Ontario State of Emergency 

On April 8, the City of Markham entered a third provincial State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order for at least 28 days and has recently been changed for an additional 2 weeks. These additional measures are being taken in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission, the threat on the Province's hospital system capacity and the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants. The Province of Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework  colour-coded zones) is paused during this time. 

Covid-19 Vaccination Information

If you have any questions about vaccinations in York Region, please call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 or visit York Region - covid19 Vaccination clinics. Access York is available to receive calls 7 days a week between 8:30 am and 8 pm. The Health Information Line is 1-800-361-5653. 

Volunteer Services for Seniors

A local group, PinkCars, has been established to help seniors register for vaccines and to drive them to and from vaccine appointments. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact PinkCars.
Volunteer drivers and financial support are also welcome. 

Volunteer Markham provides essential services across York Region through the generous support of the UW GTA and in collaboration with Volunteer Toronto and Volunteer MBC.

Updates on Developments and Applications

- 10-20 Fincham Community Information Meeting - New Date

After a brief discussion at our February 22 DSC meeting, Council referred the item to the Markham Subcommittee for further consultation.

Markham Subcommittee meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, April 20.

If you wish to attend the meeting, please contact the Clerks department at clerkspublic@markham.ca to receive the zoom link. You can also join the meeting by calling the deputation line 905-479-7760 advising Clerks staff that you are interested in attending this meeting.

- Community Information Meeting - 144 Main St N application

A virtual community information meeting to discuss the applications for the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment submitted by SmartCentres and Revera Inc. (Markham Main Street RR Inc) to permit a 6 storey retirement residence (7 storeys adjacent to Water Street).

The building proposes 308 units offering a continuum of care and range of suite sizes and care services. The proposal includes 162 parking spaces (120 underground). Access is provided primarily from Water St with a drop off from Main St N. Five of the heritage buildings are proposed to be retained as commercial uses with 12 Wilson Street being restored and incorporated into the retirement residence.

This meeting has been scheduled to provide residents with general information regarding the proposal prior to the statutory public meeting. Representatives of Markham Planning staff, the Consultant and I will be present at the meeting to answer questions and discuss next steps. Proposed preliminary drawings are attached. 

We look forward to seeing you virtually at this meeting and to listen to your feedback.

2021 is another active year for the Gypsy Moth

Operations staff and the Contact Centre have been receiving a growing number of resident inquiries on the subject of Gypsy Moth infestations in Markham.

Following publication of the Region of York’s fall 2020 egg mass survey results, staff performed physical inspections by neighbourhood, reviewed resident feedback and then assessed the level or severity of egg mass populations across the City. Using the same approach that Operations are using for our Neighborhood Tree Maintenance program, Operations staff have ranked and prioritized neighborhoods and streets to focus our efforts of the “worst of the worst first.” Staff have identified approximately 18,000 city owned trees with egg mass accumulations in the second year of infestation for what has historically been a 7-9 year cycle with the last significant activity in the Province noted in 2014.

The City has deployed staff to the worst areas in priority order based on field observations. They have been using a backpack vacuum to remove the eggs from affected trees. The City is NOT applying any spray/pesticides.

The City encourages the residents to watch the video – Gypsy Moth in the City of Markham to learn about what the City has been doing and how the residents can take steps to remove egg masses from their own trees.

To learn more about Gypsy Moth, you can access the FAQ posted on the City’s portal page – Tree Care

Tree Preservation By-law

Property owners must apply for a permit before injuring (injury mean pruning a tree to 30% of the crown or more) or destroying any tree in Markham with a diameter of  20+ cm or 8+ inches DBH (diameter at breast height), measured at 1.37 meters (54 inches) above the ground.

Hedges also require protection if 20+ DBH. It's important to maintain trees and hedges properly, recognizing the value they provide to multiple land owners and their value for wildlife.

Trees and hedges require pruning and maintenance, and if the tree or hedge is shared, residents should communicate with their neighbours and address the objectives of pruning before proceeding so both parties are on the same page. 

The tree preservation bylaw exists to preserve significant trees on all properties within the City and to sustain Markham’s urban forest. Please see By-Law 2008-96 and the brochure Call Before Your Cut for further details. For additional information, visit Markham.ca/trees.

Anyone contravening the Tree Preservation By-law and found guilty of an offence will be subject to penalties. 

Fallen Wood - Cycle of Life 

Removal of tree debris of any kind from City-owned wood lots or naturalized areas is not allowed. Ecosystems depend on the natural breakdown of woody plant material to regenerate the soil, add nutrients, retain moisture, etc. This benefits the animal and plant kingdom in numerous ways and they depend on these for survival.

This is from our Forestry staff: "take a look at every tree we plant in the landscape and you will find at its base wood chip mulch (ground up tree pieces). There are many reasons for this, including contributing to the ecosystem of the soil and retaining moisture. The tree debris in our wooded areas does the exact same thing, while at the same time creating habitat opportunities of wildlife. Take photos and leave only footprints.”

Rooming Houses & STA are illegal - Report them!

Definition of Rooming House & Short-Term Accommodation

Under By-law 2018-53 Rooming House is defined as a building where 3 or more lodging rooms are provided in return for remuneration or services (or both) and where lodging rooms do not contain both bathroom and cooking facilities for the exclusive use of individual occupants, but does not include a residential use with support services.

Under By-law 2018-56 Short-Term Rental Accommodation is defined as an establishment that operates as or offers a place of temporary residence, lodging or occupancy by way of concession, permit, lease, license, rental agreement or similar commercial arrangement for overnight accommodation, for one or more periods of less than 30 consecutive days, and shall not include a bed and breakfast.

Park in Ward 4 - Update

Roy Ramer Park (Formerly Wismer McCowan Woodlot Park)

The park is anticipated to be completed by early Q4 2021 (weather and covid pending.)

In addition to the playground area, the City is adding 2 tennis courts, one of them will include pickleball lines.

The park layout plan and images of the play elements at Roy Ramer can be viewed on my portal page, under the City's Project and Development Applications tab.

Rats nest in the garden, often they will build nests under the decks, foundations of sheds, green houses or garages. Brown rats in particular will dig rat holes in overgrown areas of a garden to create rat burrows where they will nest, store food and raise young rats.

If you have a composting area in the garden, this can be a source of food for rodents. Along with any rubbish in bins rodents might be able to access. Berries, seeds and plants from the garden or surrounding areas will also sustain them. We do not encourage anyone to use a composter in Markham and must only be used for yard waste. All food waste should be put in to your green bin, along with dropped fruit from any trees. 

Rats are nocturnal and most active at dusk and dawn as they set out to forage and return. Surprisingly, some residents are seeing rats even during the day. 

See attached information about Rodent Infestation (from YR) and  Backyard Composters and Bird Feeders

In order to reduce risks to humans, it's very important that we do not leave food or household garbage outdoors, nor in City’s parks, outside the provided garbage cans.

Rats and wildlife are attracted to our environment if food source is available.