January 31 2021
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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A Cold
Goodbye to January!
We bid a fond but cold farewell to January and get ready to enter February, the love ❤️ month.
This Tuesday is Groundhog Day. Will the various groundhog prognosticators predict six more weeks of Winter or will there be an early Spring?
Don't forget Friday February 12 is Chinese New Year and this year's zodiac animal is the Ox. I expect that celebrations will be more subdued than usual. Gung Hay Fat Choy to all our Chinese neighbours!
Valentine's Day is Friday February 14. It is a great opportunity to support our local chocolatiers, flower stores and restaurants. Show some real love to our local shops! ❤️
February is also Black History Month which is an opportunity to honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present.
We continue to have real concerns about obtaining our vaccination. Every day I receive calls and emails about when/where/how people will receive their vaccination. Once I hear more from York Region Health, I will let you know. For now, please see the article below.
Stay well, stay safe.
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In this issue
- Vaccines - Trying to Find Answers
- Stay Home - Stay Safe
- C19 Isolation Centres
- Vaccine - When is it My Turn?
- Upcoming URA Meeting
- Ward 4 Newsletter
- Markham Named Top Employer
- YRP Starts Surveying
- Stay Connected
- York Region 3C Initiative
- Food and Beverage Startups
- Help Wanted
- Clear Your Sewer Grate
- Be Careful
- Share Your Feedback
- YRFN February Happenings
- Markham Moves
- Attention Transit Riders
- Be Coyotes Aware
- Other Items
- Markham C19 Report
- YR C19 Dashboard
- Upcoming Meetings
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
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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.
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Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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This week many of the questions I received were about rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Every day it seems like there are new announcements about vaccine manufacturers changing their delivery schedules and pending approvals of new vaccines. At this point, I don't think anyone or any branch of government can say with any certainty when you will receive your vaccination as there are many moving parts to the process. As vaccinations are outside the scope of the City of Markham, I reached out to York Region Public Health for some additional detail. Their full response is included here:
"While the current supply of COVID-19 vaccines is very limited, York Region Public Health continues to follow provincial direction on the COVID-19 vaccine roll out. The Province continues to vaccinate vulnerable populations and those who care for them through Phase One of its three-phase implementation plan and as additional vaccines become available. We are currently at the early stages of Phase One, vaccinating residents, health-care workers and essential caregivers of long-term care and retirement homes with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
The Province’s decision to identify key populations to receive the vaccine first is based on the advice of medical experts and ethicists, and recommended by the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force and aligned with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s recommendations. The vaccine priority groups and timing of vaccine deliveries are set by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
York Region Public Health is working closely with the Ministry and our partners to roll out the plan based on vaccine availability, which we know is currently in very limited supply. Key populations of Phase One include residents, staff and essential caregivers in congregate living settings for seniors, mainly long-term care and retirement homes. Phase One also includes health-care workers, Indigenous populations and adult recipients of chronic home health care. The current focus has been on staff and residents in long-term care and retirement homes. As vaccines become more available other health-care workers in different settings will have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Phase Two is currently scheduled for March to July 2021 and will include additional congregate care settings, older adults (starting with those 80 and decreasing in 5-year increments as vaccine becomes readily available), front-line essential workers, individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and other populations and communities facing barriers related to the social determinants of health.
Phase Three is currently scheduled to begin August 2021 and include remaining Ontarians who wish to be vaccinated. More about the specific phases are available on the Ontario Covid-19 vaccine web page.
Details will be announced as they become available from the Province. There is no need to pre-register. Rest assured, in future phases of vaccinations, updated communications and advertisements will be released from all levels of government. Everyone will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as enough doses are available.
York Region uses a number of communication strategies to ensure the public is up-to-date and informed. Our website, including york.ca/COVID19 and york.ca/COVID19Vaccine contains the latest information on COVID-19 in York Region. We also use our social media channels including YouTube, Twitter and Facebook as well as our bi-weekly enewsletter #YRMatters to communicate about our programs and services. To share information with residents who are unable or prefer not to access information online, we work closely with many partners including our local municipalities, community agencies, health-care professionals, hospitals and local media and other networks to ensure our messages are promoted widely. If a resident has questions about COVID-19 or vaccines, they can also call Access York at 1.877.464.9675 to speak with a York Region representative.
Ontario’s web page details the province’s three-phase immunization program, information on COVID-19 vaccines, safety measures and approval standards, as well as daily updates on the number of Ontarians vaccinated."
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The City of Markham, along with the rest of Ontario continues under the emergency Stay Home order .
It is critical to remain vigilant to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at markham.ca/covid19. Essential frontline City services are still being provided with appropriate health and safety measures in place.
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During the provincial emergency and under the stay-at-home order, individuals are required to remain at home except for essential purposes such as getting groceries, health care, essential work or exercise.
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Close contact continues to drive the spread of COVID-19. York Region is making it easier for residents facing complex barriers to safely self-isolate with a COVID-19 Voluntary Isolation Centre which is available to residents who may otherwise be unable to safely self-isolate. The Centre is funded by the Provincial Government and operated by the Canadian Red Cross on York Region’s behalf.
If someone with COVID-19 is not able to safely self-isolate away from others in their household, they risk spreading COVID-19 to loved ones and others in the community. The hotel room offers residents a safe place to rest and recover from COVID-19, free of charge, for up to 14 days. To learn more about the Centre and available emergency financial supports, visit york.ca/IsolationCentre.
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Further to the item above, in last week's edition of the DME, there was an item that outlined the roles and responsibilities of each level of government. It is actually the Province that decides who gets the vaccine and when and it is up to public health units for implementing the immunization clinics.
If you are curious when you might be able to expect to receive your COVID-19 vaccination, try the OMNI Calculator for an estimate. The calculator is based on the national guidelines priority list released by the Federal Government and assumes all vaccines are approved and on schedule. This information is subject to change.
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URA will be hosting their next monthly meeting on Monday February 1 at 7pm. More information about the meeting can be found here. Scheduled topics include Councillor Updates, Markham Centre Secondary Plan update and guest speaker Morgan Jones, City of Markham Director of Operations to discuss City snow clearing. There's no business like snow business! ❄️
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Are you a resident of Ward 4? Your Councillor, Karen Rea, publishes an eNewsletter. Did you receive the latest edition she sent out this week? You can find it here along with how to subscribe to future editions. |
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The City of Markham has been named to the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers 2021 - details here. This year the City ranked 18 up from 181 out of 300 places on the list.
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York Regional Police is conducting a voluntary survey in February. Members of the public who have interacted with YRP officers, either in person or over the phone, may be contacted within 24 hours. They will be conducting a short survey which is voluntary and confidential to measure your satisfaction with their service. This is a York Regional Police initiative.
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Whether you’re feeling “Zoom fatigue,” missing your friends, missing a loved one or simply feeling lonely, rest assured you’re not alone. Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevents us from seeing one another as we normally would, we can stay connected, there are safe ways to do it and it’s important for our well-being. Here are some tips to help you stay in touch in a safe and physically distanced way.
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If you or someone you know is facing significant barriers through the COVID-19 pandemic such as isolation, homelessness or food insecurity there are programs available that can help.
Through the 3C initiative York Region has partnered with various community organizations to provide support for:
There are many other supports, resources and programs available for residents that can be found here. |
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Have you been thinking about a new business idea involving food or beverages. Applications for the YSpace 2021 Food Accelerator program are now open. This program provides mentorship, connections and gives you the tools you need to take your business to the next level. More information can be found here. Applications need to be submitted by March 5th.
YSpace is also running the Venture Catalyst Program which runs for 6 weeks and engages entrepreneurs in training and mentorship sessions. Applications must be submitted by February 5th. More information can be found here.
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They're hiring! Destination Markham Corporation is seeking a "Markham Safe" Ambassador.
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If you have a sewer grate in front of your house, please help keep it clear of snow, ice and debris, so water can drain and avoid flooding.
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The weather has been cold this week and on Saturday I saw many skaters out on Toogood Pond. Residents are reminded to please stay off rivers, lakes, reservoirs and ponds.
Please be aware that while the ice can appear safe, moving water and salt runoff can make the ice thin and unsafe. In Toronto's High Park on Saturday, a skater needed to be rescued on Grenadier Pond after falling through the ice. YRP is also reminding residents to stay off the ice. |
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Lace up your skates and hit the ice at the Markham Civic Centre Outdoor Ice Rink for free public skating. You must pre-book your at markham.ca/skating. T imes are released daily at 8am for the next day and they go quickly.
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The City of Markham’s Digital Markham Strategy is the foundation for digital innovation, collaboration and partnerships among citizens, businesses and government.
In an effort to improve and simplify the overall customer experience involving payment methods, the City is seeking feedback from members of the Markham community on how they’d like to pay for programs and services.
This short 4 question survey will help the City better understand your payment method preferences, which will help guide future decisions regarding forms of payment. Data collected in this survey will remain anonymous and strictly confidential and will be used for information purposes only. A summary of the survey feedback will be reviewed by City staff and presented to Markham Council for review and future recommendation.
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There are a number of programs and events happening in February with the York Region Food Network.
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Culinary Traveller - on February 5 travel through the Caribbean and land in Barbados where you’ll learn to prepare Pelau, a hearty one-pot rice dish - details
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Lunch Table - a virtual events where you can engage in some lively discussions and learn more about seasonings on February 10 and one pot meals on February 24
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Take the Good Food Challenge - Don’t let good food go to waste. Over the course of 4 weeks make simple changes to your routine that can save money, time, food and the environment and win prizes. More information
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Good Food Box - Get fresh produce from local suppliers from the Good Food Box which are available twice a month. Order by February 10 to receive your box on February 17. Pick up location in Markham at Ebenezer United Church, 5000 Steeles Ave East or in Aurora - details
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Bake It Yourself - Winter Crisp - follow these step-by-step instructions
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The original Unionville Station was built in 1871 by the Toronto and Nipissing Railway, and GO Transit used it from 1982 to 1991. The old station building is now used as a community centre.
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Your feedback is important as YRT makes improvements to fare policies.
The TTC and YRT are working together to improve the way customers pay their fares, including fare options, pricing and cross-boundary travel. Learn more and participate in the survey - here.
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Be Coyote Aware
Coyotes continue to make appearances in the community in both Thornhill and Unionville. Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish scared 2 from his Thornhill street this week! Recently two dogs were killed in coyote attacks in Toronto.
January and February are mating season for coyotes. You may see more of them, especially around ravines and wooded areas. Make sure you do not leave garbage or food out and don't leave your dog alone outside. If you encounter a coyote don’t run, act big and make lots of noise to scare them away.
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Other items
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An Update from Alectra - The Winter edition of Alectra's newsletter can be found here. It contains details on several topics including:
- extension of the fixed electricity price plan for residential and small business customers until at least February 9
- supports for customers who may have a difficult time paying their electricity bill
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GO Transit - the public review period for the Transit Project Assessment Project ends on February 4 for the Stouffville corridor grade separations project - details here. Further York Region updates from Metrolinx can be found here.
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Destination Markham is offering a series of free workshops for Markham businesses on Zoom. Join them on Wednesday February 3 at 2:30 for Building Consumer Confidence with P.O.S.T Promise and Safe Travels. More information is available at visitmarkham.ca/free-workshops.
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The list of eligible health care and front-line workers that can access targeted emergency child care services for school-aged children has expanded to support more families in York Region. Learn about eligibility and apply here.
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Catch the Markham Arts Council's next episode of Artist Unplugged with singer-songwriter Diedrey Francois - a versatile performer of many genres. February 3 at 12:30pm on their YouTube Channel or their Facebook page.
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as of January 29 - 3pm - click title or on chart for full report
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and the City of Markham Executive Leadership Team.
More information about Markham's response to COVID-19 can be found here.
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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 C19 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. |
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Upcoming Meetings
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February 1 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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February 3 - Draft Affordable & Rental Strategy Meeting - 6:30pm - details
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February 8 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
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February 9 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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February 10 - Housing York - 9am - details
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February 11 - York Region Committee of the Whole - 9am - details
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February 16 - General Committee Meeting - details
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February 16 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
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February 18 - York Region Education Session - 9am - details
- February 22 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
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February 23 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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February 24 - YR Accessibility Advisory Committee - 4pm - details
- February 25 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - 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.
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York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here. Details of upcoming YR meetings and past sessions are available here.
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Community Meetings and Events
As new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
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Working together to make Markham better! |
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