November 22 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
Why does the City 'water' roads before a snow storm?

Last night I was asked why trucks were out 'watering' the roads. Those trucks are spreading 'brine', a mixture of salt and water which dries but later reactivates when the snow falls. It is one line of offense that the City and Region have to help melt snow and ice in order to keep the roads safe for drivers. Here's an interesting article with more information on road brining. Further detail about the City's winter road maintenance standards can be found here.
One of our many local community heroes is Danny Fantini. The Fantini family support many events and once again this year they're bringing their antique fire truck to the Pride of Canada Carousel at Birchmount and Enterprise to collect toys for CTV's Toy Mountain. See below for details.

We continue to work towards a O% City of Markham tax increase. In order to achieve this we will need to dip into City reserves. Most members of the Budget Committee feel that this is reasonable given the current COVID-19 situation.

York Region managed to dodge the lockdown coming tomorrow in Peel Region and Toronto. Hopefully York Region residents will continue to practice safe COVID protocols so we can avoid complete closure of our local stores, restaurants, gyms, hair salons and other businesses.

Have a safe week.

In this issue
- Red Zone Continues
- YRP Neighbourhood Watch News
- Home Efficiency Workshop
- Help Build Toy Mountain
- November is CPR Month
- C19 Culture Survey
- Ward 1 Talk with Keith Irish
- Good Food Boxes
- MGA Holiday Art Sale
- Have Your Say
- Business Not as Usual
- Reduce Your Energy Bills
- Mobility on Demand Continues
- Help for Local Businesses
- Emergency Food Help
- Keeping Schools Safe and Open
- Open in Markham
- Markham Theatre Arts Awards
- Here Comes Winter
- Let's Be Kind
- MSH Recruiting Board Members
- Markham C19 Report
- YR C19 Dashboard
- Upcoming Meetings
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
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.
Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
 
On Friday, the Ontario Government announced stricter gathering restrictions for regions in the CONTROL - RED Zone as part of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. On Monday, November 23 at 12:01am, Markham’s private gathering limits:
  • Indoor gatherings - 5 people maximum
  • Outdoor gatherings - 25 people maximum
At this time, there are no changes to City service levels, including those offered through Markham Public Library, Recreation Services, the Varley Art Gallery and the Markham Museum.
As we navigate the pandemic together, the City continues to monitor and follow advice from public health officials at the federal, provincial and regional levels. It is not the time to let your guard down. For more information and updates go to markham.ca/covid19 and york.ca/covid19.

YRP has provided their recent newsletter covering various topics including:
  • Crime Prevention Month
  • Video camera registry
  • Local break and enter arrests
  • Crime map online
  • and more

The City's Sustainability and Asset Management department is hosting two HERO virtual workshops on Saturday December 5. Register for either workshop as they will each cover the same content. This no-cost event will help homeowners incorporate best practice upgrades in home renovations that improve comfort, resilience, peace of mind, GHG reductions and lower energy costs. The session will also provide insights on eligible financing and rebate programs.

This Green Markham program is offered in partnership with Humber College and Enbridge Gas and supports the Markham Municipal Energy Plan - Getting to Zero with the goal of Net Zero Emissions by 2050 - register here.

While everything is different this year, Toy Mountain is still being built. You will find the antique fire truck at the Pride of Canada carousel in Downtown Markham on weekends until December 13. Stop by from 2pm - 5pm.
You can make your donation of a new unwrapped toy.

Do you know hands-only CPR? Thankfully you don't need to worry about mouth-to-mouth breaths when performing emergency CPR. Hands-only CPR could be the difference between "Stayin' Alive" and "Another One Bites the Dust" the two songs you can hum to keep your timing right during compressions. Here's how to do it:
  1. Place your hands in the centre of the chest
  2. Push hard and fast; about 100 compressions/minute at a depth of about 2 inches 
  3. Repeat until paramedics arrive
Learn more about CPR which can significantly increase a person's chance of survival during a cardiac arrest.

Markham's cultural attractions want to hear from you. Take a few minutes to complete the COVID-19 Culture Survey. This will help the Markham Museum, Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery with current and future decision making - take the survey now.

As a reminder, the Varley Art Gallery and Markham Museum are open for pre-booked self-guided tours. Enjoy current exhibitions at the Varley and get some fresh air while learning about the historic buildings at the Museum. Pre-book here.
In this installment of Ward 1 Talk, Keith Irish, Ward 1 Councillor, visits the Markham Operations Work Yard to speak with the City's Director of Operations, Morgan Jones about winter road maintenance.
Here is the Winter Maintenance Newsletter referenced in the video just in case you haven't seen it.
More information on winter road maintenance can be found here.
While the contents change each time, this was the latest Good Food Box ready for pick-up at the YR Food Network. Place your order this week for pick up next week.

If you are looking for unique gifts for the holidays, visit the Markham Group of Artists Small is Beautiful Holiday Show and Sale for gift-sized petite paintings that are no more than 12 x 12”. Available from now until to January 20. This show makes holiday shopping easy, safe and meaningful. To purchase a work, contact MGA directly.

You can have a say in the Province's proposed regulations that will shift responsibility of the Blue Box program from municipalities and tax payers to companies that produce products and packaging. Submit your comments by December 3 here.

Are you a brick and mortar business in Markham? You may be eligible for the Markham Small Business Centre's Small Business Recovery and Resilience Program and a $5,000 grant. You have until December 7 to apply. Learn more
Has phantom power got you scared of your utility bills?
Turn off power bars and unplug small appliances to save energy and money.
Save even more with this handy tool - kilowattway.ca/alectra
📢 Great news 📢
YRT's Mobility On-Request 65+ service for seniors across York Region has been extended
to April 30 2021.

The City is collaborating with Ritual and DoorDash to provide locally owned and operated small businesses with an easy way to conduct online sales through their own websites and social media and to enable contactless ordering at brick-and-mortar stores. With COVID-19 remaining a threat to both the economy and public health, the Open for Business program will help the community support local, while keeping everyone safe as the holiday season approaches.
 
Markham businesses can sign up for the Open for Business program and use Ritual ONE to receive special pricing and offers. While Ritual is most strongly associated with food services, Open for Business is available to provide any locally owned and operated business in Markham with commission-free pick-up and delivery during these challenging and unprecedented times. Businesses can learn more here.
 
Open for Business is the latest initiative offered in collaboration with the City's other support programs being offered through the Markham Small Business Centre to help local businesses through the evolving COVID-19 pandemic including:
  • Small Business Recovery & Digital Resilience Program ($5K grant)
  • Free custom websites via Digital Main Street's ShopHERE 
  • Free online small business seminars and workshops
  • Access to expert advice
  • Entrepreneur funding opportunities
  • Temporary Patio Program extension

Through the COVID-19 Community Coordination (3C) initiative York Region is working together with United Way Greater Toronto, local municipal partners, community organizations and agencies to provide access to emergency food programs to those who need it most. Learn more about emergency food and other supports.

The combined efforts of school administration, public health, teachers, parents and students have kept schools open for in class learning this fall. Wondering what actually happens if confirmed cases of COVID-19 are found in school. This is when Public Health steps in to conduct an in-depth case investigation to identify contacts of the case.

The Markham Board of Trade has created the site Open in Markham to support local businesses. Visit the site to see over 200 local businesses that are open. If you are a local business why not add your own listing to let everyone know that your business is open. Don't forget shop local to support local businesses.

Also, the MBT reminds local businesses that the Ontario government is providing enhanced support to businesses affected by COVID restrictions including the additional costs for PPE and help with fixed costs like property tax and energy bills. More detail

This year, like everything else, this event will be held virtually on Thursday November 26 at 7pm. It will feature the announcement of the award winners and musical entertainment including a virtual performance from violinist Midori live from NYC. Tickets to the event are free of charge the awards ceremony can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home - get tickets.

Are you ready for a winter?

Looking out the window today, it looks like winter has arrived. Emergencies happen, even during a pandemic. Visit York Region’s Emergency Preparedness Guide for detailed information about how to be prepared before, during and after a winter storm - more information here.

A message from the Markham Arts Council - As the second wave of COVID-19 surges, let's take a moment to remember all that we've been through this year, both personally and as an entire community. Take a moment to remember the small acts of kindness that helped hold us together when we believed everything would fall apart. As each day progresses into another, life becomes a little more uncertain. Let's take a moment to pay the kindness we received forward today, because it's still not over! 
  • Artist Unplugged Series - Join MAC on their Facebook Page every Thursday at 12.30 pm as they showcase local performing artists as part of their Artists Unplugged Series.
  • Healing Dance - Join MAC for the last session on Tuesday November 24 at 10:30am on Zoom as you dance to heal your mind and body to cope with stress and anxiety during these challenging time - register

Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) is currently recruiting new members for the Board of Directors for the 2021/22 fiscal year. The hospital is looking for new Board and Community members to start June 2021.

The Board of Directors oversee the activities at MSH (Markham and Uxbridge sites) and is made up of business leaders, and medical and community members. They are committed to making sure MSH remains a leader in patient care and provides patient and their families with high quality, safe care.
 
If you are looking to have an impact and make a difference in the community at the Board level, this may be the right opportunity for you. More information is available here.
Markham COVID-19 Report - as of November 20 - 4:30pm
and the City of Markham Executive Leadership Team.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here.
C19 Dashboard Now Includes Schools - 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 can be found at york.ca/covid19data.
Upcoming Meetings

  • November 23 - Development Services Committee Mtg - 9:30am - details
  • November 24 - Markham Council Meeting - 1pm - details
  • November 25 - YR Accessibility Advisory Committee - 4pm - details
  • November 25 - Budget Public Meeting - 7pm - details
  • November 26 - Regional Council Special Meeting - 9am - details
  • November 27 - Budget Committee Meeting - 9am - details
  • November 30 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
  • December 1 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
  • December 2 - Housing York - 9am - details
  • December 3 - YR Committee of the Whole 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.

York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here. Details of upcoming YR meetings and past session is available here
Community Meetings and Events

As new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.


  • Markham Public Art Summit - Tuesday weekly to December 8 - details

  • MBT After 4 Networking - November 26 at 4pm - details
  • Markham Performing Arts Awards - November 26 at 7pm - details
  • Virtual Visit with Santa - December 5 at 11am - details
  • MBT virtual Business Excellence Awards - January 28

I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
Working together to make Markham better!