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The

Markham 

Exchange

September 11, 2022

eNewsletter #172

The World Mourns


The City of Markham joins the people of Canada, Great Britain and the Commonwealth in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the age of 96. The Queen devoted over 70 years of her life to the service of her subjects and was the longest reigning British monarch and longest serving woman head of state in world history. As the Queen she was the head of 54 Commonwealth countries.

A virtual Book of Condolence is available for members of the public to sign at markham.ca/BookofCondolence until September 29.

 

For those wishing to handwrite a message, a physical Book of Condolence will be available at Markham Civic Centre starting Monday September 12 through to Friday September 16 from 3pm to 8pm daily.

 

The Queen visited Canada many times. You can view a selection of photos here.

Today we remember all the lives, ended or forever changed, by the events of September 11 2001.


Don't forget a true Canadian hero Terry Fox. I will be attending the Thornhill and Unionville runs this coming weekend. See you there. 


Markham at the Movies is back so get ready for great TIFF movies in Markham. See below for details


Have a nice week!


don.hamilton@rogers.com

In This Issue


  • Terry Fox Run
  • Are You on the Voters List?
  • They're Back
  • Cycling Without Age
  • German Mills Park Construction
  • It's Almost Here! 🚲
  • Expired Medication
  • Start Something New
  • The Canadian Library at the Varley
  • In Case You Missed It
  • Other Items
  • Upcoming Meetings
  • York Region Update
  • Community Meetings and Events

Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest

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Find Your Ward Councillor

Please continue tor remember the Ukraine and its suffering people in your thoughts and prayers.

visit my website - donhamilton.ca

Click here for last week's eNewsletter.


All prior editions of my weekly eNewsletter can be found here.

In case you hadn't heard, I am a candidate for the Mayor of Markham In the upcoming Municipal election and would appreciate any financial support that you may be able to provide. Contributions by Markham residents may be eligible for City's rebate program - details here.


Thank you to those that have already reached out with words of encouragement and donations to my campaign. Feel free to forward my eNewsletter to others in Markham that may find it of interest.


If your group would like to meet with me, please email me at don.hamilton@rogers.com


It's Time For Change!


Terry Fox Run Next Weekend


This year's Terry Fox Run will take place in person next weekend on Sunday September 18.


There will be two events in the City of Markham with runs in: 

  • Unionville at the park behind the Unionville Library (Main Street and Library Lane)
  • Thornhill at Thornlea Secondary School track - 8075 Bayview Avenue

Are You on the Voters List?


Registering to vote in the upcoming Municipal election this Fall is quick and easy.


Even if you voted in the recent Provincial election you might not be on the Voters List for the Markham election as the lists are taken from different sources.


You can vote in the upcoming Municipal election if you are:

  • Canadian
  • 18+ years
  • a Markham resident, property owner or tenant

You can make sure you are on the Voter's List anytime and anywhere. Learn more at 

electionsmarkham.ca/register.

They're Back!


It's been a long time coming but Markham at the Movies returns to the Flato Markham Theatre on Tuesday September 20 at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm). MATM brings award winning Toronto International Film Festival movies to Markham. It's a non-profit group run by community volunteer film enthusiasts and is a satellite committee of the Markham Arts Council


The September movie will be the acclaimed new Canadian success story Peace by Chocolate. It tells the amazing story of the Hadhad family and the founding of their now well-known chocolaterie, Peace by Chocolate. From the devastation of the Syrian civil war, through their life as refugees in Lebanon, to their arrival in a small town in Atlantic Canada, Peace by Chocolate is the story of one family. It is also the story of the people of Antigonish Nova Scotia and so many towns across Canada, who welcomed strangers and helped them face the challenges of settling in an unfamiliar land. More information is available here.

Cycling Without Age


Earlier this week I was pleased to be joined by Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine and Markham-Unionville MP Paul Chiang for a demonstration of Cycling Without Age. This program promotes taking seniors with mobility issues for neighbourhood rides and reconnecting them with nature, their community and the world around them. The photo shows two local seniors on a trail behind Unionville Main Street.


More detail about this program can be found in this short video.

German Mills Settlers Park Upcoming Construction 


Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with York Region and the City of Markham, is preparing to undertake remedial erosion control works in German Mills Settlers Park to protect the sanitary sewer infrastructure and the multi-use trail, which have been placed at risk due to erosion hazards.

 

The construction is scheduled to begin the week of October 3 and heavy construction should be completed in January 2023. Final restoration, including tableland tree plantings and trail resurfacing, will be completed in Spring 2023, as temperatures and weather conditions permit.

 

For safety, a section of the Lake to Lake trail will be closed in German Mills Settlers Park for the duration of heavy construction. A temporary trail detour route will be provided along Don Mills Road. The work hours will typically be Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm however some equipment may be required to operate 24 hours a day during periods of active creek diversion.


More information about the project can be found here.

It's Almost Here! 🚲


Markham Cycle Day is York Region's largest free single day cycling event. It will take place on Sunday September 25 from 8am to 1pm with the location being at the Pan Am Centre at 16 Main Street Unionville.


The event will feature the "Tour de Markham", community group rides, children's races for kids age 3 to 10, live entertainment, light refreshments and more.


Participants must register and bring their own bike in good working order as rentals are not available. More information about the event including how to register can be found at markham.ca/cyclingday.

Expired Medication – Where Does It Go?


Do you know how to properly dispose of unused and expired medication? Here's a hint - do not put it down the drain.


Traces of pharmaceuticals are being detected in rivers, lakes, drinking water and soil. Some of the ways they get into the environment is by consumers throwing medications and other personal care products in the garbage or flushing them down the toilet. Please make sure to take preventative action by disposing of pharmaceuticals safely. It helps protect our drinking water sources and our ecosystems. Take expired medications to a local pharmacy or Household Hazardous Waste depot for proper disposal. Learn more about protecting our water sources at york.ca/idontflush.

Start Something New


September is here and what a great a time to start something new.


The Markham Public Library is a great place to begin as they offer sessions on a wide variety of topics from meditation, to family yoga to tips on getting a better sleep, they have a wellness program for everyone.


There are a lot of great programs at MPL in September, some in-person and some over Zoom, including story time, fall prevention for older adults, Toastmasters, book clubs, homework help, homeschoolers meet-ups and more - have a look

The Canadian Library


The Canadian Library is a grassroots project initiated by a group of local volunteers. It's a series of art installations that honours and serves as a lasting remembrance of First Nations, Metis and Inuit women and children that have been murdered or gone missing.


While installations have been completed at various sites across Canada, the Varley Art Gallery will officially launch their installation on Saturday September 24 at 3pm and you are invited to attend.


The main purpose of The Canadian Library initiative is to continue to create awareness of the past, encourage conversations, promote greater education and hopefully effect positive change amongst all. We must work together to ensure that this type of abuse against Indigenous Peoples comes to an end. 


More information can be found at TheCanadianLibrary.ca.

In Case You Missed It


  • Have you noticed some new lights on school buses this year? Learn more about the new flashing amber lights - read more
  • YRP kicks off September back to school safety ABC campaign - Always Be Careful - drivers need to slow down in school zones and be alert - details here
  • Would a tax help to reduce the number of vacant homes? - read more
  • It's sweet corn season. Find out where you can pick up some local corn.
  • Flato Markham Theatre is offering YouthTix and Senior Pricing for their 2022-23 shows - details

Other Items

COVID-19 booster vaccinations are now available to be booked at york.ca/covid19vaccine for children five to 11 years of age. Appointments can also be booked through the provincial booking system, the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre and participating pharmacies.


As students across York Region return to classrooms this week, keeping all family members up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations can help keep students and teachers in school where they belong. You can learn more and book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at york.ca/covid19vaccine


York Region Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barry Pakes, discusses a slight downward trend in COVID-19 cases as we approach our third fall with the virus and how we can be cautious as kids return to school. More information can be found at york.ca/covid19

It's important that we all do our part to keep safe, and with back to school it's probably a good time for some basic safety reminders


With students resuming their commutes to school it's even more important for drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant on the road. Pedestrians should be sure to:

  • press the pedestrian walk button to activate the pedestrian signal and to ensure adequate crossing time
  • make eye contact with drivers and only cross at intersections
  • walk, don’t run when crossing the street
  • always watch for turning vehicles

Learn more about road safety here.

Night paving will occur on Major Mackenzie Drive East from Warden Avenue to McCowan Road from September 12 to September 23 from 7pm to 7am. This night work is required to expedite the completion of paving operations and to minimize daytime traffic disruptions. Impacts to travellers and residents include:

  • lane closures are required however, one lane in each direction will remain open at all times with appropriate signage
  • paid duty officers will direct traffic at the signalized intersections
  • access to sidewalks, driveways and entrances will be maintained
  • access will be maintained for emergency vehicles
  • residents may experience noise from construction machinery, vehicles and crews
  • should site lighting be required, it will be pointed away from households and windows 

The kids are back to school so please be mindful of the crossing guard and the speed limit in school zones. There are several new pedestrian crossings where drivers must stop and yield the right of way to pedestrians.

Stop by the Markham Museum on September 24 for their tastiest event of the year as they celebrate the apple harvest.


More information about the event can be found here.

The Markham Fair will be back in person this year from September 29 to October 2 at the Markham Fairgrounds. This year they are celebrating 178 years!


There's always something for all ages and this year will be no different. Paw Patrol meet and greet, the Super Dogs, a monster truck show, fireworks, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, lots of performances, agricultural competitions, animals, concessions and of course the midway. Learn more at MarkhamFair.ca.


Ticket presales are now open. You can save $5 on the purchase of adult and youth tickets until September 25 by using the promo code SEPTEMBER or FAIR22. You can purchase tickets here.

Rock, Paper, Wireless - Communication Through the Ages is presented by the Thornhill Heritage Foundation at the Robert West Heritage House located at 7780 Yonge Street in Thornhill (corner of Yonge Street and Centre Street). 


Inside this historic house, which was built in 1843, you will see a display featuring the foundation of communication including communication related equipment to the era of the West family, owners and residents of the House over four generations from 1843 to 2011.


The exhibit is open from 11am to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays until October 9. The event is family friendly and admission is free but donations are welcome. Masks are requested but not required.

Upcoming Meetings


Council and Committee Meetings will resume in September. Should the need arise before then an emergency meeting will be convened.


  • Development Services Committee Meeting - September 12 at 9am - details
  • Council Meeting - September 13 at 1pm - details
  • Housing York - September 15 at 9am - details
  • YR Accessibility Advisory Committee - September 21 at 4pm - details
  • YR Housing Affordability Task Force - September 22 at 9am - details
  • YR Regional Council - September 29 at 9am - details
  • Council Meeting - November 1 at 1pm - details
  • Regional Council Meeting - November 3 at 9am - details 


Markham Committee Meetings - details

York Region Update


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


Details of upcoming York Region meetings and past sessions are available here.


  • York Region mourns the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - details
  • Condolences to James Smith Cree Nation - details
  • York Regional Forest is expanding - details
  • Urgent recall of contaminated spices - details
  • Spongy moth populations are declining - details


York Safe Inspection Program  - details here

Community Meetings and Events



  • YRP Community Safety Data Portal Training - September 13 at 12 pm - details
  • Celebrate Health Fest - September 17 - Markham YMCA - details
  • eWaste Drop-Off - Markham Depot - September 17 - 18 - 8am - 4pm - details
  • Terry Fox Run - Sunday September 18 - Unionville and Thornhill
  • Markham at the Movies - September 20 at 7pm - details
  • Early Learning Professional Development - September 21 - details
  • MBT Trade Show and Networking - September 22 at 4pm - details
  • Applefest at the Markham Museum - September 24 - details
  • eWaste Drop-Off - Aaniin CC - September 24 - 25 from 8am to 4pm - details
  • The Canadian Library launch at the Varley - September 24 at 3pm
  • UVA Community BBQ - September 24 from 5pm - 7pm
  • Markham Cycling Day - September 25 at 8am - details
  • Markham Garden Club - The Magic Six - September 26 at 7:30pm - details
  • Markham Fair - September 29 - October 2 - details
  • MBT October Networking Breakfast - October 13 at 7:30am - details
  • Markhaven Colours of Fall Luncheon and Fashion Show - October 19 - details
  • Markham at the Movies - October 25 at 7pm - details
  • Union Villa With Love - November 4 at 6pm - details
  • Holiday Tree Lighting at Markville Mall - November 18 
  • Markham at the Movies - November 29 at 7pm - details


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

Please forward the details to don.hamilton@rogers.com.

It's Time for Change!

Don Hamilton


don.hamilton@rogers.com

www.donhamilton.ca

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