Ward 2 E-Newsletter March 2024

The City of Markham has adopted A Strong Markham: Budget 2024 on February 28, which was presented by Mayor Frank Scarpitti on January 29. The tax rate increase of 2.99% means less than $40 for the average Markham home. The budget adoption follows input from staff, Council and the community. A Public Meeting was held on February 15, as part of the City’s ongoing commitment to budget transparency. Budget 2024 keeps affordability in mind and introduces a new Seniors tax relief program. Markham continues to have the lowest average tax rate increase in the GTA over 19 consecutive years.

For more information about Budget 2024, visit markham.ca/Budget.

- City of Markham News -

The City of Markham has officially designated the month of March as Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) Month to celebrate the 50th anniversary, and to honour the tournament, cultural festival and gala’s rich history, and four pillars of the LNHL: education, citizenship, sportsmanship and respect. We look forward to welcoming the Indigenous athletes, their families and spectators from across Ontario to celebrate the game of hockey and Indigenous culture.

Learn more: VisitMarkham.ca/LNHL

In honour of Pink Shirt Day on February 28, members of Markham City Council and City staff wore pink to show support and take a stance against bullying.

Learn more about Pink Shirt Day at PinkShirtDay.ca

Markham Sports Leagues are back for the 2024 Spring Season! Join a recreational basketball or volleyball league before March 3.Have fun while staying fit.

Learn more: markham.ca/Leagues

Did you know that driveway paving contractors need to be licensed in Markham?

Learn more:

markham.ca/BusinessLicensing

On February 21, the City of Markham announced Mount Joy Community Centre, Thornhill Community Centre and the RJ Clatworthy Arena will receive energy efficient upgrades thanks to federal investments of more than $6.4M.

Click here to learn more.

Have a restoration project in mind for your heritage home, or an improvement to the facade of a building in a Heritage District?

There are grants available to help!

Deadline for applications is April 5, 2024

Visit markham.ca/Heritage to learn more and apply.

For the fourth year in a row, the City of Markham has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Employer by Forbes as well as the top municipal employer in Ontario.

Learn more: bit.ly/3vQoIvy

The City of Markham has received the ISO 37120 Platinum-level certification from the World Council on City Data for the fifth consecutive year. The certification underscores Markham's position as a global and Canadian leader in data-driven decision-making.

Read the news release: bit.ly/3PpeBEX

It’s denning season for coyotes. Please don’t:

- Approach

- Feed
- Take pictures

Let’s keep wildlife, wild! Learn more: markham.ca/AnimalServices

Drivers and cyclists will be fined for failing to yield for pedestrians at pedestrian crossovers (PXOs). Pedestrians can be fined for leaving the curb and moving into the path of a vehicle that is too close for the driver to stop safely.

Learn more: markham.ca/PXO

Would you like your home to be more energy efficient but don’t know where to start? Markham Power Homes is here to help! We are offering free home energy consultations to eligible Markham residents.

Learn more at markham.ca/HomeEnergyRetrofits.

- Community Event -

Registration for Spring 2024 Programs of the Varley Art Gallery of Markham is NOW OPEN! Discover a diverse range of activities, events, art classes, camps, and workshops at the Varley. Program offerings include:

- Adult and Children's Art Classes

- One-day Workshops

- Summer Camps

- P. A. Day Extravaganza!

Special offers: Varley members save 10% on all programs. Seniors save 30%. Register here!

As the days get longer and flowers start to bloom, Markham Public Library (MPL) is thrilled to announce its exciting lineup of Spring Programs! Explore them on MPL website and register now.

- York Region News -

Have a cycling, traffic or Regional roads question? Try our new Live Chat on york.ca's transportation web pages weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit here.

Ontario’s One Fare Program removes double fares and now provides our riders with free transfers when coming to and from the TTC and YRT.

Remember! You must use a PRESTO card, debit, credit or PRESTO in Google Wallet to receive a free transfer. Visit yrt.ca/OneFareProgram to learn more.

York Region's Adult Day Programs provide social and recreational activities in a secure environment to frail and cognitively impaired seniors and adults. Individual interests and hobbies are incorporated into the program and snacks and meals are offered. Learn more at york.ca/AdultDayProgram.

York Region, along with your local city or town, uses winter salt responsibly to improve sidewalk and road conditions to make travel safer. Our team uses winter salt to break snow and ice on pavement so it can be easily removed. Sand provides traction when the weather is too cold for salt to be effective.

Learn more about how we all play a role in using winter salt responsibly at york.ca/SaltResponsibly.