Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.

For now the most up to date information can be found at york.ca/covid19 and details about vaccines can be found at york.ca/covid19vaccine.

This week capacity limits and proof of vaccination have been lifted - read more.

While it's encouraging to see key public health indicators stabilizing to protect vulnerable residents and health care workers from COVID-19 the visitor and employee vaccination mandate will be maintained in all York Region hospitals at this time. As we start to put the pandemic behind us, please remember to be kind to others especially when mask mandates change - learn more.

Thank you to Thornhill Ward 1 Councillor, Keith Irish, for bringing the following event to my attention.

The Stop Option 3 Steering Committee has made arrangements with Metrolinx to hold a community walk with their representatives through Thornhill’s Royal Orchard neighbourhood following the planned tunnelling route for the Yonge North Subway Extension.

The walk will take place Friday March 11 at 10am. The walk will begin from the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Royal Orchard Boulevard where there is ample parking. Please feel free to join us there or anywhere along the route. All are welcome to attend.

Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow is this year's theme for International Women's Day which will be observed on March 8. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias. Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality - learn more.

York Region wants to hear from you to help reduce your reliance on single use plastics and provide recognition for your efforts. They are looking for input to help shape the program to reduce using single-use items in York Region. You can provide your ideas and feedback here.

York Region's 2021 annual water quality reports are now available - details here. York Region monitors your water quality around the clock to ensure it meets strict regulatory quality standards before reaching your tap. There's really no reason to be lugging those bottles of water from the store.

from Director Niamh O'Laoghaire

But the pandemic situation has not held us back. There's a lot going on at the Varley this month. Our major spring exhibition, Karen Tam: With wings like clouds hung from the sky will remain in place until April 24. Also on view is Refracting the Lens, which offers new perspectives on the Varley and its collections.

There are a few spots remaining in our March Break Camp (March 14 to 18), or drop by that same week for Chinese brush sketching. If you prefer more hands on direction, join our second instructor led Chinese Brush Painting workshop, this time with artist Peter Law, which takes place on March 19.

In March our Virtual Education Programs focus on visual literacy basics for classes from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Registration is well under way for our Spring Programs, and even our Summer Camps are already filling up fast. To learn more about these offerings, click here.

Other programs and offerings can be found here.

There are grants available to support restoration and improvement projects of commercial building facades in heritage districts and main streets and heritage properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Eligible commercial projects may include:

Eligible designated heritage property projects may include:

The application deadline is Friday April 1. More information and application details are available at markham.ca/heritage.

The vision for the Yonge North Subway Extension is coming into greater focus with the release of updated environmental studies for the project and new station area maps. The new report also outlines what communities can expect during and after construction of the new transit line. Click here for the full story.

The report contains a wealth of important new information about the Yonge North Subway Extension on topics like air quality, noise and vibration, and the natural environment, to name a few. The complete EPR addendum, along with an overview of its findings is available on Metrolinx Engage.

The Environmental Project Report Addendum is available for public review and general comment until March 14. Your can read the full report and share your input here.

Metrolinx will host another virtual open house on March 10 at 6:30pm. You can register here.

On a sad note, long time Unionville resident Jeanne Ker-Hornell passed away recently. I received a note from her daughter that Jeanne passed away peacefully last Sunday morning.

I first knew of Jeanne years ago when she ran an antiques store on Main Street Unionville when the street was mostly antique stores. Later she became one of the guardians of heritage on Main Street and the driving force, along with Bob Stiver, behind the restoration of the Stiver Mill. She was a great energetic lady. May she rest in peace.

It's that time again when Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine has released his latest eNewsletter.

You can read it here.

Markham boards and committees provide advice to Markham Council on their mandate. There are currently volunteer positions available on the following committees:

For more information and to apply visit markham.ca/volunteering. The application deadline is March 7.

Celebrate International Women's Day with the Markham Board of Trade with an in-person event on March 22. It's an opportunity to hear from a panel of entrepreneurial female leaders and to learn about the business challenges they have faced on the road to success. More information and registration details can be found here.

This week the City announced a new contract with Miller Waste Systems and an expanded fleet in anticipation of the new Ontario Blue Box Program.

Markham’s Blue Box recyclables will now be collected separately from Green Bin organics and clear bag garbage, by two separate trucks. All items recyclables and organics will still be collected on the same day and there is no change to collection schedules. Green bin organics and clear bag garbage will be co-collected in a “rear load” truck that has two compartments keeping material separated - learn more.

Metrolinx is continuing their vegetation management program along the Stouffville rail corridor. The work is underway as a part of the GO expansion program as they prepare for the future electrification of GO service. To support this work, Metrolinx will clear, remove and prune designated trees and vegetation. The work is taking place 7 days a week between 7am to 7pm. More information on this work can be found here.

York Region Council supports an alternative land use planning process to dissolve the Ontario Land Tribunal. Key points:

You can read the Markham Group of Artists March newsletter here. It highlights upcoming events, a member's gallery, their March challenge and their upcoming calendar of events.

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Kristian Alexander will present three romantic masterworks. Their next performance, Enigma Variations, will take place on Saturday March 12 at 8pm at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. For tickets and information - KSOrchestra.ca or call 905.604.8339.

The KSO made the news recently as they're the first orchestra in Canada to move to an entirely digital music library platform. No longer will musician be flipping pages as they play - read more.

York Region is looking for your opinions as it starts the process to make improvements on both Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road between Major Mackenzie Drive and Elgin Mills Road.

You can visit york.ca/WardenKennedyStudy to access the online open house materials and provide your comments until March 24. More information about this project can be found here.

Do you know a student that is looking to start their own business this summer? High school, college or university students that live in the City of Markham can transform their business idea into reality.

Applications are due by April 1st. Learn more about the Summer Company program here.

A licence helps to identify your pet if it becomes lost. When you buy a dog or cat licence, your pet will get a Free Ride Home if it is found by an Animal Care Officer. Licence your pet here.

York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here.

Details of upcoming YR meetings and past sessions are available here. 

I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.

Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca