August 23 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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September
is Fast Approaching
As August begins to wind down and we get ready for September, there are lots of questions about what back-to-school will look like this year. Does it start on the 8th or the 15th? Will it be a staggered start by grade? What will High School and University classes look like? Join the discussion this week at the virtual parents round table with your elected school trustees and MPP Billy Pang. See below for details.
At this week's Council meeting we will be discussing, and likely approving, a new multi-million dollar waste collection contract. This covers the weekly green and blue bin and bi-weekly garbage pick ups. I receive very few complaints about the current provider and our City staff, after an extensive process, are recommending continuing with Miller Waste. It's not a glorious job, but the workers do it with pride.
I'm very pleased to see that the Markham Board of Trade is getting back to normal by hosting their September breakfast meeting "in person" (with appropriate safety protocols) at Angus Glen GC. See below for details.
If you or someone you know is a GO transit user, be sure to check the changes listed below that are coming in September. You don't want to get stuck without a ride!
Have a great week and keep your eyes open for Monarch butterflies - see below.
Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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In this issue
- School Trustee Roundtable
- Back to School This Year
- GO Transit Service Changes
- Markham Group of Artists
- MPL from Home
- Did You Witness?
- All About Trees
- Business NOT as Usual
- York Region Matters
- Flight of the Monarch
- Concerned About Your Privacy
- Tourism & Hospitality Support
- Destination Markham
- COVID-19 Dashboard
- Markham Board of Trade
- Be Kind
- Have Your Say
- Back to School
- Upcoming Meetings
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
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Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest. |
Looking for more information?
Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
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The new school year should begin in a couple of weeks and parents are anxious to learn what the reopening will look like in September. Markham-Unionville MPP Billy Pang will be hosting a Virtual Round Table on Thursday August 27th at 11am, joined with Ron Lynn - YRDSB Trustee of Ward 2, 3 and 6, Allan Tam - YRDSB Trustee of Ward 4 and 5 and James Ecker - YCDSB Trustee of Ward 4, 5, 7 and 8.
Our School Board Trustees will be available to answer questions or doubts you may have at this Virtual Round Table.
This virtual round table is for parents who reside in Markham-Unionville. Due to the limitation of the online platform used, seats are on a first come first served basis. Upon verification of residency, a separate email with login information will be sent to early registrants. All late registrants who are also residing in Markham-Unionville will be automatically on our waitlist where a last minute email will arrive 10 minutes before the opening of the Roundtable.
Unfortunately any residents outside the Markham-Unionville boundaries will be regretfully declined - verify your residency here. Should you live in one of the other 3 ridings in the City of Markham, please contact your local MPP about arranging a similar event. Their contact details are noted below.
Please register here by Monday August 24 at 10am to join the Virtual Round Table.
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Parents have questions about what back to school will look like this year and what will happen if a positive case of COVID-19 is detected in school.
The details of back to school are currently still in flux as the Ministry of Education, Public Health and school boards are still working through their plans. York Region is committed to providing more information as soon as it is available and can be found at york.ca/SafeatSchool. York Region Public Health is committed to investigating any positive cases and supporting children, parents and educational works in the safe return to the classroom. |
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Students can reduce the risk by practicing proper physical distancing and wearing masks.
Teach kids to be COVID smart to stay safe this fall including following the golden rules for staying safe in public washrooms. By being COVID smart, it's possible to avoid being a close contact of a positive case.
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Starting September 5th as the province continues in Stage 3 of recovery and offices and schools begin to re-open, GO is increasing service on all lines to give riders more flexibility to get to where they need to go.
Life feels different and you will also notice changes on GO which will include over 40 measures taken to help keep you safe including increased cleaning, seat dividers on select vehicles and mandatory face-coverings.
Stouffville Line
- Weekend train service along the Stouffville GO line is back to give people the flexibility for weekend getaways.
- Hourly service between Mount Joy GO and Union Station – with some trips extending to serve Lincolnville GO.
- Service for GO bus Routes 70 and 71 is adjusted and reduced to align with adjusted train schedules.
- Starting Tuesday, September 8, weekday service will be adjusted to hourly or better service during the rush hours. Trips will serve Stouffville and Lincolnville GO stations during the rush hours. Train times and connecting bus trip times have been adjusted so be sure to check your schedules.
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Trains on the Stouffville line continue to be six cars long so you may need to adjust where you’re waiting. There may also be some platform changes at Union Station.
Richmond Hill trains - service changes start September 8
- resuming some train service for hourly or better service during the rush hours. There will now be one more morning and afternoon trip during the rush hours for a total of four trips each way. Train times are different, so be sure to check your schedules.
- Trains on the Richmond Hill line continue to be six cars long so you may need to adjust where you’re waiting. There may also be some platform changes at Union Station.
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During the past few months daily life seemed to come to a standstill but the isolated homes and studios of artists have remained vibrant places where creators turned inward for inspiration. Now, the Markham Group of Artists has asked those artists to "open their windows" and let the world see how this experience has affected their vision of the world.
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This juried online exhibition is now open and will run until September 25. MGA is honoured to have well-known artist and teacher Suzanne Metz serve as the juror. Click here for more information on the show.
Memberships for the Markham Group of Artists for the 2020-2021 season are now available to visual artists of all abilities in the Markham, Toronto, and surrounding areas. They have been working on an exciting fall season line up. Consider joining to meet fellow artists and to improve your technique through workshops, critiques, and demonstrations. Where needed, programming may be modified to suit physical distancing requirements. They also offer opportunities to show your artwork at various locations and online on their website and through social media. Member benefits also include discounts at local art stores as well as group memberships with the York Region Arts Council and the Markham Arts Council. Register now for an early bird saving.
For more information about MGA activities including Plein Air Painting sessions and bi-weekly Zoom critiques visit their new updated website.
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While the libraries remain closed, the Library is offering Curbside Pickup. Not sure what to read next? Try the Grab & Go Bag option. Details about all the MPL from home offerings can be found here including:
With the summer winding down take advantage of Pressreader. Get unlimited access with your MPL card to over 5000 different newspapers and magazines in over 60 languages. All publications are in full colour and is just like flipping through the pages of the real thing. Browse here
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Can you help YRP identify this suspect after they failed to remain at a collision in Markham? It occurred on Saturday August 15 shortly after noon on Markham Road near 14th Avenue. Call 866.876.5423 x7541 with any tips.
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LEAF is presenting a free four part webinar series where you can discover over 35 species of trees native to the Greater Toronto Area. Learn how to identify different tree species, their importance for urban wildlife, common urban stressors and how to care for the trees in your community. The presentations:
- Small Deciduous Trees - Tuesday September 1 at 7pm
- Large Deciduous Trees - Thursday September 3 at 7pm
- Conifer Trees - Tuesday September 8 at 7pm
- Non-Native Trees - Tuesday September 10 at 7pm
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A new program from the Markham Small Business Centre (MSBC) has just been announced. This new initiative will assist Markham business owners to shift their business practices and build resilience towards a sustainable recovery from the impact of COVID-19. To learn more and apply - click here.
The MSBC continues to connect business owners to timely events and presentations. Here is a sampling:
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The latest edition of York Region Matters will be delivered to your mailbox soon. This edition provides tips to remember when leaving the house, inspiring COVID-19 stories, YRT's launch of the electric buses and protecting your family from West Nile and Lyme disease. You can also read it here.
Help make York Region Matters better and have your say by completing this survey. Do you have ideas on how to enhance the publication and ideas on what information you would find interesting in future editions. Complete the survey for a chance to win a $50 gift card from a local business. |
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It is the time of year when we start to see Monarch butterflies around the City as they prepare to migrate over 4000 kms to their winter home in central Mexico. These butterflies are one of Canada's favourite insects and an important species-at-risk. Learn more about them here.
Did you know that the milkweed that the Monarch caterpillars eat makes them toxic and their bright colours warns predators not to eat them?
Unfortunately worries grow following a dramatic drop in the Monarch butterfly population - see article.
In 2016, the Markham became the first Monarch friendly city. This initiative includes collaborating with local gardening and conservation groups, additional butterfly friendly plantings on city properties and the creation of the world’s first municipal milkweed nursery. Credit goes to former Ward 1 Councillor Valerie Burke for initiating this.
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From video chats to online shopping, COVID-19 has seen everyone rely more on digital platforms for daily activities.
If you are concerned about how your data is used and collected, take the Province's survey to help improve Ontario's privacy protection laws - here.
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Are you a tourism and hospitality worker and out of work or working less due to COVID-19?
Click here for details on the Tourism and Hospitality Emergency Response for training, employment supports, regional and virtual employment services, and safe return to work.
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Destination Markham is about to launch its new website to promote the City and showcase Markham.
VisitMarkham will help to keep you up-to-date on what's open, where to go, promote Markham as a tourist destination and how Markham businesses are keeping safety a top priority - visitmarkham.ca. Local businesses that would like to be featured should also visit the site.
In 2019, a new Municipal Accommodation Tax was implemented for all Markham hotels with the purpose to apply 50 per cent of collected funds for Destination Markham (DMC) to promote Markham as a diverse meeting, tourism, and entertainment destination. The remaining 50 per cent will be directed to the City’s Lifecycle Replacement and Capital Reserve Fund, which helps support the replacement and rehabilitation requirements for the City’s current and future tourism-related infrastructure. More information
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Curious about where you need to wear a face covering? They are now required in all indoor spaces except your own home. Please remember wearing a mask is not a replacement for physical distancing, hand washing and monitoring your own health. City related information can be found at markham.ca/covid19 and York Region issues such as public health and social services can be found at york.ca/covid19.
The York Region Public Health COVID-19 dashboard provides information specific to our area - details here. T he information is broken down based on where the cases have been identified, how people have been infected, trends, testing facilities and more. You can see how Markham has been impacted by COVID-19. Facts and figures
Looking for more COVID-19 information? Public Health Ontario has a new interactive data tool providing epidemiological summaries of COVID-19 activity across the Province - details here. |
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MBT would like to welcome you back to their first Breakfast Networking event since March on September 10 at Angus Glen Golf Club. They cannot wait for members to get back to networking at a new time. Register here
Do you know a Markham company that's exceptional? Nominate them today for the 2020 MBT Business Excellence Award. The deadline has been extended until August 31. Details here.
Have you ever needed something notarized and not know where to go? The Markham Board of Trade offers documentation services for members and non-members - details here.
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Some members of our community may be unable to wear a mask or face covering due to medical conditions. Please remember to be kind and non-judgemental.
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Join the conversation on August 25 at 7pm and let the City know how to make Markham Centre better for walking and cycling.
Have your say.
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It is still uncertain what back to school will look like in a couple of weeks.
Education is a Provincial matter. The City of Markham and York Region have no say in whether schools are open or not. Your thoughts, comments and insights are welcome and should be directed to those that make the decisions. In addition to the Minister of Education, contact your local MPP and School Trustee to voice your opinion.
YRDSB Trustee Area 2 - Wards 2, 3 & 6 - Ron Lynn
YRDSB Trustee Area 3 - Wards 4 & 5 - Allan Tam
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Upcoming Meetings
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August 24 - Electronic Markham Sub-Committee Meeting - 1pm - details
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August 25 - Electronic Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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August 25 - Markham Centre Secondary Plan Meeting 3 - 7pm - details
All meeting are now being conducted electronically and Council members along with staff are participating remotely. All facilities remain closed. As always, members of the public are encouraged to participate in these meetings. Written deputations can be sent by email to clerkspublic@markham.ca. If you would like to make a virtual deputation you can register here or by phoning the Clerk's office at 905-477-7000 x3638. All meetings can be viewed online by clicking the details noted above.
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York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here. Details of upcoming YR meetings and past session is available here.
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Community Meetings and Events
As it stands now, most upcoming events have been cancelled.
Once new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
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Working together to make Markham better! |
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