eNewsletter

October 4 2026

Don's Markham Exchange

Hello Once Again!

It's been a very busy week and this week looks like it will be even busier.

My wife and I visited the always fun Markham Fair today. The flowers and baked goods that had been judged earlier in the week for their quality, appearance, and taste, looked a little tired out, but all the farm animals seemed happy to see us! The kids were really excited to see the bunnies, chicks, piglets, lambs, horses, cows, and everything else, so up close and personal. May our fabulous Markham Fair continue forever!

As we were waiting for the light to change at the Markham Fairgrounds intersection, I noticed a small but sturdy looking church called Peach's United Church. What a cute historical building. The things you see that you never realized were there.

This past Tuesday everyone enjoyed "The Tuner", the first in a series of TIFF films presented by Markham At The Movies (MATM). These monthly films are shown at Flato Markham Theatre. Join us next month!

In case you hadn't noticed, it was "election signs up" week in Markham. So you'll be seeing a lot of me around town for the next month.

If you'd like a lawn sign to show support, send an email at don.hamilton@rogers.com or reply to this email with a note "lawn sign please" along with your home address.

Until next week ...

Are You Ready?

Voting for this year's municipal election takes place between October 16 and October 26. Voting is different this election.

Voting can be done online, at a voting place and at Election Markham Headquarters. Each option is available on different dates. However you decide to vote, please make certain that you are registered to vote. More information is available on the City's website at markham.ca/elections where you can also check to see if you are on the voters list.

Frequently asked questions include: how to vote, can I vote, where to vote, am I on the voters list. Click here to find out more.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

Well I'm sure you've seen election signs on corners around the City since last Monday but have you also noticed that there aren't so many large elections signs.

York Region instituted a new by-law that took effect this election allowing each candidate only 50 large road signs on Regional roads and other restrictions including a maximum of 5 signs per corner. For comparison, during the last election, there were 238 possible sign locations on Regional and City Roads.

My campaign team has been busy placing signs around the City during this past week. We still have several large signs available to be placed if you happen to live on a high traffic street. Please reach out if you're interested.

Would you like a lawn sign to show your support for my campaign? My team will be out this week placing lawn signs. Can I add you to the list? Please reply to this email noting "lawn sign please" with your home address.

Ways to Vote

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

Online

October 16 (10 AM) to October 26 (8 PM)

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

September 28 to October 22

Monday to Friday

8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

By appointment

Book an appointment

An eligible person can only vote once in the 2026 Markham Municipal Election.

Keeping Safe

With Fall here, it's a good reminder to stay alert as break and enters can increase during this season.

This notice from Josh LaCroix, Detective with Markham's YRP 5 District CIB Property Crime Unit provides some helpful reminders on how we can all help prevent property crime.

The good news is that break and enters are down year over year. Residents also play an important role in helping police by reporting suspicious activity, noting vehicle details or licence plates and sharing security footage can all help with investigations. Working together helps keep our neighbourhoods safe.

Do you have a security camera?

Have you registered it to help police identify potential video sources during investigations?

Details here

10,000 Trees

There's 2 more opportunities to attend a local fall tree planting event hosted by 10,000 Trees. These events are being held in the Rouge National Urban Park on October 17th and 18th. Sign up is required. More information can be found here.

Have you been to the Rouge National Urban Park? They have a number of free programs and guided walks throughout the year. Here's the list of events happening close to home in October.

Salmon Adventures

Salmon migration is happening now in local creeks and rivers as they make their way back to the place where they were born to spawn.

Have you seen any? There are several places in Markham that salmon have already been spotted - learn more.

Pumpkins After Dark

There's a brand new event happening at the Markham Museum now until October 31st. There will be thousands of hand-carved pumpkins and sculptures in a walk through display with sounds and lights. It's a family friendly event and some nights you can bring your dog along for the walko.

Tickets are required for the event. More details and tickets can be found here.

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 5 at 7pm - Ward 3 All Candidates Meeting - hosted by Unionville Residents Association - Unionville Presbyterian Church - 600 Village Parkway
October 5 at 7pm - Ward 1, Regional Councillor and Mayoral All Candidates Meeting - hosted by 5 Thornhill residents association groups - Thornhill Community Centre - 7755 Bayview Avenue rooms B1 and B2
October 10 at 10am - World Migratory Bird Day - guided walk - gazebo at Swan Lake
October 11 at 10am - Historic Unionville Walking Tour - details
October 16 - Boots for Art - Fundraiser for the Varley Gallery - details
October 16 - 26 - voting is open for the City of Markham muncipial election - learn more
October 17 from 7am to 7pm - Curbside Giveaway Day
October 17 at 8pm - Kindred Spirits Orchestra Opening Night - details here
Halloween Howl hosted by the Markham Dog Alliance - 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
November 5 - Union Villa Dinner Party - Redefining Aging - details
November 9 - Remembrance Day at the Markham Cenotaph - details
November 11 at 10:45am - Remembrance Day at the Unionville Cenotaph
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

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