December 27 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Say Goodbye to 2020!
One of the nice things about this time of year is the ability to catch up with people you may not have heard from in awhile. Whether the reconnection was via a porch visit, an email, phone call or an old fashioned snail mail card, isn't it great to hear from family and old friends again!
I was happy to receive a beautiful letter from the Markham Village Conservancy (MVC) outlining what they had accomplished, in spite of COVID, during the 150th anniversary of the Markham Village Train Station (MVTS). It now has lovely refinished pine floors and a beautiful new kitchen. As part of their outreach programme, MVC also commissioned our Markham Group of Artists (MGA) to create a 10-foot by 6-foot wall mural for the new Morgan Pool building. It is absolutely stunning, but unless you work at Morgan Pool, you likely won't have seen it - see below.
We are truly lucky to have groups like the Markham Village Conservancy and the Markham Group of Artists. These are just two of the myriad of groups, organizations, volunteers, anonymous individuals, coaches, that have been on a break during the pandemic but who are ready willing and able to come back strong in 2021. Please thank, encourage and support them in their many endeavours.
I wish you a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year 2021.
Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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In this issue
- New Year's Eve
- Happy Kwanzaa
- YRP Air Support
- Province Wide Shutdown
- Ward 4 Update from Karen Rea
- Mulch Your Christmas Tree
- Collection Schedules
- Pandemic Supports Available
- Clear Hydrants and Sewer Grates
- MTAC Holiday Art Drive
- MGA Update
- Neighbourhood Watch
- You Asked and I Found the Answer
- Stay Off Storm Water Ponds
- Don't Dump Your Snow
- MPL Holiday Central
- New Parks in Ward 3
- YR C19 Dashboard
- 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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Residents are Encouraged to Stay Home New Year’s Eve
Under provincewide shutdown restrictions, York Region Council is encouraging residents to make responsible choices and limit New Year’s Eve celebrations to members of the immediate household.
York Region Transit will look to resume annual New Year’s Eve service to discourage residents from driving while impaired in 2021.
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We've all probably heard the YRP's Air Support Unit at some point. Fortunately, Santa's not the only one in the sky who knows if you've been naughty or nice. As we all prepare to put a bow on 2020, here's a highlight reel courtesy of York Regional Police Air Support unit - watch here. |
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Well wishes to all observing the annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa celebrations look different this year. Remember to stay safe by having virtual parties and gather with only people in your household.
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Boxing Day was the start of a 28 day period where York Region along with the remainder of Ontario will be placed under a Provincewide Shutdown. On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, all Ontarians are advised to stay home as much as possible with trips outside the home limited to necessities such as food, medication, medical appointments, or supporting vulnerable community members. Restrictions in the Provincewide Shutdown include, but are not limited to:
- No indoor organized public events and social gatherings, except with members of the same household (the people you live with). Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with one other household
- Limit outdoor organized public events and social gatherings to no more than 10 people outdoors
- Prohibited in-person shopping in most retail settings - curbside pickup and delivery can continue. Discount and big box retailers selling groceries will be limited to 25% capacity for in-store shopping. Supermarkets, grocery stores and similar stores that primarily sell food, as well as pharmacies, will continue to operate at 50% capacity for in-store shopping
- Restricted indoor access to shopping malls - patrons may only go to a designated indoor pickup area (by appointment only), essential retail stores that are permitted to be open (like pharmacy and grocery stores) or subject to physical distancing and face covering requirements, to the food court for takeout purchases. Shopping malls may also establish outdoor designated pickup areas
- Prohibited indoor and outdoor dining. Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments will be permitted to operate by take out, drive-through and delivery only
New school protocols - While transmission in schools remains low, all publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools will move to teacher-led remote learning when students return from the winter break on January 4, 2021.
- York Region elementary school students will resume in-person learning on January 11, 2021
- York Region secondary school students will resume in-person learning on January 25, 2021
The impacts of these time-limited measures will be evaluated throughout the 28 days in lockdown to determine if it is safe to lift any restrictions or if they need to be extended. More details on these restrictions, including sector specific safety measures, can be found at york.ca/preventcovid19.
New Ontario Small Business Support Grant - The provincial government has announced the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, which will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small business owners to help navigate this challenging period. More information about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant is available here.
As York Region enters the Provincewide Shutdown, it is critical to remain vigilant to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please continue following public health measures - more detail.
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Recently Karen sent out her newsletter which all Ward 4 residents should have received in their mailbox. If it got lost in your Christmas mail, you can find a copy of it here. Copies of her past newsletters along with other information about Ward 4 can be found here.
Should you have any questions or concerns and live in Ward 4, Karen can most easily be reached by email at krea@markham.ca.
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Put your Christmas tree 🎄 to the curb for collection January 5 - 15. Check your date here.
To make sure your tree is collected, it needs to be:
- at curb by 7am
- not wrapped in plastic
- no decorations, tinsel, wire or stand
- not buried in snow or stuck in ice
- not on top of snow banks
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If your collection day is typically Friday, for this week your day has moved to Saturday January 2. |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has touched everyone’s lives in different ways. For vulnerable residents already facing significant barriers such as poverty, homelessness and food insecurity, these times are even more challenging.
The 3C Initiative has partnered with various organizations to provide resources, supports and services for residents including emergency food access, homelessness and seniors.
These videos provide just a few examples of the many ways the 3C Initiative is supporting residents through these challenging times.
Start the journey to support for yourself or someone you know - learn more.
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In an emergency, every second counts and you can help.
If there is a snow-covered fire hydrant near your home, please clear it for easy access and visibility during emergencies.
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Do you have a sewer grate in front of your house? If so, please keep it clear of snow, ice and debris, so water can drain and avoid flooding. Follow @Markham_Ops on Twitter for winter maintenance updates and learn more at markham.ca/winter
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Now, more than ever during the holidays, it is important to spread the community and holiday spirit! Currently the Markham Teen Arts Council is hosting an art drive in order to spread the joy of art and give back to the community during these difficult times.
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Community members can send in their holiday themed artwork promoting well wishes. The artwork will be compiled, then sent digitally to retirement homes affected by COVID-19 and to SickKids front line workers. The art drive is open to people of all ages and they encourage everyone to submit artwork, holiday cards, song covers, and any other form of art that sends holiday well wishes to those who need it most.
By donating, not only will you be spreading holiday cheer to the community, you will also receive a raffle entry for the chance to win some amazing prizes! Markham Teen Arts Council is supporting small businesses by purchasing their gift cards as raffle prizes. There are 4 raffle prize baskets available, each containing over $100+ worth of prizes. Don’t miss your chance to donate your artwork to the MTAC art drive. The deadline is December 30th at 11:59pm - more information.
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Don't forget the Markham Group of Artists Small is Beautiful art sale is on until January 20. More information about the sale and MGA can be found on their website. |
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Do you have a Neighbourhood Watch in your local community? If not, maybe 2021 the year to start it. This program is supported by YRP and more information can be found here. Be alert and vigilant of any activities of concern around your home. Be mindful of unfamiliar people and vehicles and contact YRP if need be.
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You Asked and
I Found The Answer
This week I received the following question:
You asked - I did not see the Markham specific data about Covid testing in schools as outlined in this YR Media article. Overall numbers for YR schools asymptomatic testing were mentioned and commented upon by Dr Kurji as being satisfactory. However, according to the article "Markham schools showed the highest rate of positive results, with 4.5 per cent, or 12 individuals, testing positive out of 267 tested. Vaughan schools showed the second highest positivity, with just 1.1 per cent." I am not an epidemiologist nor a statistician but Markham sounds like it has a very high relative number. Is there to be any follow up? More testing? What does Dr Kurji have to say about this Markham anomaly please?
The Answer - The answer doesn't come directly from Dr. Kurji. It comes from the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) of York Region Public Health.

While the positivity rate in Markham schools may seem high at first glance, it’s lower than the positivity rate in the community. We are currently experiencing a positivity rate of approximately 6% in all of York Region, so the positivity rate of 4.5% in Markham schools is lower than the broader community.
In addition, school-based testing was offered to students, their families, teachers and staff who attend school both in-person or online. Interestingly, out of the 17 positive cases found across York Region in voluntary school testing, only three were from children, teachers or staff attending in-class schooling. The remaining 14 cases were from children attending school online and/or their family members.
The voluntary school-based testing is a provincial initiative, and they have not indicated if further voluntary testing in schools will continue in 2021. All positive cases and their contacts have been followed up with by our case and contact management team in accordance with the provincial guidance for both the school-based testing protocol and for cases in the school environment.
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As a reminder, storm water management ponds that are found in many neighbourhoods are not for skating or swimming.
Please stay off these storm water ponds as they are not safe places to play.
Stay off, Stay safe!
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Don't push snow from your property onto the street. It is unsafe for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and it's illegal.
For winter mainenance updates follow @Markham_Ops and learn more at markham.ca/winter.
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Whether you are looking for a good book to read by the fire, holiday activities, movies, music or a DIY craft video, MPL has got you covered. Check it out.
As schools will be online in January, don't forget that MPL is a great resource for learning with many options for both adults and kids - details here. |
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Did you miss the virtual consultation meetings for the new Wardenview and Debbi Wilkes parks in that are being planned for Markham Centre? The preliminary designs are available online - here.
If you live near either of these new neighbourhood parks, let the City know your thoughts on these initial plans. Construction is slated to begin in 2021 - more details can be found here. |
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York Region's COVID-19 dashboard now includes suspect and confirmed cases in schools. The interactive dashboard is updated seven days a week at 5pm and provides detailed information about C19 in York Region including a breakdown of specific Markham data. Details can be found at york.ca/covid19data.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here. |
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Upcoming Meetings

- January 14 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - details
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January 18 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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January 19 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
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January 21 - York Region Education Session - 9am - detail
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January 25 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
- January 26 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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January 28 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - 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 sessions are available here.
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Community Meetings and Events
As new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.
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MBT virtual Business Excellence Awards - January 28 - details
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Unionville Residents' Association - February 1 - details
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
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Ontario is now in a Provincewide Shutdown. Further restrictions and closures are in place requiring everyone to stay home as much as possible.
Learn more about what is open and closed during the Provincial Shutdown.
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Working together to make Markham better! |
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