August 18 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
Will the
Blue Box program be standardized across Ontario?

There is a lot of positive talk coming from the Provincial government regarding standardization across Ontario of materials that can be placed in the Blue Box.

We at the City of Markham, pride ourselves in having a high diversion rate, but what good is diversion if a portion of the material still ends up in landfill or being incinerated?

The marketplace for recyclables fluctuates but if we had everyone in Ontario putting the same things in their Blue Bin we could add some stability to that marketplace.

Currently the municipality (meaning taxpayers) pay about half the cost of disposing of Blue Bin material. Under the proposed stewardship program producers would be responsible for the total cost of recyclables. Of course, the producers would pass any additional cost on to the buyer of the product, but to reduce cost, hopefully the producers will cut back on unnecessary packaging.

Meanwhile, here in Markham, we continue to try and find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle Blue Bin materials.


Click here to read the last edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
In this issue
- Time to Register for Fall Programs
- Road Work Ahead
- Blue Box Changes Coming?
- Bill 108
- YorkSafe
- STEM Kids Rock
- Doors Open Markham
- Water, Water, Water
- Early Years Program Finder
- Swim Here, Work Here
- If Thunder Roars, Go Indoors
- York Region is a Happy Place
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Recycling Styrofoam
Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.

Make sure you are on the list for future updates.
Looking for more information?

Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.

Did you receive your copy of Markham Life magazine? It's the City of Markham's parks and recreation guide to community parks and recreation programs and contains all of the information you need to know about programs, activities, swimming lessons and City events.

More information is available here or click for an interactive copy of the Markham Life publication.

Registration is already open for some programs.
It's summer and it seems like all the roads are under construction. Here are a few locations that may take some extra time to navigate over the next several weeks:
  • new traffic light - McCowan Road and Wilfred Murrison Avenue/James Parrott Avenue - temporary lane closures from August into the Fall
  • new traffic light - 16th Avenue and Williamson Road - temporary lane closures from August into the Fall
  • concrete median construction - 16th Avenue from Markham Road to Peter Street - temporary lane closures from August into the Fall
  • work continues for the Yonge Subway extension

There may be changes coming to the recycling programs across Ontario as recent audits have shown that approximately 30% of items sent to be recycled are actually thrown in the trash. This is cause by contamination of the recycling stream as non-recyclables are being placed in Blue Bins or goods are being placed in bins in plastic bags. (Recent news story with more information - here)

An announcement was made this week by the Provincial government on the current state of the recycling program and next steps to improve recycling and especially plastic waste. As it stands now, the recycling programs are governed by each municipality many with different guidelines on what can and can't be recycled. This is causing difficulties for the recycling facilities and then layer on the items that are placed in Blue Bins incorrectly, such as newspapers in plastic bags, which means many those well intended efforts to recycle end up in the garbage.

York Region and the City of Markham are currently reviewing their Waste Management programs (I am on the City's committee) and looking for ways to divert more to the recycling program. We will work in tandem with any recommendations that are brought forward from the Province to make the Blue Box and other recycling programs even better.

Association of Ontario Municipalities statement - here

Municipalities across the Province have some very serious concerns over the passing of Bill 108 . The Act makes significant changes to the planning appeals process and to development charges (DC's) and replaces DC's and Section 37 with a new Community Benefit Charge (CBC) under the Planning Act. Conservation authorities, endangered species legislation, environmental assessments and the Ontario Heritage Act are also affected.

The proposed changes could have significant and potential negative implications on how the City manages and processes development applications and appeals, how it preserves, manages and conserves heritage resources, and could have a seriously negative impact on municipal finances.

Two of the most significant changes are:

  • Changes to the Local Panning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) - A few years ago, I joined other elected officials from across York Region and beyond as part of a working group, that helped bring about long overdue changes to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). The changes received “all party” support and the OMB was replaced with LPAT. The new LPAT gave local Councils more authority on planning decisions. Unfortunately Bill 108 reinstates the rules of the old OMB.

  • Development Charges - The Development Charges Act is being changed to help reduce costs, which in turn is supposed to help increase the housing supply. However, we have seen no fact based evidence on how this is going to create more housing or make homes more affordable. Development charges pay for infrastructure, fire stations, community centres, parks and libraries. If development charges paid to municipalities are reduced, the City will need to reduce services or increase property taxes to cover the shortfall.

In summary, Bill 108 undermines the authority and the ability of local government to protect our community’s environment, our heritage and even our vision for how we will grow and plan communities.

How can you help? Let your local MPP know that this Bill could have severe negative consequences on community building and proper planning. Comments can be emailed to your local MPP:

For more information on this issue:

Find the current listing provided by YorkSafe health inspections here. Again there are some Markham establishments on the list.

You can review all locations in York Region here.

While STEM Kids Rock has been highlighted before in the DME, they continue to do great work in our community and will be at a number of local events. You should stop by and see how they inspire, engage and empower the next generation of STEM leaders. STEM Kids Rock, is a FREE Mobile Science Centre that goes out into communities in hopes of reaching elementary aged children and inspiring them to fall in love with science.

STEM Kids Rock was co-founded by Markham siblings Aidan Aird and Keeley Aird. Learn more about STEM Kids Rock here . I would like to offer my congratulations to Keeley , a recent graduate of St. Brother Andre Catholic High School, for earning the prestigious TD Community Leadership Scholarship. Keeley will begin her post-secondary education to study Chemistry at McMaster University this fall. Well done Keeley and thank you for all the work that STEM Kids Rock does for our community!

​ Do you know a high school student looking for fun and enriching volunteer hours? STEM Kids Rock is a great way to get volunteer hours. You will learn how to communicate effectively, become an expert on fossils, rocks and minerals, butterflies and moths, space and engineering, meet new friends and be part of the kids teaching kids movement. Check out their website for more information. You can a STEM Kids event at:

Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS)
August 19, 2019 - 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
7220 Kennedy Road, Markham

Markham-Milliken Children's Festival
August 24, 2019 -10:00 - 7:00 PM
Aaniin Community Centre, Markham

Before you know it Doors Open Markham will be here showcasing venues around the City that you may not have had access to visit. You likely have driven by some of the locations and wondered what they are like inside and Saturday September 7 is the day you can find out. There are 24 unique locations across the City including churches, temples, historic sites, art galleries, fire station and more. Do you know anyone looking for volunteer hours? If so, please have them reach out to the Doors Open committee.

This free annual event is a great way to get out and see all that Markham has to offer. Find out more here.

York Region wants to know what you think about your water and wastewater services so they can find opportunities for improvement. Complete the short survey before September 16, for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

Have you looked at the resources that are available on the York Region website?

Looking for quality licensed child care and family drop-in programs can be confusing. York Region recently launched a new online map that helps parents and caregivers with children search for licensed child care and early years programs, including  EarlyON child and family centres.

The  Early Years Program Finder  allows families to search by address or municipality, children’s services (such as licensed child care) and program criteria (such as number of children, ages of children). More information on programs for children in York Region can be found here . 

Want a job that’s fun and fulfilling? Become a Lifeguard or Swim Instructor for the City of Markham! It is a great job for both adults and high school students. Apply now and start this Fall.
Not certified? Find out more here about what you need to do to be qualified.
If Thunder Roars,
Go Indoors!
Lightning can strike as far as 15 km from where it's raining. During a storm, stay away from trees, telephone poles, wires and anything metal. 

Find out more about how to stay safe in thunderstorms and other severe weather conditions - click here

I'm happy to include the following piece recently published on the York Region website:

With so many things to do and places to visit, York Region is a prime destination for thrill-seekers and those looking to relax with a book on a dock.

Part of what makes York Region so happy, are the services we provide to our residents, business owners and visitors. Happiness means having key services there, when you need it like turning on a tap and getting fresh, clean water or walking through protected, forested lands. Perhaps your “happy” is having transit to get you where you want to go. York Region’s services keep our residents happy.

  • Forestry - The York Regional Forest is comprised of 2,300 hectares of protected land, with more than 120 kilometres of trail available to the public. Our forest is about six and a half times the size of Central Park which, means we’ve got a lot of nature to explore.
  • Long-term care - York Region provides adult day programs, client intervention and support, care to those recovering from illness or surgery and short stay respite programs are provided to 800 residents each year.
  • York Regional Police - Last year, York Regional Police received 250,174 911 calls, protecting residents across 1,762 km2 
  • Paramedic Services - ​​​​​​​In 2018, York Region’s Paramedics responded to 83,000 incidents ranging from life-threatening calls to minor calls.
  • York Region Transit - ​​​​​​​York Region has 5,200 bus stops to help connect 22.2 million rides annually.
  • Regional Roads - ​​​​​​​York Region owns and maintains more than 4,200 lane kilometres of Regional Roads. Put end-to-end, it would be equal to the distance of driving from Vaughan to Vancouver.
  • Housing - ​​​​​​​York Region works with various partners to provide more housing options for all residents.
  • Court Services - ​​​​​​​Court services are responsible for prosecution of Part I and II Provincial Offence Act charges and operate the Provincial Offences Courts in the Town of Newmarket and City of Richmond Hill.
  • Water - ​​​​​​​In 2018, York Region supplied our local cities and towns with 116 billion litres of treated water – roughly enough to fill 45,000 Olympic swimming pools.
  • Waste Management - ​​​​​​​Last year, York Region diverted 83,000 tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill, the amount equal to the weight of 10,000 elephants.
  • Economic Development - ​​​​​​​York Region is home to 56,000 businesses and 636,600 employees and has the second largest tech hub in Canada and the third largest business hub within Ontario.
  • Social Assistance - ​​​​​​​York Region offers a wide range of employment and financial assistance programs to help residents meet their basic needs.
  • Planning - ​​​​​​​York Region takes a strategic approach to developing plans and policies for service designed to support growing communities.
  • Children’s Services - ​​​​​​​York Region offers programs, subsidies and information for parents and child care providers to ensure the needs of children are met.
Learn more about our services by clicking on the blue text above and view the locations on the  map  below.
Community Meetings and Events

All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings . Unless noted differently on the link above, meetings are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.

The calendar of York Region meetings is available here. You can listen to meetings on line. The details from past meetings are available online.


I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question.
Question: Why doesn't the Blue Bin accept Styrofoam? What should I do with it?
Answer: The Blue Bin program in Markham currently does NOT accept Styrofoam. Under the proposed changes to the new Ontario wide recycling program we are hoping that Styrofoam will be accepted but not yet. Styrofoam can be recycled by taking it to one of our recycling depots where it will be gladly accepted. It is then turned into picture frames, ceiling molding and other recycled products.

To find your nearest recycling depot or more information on Styrofoam recycling click here.
Working together to make Markham better!
Don Hamilton - City of Markham
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
905- 415-7549
Connect with me