Ward 2 E-Newsletter July 2024

Join Us for the Ward 2 Community BBQ & Soccer Fun Day!

Save the date for July 21, 2024! Celebrate summer with an afternoon of fun, food, soccer, and live perforamances at the first-ever Ward 2 Community BBQ & Soccer Fun Day. Hosted by Councillor Ritch Lau and supported by Fairchild Radio and the Vibrant Markham Foundation, this event at Ashton Meadows Park is perfect for families and soccer enthusiasts.

- City of Markham News -

Join the Markham Mayor's Youth Council for the 2024-2025 term!

Don't miss out on this chance to represent the City and shape the future of our community.

Applicants must be entering grades 8-12 this September. Applications are now open and will close on Wednesday, July 24 at 11:59 PM.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/3VuRsD2

Water restrictions are in effect from June 1 to Sept. 30.

During summer months, outdoor water use increases. To ensure a constant supply of water for everyone, Markham limits residential watering of lawns and gardens.

You can water between 6-9AM and 6-9PM on the following days:

- Even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days.
- Odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days.

To learn more visit, markham.ca/UseLessWater

Recycle your e-waste for free! Drop off your unwanted electronics for safe, responsible recycling. All events run 8 AM to 4 PM.

July 13 and 14 at Thornhill Recycling Depot

July 27 and 28 at Markham Recycling Depot

Find out more: markham.ca/eWaste

Catch the latest edition of Markham Now! Our vibrant blog-style digital newsletter makes it easy to stay updated on everything happening in our City.

Read our newest edition here: markham.ca/MarkhamNow

Did you know?

All vape retailers must be licensed by City of Markham.

Contact licensingfc@markham.ca to learn more and start your application process.

Going to summer camp? Get ready with reusables and ditch the single-use plastics. Your sandwich will thank you!

For more tips visit markham.ca/ReduceSingleUsePlastics

Dear Drivers: Yield to pedestrians and cyclists when turning – they have right of way. Check your mirror and blind spot before you turn.

markham.ca/WalkingAndCycling

Friendly reminder to property owners. Standard tax payment due dates for the 2024 Final Tax Bill are coming up on August 6, 2024 (instalment #2).

You can view, manage and pay your property taxes online at markham.ca/ePropertyTax.

If you don’t have an account, sign up today. It’s free!

Be polite and respectful of others! Markham trails are for everyone to enjoy. Cyclists, slow down, yield to walkers, use your bell and pass on the left! Walkers, stay to the right and be alert.markham.ca/WalkingAndCycling

- Community Event -

The 2nd Across U-CAN Youth Award is now open for applications.

This prestigious recognition aims to honor East Asian individuals at the age of 16-35 who have overcome a life challenge, demonstrated significant personal growth, and made an impact on others.

The goal of this award is to celebrate and uplift the voices of East Asian youth, whose outstanding achievements and needs are often overlooked. Through this award, the organizer aims to highlight their accomplishments and inspire the next generation by showcasing role models they can look up to.

To apply, please visit Across U-CAN Youth Awards and complete the application form by August 15.

Night at the Museum is back this summer on the beautiful grounds of Markham Museum.

Everyone can enjoy great, family-friendly movies under the stars. Over four different summer nights, bring your family, friends and lawn chairs and watch a movie under the stars. These events are FREE but registration is required.

Learn more and register at MarkhamMuseum.ca

The City of Markham is rolling out its Park and Play Fun Tour this summer!

Our Recreation team is traveling to community parks across the city to offer exciting FREE activities and games for children, including an ice cream truck.

Don’t wait. Find the latest Park and Play Fun Tour stop near you!

markham.ca/ParkandPlay

Mark your calendars, Markham!

Markham Fire and Emergency Services is hosting its Summer of Safety Series – four public education open houses at fire stations across the city and you're invited!

- Interactive displays, information booths, and hands-on activities
- Meet your local firefighters

- Learn fire safety and emergency preparedness tips
- BBQ with hot dogs and drinks (while supplies last)

Together, we can ensure a safer Markham!

Learn more: markham.ca/SummerofSafety

- York Region News -

Visiting the York Regional Forest is a great way to stay active, enjoy fresh air and connect with nature. With over 150 kilometres of scenic trails, including almost seven kilometres that are accessible to wheelchairs, strollers and other assistive devices. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more and plan your trip at york.ca/YRF

The Regional Municipality of York’s 2023 Community Report is now available to download by visiting york.ca/annualreports

The report explains how tax dollars are used responsibly to provide quality services to a diverse and growing community of over 1.25 million residents and more than 57,000 businesses.

For the first time, the number of seniors now exceeds the number of children in York Region.

By 2051, close to one in four York Region residents will be over the age of 65.

While many seniors remain healthy, active and connected to their communities, over time some will require additional supports and age-friendly services.

We are dedicated to advocating for the rights and needs of seniors within our community and beyond.

Through outreach efforts and partnerships with other organizations, we're working to raise awareness of issues affecting seniors. Visit york.ca/PlanForSeniors and subscribe to our newsletter for up-to-date information.

July is Disability Pride Month in Ontario, recognizing the important contributions of Ontarians with disabilities. It’s an opportunity to recognize the work of Canadians with disabilities resulted in the Accessible Canada Act that came into force on July 11, 2019.

This year’s theme is, “Celebrate and Foster Inclusion.”

Ontarians with disabilities have historically been extremely marginalized and regarded as a burden on society rather than as free, independent and inherently valuable citizens. They have been disproportionately relegated to poverty and denied access to both public and private spaces.

As we celebrate Disabilities Pride Month, we reaffirm our commitment to a more inclusive and accessible York Region for everyone. For more information on our efforts to remove barriers to accessibility across the York Region, please read our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2023-2027 at york.ca/accessibility

York Region is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable drinking water. The Region’s Water Financial Plan ensures our drinking water system remains safe and reliable now and in the future.

The Plan covers financial aspects such as costs required to build, maintain and operate the water system, future water demand and funding sources.

The 2024 Water Financial Plan is now available on york.ca/DrinkingWater

- Councillor Lau in the Community -

Councillor Lau on Canada D ay ! In the City of Markham, under the leadership of Mayor Frank Scarpitti, council members and our staff, we not only celebrate Canada but also commit to truth and reconciliation. The ceremony with Mayor Frank and Elder Thunderbird, as they held hands and shared tobacco, was a beautiful moment of learning about on the importance history of Canada.

Taste of Asia with Celebrity Chef Martin Yan! What a dream come true for many of us who learned cooking through watching YAN CAN COOK. Do you know Chef Yan is Canadian and he said he would be back for more Taste of Asia in the future!

Councillor Lau was deeply honored to receive the Legacy Award and the 100th Anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act Special Appreciation Plaque from Senator Victor Oh. These awards celebrate Senator Oh’s enduring legacy. Thank you for your lifetime dedication of serving our country and congratulations on your retirement.