The Deputy Mayor's Exchange - Valentine's Day Is Coming Soon 💕

February 6 2022

The Deputy Mayor's Exchange

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Valentine's Day is Coming Soon 💕

In spite of efforts by myself, Regional Councillor Jack Heath and a large contingent of well spoken Thornhill residents, the battle at York Region Council to not allow subway trains to travel under people's homes, schools and condominium buildings was lost. In a recorded vote, only DM Don Hamilton, RC Jack Heath, RC Joe Li and RC Linda Jackson (Vaughan) supported the residents. The rest of Council bowed to the force of GO-Metrolinx. I was very disappointed that Mayor Scarpitti and RC Jones did not support their Thornhill residents.

York Region Council stands by Yonge North Subway Extension despite community outrage - article

A meeting concerning Community Housing in Ward 7 will be held Monday February 28th. The discussion on this matter at a recent community meeting, hosted by Ward 7 Councillor Khalid Usman, was quite heated.

We continue to celebrate the Lunar New Year and Black History month. See below for more information.

I'm pleased to include the monthly newsletters of Councillor McAlpine and Councillor Karen Rea. Click below.

Have a safe week.

Email - dhamilton@markham.ca

In this issue

- February is Black History Month

- February is Heart Month ❤️

- Are You on the List?

- Ward 3 eNewsletter

- Ward 4 eNewsletter

- Do I Need Booster?

- Box Grove Residents Please Note

- Updates from GO Metrolinx

- Your Help is Needed

- Age Friendly Design

- White Cane Week

- Lunarfest at the Varley

- Other Items

- Upcoming Meetings

- York Region Update

- Community Happenings

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.

Find Your Ward Councillor

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

February is Black History Month

Each February there are a number of ways to participate in Black History Month with events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. This year's theme is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day,” and focuses on recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. More information on Black History Month can be canada.ca/Black-History-Month.

There are a number of events that have been planned by various organizations across York Region:

the Markham Public Library is hosting events this month. You can find the details here.
Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA) is holding a series of events to celebrate Black History Month - have a look.
York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities is holding their 5th Annual Black History Month event, Black Health, Well-Being and Resilience through Ubuntu "I am because we are", on February 19. More information and registration details can be found here.
The Town of Aurora in partnership with the Aurora Black Community Association and Aurora Public Library, is hosting a number of virtual events this month. More information about these events can be found here.
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association is hosting events all month long in collaboration with the Town of Newmarket, Newmarket Public Library and East Gwillimbury Public Library. For more information and to register visit newmarket.ca/blackhistory.

February is Heart Month ❤️

This month take action to reduce your risk for heart disease.

Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any age and at any time. Do you know what to do in a cardiac emergency? To learn more visit york.ca/CPR.

Remember that what you eat regularly can help you feel good and keep your heart healthy too. Check out all the cookbooks that Markham Public Library has that are full of recipes that are good for your heart and taste great too - have a look.

Are You on the List?

Yes, believe it or not this Fall is the Municipial Election when you have the opportunity to vote for your representatives on Markham Council. There will actually be 2 elections this year as the Provincial election will be in June and the Municipal election will be in October.

If you are a resident, owner or tenant of property in Markham, a Canadian citizen, and at least 18 years of age, you can vote in the 2022 Markham Municipal Election.

Now is the time to check, update or add your information to the Municipal Voters’ List - get started here.

Eligible voters will be able to cast their ballot online or in person from October 14 to 24 2022 for the following offices:

Mayor
Regional Councillor (up to 4)
Ward Councillor
School Board Trustee.

Even if you voted in a recent election, you might not be on the Municipal Voters’ List. Voters who are on the Municipal Voters' List will receive a Voter Information Package (VIP) closer to the election, which will include a personal Online Voting PIN.

The latest edition of Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine's eNewsletter can be found here.

The latest edition of Ward 4 Councillor Karen Rea's eNewsletter can be found here.

Why Do I Need a Booster Dose and How Effective Is It?

from York Region

Boosters aren’t new. They are given for many vaccines people get like the tetanus vaccine and the yearly flu vaccine. Although first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine provide protection against COVID-19, it fades over time and a third dose helps ‘boost’ our immune system and extend the protection, especially in those who are at most risk for severe outcomes of the virus.

A recent study shows booster doses dramatically increase protection from severe outcomes like hospitalization or death, with 99% protection against severe outcomes from the Delta variant and 95% protection against severe outcomes from the Omicron variant.

When should I get a booster dose? At this time, anyone 18 years of age or older whose second dose was at least 84 days ago is eligible for a booster vaccine. A full list of the current eligibility is available at york.ca/covid19vaccine

I’ve already been sick with COVID-19, do I still need a booster dose? With the highly transmissible Omicron variant circulating in our communities, you may have recently been sick. While a recent COVID-19 infection may provide you with some protection from reinfection, this immunity can vary based on factors such as your age, how severe your illness was and the length of time since you were sick. There is no clear way to measure or be certain of what level of protection you may have. The evidence is clear that COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against reinfection, serious illness and hospitalization.

Even if you’ve recently been sick, the good news is you can get your vaccine as soon as you’re feeling better and your isolation is complete. Waiting 30 days following the start of your symptoms may provide more long-lasting protection from illness and severe outcomes. However, seeking vaccination sooner may provide earlier protection against reinfection. Individuals with mild or non-specific symptoms should consider getting vaccinated immediately rather than waiting 30 days. Immediate vaccination when you are feeling better or waiting 30 days are both safe and effective options. Even those experiencing prolonged COVID-19 symptoms (sometimes called Long COVID) are encouraged to get the vaccine once the acute symptoms requiring isolation have passed.

Get vaccinated today - You can walk into any York Region vaccination clinic to get a first, second or booster dose or you can also book an appointment. More information is available at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine.

If you have any questions or concerns about a booster dose or your primary vaccine series, you can visit york.ca/COVID19VaccineInfo or consult with your health care provider for more information.

New Housing Options Being Planned for Box Grove

York Region is exploring an opportunity to develop community housing at the corner of 14th Avenue and Donald Cousens Parkway in the Box Grove area.

The current proposal includes a mixed-income development with two buildings between four and six storeys in height with both affordable and market rental units. York Region is beginning the planning process and community engagement early on to ensure the site is development ready in the future. Construction will not begin until funding is secured.

York Region will be hosting a virtual Public Information Centre on Monday February 28 from 6:30pm to 8 pm during which time there will be an overview of the proposal and the planning application process. Community members will also have a chance to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposal.

More information about the project and details of the meeting can be found here.

Updates from GO Metrolinx

The Yonge North Subway Extension project will bring subway service into York Region. This 8 kilometer 4 stop extension of TTC Line 1 is moving forward. The most recent update from Metrolinx can be found here.

Construction at the Unionville GO Station continues and electrical installation is being done in a new accessible pedestrian tunnel to the new platform that has been built. This work will allow Metrolinx to serve even more daily passengers with new all-day, two-way GO train service over the next several years. Click here to learn more about this project.

Major construction work continues at the Old Elm (formerly Lincolnville) station. Some of the work will enhance accessibility, provide barrier-free parking, a bike lane and storage. GO Expansion along the Stouffville line will offer more flexibility with increased service in the middays, evenings, and weekends - learn more here.

Even though it's winter, Metrolinx continues the work to deliver their expansion program and prepare for the future electrification of GO service. They will continue this work along the Stouffville Line which include clearing, removal and in some cases pruning designated trees and vegetation within the rail corridor. More information is available here.

Community members are working to create an art installation, theCanadianLibrary.ca, to honour Indigenous Women and Children that have lost their lives or gone missing.

They need your help to be able to purchase needed supplies and are selling scrunchies to support their project. Scan the QR code for details.

The City of Markham is developing a set of Age Friendly Design Guidelines to help make Markham a more inclusive and accessible community for everyone, regardless of their age or abilities. More information can be found here. As a part of this review, you can provide your input through this survey. The data gathered will be used develop a set of practical, relevant and achievable design guidelines that will help shape future residential and public space development in the city. The survey is available until February 14 and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You can find the survey and more information here.

White Cane Week

This week is White Cane Week to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by those who are blind or visually impaired in Canada. It serves as a reminder that the traditional white cane is a symbol of independence, not dependence. White Cane Week is a program of Canadian Council of the Blind that acts as the voice of the blind in Canada.

LunarFest 2022 at the Varley

The Varley Gallery is open again and you can find the details here. Currently in the courtyard at the Varley Art Gallery you can view the Lunar Lanterns of Indigenous Lights to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. This display features six artworks courtyard created by local Indigenous artists which are a way to connect the Indigenous cultures of Canada to the Asian tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year. Why not stop by and see the lanterns that will be on display until March 6 and learn the stories of the artists and the artworks. Find more details at lunarfestgta.ca.

Other items

Have you seen the article in this week's Economist and Sun about the Transit Oriented Community slated for the Langstaff area of Thornhill. This unwelcome intervention was dropped on Markham in December by the Provincial government - read the article here.

Join the Unionville Residents Association at their next meeting via Zoom February 7 at 7pm. You can learn more here about the meeting or email rsvp@unionvilleresidents.com to get Zoom details. The meeting will feature more information on:

a presentation by City staff, led by David Plant, Senior Manager, Parks Horticulture and Forestry Division, covering pending Tree Bylaw updates, canopy cover and statistics, what the City is doing to meet the City's tree goals and what residents can do
an application to redevelop the No Frills plaza at Warden and Highway 7 by Unionville Square Shopping Centres Ltd (Smart Centres) has been filed with the City which would provide for 10 towers, incorporated within 8 buildings ranging in heights from 3 to 48 storeys. Click here to see a 3 page proposal summary. Please let me know what you think
there will also be other updates on various happenings around the Unionville area

Join the virtual Community Information Meeting on Thursday February 17 at 6:30pm. This interactive session will introduce land use plans for the land along Yonge Street through the City of Markham including the Yonge North Subway Extension stations at Steeles, Clark and Royal Orchard.

More information about the meeting including the draft report and meeting details can be found at markham.ca/YongeCorridor.

The Markham Group of Artists has just published their February newsletter - read it here. It provides updates on a number of MGA initiatives including:

members meeting and demo on February 9
peering in - member critique session on February 16
art history talk - Gossips from Mount Olympus - February 23
details of their February challenge and more.

Ward 4 Councillor Karen Rea will be hosting a Community Information Meeting on Thursday February 10 at 7pm to discuss the proposed redevelopment of 347 Main Street North in Markham that would bring 15 townhomes to the site. If you would like to attend the meeting, please register here. More information about the meeting can be found here.

Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine will be hosting a Student Housing Forum on February 22 at 7 pm on Zoom as York University's Markham Campus is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2023. Along with all the positive impacts that this new campus is expected to bring to the area there will also be some challenges. One of those will be affordable student housing. Over the next months Councillor McAlpine will be hosting a number of additional public forums to help everyone understand the issues. At this first meeting there will be a presentation about the City's policies on basement apartments and rooming houses along with a discussion with two City of Oshawa Councillors who will share their experiences relative to Ontario Tech University (formerly UOIT). There will also be a question and answer session. To register for this event please email Executive Assistant Marina Antonoglou at mantonoglou@markham.ca.

Join in on the fun with York University at their Markham Community Skate Day on Saturday February 19 from 10am to 12pm at the Markham Civic Centre ice surface. In addition to skating, there will be games, giveaways, free treats and hot chocolate.

Why wait until then to get out and enjoy one of the six the outdoor skating rinks in the City? Has anyone skated at all of the rinks yet?

Markham Civic Centre - lit at night and skate rentals are available
Huntington Park - lit at night
Markham Museum
Milne Dam Park
Victoria Square Park - lit at night
Milliken Mills Park - lit at night

Hours and times for leisure skating and pick-up hockey can be found at markham.ca/skating.

You may encounter lane closures and traffic delays in the area of Kennedy Road and 16th Avenue. The work, which will include line repainting and traffic signal installation, this work will continue through February.

More detail about the project that should be wrapped up by the Summer 2022 can be found here.

Recently York Regional Police stopped a driver doing 95 in a 50 km/h zone. She failed a roadside breath test. Not only was she driving while impaired, she did so with a six-year-old child in the back seat, who was not wearing a seatbelt - details.

RIDE checks aren't just a holiday thing. Don't drink and drive.

IMPAIRED DRIVER WITH CHILD IN CAR CHARGED

As a reminder when it’s your garbage and recycling collection day, please make sure the area is accessible, clear of snow and ice and your bins and bags are placed at the curbside not on the top of the snowbanks.

All of the City's Recycling Depots are open once again. You can view depot guidelines, locations and hours at markham.ca/recyclingdepot.

City of Markham appoints members to senior leadership team - details
City of Markham achieves an "A-" rating from the C.D. Howe Institute for fiscal accountability and transparency - details