April 18, 2021
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
On Again
Off Again
Finnegan

This was a phrase we used as kids when someone changed their mind in very short order. Such is the case with our Premier and our Provincial Government. If you were to go out for a walk, or drive your car, you might have been stopped by the Police and issued a $750 ticket for not staying at home or letting your kids play on the local playground. Oops! Lots of very angry residents (read voters) let the Premier know how they felt, so that decision got reversed very quickly.

This weekend I received many emails all expressing disgust with the Premier's decision which was not supported by local Police forces and has been reversed by the Provincial government. What were they thinking?

COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb and it will take a few weeks to see if they begin coming down. Meanwhile wash your hands, wear a mask and maintain a six foot distance from others.

An application from Liberty Developments to place 5 high rise buildings on the Shouldice Hospital property at Bayview and John is one of many meetings coming this week. Thornhill Councillor Keith Irish will be kept busy with both this project and the Yonge Subway extension.

As it is National Volunteer Week, I would like to thank the many volunteers for their devoted service to our community. Well done!

Stay positive - test negative.
In this issue
- COVID-19 Vaccinations
- C-19 Restrictions Strengthened
- Markham Past and Present
- Support for the Most Vulnerable
- What Goes Where
- Many Faces of Markham
- Emergency Childcare
- Honoured to Care Awards
- Yonge Street Subway Extension
- Recreation Subsidies
- Transportation Survey
- Road Construction
- Other Items
- Markham COVID-19 Report
- YR COVID-19 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.

Vaccines continue to be administered by appointment only and walk-in appointments are not available. As of time of writing, the following people are eligible to book an appointment - details here:
  • clinics for 65 years of age and older and other eligible groups in Phase 1
  • clinics for 60 years of age and older
  • clinics for 55 years of age and older
  • clinics for 50 years of age and older in high priority communities which are currently identified as L0J, L3S, L3T, L4B, L4E, L4H, L4J, L4K, L4L, L6A, L6B, L6C, L6E
  • clinics for 45 to 59 years of age in select high priority communities which are currently identified as L3S, L4K, L4L, L4J, L6A
  • clinics for Special Education staff who live or work in York Region
  • clinics for individuals with highest or high chronic conditions
  • second dose appointments for transplant recipients and some cancer patients

Carefully review the "who can book" details to ensure you are selecting the clinic most appropriate for you - details here. Should you need help booking an appointment, please call the number listed under each clinic locations. The details also note what vaccine is being used at each clinic.

For questions about eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, call Access York at 1.877.464.9675. For questions about whether the vaccine is right for you, speak with your family doctor or primary care provider.
  • Residents looking to book an appointment should check york.ca/covid19vaccine often as more appointments are regularly being added and those eligible for vaccines is changing quickly

  • The best vaccine to get is the first one that is offered to you - details.

  • A COVID-19 vaccine protects you from symptomatic infection and serious illness, but until we know vaccinated individuals can’t spread the virus we must all continue to follow public health measures – vaccinated or not - learn more.


  • Looking for more information about vaccinations? The most up to date information can be found at york.ca/covid19vaccine.
  • Do you have a confirmed COVID-19 vaccine appointment but have already received your vaccine elsewhere? PLEASE cancel your appointment so someone else who needs it can book. Check your confirmation email or contact the clinic where you booked to cancel.


On Friday, the Province extended and strengthened the current State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order to May 21 to help stop the spread of COVID-19 variants and to protect hospital ICU capacity while vaccinations continue. Everyone is required to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely. More information on this latest order can be found here.
The details of specific the City of Markham measures can be found here and include:

  • Outdoor, in-person recreation programs are cancelled 
  • all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, sports fields, tennis courts and skate parks are closed
  • Library, recreation and fitness programs continue to be offered virtually - more information is available here 
  • City-owned community centres, arenas, pools, fitness centres, the Markham Museum, the Flato Markham Theatre and the Varley Art Gallery will remain closed
  • The Varley Art Gallery continues to offer virtual school programs and will offer online exhibitions and related programs - details
  • Markham Public Library will continue to offer select online services  
  • Markham Public Library curbside pick up of holds and returns will be available at Markham Village, Thornhill Village and Unionville locations 
  • The City continues to provide critical services to residents and businesses virtually and in-person (services requiring in-person assistance require an appointment) 
  • Markham Recycling Depots will remain open 
  • All park facility washrooms remain closed 
To protect yourself and others from COVID-19 while waiting for your vaccine, please continue to follow public health recommendations.

Stay home, stay safe. Limit interactions with those outside your household. More information about current public health guidelines, restrictions and closures can be found online at markham.ca/covid19 and york.ca/covid19.

As always should you require any assistance, please reach out to the City's Contact Centre. Please also remember that your local Ward Councillor is also available to assist if you don't know where to turn.

Thank you to DME reader Gord who sent an article to me this week about the time lapse feature on Google Earth. This new capability allows you to see how time has impacted areas close to home and around the world with the use of satellite imagery from 1985 to present.

Here is the link to Markham but I'm sure there are other places that you'll want to have a look at too.


Everyone is feeling the effects of COVID-19, but for those who already face significant barriers such as poverty, homelessness and food security, these times are even more challenging and difficult.

York Region is working collaboratively with the United Way Greater Toronto, community organizations and stakeholders to ensure the most vulnerable in our communities continue to have access to the critical supports they need.

By coordinating our efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and taking the time to explore all of the issues and possible collective actions, we can ensure our community’s most vulnerable population is being served in an efficient and organized manner, even during uncertain times.

Now more than ever, we need our social infrastructure and by working together we can keep our communities strong, caring and safe. More information about community supports available in York Region can be found here.
Did you know that most garbage collected in Markham is sent to a facility to be converted into energy?

Using clear bags helps identify if items are in the garbage that cannot be processed.
This year's Many Faces of Markham contest is themed Working Together to Confront Racism.

Submit your art, writing, video
or spoken word submissions by April 23.

Starting April 19, eligible health care and frontline workers can access targeted emergency child care services for school-aged children in York Region while schools are closed for in-person learning.

Learn more about eligibility and apply here.

Markham Stouffville Hospital is seeking nominations for their Honoured to Care Awards. It is your chance to nominate an amazing individual or team at the hospital.

Do you know a physician, nurse, volunteer or staff member that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Nominated them today - details.


One of the ways the Yonge North Subway Extension will make it easier to get around is by providing one seamless subway ride from York Region to downtown Toronto and any destination in between. Those convenient northbound and southbound subway trips are important benefits of extending TTC Line 1 service from Finch Station to Richmond Hill, but the project will open up many more travel possibilities in York Region and beyond with a planned transit hub now referred to as Bridge Station. Click here to find out how this northern transit hub will allow riders in York Region to tap into more travel options than ever before.

On April 7, Metrolinx held its first round of virtual public meetings, with a focus on the Royal Orchard community. If you missed it, click here to watch the Virtual Open House. Community input is essential to the work we do and we are eager to connect with you throughout the life of the project so that you can share your feedback with us.

Read more about the project here. To learn more about the Yonge North Subway Extension and to stay up-to-date on what’s happening click here. You can always share thoughts, questions or comments by
Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish continues to spearhead this project
for the residents in Thornhill.
More information on this project from Keith can be found here.

Summer may be a little different this year but it’s still a great time for children to head outside, meet new friends and engage in recreational activities, all while doing so in a safe environment. York Region offers eligible families in need of financial assistance recreation subsidies for summer programs like day and overnight camps, as well as arts and crafts, sports, virtual activities, and much more.

For more information visit york.ca/recreationsubsidies.

While traffic might not be the pressing concern that it was prior to COVID-19, at some point it will be a problem again. Now is your chance to have your say as York Region updates its Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to create a long-term vision for the Regional road, transit and active transportation network.

Input from residents, travellers and the business community will help ensure the plan aligns with the needs of serving our growing and thriving communities to 2051 and beyond. Now is the time for York Region residents and business operators to participate by:
  • Attending online events and virtual presentations
  • Visiting york.ca/tmp to review progress and provide feedback and ideas
  • Connect with the project team, join the TMP mailing list, obtain more information or to submit questions by email transportation@york.ca
  • Participate in the Transportation Survey by visiting york.ca/TMP


Traffic signals are being installed on 14th Avenue where it connects to Lepp Drive. A concrete median is also being installed on 14th Avenue, east of Lepp Drive at the access to Armadale Square plaza. This work will improve traffic operations by managing increased traffic volume resulting from growth in the area. The median will enhance safety by changing traffic operations at the plaza to right in/right out only. This will prevent conflicts between left-turning vehicles and travellers on 14th Avenue.

Construction is expected to start in mid-April and finish in the summer. Work may be rescheduled due to weather conditions or delays related to COVID-19 Public Health guidelines. Visit york.ca/roads for more information about road safety initiatives and current and planned road improvements in the City of Markham.
Other items

While out walking I have been looking at the trees as I go and have noticed a lot of gypsy moth egg masses, as shown in this picture, on local trees.

Gypsy moths are invasive pests that feed on the leaves of trees. Controlling the spread of gypsy moths is important to help protect Markham's urban forest. You can help to reduce the population of gypsy moths by removing egg masses now with a spatula or plastic paint scraper into a container and disposing of them in the garbage not your yard waste. Learn more
The Markham Group of Artists welcomes artists of all levels, from beginners to professionals, and is preparing an art-inspired line up of activities for artists and artists-at-heart for the spring and summer. Soon you will be seeing their artists painting their favorite scenes in Markham and Unionville. Also, when it is safe to gather, you will be seeing MGA artists gathering at Milne Dam Park to paint and critique each other’s work. Want to get out and paint? Consider joining MGA at the reduced spring and summer rate of $40. Click here to join. 
The Markham Board of Trade recently hosted a Zoom meeting about Real Estate in Markham. The event was an in-depth discussion on the changing commercial and residential market in Markham. You can watch it here.
The City of Markham continues to celebrate Earth Month with a number of initiatives including a photo contest, virtual events and workshops, neighbourhood sustainability grants and more. For more information, click here. Learn about ways you can help protect the planet and live a more sustainable lifestyle all year long.
Read the newly released April E-news issue from the Markham Economic Development group for the latest news and development in Markham including: new funding opportunities, resources for small businesses, COVID-related news, feature company stories and more - read it here.
Please help keep Markham beautiful by placing your household garbage near the curb in front of your house during garbage collection days.

Please do not throw household garbage in the parks' trash receptacles.
as of April 16, 2021 at 4:00pm - click title or on chart for full report
and the City of Markham Executive Leadership Team.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here.

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 provides detailed information about COVID-19 in York Region including a breakdown of specific Markham data. Details can be found at york.ca/covid19data.

More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here.
Upcoming Meetings

  • April 19 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
  • April 20 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
  • April 21 - Development Services Meeting - 1pm - details
  • April 22 - YR Council Meeting - 9am - details
  • April 26 - General Committee - 9:30am - details
  • April 26 - Special Development Services Meeting - 6:30pm - details
  • April 27 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
  • April 28 - YR Accessibility Committee Meeting - 4pm - details
  • May 3 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
  • May 4 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details

  • Upcoming Markham Committee Meetings - 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.
Community Meetings and Events


  • MBT After 4 Zoom Networking - April 22 at 4pm - details
  • Celebrate Youth Week - May 1 to 7 - details
  • Jane's Walk - May 7 to 9 - details

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!
Don Hamilton - City of Markham
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
905-415-7549
Connect with me