DME eNewsletter #4

October 18 2026

Don's Markham Exchange

Have You Voted Yet?

Your vote matters, your voice deserves to be heard and casting you ballot is very simple.

While Election Day is Monday October 26th, you can vote now.

Voting online - Online voting opened on Friday and will remain available until 8pm on October 26th. In order to vote online you will need your Voter Information Letter (VIL). You can vote online now - details here for voting with and without your VIL - details here.

Prefer to vote in person - You can cast your ballot at several locations throughout the City starting on Friday October 22nd until Election Day, Monday October 26th.

I encourage you to vote early, either online or in person. We all have busy schedules, and unexpected circumstances can arise. Voting early ensures your voice is heard and your vote is counted. See below for further details on how and where to vote.

With 11 candidates in total competing for just four York Region Council positions, every vote counts and the outcome could come down to a small number of votes including yours. I respectfully ask you to cast a vote for me for Regional Councillor.

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this important election. I encourage you to make your voice heard!

Don

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at don.hamilton@rogers.com.

Ways to Vote

In this election, Markham residents can cast their ballot in any one of the following methods:

Online

now until 8PM on

October 26

Vote anywhere, anytime using a personal computer or smartphone.

How to vote online

At a voting place

October 23 to 26

10 AM to 8 PM

Vote in person at any voting place in Markham.

Find a voting place

At Elections Markham Headquarters

until October 22

Monday to Friday

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

By appointment

Book an appointment

While it shouldn't need to be said, an eligible person can only vote once in the 2026 Markham Municipal Election.

If you plan on voting in person, it's best to check that you are registered to vote as it makes the voting process easier. You can do that here. When you go to vote in person, please bring acceptable ID and your Voter Information Letter if you have received it.

In person voting - October 23, 24 and 25 from 10am to 8pm

Aaniin Community Centre - 5665 14th Avenue
Angus Glen Community Centre - 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East
Centennial Community Centre - 8600 McCowan Road
Cornell Community Centre - 3201 Bur Oak Avenue
Milliken Mills Community Centre - 7600 Kennedy Road
Thornhill Community Centre - 7755 Bayview Avenue

On Election Day - Monday October 26th - voting is open from 10am to 8pm at all of the above locations plus

Flato Markham Theatre - 171 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham Village Community Centre - 6041 Highway 7
Mount Joy Community Centre - 6140 16th Avenue
Varley Art Gallery of Markham - 216 Main Street Unionville

Still Haven't Received Your Voter Information Letter?

You should have already received your Voter Information Letter (VIL). It is required to be able to vote online and helps to make the process of voting in person quicker.

You can request a digital copy by updating your information with your email address using the City's Online Registration Tool - details here.

Translated versions of the 2026 VIL:

French: Français

Chinese (Simplified): 简体中文

Chinese (Traditional): 繁體中文

Assistance is Available

Should you need assistance casting a ballot online or have general questions about the election, you can contact the Elections Markham Help Desk at 905.477.7000 x8683 (VOTE) or vote@markham.ca.

As voters look for election information from a variety of sources, they may come across information that is inaccurate or misleading. It's important to understand how municipal elections work and what measures are in place to ensure the election process is fair and secure.

Elections Markham provides reliable information to help voters stay informed. The Vote with Confidence webpage address common election related myths and misinformation by offering clear, fact based explanations so voters can make informed decisions.

Your Voter Information Letter (VIL) is Private

You should treat you VIL like the PIN to your bank account and it shouldn't be shared with anyone.

It is a criminal offence to knowingly take, open or use a VIL that is addressed to someone else. If you have received a VIL for someone who no longer lives at your address, you should mark the envelope "return to sender" and place it in the mail to be returned to Elections Markham.

Candidates or their team members should never ask you for your VIL, assist you with voting, encourage or intimidate a voter to vote using their device, or ask a voter for proof of how they voted. Each of these actions are offences and, upon conviction, is liable to penalties including forfeiture of elected office, disqualification from running for Ontario municipal and school board office, a fine of up to $25,000 and a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months.

If you are approached at your door by a candidate or their team to assist you with voting, please don't allow them access to your VIL or have them assist you with voting. Please report them to the Elections Markham Help Desk at 905.477.7000 x8683 (VOTE) or vote@markham.ca.

Have You Seen a Halloween Tree?

With its rugged bark, sprawling branches and eerie silhouette, the Kentucky coffeetree looks like it belongs in a Halloween movie. There's more to what makes this native tree with the spooky appearance perfect for your backyard.

A Prestigious Honour for KSO Maestro Kristian Alexander

Last night I attend the the Kindred Spirits Orchestra's opening concert of the season. It was a night of exceptional classical music and it is really a treasure to have the KSO perform at the Markham Flato Theatre.

In addition to the KSO opening night, the evening proudly celebrated Music Director Maestro Kristian Alexander, who was recently awarded an Honoury Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by York University in recognition of his outstanding leadership, scholarly contributions and service to the arts.

This prestigious distinction places Maestro Alexander among an exceptional group of conductors, making him only the third in York University's history to receive this honour, alongside internationally renowned maestros Sir Andrew Davis and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

The recognition celebrates Maestro Alexander's visionary contribution to music, education, humanitarian initiatives, environmental responsibility and expanding access to the arts for underserved youth. This remarkable achievement reflects his enduring commitment to enriching cultural life and inspiring communities through music.

KSO's next performance, Romance in Blue and Gold, will be on December 5th at the Flato Markham Theatre. You should plan to attend - details here.

Get Ready for Winter: Don’t Delay Your Tire Change

I hate to admit it but I've already booked my tire swap for mid-November as unfortunately winter weather is approaching. Experts recommend booking your winter tire change sooner rather than later to avoid the rush when the first snowflakes start to fly.

The general rule of thumb is to switch when temperatures consistently fall below 7°C, but colder days can arrive unexpectedly. While that threshold may not be reached consistently in Markham until mid-November, if you drive up north perhaps you should be making the change now. Booking early helps avoid seasonal delays. Check your insurance policy for winter tire requirements and potential premium discounts, and remember to have your wheels re-torqued after installation for safer driving.

More seasonal tips for winter car maintenance can be found here.

Would You Like a Lawn Sign?

Would you like a to show your support for my campaign? Click the Request a Lawn Sign button and my team will add your home to the list of signs to be installed. We've been busy installing lawn signs this week.

We still have several large sized signs, the size you see on Regional roads, available to be placed if you live on a high traffic street. Please reach out if you are interested.

Request a lawn sign

Ways to Contribute?

Election campaigns are costly to run and candidate contributions to their own campaigns are now limited by the new Municipal Elections Act.

A contribution to my campaign is greatly appreciated and could be eligible for the City's rebate program. You might be eligible for a contribution rebate of up to 75% - full details here.

Contributions can be made by e-transfer, credit card or by personal cheque.

Donate here

Events Calendar

October 24 at 9:30am - Pumpkin Prowl at the Rouge National Park - details
October 24 at 10am - Fascinating Fungi at the Rouge National Park - details
October 25 at 10am - Welcome to the Rouge - Rouge National Park - details
October 25 at 2pm - "Strike Up the Band" - Markham Concert Band - details
October 25 from 2pm to 4pm - Halloween on Main Street Unionville
October 26 - Municipal election results announced
October 27 at 7pm - Markham at the Movies - Akashi
October 31 at 10am - Halloween at the Rouge National Park - details
October 31 - Artist Material Fund Open House - details
November 2 at 7pm - Unionville Residents Association Meeting - details
November 5 - Union Villa Dinner Party - Redefining Aging - details
November 9 - Remembrance Day at the Markham Cenotaph - details
November 11 at 10:30am - Remembrance Day at Flato Theatre - details
November 11 at 10:45am - Remembrance Day at the Unionville Cenotaph
November 14 - Heintzman House Artisan Craft Show - details
November 21 - Curator's Corner at the Varley Art Gallery - details
November 24 at 7pm - Markham at the Movies - The Choral
November 28 - Markham Santa Claus Parade
December 5 at 8pm - Kindred Spirits Orchestra - details here
December 6 at 2pm - "A Seasonal Celebration" - Markham Concert Band - details

Should you have an event that you would like to have added to the list, please email me at don.hamilton@rogers.com.

Vote

Don Hamilton

Regional Councillor

donhamilton . ca