March, 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
Increasing Communication

The election is over and now it's down to business.

As your new Deputy Mayor I am excited and honoured to be serving all Markham residents for the next 4 years.

My role has now changed from being exclusively a local Councillor to being both a local and Regional representative.

I am pleased to begin sending you periodic reports that will highlight the goings on at Markham and Regional Council.

Feel free to contact me at any time with your concerns or questions.

I hope you enjoy my reports.

Introducing..... Hermia Lui
I am pleased to introduce my new Executive Assistant (EA) Hermia Lui. She has been with the City for several years and has recently accepted the position as my EA.

Hermia is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin and is eager to assist all Markham residents with any questions or concerns you may have.

My previous EA, Marina Antonoglou, has maintained her position with Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine. We are working together on team based administration and both Hermia and Marina are available to help with any City related issues.

Hermia can be reached at 905-475-4892 or by email at hlui@markham.ca
Please subscribe for future email updates
Community Meetings

Unionville Villagers Association (UVA)
March 11 - "Coming to Present: Unionville Main Street Vision" Details here

Unionville Residents Association (URA)
March 21 - Guest speaker will be York Region Chair Wayne Emmerson Details here

All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings . Unless noted differently on the link above, meetings are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.

I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
YRP Update - Break and Enter Tip Line
All residents are reminded to remain vigilant and aware of neighbourhood activity. Report any suspicious people or vehicles. Immediately call 911 if you observe any suspicious activities, vehicles or people. When safe to do so, try to obtain vehicle license plate, make and model of the vehicle. Do not follow the suspect vehicle or chase suspects.

YRP District #5 property investigators have a tip line and email address where information can be provided about suspicious vehicles and activities regarding break and enters that do not require immediate police attendance.

Tip line: 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7575 - Email: B&E5D@yrp.ca

Visit www.yrp.ca for further crime prevention tips and to view crime maps for up-to-date information.
2019 Property Tax and Water Budget
Understand the City budget and stay informed! Markham’s approved 2019 Budget Announcement will be made on March 20, 2019.

How Markham Develops the Annual City Budget
Get involved - volunteer - join your resident's association
Have a say... your voice matters. Change starts with you. Share your ideas on a Markham board or committee or volunteer some time to a community project. You can make a real difference in your community. Learn More

Perhaps you would like to get involved with your local community resident's association. Did you know there are over 50 ratepayer associations in Markham? Find the association closest to your home and go to a meeting, get involved. The associations can be found here .
Make a Splash!

Looking to get paid doing something you love while staying fit? Land a great job with flexible hours. Adults and youth wanted. Apply now and start this spring.

Some of the perks you’ll enjoy:
  • A flexible work schedule
  • Free access to any aquatics drop-in program
  • Exclusive discounts

Not certified?  Visit our website to find out what you need to join Team Markham!
Learn more markham.ca/WorkHere
Now Hiring
Lifeguards and Swim Instructors
A Note from Markham Fire and Emergency Services
Markham Fire and Emergency Services is designating March "Smoke Alarm" month in the City of Markham.

Clocks will spring forward on March 10 which is typically a time when many residents will check their smoke alarm batteries. It is also a good time to check that your smoke alarms are in good repair. Did you know that all smoke alarms (even ones that are hardwired) that are more than 10 years old are considered expired and need to be replaced.
York Region launches live eChat service
with Public Health Nurses

York Region now offers expectant and new parents the opportunity to speak directly with registered nurses through a live online chat function to ask health questions confidentially and anonymously. This eChat service is available at york.ca/parenting. It is is a free program for York Region residents and available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. 
 
Ask questions and receive information about:
  • Pregnancy information and programs: Prenatal resources and eligibility for the Nurse-Family Partnership, a free program where public health nurses are available to visit young, first-time mothers during their pregnancy and the first two years of their child’s life in the privacy of their own homes 
  • Breastfeeding: Book an appointment for the first visit to a breastfeeding clinic, have breastfeeding questions answered or receive tips for successful infant feeding
  • Parenting: The Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program is a home visiting program where eligible parents are connected with a public health nurse and a family visitor to receive information, support and connections to community resources 
  • Child growth and development: Talk about tips to support your child’s healthy development
  • Mental health: Learn about support and programs, including the Transition to Parenting group to help with the adjustment to parenthood.
For other health related information visit  york.ca/health .
Did you know that the City of Markham has many small business services for residents. These include:
Free and confidential counseling:
  • Business planning 
  • Start-up procedures 
  • Regulations and more! 

Resource Centre offers free books and brochures covering topics including:
  • Business Registration 
  • Business Planning 
  • Taxation/Record Keeping 
  • Marketing 
  • Sources of Financing 
  • Import/Export 
  • Franchise 
  • Related government programs and services are also available

Breakfast Seminars and Evening Workshops:
  • Legal and Financial Considerations 
  • Strategic Business Planning 
  • Small Business Taxation 
  • Effective Marketing Tools 
  • E-Business Strategies 
  • Managing Your Cash Flow 
  • Workshops and seminars are also excellent for networking with other small business owners
Please view our current Event Calendar .

Reference Library/Internet Access
Use our Reference Library. We have trade directories and guide books. These list potential suppliers, clients, and market statistics. You can use these references in our office. We also have business magazines and other publications. You can also use the Internet here.

Your one-stop source to
start and grow your small business


Our team can help you make the right decisions as you start-up your business venture and help develop your management capabilities as it grows.




For an appointment, please contact the Markham Small Business Centre at
905-477-7000 x6722 
Frequently Asked Questions...
 As an ongoing section in these email updates, I would like to provide answers to some commonly asked questions by residents. If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question .
Question:
How do I find out when City meetings are held? Are these meetings open to the public?

Answer:
All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings . Meetings, unless noted differently on the link above, are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.
Working together to make Markham better!
Don Hamilton - City of Markham
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
905- 415-7549
Connect with me