January 10 2021
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Tough Decisions Must Be Made
This week Ontarians are expecting to hear more bad NEWS from Premier Doug Ford. In spite of being in lockdown, our COVID case numbers continue to escalate. So similar to Quebec, we are expecting to have a curfew imposed. Already there has been civil disobedience in Quebec with threats of lawsuits over civil rights. Hopefully there won't be anything like we saw last week at the United States Capitol building.
A tough decision was made last week. The City of Markham will be laying off 61 of our recreation staff. This is in part because our community centre facilities are closed and will likely remain closed for the foreseeable future. This step was not taken lightly.
Check out the video below to see our hard working police forces try to deal with the fallout of cannabis legalization. If you are a user, be careful of your source.
York Region meetings start this week with a Committee of the Whole session on Thursday. It could be another controversial meeting as Richmond Hill Regional Councillor Carmine Perrelli may bring forward a motion regarding post-lockdown.
Do you think it's right that NHL games resume this week but children cannot go back to their classrooms and small businesses remain closed?
Welcome to our new subscribers. If you find the DME useful, why not tell a friend about it?
Take care.
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In this issue
- Stay Safe
- Newcomer Guide
- Why 14 Day Self Isolation
- Moving Lyrics
- OPP Shifts Focus
- Things from MPL
- New Beginnings
- Public Health Text Messages
- Keep the Street Clear
- COVID Financial Stress
- Update from the Varley
- Evergreen Hospice
- You Asked, I Answer
- MBT Excellence Awards
- Skating at the Civic Centre
- COVID Grants
- GO Expansion Update
- Do You Know Someone?
- Founder Fundamentals
- MATM from Home
- Plant More Native
- YRFN January Happenings
- 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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The City of Markham along with the rest of Ontario continues under the Provincewide Shutdown. As it stands right now, the current shutdown will stay in place until at least Saturday January 23. However as we saw this week with the push back of in-school classes for primary school children, things can change. It is expected that new measures will be introduced on Tuesday.
It is critical to remain vigilant to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please continue following public health measures. Please remember to:
- wear a mask
- wash your hands
- keep your 6 foot distance
- limit travel to essential trips only
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Moving to a new country or region can be an exciting but stressful process. York Region has developed a Newcomer Guide that provides useful information to help you and your family settle in York Region quickly and easily.
The Guide can help you find the services and supports that are available in York Region. There may even be some new information for those of us who have lived in the area for some time - find out more.
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You’ve been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19. The next day you get tested and two days later you receive a negative test result. Does this mean you can stop self-isolating? NO!
If you have been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19, you must self-isolate for the full 14 days regardless if you receive a negative test result.
Why is that? COVID-19 has up to a 14-day incubation period. This means even though you receive a negative test result before the end of the 14-day period, there is a chance the virus is still developing in your body. It could take up to two weeks for you to start showing symptoms.
Here are two scenarios to show how not self-isolating for 14 days can have a great impact on your family, coworkers and community. COVID-19 has up to a 14 day incubation period.
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Day 0 - Kate was exposed to COVID-19. Kate stayed home to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms.
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Day 5 - Kate got tested for COVID-19 and the results came back negative.
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Day 8 - Thinking she didn't have COVID-19 Kate went back to work, to the gym and didn't self-isolate from her family. She was contagious days 8 and 9 (48 hours before symptoms) and now exposed 15 people.
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Day 10 - Kate became symptomatic.
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Day 0 - Kian was exposed to COVID-19. He stayed home to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms.
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Day 5 - Kian got tested for COVID-19 and the results came back negative. He continued to stay home and self-isolate for the remaining 14 days.
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Day 10 - Kian became symptomatic and tested positive. Following public health advice, Kian then isolated for another 10 days. He has not exposed anyone to COVID-19.
You are asked to self-isolate for 14-days after known exposure to COVID-19. This is to prevent transmission as shown in Scenario 1. Stay informed. More information is available at york.ca/covid19.
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As a reminder, it is still recommended to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada. All individuals arriving from international travel must self-isolate for 14 days as a part of the Federal Quarantine Act. This requirement has NOT been eliminated with the new requirement to have a COVID-19 test prior to arrival in Canada. - learn more.
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This video is of a creative elementary music teacher, who has composed a song for her students during this time of extended virtual learning.
She desired to sing an interpretive song that was reflective of how we feel these days.
I believe you will find her composition quite reflective of how we all feel. Enjoy!
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Have something you think I share in a future edition of the DME,
please email it to me.
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152 warrants executed across Ontario, resulting in seizure of over 180,000 cannabis plants, thousands of pounds of dried cannabis, edibles and concentrates, other illicit drugs, OPP say ... Read the full story
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The Markham Public Library is offering limited curbside services to pick up materials at several locations in Markham. Maybe pick up one of the books on the 2020 Most Borrowed List, use some of their online learning and tutoring resources or participate in one of their workshops. Here are a few examples of some of the online events:
- Learn more about the Great Lakes - January 12 - details
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Mediate and melt the stress away - January 13 - details
- Launch your career in Canadian healthcare - January 20 - details
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Full listing of offerings can be found here - there are classes for everyone have a look - best of all most, if not all, are free
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Welcome 2021.
Good Riddance 2020!
"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from." — T.S. Eliot
While their programming is being done in a different format, the Markham Group of Artists continue to be busy with their winter events. Their complete calendar can be found here. Following are just a few examples:
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Members' Day - Wednesday January 13 - join a presentation on the use of different media
- January Challenge - 'Home Sweet Home' still life
- Members' Gallery - an online show from some MGA members
- Peer Critique sessions on Zoom - next event is February 3
More information on these events and more can be found on their January newsletter - here. |
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Residents recently tested for COVID-19 or close contacts of someone identified as positive may receive a text message from York Region Public Health with a secure link to complete a personal assessment form. All information collected is kept confidential and protected by Ontario’s strict privacy laws and will only be used for public health purposes. The form is voluntary and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and residents can opt out if they prefer. This tool will add another level of support for our residents and enhance York Region Public Health’s case management and contact tracing efforts.
This process will help us to quickly identify the contacts of cases and get in touch with them quickly in a timely manner to reduce the further potential spread.
These text messages are meant to help with case management and contact tracing by York Region Public Health. Unfortunately there have also been some scams that have recently started using a similar text format. Please be careful you are responding to a text from York Region Public Health and not divulging your personal information to fraudsters.
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A reminder to Markham residents
Vehicles parked on City streets that interfere with snow removal may receive a penalty notice.
Let's do our part in keeping our roads clear and safe.
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Are you finding that COVID-19 has made it more difficult for you to pay your bills?
York Region offers programs to support families during this unprecedented time.
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A Message from the Director
Happy New Year from the Varley Art Gallery to all our friends and supporters! We hope that you will find 2021 to be an enjoyable, healthy and auspicious year.
2021 marks the 140th birthday of the Gallery’s namesake, F.H. Varley, who was born in Sheffield, United Kingdom, on January 2, 1881. We look forward to sharing and celebrating new insights into Varley’s life and career this summer, particularly through the recent acquisition of some 470 of his works on paper, generously transferred to us by the Art Gallery of Ontario.
In the meantime, due to the COVID-19 lockdown in York Region, the Varley Art Gallery remains closed to the public. However, the Varley team remains hard at work behind the scenes. Currently four new exhibitions are being installed in our Introduction, Main and Collections Galleries. We await further direction from the City, Region and Province before opening our doors to the community.
Complementing our installations we are also developing several virtual or online programs that will roll out in late January or early February – stay tuned for updates!
Through this difficult time, the Varley team remains committed to providing the best possible cultural experiences for our community. We look forward very much to inviting you back to the Gallery when it is appropriate to do so. In the meantime, please stay safe and well.
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Normal grieving outlets such as funerals, remembrance gatherings and even being able to keep a dying loved-one company have all been altered with COVID-19 restrictions. Evergreen Hospice provides community based supportive services to individuals and their families in Markham, Stouffville and Thornhill, who are living with a life-threatening illness or living with the death of a loved one including:
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Virtual Connection Café - these events take place on the first Monday of each month and run from 1:30pm to 3:00pm to explore activities and resources being offered in the community. The next event is scheduled for February 1. For more information - tstanton@evgcares.org.
Evergreen, like many community organizations, depends on donations to continue their work. There's a new option to help them. If you have a car that you no longer want, whether it's working or not, you can arrange to donate it to Evergreen. Donate a Car will pick up your vehicle and dispose of it in the best way, donating any proceeds to Evergreen. You will receive a tax receipt from Evergreen. Click here to learn more about donating a vehicle.
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Recently I received a question about the renewal of a driver's license for a resident that had just turned 80 and now had an expired driver's license. They wanted to know what they should do.
As this is not a municipal government question, I asked York Regional Police District 5 Superintendent Chris Bullen. Here is the answer that he provided:
"Due to COVID 19, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has extended the validity of government driver licenses and vehicle products/services that expired on or after March 1, 2020.
Ontario driver’s licenses and vehicle validation stickers are among some of the products/services that have been extended. As per the MTO, “these will continue to remain valid and legal past their expiry until further notice.” Here is a link to a list of products/services that have been extended.
In March 2020, the MTO reached out to police services seeking support to suspend enforcement of these extended products/services. YRP continues to work together with the MTO in this circumstance however, officers may use their discretion during a traffic investigation and take into consideration all circumstances before issuing a ticket."
Do you have a question or concern and you're not sure where to find the answer? Please send me an email and maybe I can help to track down and answer which I can highlight in another segment of You Asked, I Answer.
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While the Markham Board of Trade's annual awards event will take a different form this year, MBT continues to honour and highlight the best of the Markham business community.
Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate with the nominees on Thursday January 28 at 5pm. This year's virtual awards ceremony, although a different format, will be a special evening of entertainment and fun as we escape to Hawaii!
Tickets can be purchased here which will include a Luau Swag Bag, filled with everything you need to celebrate in style in the safety of your home! Items in each Swag Bag may vary.
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Grab your skates and helmet.
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Are you a small business owner impacted by the new Provincewide Shutdown? You could get up to $20,000 through the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant.
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GO recently concluded the latest round of public consultation for the GO Expansion Program along the Stouffville line. They have taken feedback, comments and information from the technical studies captured during the investigation and consultation phase, to develop the Environmental Project Report for the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP).
The completion of this phase starts the 30-day public review period of the Environmental Project Report which ends February 4, 2021. You can read the report and provide your feedback here. If you live near the Stouffville GO line, I encourage you to read the report and share any questions and provide feedback. This report looks at vital infrastructure improvements required on the Stouffville corridor to prioritize safety for increased GO service on the line. The TPAP studied road and grade separations on the Stouffville corridor including these ones in Markham:
- Denison Street
- Kennedy Road
If you want to get caught up on the previous rounds of public consultation information can be found here. Have your say as Metrolinx moves to transform the GO rail network into a comprehensive, all‐day rapid transit network for Ontario.
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Members of the Order of Ontario are forward thinkers and humanitarians working to better the lives of others.
Do you know someone whose extraordinary work has left a legacy? Nominate them for the 2021 honour - details here.
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The Founder Fundamentals series, brought to you by the Markham Small Business Centre and LaunchYU, is designed to help you kick start your entrepreneurial career. Series begins January 14. Learn more and register here.
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While we can't get to MATM at the Flato Markham Theatre right now, MATM committee members would like to share some viewing suggestions to help start this year off on the right foot. Enjoy!
Milton's Secret - free until January 11 - miltonssecret.com/movie - Based on the teachings of Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now) and directed by Barnet Bain (What Dreams May Come), comes Milton's Secret. A powerful metaphor for today's unprecedented times, this is a film experience unlike anything you've seen before.
Twelve-year-old Milton Adams feels his world is in crisis. With his parents stressing about their careers and finances, and the neighborhood bully tormenting him, he is constantly anxious. But when Milton's Grandpa comes to visit, he witnesses in him an entirely new way to live and learns a secret that will change his life forever. - Barnet Bain, Director
Mental Health Film Series - hotdocscinema.ca/c/mental-health-series When it comes to mental health, now more than ever, every action counts. In the lead up to the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 28, they will be showcasing free docs-and-conversations about mental health and mental illness. Films will be available to stream from now until January 28 and culminate in a live virtual panel discussion with special guests on January 28.
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Many species commonly planted in urban gardens can be invasive. Check out this list developed by LEAF with native species to plant instead. Even though the gardening season may seem far away, it is not too early to start planning your spring garden and to learn about the benefits of native plants.
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Each year YRFN raises funds through Winterfest to help support their food security programs. This year their event has gone virtual called the Charitable Chef. From the comfort of your home, enjoy an exciting evening of cooking with a local chef, while raising funds to help build a more food secure York Region. In this 2 hour virtual and interactive cook-along, celebrate the full moon by preparing a winter inspired 3-course Finnish (Finland) meal - details.
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Bake It Yourself: Introducing take home baking kits. If you are interested in learning how to bake but are can't attend the YRFN virtual workshops, these take home kits are a great way to explore new recipes and learn new techniques at your own pace. Registration is available starting January 17th - Check their events calendar updates.
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Global Gourmet: Join a virtual cook-a-long to make Beans and Plantain Burgers with Root Vegetable Fries, as part of the YRFN Cookbook Club, which is a part of their new Food and History program. Learn more about this program on their website. Registration opens January 10th.
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Cooking for the Self - a 12 week virtual cooking series geared to seniors and anyone who lives alone and doesn't like cooking for themselves - starting weekly on January 21 at 10 - email davidl@yrfn.ca for more information and to register
- Have you ordered one of there Good Food Boxes yet? Order by end of day January 13 for pickup on January 20.
Looking for a new position for the New Year? York Region Food Network is looking to hire a Community Mobilizer supporting the YRFN and Social Planning Council of York Region. More information can be found here. Applications must be submitted by January 12.
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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
- January 14 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - details
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January 18 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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January 19 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
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January 21 - York Region Education Session - 9am - detail
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January 25 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
- January 26 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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January 28 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - 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.
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MBT Virtual After Hours Networking - January 21 at 4pm - details
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MBT virtual Business Excellence Awards - January 28 - details
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Unionville Residents' Association - February 1 - details
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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