September 20 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Is September Really Almost Over?
It was a busy ZOOM meeting work week.
The Development Services Committee meeting began with great fanfare that York University would soon begin its construction at Enterprise Drive and York U Boulevard.
Next up were some community safety information meetings with Constable Hinds and Superintendent Bullen from York Regional Police leading the discussion on how best to protect your home and property against ever present criminal elements. Some resident suggestions were to install Municipal cameras across the city, create gated communities and more police presence on local streets.
At York Region Council this week, discussions continued regarding the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) and what conversions from Employment land to other uses would be permitted. Most developers making conversion requests want to have their land changed from employment to either mixed use or residential use. It's York Region's responsibility to maintain a healthy supply of employment land to keep job numbers healthy. With employment taking on a different focus (working from home) there may be less need for new office buildings. One of the big Markham parcels of land under consideration is the Buttonville Airport property.
The week finished by looking at the Special Policy Area (SPA) in and around Main Street Unionville. The SPA deals with flood prone areas and what can and cannot be built on these lands.
And weekend breaking NEWS is the new COVID-19 group gathering numbers outlined below.
Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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In this issue
- Terry Fox 40th anniversary
- New Limits to Gatherings
- C19 Dashboard Adds Schools
- Be a Handwashing Hero
- Celebrate National Forest Week
- Be Fire Safe
- Road Closure
- Be Prepared
- MATM Drive In
- Lake to Lake Trail
- Arts After Hours Drive In
- Markham Centre Meeting
- Styrofoam is Recyclable
- Time is Running Out
- McMichael Gallery Tours
- Unionville Walking Tours
- Markham Road Mount Joy meeting
- Have Your Seen?
- Virtual Fire Truck Tour
- MSBC Program
- Unexpected Intersections
- York Paramedics are Hiring
- GO Expansion Open House
- MBT Update
- 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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Although different this year, the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope event still took place in both Markham-Unionville and Thornhill today.
Send me your pictures of how you celebrated the 40th Terry Fox run!
The City of Markham is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope with a special centre ice tribute honouring Terry Fox at our Angus Glen and Thornhill arenas.
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On Saturday morning, Premier Ford announced limitations on gatherings across the province for the next 28 days. This includes limits of 10 people indoors (previously 50) and 25 people outdoors (previously 100). The limits are due to an increase in COVID-19 cases across Ontario. As a reminder, keep a safe distance from anyone outside your social circle.
This change is effective immediately. Minimum fines set at $10,000 for organizers of the gathering.
Limits do not apply to events or gatherings held in staffed businesses and facilities such as bars, restaurants, cinemas, convention centres, banquet halls, gyms and places of worship. Full details are available here.
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Keeping COVID-19 out of schools begins at home. It's important to screen your child every morning before sending them to school. Use the self-assessment form at york.ca/safeatschool.
York Region has updated their COVID-19 dashboard to include suspect and confirmed cases in schools at york.ca/covid19data. The interactive dashboard is updated seven days a week at 5pm. The added features include school lists and case counts, organized in two categories:
- Confirmed outbreak – Outbreaks are declared in a school setting when, within a 14-day period, there are two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students, staff or other visitors with an epidemiological link (if cases are in the same class or cohort) or if at least one case could have been infected in the school.
- Under Surveillance – Refers to schools with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case among staff or students where there is currently no evidence of transmission within the school. For example, a school student who acquired a case of COVID-19 through close contact at home.
Providing this data will make it easier for students, parents and teachers to access important information about COVID-19 in their communities. The interactive dashboard also provides information on COVID-19 in a wide variety of ways, helping everyone understand what the pandemic looks like in York Region and its on-going trends.
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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No one should need a reminder by now about how to wash your hands, wearing a mask or other simple measures to prevent the spread of the spread of COVID-19.
We can always use a reminder so here's a cute video aimed at kids, that adults should watch too.
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There are a number of child friendly resources about COVID-19 including symptoms, hand washing, wearing masks and more at york.ca/safeatschool. |
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Are you tree-mendously excited to celebrate National Forest Week? It's the 100th anniversary and runs from September 20 to 26. It is a great time to get out and take in the Fall weather.
Hiking is one of the best ways to get out and enjoy all that local forests have to offer. While guided hikes may be on pause currently, why not get out and explore hiking trails either in the Rouge National Park or in the York Region Forests. You won't believe nature can be so close to home.
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Markham Fire Services will be offering a virtual presentation "Leading While Remembering" for older adults on October 6 at 10:30am.
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Elgin Mills Road
from Highway 48 to 9th Line will be closed daily from 7am to 5pm from Monday September 28 to Friday October 2.
This road closure is to facilitate scheduled road maintenance. Any questions may be sent to OCS@markham.ca or 905.475.4714.
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Are you ready for the next emergency?
Your household should have a 72-hour emergency kit in case of a power outage or severe weather disaster. Make sure to include face coverings and hand sanitizer to stay safe during any emergency.
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MATM won't be having their monthly TIFF films to enjoy in the same format as before, due to the closure of Flato Markham Theatre. However MATM and the Markham Arts Council are planning drive-ins during September. Jump in your car and head north to the Markham Fairgrounds to watch The Shape of Water.
- Tuesday, September 22
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Admission is FREE - just register one ticket per vehicle
- Food trucks and washrooms are on site
- Bring a cozy blanket and tune in through your car radio
- Grounds open at 6pm and the showcase starts at 7pm
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The Lake to Lake Trail is a 21 km route which will eventually connect Lake Simcoe to Lake Ontario through York Region. The route will be on shared pathways and off road multi use trails. Have you been out to explore the part of the path that passes through Markham yet?
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Get your tickets and enjoy some fun at the Mt. Albert drive-in.
The York Region Arts Council presents Arts After Hours a film screening and a unique COVID friendly fundraiser for their programming. They will be showing the film From the Vine (trailer). It was directed by Sean Cisterna who grew up in York Region. He will be there for a special pre-show conversation and to introduce the film. Get tickets
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Time is running out for the Markham Group of Artists early-bird membership for the 2020-2021 season. Visual artists of all abilities in the Markham, Toronto, and surrounding areas are invited to join. They have an exciting adapted fall season lined up. Meet fellow artists and improve your technique through workshops, critiques, and demonstrations. Show your artwork at various locations and online on their website and through social media. Also enjoy group memberships with the York Region Arts Council and the Markham Arts Council. Visit their website to join. Their latest newsletter can be viewed here.
During the past few months daily life seemed to come to a standstill, but the isolated homes and studios of artists remained vibrant places where creators turned inward for inspiration. The Markham Group of Artists asked those artists to "open their windows" and let the world see how this experience has affected their vision of the world. The juried online exhibition continues until September 25. Click here to view the show.
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Majestically located on the edge of the historic Carrying Place Trail that runs through the Humber River Valley, the McMichael Gallery's grounds offer a wealth of highlights for lovers of Canadian art. These in-person outdoor tours will tell the story of the McMichael and provide an opportunity for visitors to explore the Group of Seven cemetery, Tom Thomson’s shack, the famous Sculpture Garden and outdoor installations by well-known Indigenous artists. Outdoor Tours of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection details:
- Thursdays to Sundays, September 25 to October 25
- 11:30am to 12:30pm
- Paid parking ($7 per vehicle) - Free parking for members
- Meet in front of gallery entrance
- online registration required
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Join the City on Saturday September 26 from 9am to learn about and share your input on the Markham Road - Mount Joy draft vision, guiding principles and concept plans for the secondary plan through an interactive session.
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Have You Seen?
If you travel by the VivaNext rapidways, have you seen the sidewalk robot at work?
The robot is checking boulevards for cracks and bumps as a part of annual inspections. What will they think of next?
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Do you run a Markham based small business looking to expand virtually?
The Markham Small Business Recovery and Digital Resilience Program might be for you.
Learn how you can apply for a grant of up to $5,000. Apply by December 7. Learn more
Check out numerous events and seminars that the Markham Small Business Centre is offering online. Click here for more.
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Physicists create dance performances, computer programmers paint award winning works of art, biologists discover music is therapeutic for mental health - the advantages of art are truly far-reaching. As research continues to explore the benefits of the once-labelled "hobby", it's important to incorporate at least one form of art into our daily life. Art is for the mind while exercise is for the body and both are required for a happy and healthy life.
Markham Arts Council will be participating in the upcoming Culture Days showcase which will take place between September 25 and October 25. The Arts Council will be hosting virtual performances, visual and literary programs that explore the theme of Unexpected Intersections within our local community through the medium of art. The varied programming will included spoken word, visual arts workshops, holistic dance sessions and much more. To get a complete list of their offerings for Culture Days find the Markham Arts Council on Facebook or @artsinmarkham on Twitter and Instagram.
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Draw on your passion and help our community. Recruitment for York Paramedics is open until November 3 for both Advanced Care Paramedics and Primary Care Paramedics.
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In case you missed it, Round 2 of public consultations for the GO Expansion Program was held online from August 18 to September 1. The Virtual Open House focused on presenting and seeking feedback on newly proposed infrastructure and environmental study results for three projects including work on the Stouffville rail corridor. Here's what they heard.
The third round of public meetings will be taking place this fall. Register now to participate in this next round of public consultations and have your voice heard.
Spread Out on Trains to Prevent Crowding - Trains on the Stouffville line continue to be six cars long, so look down the platform when the train approaches as you may need to adjust where you hop on. All weekday afternoon rush hour Stouffville line trips will depart from platform 24 at Union Station to accommodate changing trips and help improve the flow of trains through the station. Platforms can change at any time. Always check the departure board before heading up to the platform.
Construction Updates at Unionville GO
- The latest work taking place at Unionville GO Station include the installation of reinforcing steel for the north-east tunnel stairs, while formwork, rebar, electrical and plumbing install takes place for the north-east roof slab.
- With the west platform closed for construction, a new east platform is now open and available for customer use with new entrances - one near the station building and another one further south which provides direct access from the parking lot.
Upgrades at Mount Joy GO
- Starting September 21, GO will be closing the North side of the platform to install tactile yellow tiles and digital signs, all to make it easier for customers to use our services safely. Please use the south side of the platform to board your train until further notice.
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This week join MBT as they restart their networking events. Like most things this year, it will be a virtual event which will include a chance to introduce yourself, share details about your business, and how you've been adapting your business in these times. Register here
The deadline to nominate a Markham based business for the 2020 Business Excellence Award is quickly approaching. Know an exceptional company? Nominate them here before September 30.
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Upcoming Meetings
- September 21 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
- September 22 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm- details
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September 23 - Markham Centre Secondary Plan Workshop - 7pm - details
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September 24 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - details
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September 26 - Markham Road Mount Joy Plan Study - 9am - details
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September 29 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
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September 30 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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October 5 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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October 6 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
- October 8 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - details
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October 13 - Development Services Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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October 14 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
All meetings 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 phone 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 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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