximity to one another in southern Ontario. While the animals generally avoid direct human contact, they occasionally wander into residential areas. "Coyotes are wary by nature and will avoid humans if possible," Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson Jolanta Kowalski told YorkRegion.com via email in 2016. "However, a coyote that has been fed either directly or indirectly will lose their fear of humans and become habituated." ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2022-04-11T12:45:30-04:00April 11th, 2022|

Markham passes $533.7M 2022 budget with 1.95% tax increase

Average homeowner will pay an extra $25 on city’s portion of property tax bill By Heidi Riedner - Markham Economist & Sun Sunday, December 19, 2021 Markham council approved the city’s 2022 budget of $533.7 million on Dec. 14, including a 1.95 per cent property tax rate increase. That will mean an increase of approximately $25 in property taxes for the average residential household with an assessed value of $846,500 in Markham. Residents can expect to pay an average $138 extra ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2022-01-14T12:53:14-05:00December 19th, 2021|

New sidewalks at Swan Lake Park

Markham Review The south end of the Swan Lake Park is heavily used by residents with mobility challenges from two adjacent retirement communities, Amica Swan Lake and Swan Lake Village. During discussions with Markham Council in 2020, the Friends of Swan Lake Park asked the city to address three areas that impact accessibility and usability of the park, said the group’s chair Fred Peters. In spring of 2021, staff quickly repaired the damaged asphalt pathway system within the park ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2021-12-10T14:52:53-05:00December 10th, 2021|

Coyotes in Markham – Public Consultation

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 ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2021-11-23T17:27:29-05:00November 23rd, 2021|

Ward 5 Summer 2021 Newsletter

The Summer 2021 edition of the Ward 5 Markham printed newsletter was distributed to Ward 5 residents last week. If you haven't had a chance to read the paper copy you can view a PDF of the newsletter here. Ward 5 Summer 2021 Newsletter Outside PDF Ward 5 Summer 2021 Newsletter Inside PDF

Andrew Keyes2021-09-08T18:21:51-04:00September 8th, 2021|

Swan Lake Water Restoration Work Commencing

The City of Markham will be treating Swan Lake with a coagulation product to reduce phosphorus levels in the lake. This will reduce the incidence of algal blooms and increase the oxygen level in the water. The treatment is scheduled to begin in late July 2021 and is expected to take about two weeks to complete. During the operation, roadways will be open; however, access to some of the park pathways will be temporarily closed. The treatment involves the ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2021-07-14T19:57:33-04:00July 14th, 2021|

Provincial Stay-at-Home Order expires June 2

COVID-19 restrictions remain in place until Ontario enters Step One of reopening plan MARKHAM, ON – June 1, 2021 – As of Wednesday, June 2 at 12:01 AM, the provincewide Stay-at-Home Order will expire. All other COVID-19 public health and workplace measures will remain in effect until the Province enters Step One of Ontario's Roadmap to Reopen. Current restrictions include a ban on indoor gatherings, restricting non-essential retail to curbside pick-up and restricting restaurants to take-out and delivery. Outdoor recreation and ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2021-06-01T17:55:24-04:00June 1st, 2021|

Greater Safety for Dickson Hill Road

In response to resident concerns regarding traffic safety on Dickson Hill Road, between 19th Avenue and Highway 48 (south intersection), the City initiated a resident survey seeking support to close Dickson Hill Road, just north of Mindtech Montessori School. The survey area included all 32 Dickson Hill Road properties located between 19th Avenue and Highway 48 (south intersection). The survey closed on March 12, 2021 and results have been tabulated and are shown below. Summary of Survey Results ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2021-04-25T20:00:35-04:00April 25th, 2021|

TRCA Spring Safety Message: Be Careful Around Waterways

MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate Distribution Hazardous conditions on and around bodies of water February 25, 2021, Toronto, ON – Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is reminding residents of the dangers that exist near bodies of water around this time of year and urging people to keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways. TRCA acknowledges the increased interest from citizens to enjoy outdoor activities in nature during the COVID pandemic. However, with spring approaching, warmer temperatures ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2021-02-25T12:56:19-05:00February 25th, 2021|

Friends of Swan Lake Park need to hear from you

As I have written about many times previously, a local group of Ward 5 residents, the Friends of Swan Lake Park, are working with the City of Markham on the restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. There is more information on the issues and the group’s recommendations on their website https://friendsofswanlakepark.ca/ Over the past year significant progress has been made, with Council approvals to invest in improving water quality and investing in longer term efforts to improve ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2021-06-14T17:43:38-04:00February 20th, 2021|