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

If you still need a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, make an appointment or walk in to one of the many pop-up clinics in various York Region communities. A weekly schedule of pop-up clinics, locations and hours is available at york.ca/covid19vaccine.

All COVID-19 vaccines provide protection approximately 14 days following the first dose. A second dose offers a stronger, more sustained level of protection against COVID-19 and variants. If you haven't already received both your doses, visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine.

The 41st annual Terry Fox Run is next Sunday. This year's run is once again virtual - One Day, Your Way - to help raise funds to find a cure for cancer. The annual Terry Fox Run has become a Fall tradition in Canada with more than 650 communities across the country continuing Terry's work to raise money for cancer research.

There are 2 virtual locations in the City of Markham where you can participate on Sunday September 19:

The Province is currently working on a mobile app for vaccine certificates. In the meantime, you can download your vaccination receipt from Ontario's booking portal - learn more.

In an effort to keep our communities safe, York Region has added additional COVID-19 health measures for residents and party hosts. These measures include amendments to existing orders regarding isolation and requirements for party hosts in private and commercial premises to keep a list of names and contact information for all attendees and provide it to York Region Public Health, upon request - learn more.

York Region Public Health has implemented a new enhanced screening tool to use daily before attending school and child care. York Region has added runny nose and sore throat to the list of symptoms that would prevent attendance at school and child care centres. Let’s work together to keep schools and child care centres open for in-person learning.

Learn more and complete your screening at york.ca/SafeAtSchool.

Despite strong opposition from both Markham and Vaughan Councils to the route planned by Metrolinx, over the last several weeks they have submitted requests for Road Occupancy Permits in the Royal Orchard community in order to conduct geotechnical borehole drilling.

The granting of road occupancy permits to third parties to conduct work on City of Markham property is generally a routine undertaking handled by City staff; however, in this instance I have asked to be kept informed throughout. and the City actually denied the granting of permits until residents were satisfied that Metrolinx and its contractor had adequate safety plans in place.

Sadly, that work has now begun on some streets.

What’s particularly upsetting and frustrating for those being impacted now, is that Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney stated in a July 16 press release that: "Metrolinx is also actively investigating refinements to the route of the extension to minimize impacts to the communities it will serve. Results of those investigations are expected later this year."

If there’s a possibility the route could change, why disrupt a community and spend money collecting soil information that may have no bearing on the eventual route? Furthermore, the approved 2009 Environmental Assessment for a Yonge Street alignment of the subway makes this work unnecessary.

The “Keep the Subway on Yonge Street” Steering Committee has organized a protest against Metrolinx’s geotechnical borehole drilling for this Friday. Confirmed attendees include MP Peter Kent, Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish and Thornhill federal candidates Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) and Gary Gladstone (Liberal). All are welcome.

With Fall approaching, outdoor open air fires might be something you're considering. Markham Fire & Emergency Services typically receives requests from residents to conduct outdoor open burning on their property. This includes the use of fire pits and chimeneas. Open outdoor burning is regulated through By-Law 85-97 which details the criteria and establishes terms and conditions that a Fire in Open Air permit may be supported. Most properties not designated as "rural" will not comply with the provisions of the permit - learn more.

For further information or to apply for an Open Air Burning Permit please contact Markham Fire & Emergency Services through the Contact Centre at 905.477.5530 or here at Markham Open Air Permit Application. Please note that the submission of an online application does not indicate a valid permit. Permits are not valid until a request is reviewed and approved by a Markham Fire Prevention Officer. Applicants will receive a separate notification once a permit has been approved. 

There's something for all ages and abilities - learn more here.

As facilities reopen, the City of Markham will continue to follow advice from public health officials at the regional, provincial and federal levels. The health and safety of service users, the community and City staff remains the number one priority as we navigate the pandemic, together. More information about COVID-19 health and safety information can be found here.

As Fall colours begin to take over, there are plenty of sights to discover in the York Regional Forest including beautiful landscapes and dynamic wildlife.

More information about the trails can be found at york.ca/yrf. Now is the time to get out and explore the trails while the weather is still great.

The City's Animal Services Officers are patrolling areas where coyotes have been sighted and enforcing By-law 2018-91.

More information can be found at markham.ca/wildlife.

The new exhibit at the Varley is slated to have a virtual opening on September 24th but the good news is that the Varley is anticipating the reopening of the Gallery soon to welcome back in-person visitors. Registration is required for the event on the 24th - details here.

You can read the most recent update from Niamh O'Laoghaire, Director of the Varley Gallery - here. It includes details of virtual tours, their school programs, the public art installation in their courtyard along with other programs. Have you seen their YouTube series on the the current exhibits in the Gallery?

10,000 Trees for the Rouge is getting ready to plant trees this fall. Why not make some time to help plant some trees in the Rouge National Park this October. The tree planting events will take place at the 19th Avenue Day Use Area from October 16 - 20.

More information and registration details can be found here at 10000trees.

Tree Canada is hosting is another tree planting event on September 11 at 4pm taking place at Milne Dam Conservation area. This event commemorates the 10th anniversary of National Tree Day. Details and registration information can be found here.

Congratulations to all athletes connected to Markham on training for the world stage in a year like no other, overcoming COVID-19 challenges overseas, for going against the best in the world and for making international and Canadian Olympic history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games - read more.

On Friday afternoon I was happy to attend the 40th anniversary celebration for the Markham Group of Artists at Milne Park.

This was just one of their Fall events which include an art show, Plein Air painting sessions around the community on upcoming Thursdays, other workshops and more. Check out all that is going on with MGA - here - including their latest newsletter.

For people not familiar with GO Expansion, it’s a total reimaging of the GO Transit network. The plan is to turn GO into an all-day, two-way, electrified transit system that is more than a rush hour commuter service - and that plan is already underway.

Click here for the full story and check out the video for more information. 

As Canadians head to the polls on September 20 for the Federal election, All Candidate Meetings are planned in some of the Markham ridings. Here are the details of upcoming events:

Are you ready to vote in the Federal Election? The Markham Public Library has everything you need to know about the election (except who to vote for - you need to figure that out) all set up in one location that can help answer questions that you may have - check it out here.

Did you know you can apply to vote by mail? Voting by mail includes several security features. Paper ballots are used, which are counted by hand and, if required, can be re-examined. Each returned ballot is kept sealed until mandatory checks are completed - learn more. Remember, once you apply to vote by mail, you can't vote at the advanced polls or on election day.

Have you received your voter information card? If not, you may need to update you voter registration if your card hasn't arrived yet or has the wrong details. More information can be found here.

Markham at the Movies hosts a TIFF Premiere at Cineplex and you're invited!

Celebrate your own red-carpet night at the Toronto International Film Festival - right in the heart of Markham. As part of TIFF’s Coast-to-Coast Screenings, Markham at the Movies is happy to host the North American premiere of the German sci-fi rom-com, I’m Your Man (Ich bin dein Mensch) - Trailer.

The TIFF Special Presentation is on Monday September 13 at 7pm at the Cineplex Cinemas Markham and VIP - seats can be purchased here.

Join the Markham Small Business Centre and Destination Markham as they host the WSPS, Ministry of Labour and WSIB to speak about what you need to know to safely operating your business in Ontario.

Tuesday September 14 from 2pm to 3:30pm. More information and registration details can be found here.

The next Unionville Villagers Association meeting will take place on Monday September 13 at 7pm on Zoom. They have noted this meeting as a Special Think Tank to gather new ideas as they move forward. You can join the meeting by emailing their President at laketrevelyan@gmail.com.

UVA is a special community association dedicated to preserve and protect and promote the heritage of the historic village of Unionville.

Visit the Milliken Mills Depot at 7600 Kennedy Road. Hours of operation have been temporarily extended - learn more.

Learn more and apply at venturelab.ca/innovationfund.

Channel Fred Varley and the Group of Seven by paying homage to the Fall season with a colourful tree landscape painting.

The Varley-McKay Art Foundation is hosting their second virtual PaintnSip Party on Saturday September 18 at 7pm.

Purchase your tickets here which will include all the materials you will need to create your very own work of art.

New time slots released every Monday at 8am. No drop-ins. Space is limited. markham.ca/swimming

Splash pads around the City remain open too. Find a location near you - details.

York Region Transit plans well ahead when making changes to their services, facilities, routes and new programs. Your feedback is a valuable part of the decision-making process.

Learn more about these planned initiatives and provide your feedback at yrt.ca/2022TransitPlan.

Toronto Pearson Airport continues to work with the community with their noise management forums. Several areas in the City of Markham can be on the flight path for the airport. The airport continues to engage with communities around them to manage their impact. Pearon's Noise Management Forums are an opportunity to learn more about airport operations, noise management efforts and to provide feedback.

The next forums are scheduled for the week of September 20. Meeting details and material are available at torontopearson.com/nmf.

Remove LDD egg masses on trees that are on your property to reduce the number of hatched caterpillars in the Spring. Learn more at markham.ca/LDDMoth.

While I was out bike riding last weekend, I happened upon these colourful dancers at the Unionville Bandstand on a bright sunny day.

If you have a picture to share from locations around Markham, please send it along. I would be happy to include other images in a future edition of the DME.

Have you visited one of the self-guided Shinrin Yoku trails in Markham?

Shinrin Yoku is the Japanese practice known as Forest Therapy that connects people to forest environments through gentle sensory-based invitations. Learn more and find a trail 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