- Markham 360 E-Newsletter EP. 165 |   January 09, 2026 -
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Access City of Markham Council & Committee Meetings and view a list of Proclamations at markham.ca
 
York Regional Council:
Live streaming of the public session of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings is available on the day of the meeting from 9 a.m. until the close of the meeting. Past sessions are also available at york.ca/councilandcommittee
 
Table of Contents:
2. City of Markham News
  • 2025 Markham Helping Hands
  • MPL removed late fines for all customers!
  • Help prevent street flooding!
  • How to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit
  • Christmas Tree Curbside Collection
  • New Blue Box program
  • Coyotes in the community
  • Help us clear the way!
3. York Region News
  • York Region invests $30.2 million in affordable housing
  • York Region summer student applications now open!
  • YRT Winter Weather Advisory
  • York Region health data is now available online
  • YRP's News
4. Community News
5. Regional Councillor Alan Ho in the Community 
6. Notice of Regional Road Construction

Markham Helping Hands 2025

 

Starting December 2025 until January 2026, please consider donating non-perishable, unopened food items. 

 

You can drop off your contributions at the entrance of the following locations:

 

Foodymart: 5221 Hwy 7, Markham

 

Cherish Integrated Services: 1271 Denison Street, Unit 64, Markham

 

Santan Mandir Cultural Centre (Markham): 9333 Woodbine Ave, Markham

 

Thank you for your generosity and support!

- Public Meeting Notice - 

City-wide Zoning By-law Amendment

 

-January 20, 2026, 7:00 pm 

-Zoom or in person at Council Chamber:

101 Town Centre Boulevard Markham, ON

28 Main Street, Unionville 

 

-January 20, 2026, 7:00 pm 

-Zoom or in person at Council Chamber:

101 Town Centre Boulevard Markham, ON

 
All meetings are video and audio streamed on the City of Markham’s website at:https://pub-markham.escribemeetings.com/ 
-City of Markham News-

MPL removed late fines for all adult and senior customers!

 

While daily late fees will no longer be charged, fees related to lost or damaged items will still apply.  

 

For more information: https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/news/finefreeforadults/

Severe weather can cause power outages. Have flashlights, extra blankets, and non-perishable food ready. Don’t forget to regularly charge devices to ensure they are ready for when a storm hits! Watch this video by Alectra Utilities on how to prepare for a power outage

Help prevent street flooding! When catch basins are buried under snow or clogged with leaves and litter, water has nowhere to go. This can lead to ponding on our roads, and potential flooding on private property. 

 

If you have a catch basin in front of your house:
- If safe to do so, use a shovel to remove snow, ice and leaves from the catch basin
- When clearing your driveway, avoid pushing snow over any catch basins
- Never pour anything into a catch basin

 

Learn more at http://markham.ca/Water

Starting January 1, 2026: All blue box-related inquiries, such as missed collections and requests for new or replacement blue boxes, must be made directly to Miller Waste, not the City of Markham.
 
Contact: Miller Waste
1-855-752-3762
 
Christmas Tree Curbside Collection January 6 to 16
  • Set out by 7 AM on your collection day.
  • Do not place on top of snowbanks. 
  • Remove plastic bags, decorations, tinsel and stand. 

As you enjoy the winter weather, remember to be cautious when on our City trails and parks. If you encounter a coyote, remember the following:

- Keep all pets on a leash.

- Never feed wildlife.

- Do not run when approached by a coyote, make yourself large and loud. By working together, we can co-exist with wildlife and protect our eco-systems!

 

To learn more about our Coyote Response and Coexistence Strategy, visit: http://markham.ca/Wildlife

Ready to try something new this year?
 
Lace up your skates and enjoy the season at one of our outdoor community rinks: Victoria Square Park, Markham Museum, and Milne Dam Park are all now open! Outdoor ice rinks are weather-dependent, so check the latest status before you head out at http://markham.ca/Skating
During a Winter event, remember not to park on City streets. Parking restrictions run from November 15 to April 15 every year. These temporary restrictions help ensure that snow can be removed quickly and efficiently, keeping streets safe and accessible for residents, service vehicles, and emergency responders.
 

Have material at the curb by 7AM on your regular collection day. To keep collectors safe, ensure containers are easily accessible. Do not place on snowbanks. Thank you to Markham’s Miller Waste crews for their outstanding efforts during the recent snow conditions. Their hard work is appreciated by all!

 

For more tips, visit http://markham.ca/CurbsideCollection

Are you a post-secondary student looking for unique summer job opportunities? The City of Markham is currently recruiting post-secondary students for summer 2026 for a variety of roles across various departments.

 

Learn more and apply by January 11, 2026: http://markham.ca/careers

 

Please see below for the opening positions

City of Markham Current Opening Position: 
 
New Job Positions:
  • Recreation Camp Specialist – Summer Camp – Canoeing
  • Recreation Camp Specialist – Summer Camp – Archery
  • Recreation Camp Specialist – Summer Camp – High/Low Ropes
  • Recreation Camp Specialist – Summer Camp – Piano
  • Camp Inclusion Supervisor - Recreation - Summer Camp
  • Camp Supervisor- All Areas
  • Camp Behaviour Management Specialist - Recreation - Summer Camp
  • Culture Programs Assistant – Varley Art Gallery of Markham
  • Operations Supervisor, Contract Administration
  • Curatorial Assistant, Collection Access Specialist - Museum
  • Curatorial Assistant, Exhibitions Specialist - Museum
Summer Student:
  • Summer Student – Tree Preservation (May to August)
  • Natural Heritage Planning Student
  • Fleet Summer Student
  • Summer Students - Parks
  • Operations Research Analyst - Student
  • Summer Student – Project Management, Strategy & Innovation
  • Summer Student – Survey
  • Parks Planning Student
  • Summer Student Planner – Policy and Research
  • Summer Student - Business Operations Student
  • Summer Student – Sign Remover (May to August) – 4 positions
  • Summer Student - Markham Fire and Emergency Services
For more information & job position
If you have any municipal inquiry or concern, you can send an email to our Contact Centre at customerservice@markham.ca or call 905.477.5530. 
-York Region News-

York Region has announced a $30.2 million investment through the Community Housing Supply Grant to increase affordable housing. This funding will help non-profit and co-operative organizations build new units, convert non-residential spaces and redevelop properties.

 

This year’s recipients include: Markham Inter-Church Committee for Affordable Housing, Sandgate Women’s Shelter, Trinity Coptic Foundation, Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Toronto, and Crescent Village Seniors Housing Corporation

 

Projects from 2024 recipients including Blue Door and Richmond Hill Ecumenical Homes are already underway. York Region will make this program permanent in 2026 as part of its commitment to expanding housing options. 

York Region summer student applications now open!

 

Applications for summer student jobs at York Region are now open for 2026! Students have the opportunity to gain meaningful experience and make a real impact this summer with one of Canada’s top employers. We’re proud to offer hands-on opportunities which help students grow, learn and contribute to our vibrant communities. Many of our past students have gone on to build lasting careers with us.

 

https://www.york.ca/york-region/careers/student-opportunities Applications close January 25, 2026.

From YRT/Viva Bus: Winter weather can cause delays Stay updated with YRT Alerts for major service updates and detours.

 

You can also get real-time info by calling 1-866-668-3978 or using the Next Ride feature at http://yrt.ca.

Our health data is now available online!
 
We're thrilled to launch the new Population Health Assessment Dashboard, making vital community health information accessible and transparent.Explore 57 indicators across eight key topics, check trends over time and compare local data to provincial rates.
 
This interactive tool helps all of us better understand the health of York Region and supports data-informed decision making.
 
Dive in and explore the data today! york.ca/HealthData
York Regional Police (YRP) News:
 
If you have any regional inquiry or concern, you can send an email to Access York at accessyork@york.ca or call 877.464.9675.
-Community News-
Time flies … 2026 is around the corner and it is my honour to serve you over the past 16 years.
 
I am going to host a charity concert on January 11, 2026, for the Hong Kong Taipo Big Fire Relief to replace my Christmas and New Year’s Levee. Hope you will be with me.
 

One of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong’s history has claimed 161 lives, and displaced thousands, with about 2,000 households urgently needing support.

 

The “Toronto Responds: Support for Hong Kong Fire Victims” Fund to provide urgent financial aid, medical care, long-term recovery support, and community rebuilding.

 

All funds will be directed to the Community Chest of Hong Kong: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/141237

Share your Community Event or Information with Us!
Contact us at sxie@markham.ca
-In the Community-
My office has “slow down” signs. If you are interested, kindly contact me at alan.ho@markham.ca.
-Notice of Regional Road Construction-

Current Projects

 

16th Avenue, from Leslie Street to Kennedy Road
Road widening from four to six lanes 
Construction starts: 2026
Construction ends: 2030
 
Highway 404 Road Crossing North of 16th Avenue
Construction of a new bridge to link Orlando Avenue with Markland Street
Construction starts: Summer 2023
Anticipated completion: Late 2026
 
Warden Avenue south of Major Mackenzie Drive East
Culvert rehabilitation
Construction starts: Early summer 2025
Construction ends: Summer 2026
 
York Durham Line from Bethesda Sideroad to 14th Avenue
Road resurfacing
Construction starts: Early summer 2025
Construction ends: Spring 2026

 

Future Projects

Kennedy Road from North of Highway 407 to Highway 7
Road widening to accommodate Bus Rapid Transit facilities
Construction starts: 2026

 

McCowan Road from 14th Avenue to Highway 7
Road widening from four to six lanes, including Transit-HOV lanes
Construction starts: 2028

 

Ninth Line from Steeles Avenue to Fieldside Street
Road widening from two to four lanes
Construction starts: 2025

 

For general inquiries, please contact York Region Transportation, Public Works, Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75000 or Email: transportation@york.ca
For more information: york.ca/roadconstruction
Regional Councillor Alan Ho
Chair, Culture & Economic Development Committee
 
City of Markham
Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Boulevard Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3
 
 
Tel: (905)-948-5112 or (905)-479-7780
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City of Markham Regional Councillor Alan Ho