April 19 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
A Light at the End of the Tunnel?

While we continue to isolate and work from home, I have been asked "when do you think things will get back to normal?". While I would like to say "tomorrow", I am not the one calling the shots.

This week however, we did return the York Region Forests to normal use. I was pleased that my voice was heard at the Region and thank Chairman Emmerson for his support in opening the forest trails.

Another small victory was the reinstatement of yard waste pick up. Collection begins this week according to the City's published schedule. Thanks to Miller Waste for making this happen.

It still disgusts me that people are discarding their masks and gloves wherever they please. STOP this unsanitary practice.
If you notice a price increase that's well above being reasonable, report it to the Province's "price gouging hotline" at 1.800.889.9768 or here.

Continue to beware of scammers. They are trying to take advantage of the vulnerable.

Stay safe. Stay health.


Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
Spring Flowers on Main Street Unionville
In this issue
- Who Should I Contact?
- Happy Highlights
- We're All in This Together
- Some Good News
- Some More Good News
- Board of Trade Webinar
- Rallying for Small Business
- Volunteer Opportunities
- National Volunteer Week
- Fitness from Home
- Art is Healing
- Private Property
- Who Does What?
- MPL from Home
- MATM at Home
- Takeout Wednesdays
- York Region Food Network
- URA - Meeting Notice
- Protecting Kids Online
- 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.

What level of Government can help ?

False information continues to spread about COVID-19. Please use official sources to verify what you have heard or read. The best sources of official updates are noted below. The City's page helps to decipher who to contact about various issues.

Below are some links mentioned - click on the blue text to access updates and resources

COVID-19 Assessment Centres - check their website for specific hours

Federal or Provincial issues, please contact your local Member of Parliament or your Member of Provincial Parliament. 
MP Helena Jaczek - Markham-Stouffville - MPP Paul Calandra
MP Bob Saroya - Markham-Unionville - MPP Billy Pang
MP Mary Ng - M arkham-Thornhill -   MPP Logan Kanapathi
MP Peter Kent - Thornhill - M PP Gila Martow

Upcoming Meetings
Happy Highlights

I am starting a feature highlighting good news and events happening around the City. Please send me your local initiatives and I will be happy to include them in future editions of the DME.
Physical Distancing from the Markham Waxers and their well done salute to Front Line Workers
A great message from the Markham Mariners - Stay Home and Be Safe.
York Region has recently launched our  #SpiritofYR campaign which invites residents, businesses and organizations in York Region to share their positive stories of a neighbour, a frontline worker, family member or anyone who has gone above and beyond during COVID-19.

Markham is a caring and giving community. Share stories, pictures and spark connections in a posit ive manner at our interactive online platform devoted to positivity during COVID-19. Join the conversation

York Regional Forests are open

One of the most questioned responses to COVID-19 was the closing of the York Region Forests . Based on the number of emails that I received on this topic, many Markham residents, including my wife and me, are active users of the YRF. I asked York Region to revisit this decision and it was announced on our virtual Council meeting on Thursday that York Region would be re-opening public access to the York Regional Forest. With milder weather coming, York Region recognizes the need for people to get outside and connect with nature and the much needed health benefits our public tracts provide.

The following guidelines are in place for all users at the York Regional Forest and the 21 public forest tracts:
  • All dogs must be leashed and under control at all times (the off-leash dog area at Bendor and Graves Forest Tract both remain closed until further notice)
  • Practice physical distancing of at least 2 metres between yourself and other forest users, both on the tracts and in common parking areas
  • Do not litter, including garbage, personal protective equipment and pet waste
  • Be kind and act responsibly

The City's focus during the COVID-19 emergency has been on delivering essential services like blue bin, green bin and household waste collection.

This week the leaf and yard waste collection will start according to the bi-weekly schedule.
  • Safely store leaf and yard material on your property until regular bi-weekly collection begins. Please keep your yard waste bags dry.
  • Have material at the curb by 7am on your collection day
  • Details on the pickup schedule and to sign up for an email reminder on what to put out each week click here.

Join the MBT for an online conversation between Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, and Richard Cunningham, President and CEO of Markham Board of Trade. This free event will bring you updates from the Federal Government on topics related to COVID-19, as well as answering your questions submitted as part of registration!

Your questions must be submitted by April 23 at info@markhamboard.com or through the registration process to have them answered on the webinar.

Date -  Friday April 24
Time -  10:30am
Also, the MBT is working to help local businesses (and soon consumers) with resources to access various programs and events. Details here

Markham Small Business Centre has assembled a collection of some of the top quick tips they've been hearing about, and what they mean for us and our local Markham small businesses.


SPARK Ontario is partnering with the Ontario government to connect volunteers with opportunities to support seniors, people with disabilities and other Ontarians requiring assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

SPARK Ontario is also asking not-for-profit organizations and community response efforts to post their volunteer opportunities here  and conn ect with the thousands of Ontarians who want to help. 

SPARK Ontario is a free, bilingual online platform that connects organizations with potential volunteers. Almost 20,000 volunteers have already reached out across Ontario looking for ways to help. More information is available here .
National Volunteer Week 2020

This week (April 19-25) is time to applaud our country’s volunteers. Let’s all cheer for Canada’s volunteers!

Almost 13 million Canadian volunteers deserve our coast-to-coast-to-coast cheers for their dedication and generosity. Let’s all join together to applaud their immense contribution to our country, our communities and millions of our lives during  National Volunteer Week

More information about volunteering opportunities in Markham can be found here .

While gyms and City wide recreation facilities are closed due to COVID-19, the Markham's fitness team is committed to help maintain our community's fitness. They are launching ongoing virtual resources to help keep the community active and connected during this time.

Fitness Questions and Requests - Do you have a fitness question that needs answering? Looking for a demo of a particular exercise you're struggling with? Need some home exercise advice? Looking to have your questions answered? Please submit your question here and the City's fitness staff will address it.

Virtual Fitness Content Options

Flatten "Your" Curve Activity Challenge  - Log Activity Here
Stay motivated, active and healthy while we all stay home to flatten the curve
How to participate
  1. Track your activity daily. Any activity is accepted while maintaining physical distancing.
  2. You will receive one entry ballot for the prize draw for each day that you complete a minimum of 30 minutes of activity.
  3. Each week you will receive an additional contest ballot by completing one of the City of Markham YouTube or Live workouts.
  4. Win Prizes - Contest runs from April 11 to May 8. Join any time.
  5. Winners announced May 15th. Contest FAQ
  6. Prizes will be awarded once the City of Markham fitness centres are open for regular business again.

In these unprecedented times, the Markham Arts Council urges us to remain united and engaged through the arts.
The 2020 Arts and Cultural Heritage Celebrations will be taking place on their Facebook page on May 4th-10th. The event is a celebration to pay homage to the diverse and inclusive spirit of the City of Markham.

This year the festivities will include a virtual visual arts exhibition, featuring work from the participants of Markham Art Council’s Visual Art for Seniors Program and online performances by local artists, to showcase the wealth of talent within the region. Click here  for more information. Also you can submit a performance by email .
Markham Teen Arts Council for the 24 Hour Film Challenge Screening

The 24 Hour Film Challenge is MAC's annual contest that puts the creativity of teens around the City to the test. Teams of up to 5 members have 24 hours to create a short film from start to finish. The films have specific theme but must incorporate a sound effect, line of dialogue and prop that were given to them at the start of the challenge. This year's screening will be held online and can be viewed here .
Private Property

While Markham Parks and the York Regional Forest are open for walking, private property is private. You really wouldn't think that people would need a reminder about trespassing on private property but apparently that is not the case. I have had reports of damage being done to private property as residents seek out new places to walk and get some exercise.

Private property also includes golf courses. As the weather becomes nicer, I know that golfers are eager for that first round of the season (just ask my wife as she's itching to book a tee time) but Ontario golf courses are closed. You aren't special and you can't sneak on the course to hit a few balls.

Please remember to keep off private property and limit your outings to public parks and trails.

The Markham Public Library will be launching a new website on April 20th. The newly redesigned website will be more user-friendly, accessible and will offer seamless integration with the library's catalogue and programs.

Want instant access to eBooks and eAudiobooks but don't have a library card? Sign up for a temporary digital card and get immediate access to our largest eBook and eAudiobook collection.

Markham Public Library (MPL) continues to offer online programming for both kids and adults.
  • Are you and your children having a difficult time adjusting to online schooling? Join MPL for “10 Tips for Online Learning During a Pandemic”
  • MPL from Home - there's an abundance of things to read, listen to, watch and learn from the comfort of your home
  • Virtual Meetup for Parents - details
  • Want to learn more about your ancestors? Your MPL card gives you access to Ancestry Library Edition - the world’s largest online family history resource with historical documents and photos from all over the world.
Markham Reads is an annual celebration of books, ideas and community. Every year, MPL invites readers to pick up a book that will inspire conversations across the city, and that promotes reading and dialogue through shared experience. Once a winning book is selected, MPL will host a series of online events around the book. Check out a description of each book and cast your vote.

Looking for something new to watch? MATM is happy to share with you some exciting news from Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Hot Docs! 
Get Instructions and watch selected films and interviews from TIFF's Stay at Home Cinema - here
Get instructions and watch selected documentary films from Hot Docs at Home on CBC - here  

Canada Takeout has launched a campaign to support the restaurant community across Canada during the COVID-19.

Show your support for local restaurants with Takeout Wednesday or perhaps takeout on more days than just Wednesday.

Plus, you’re also invited to  Canada’s Great Kitchen Party all in support of Canada’s restaurants. Happening on Facebook Live each Wednesday in April at 8pm.
 
Restaurants are doing their part by staying open for takeout. Now it’s your turn to take an active part in the support of an industry that employs millions of people in this country and thousands of fellow Markham residents.

Learn more and if you aren't sure if your favourite restaurant is doing takeout, give them a call or check out their website.

YRFN is committed to getting healthy, local, affordable food on your table. They are expanding their Good Food Box program and will now be offering it twice a month. For more information and to place an order, click here .

YRFN has also highlighted an article on how COVID has exposed a critical weakness in our food system.
URA - Notice of Upcoming
Zoom Meeting

Phase one of the One Piece Development proposal for 28 Main Street seems likely to come to the Development Services Committee in May. As a follow-up to the March 12 meeting , One Piece has agreed to a further meeting with local stakeholders. They have arranged for a meeting via Zoom on April 30 at 7pm.

If you would like to be included in the upcoming Zoom conference call you must preregister with Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine by sending an email no later than April 29th to rmcalpine@markham.ca . Only participants on the list will be able to join the meeting.

details provided by YRP

If you have anyone in your home that has been spending way more time online than usual? Most of us are and that includes kids too.

Have a look at the information and some tips on keeping your kids safe online.
Community Meetings and Events

As it stands now, most upcoming events have been cancelled.
Once new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.


  • Upcoming Markham Public Library Events - here
  • Upcoming Varley Gallery Events - here

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!