Bylaw Enforcements Gets Beefed Up
Good Morning Markhamites,
Happy first days of spring, I hope everyone is enjoying it by *Checks notes* shoveling 5-10cm of snow this weekend? Oh boy…
Today’s read time is less than 3 minutes.
Markham is updating bylaws to give more power to bylaw enforcement.
Yesterday, City Council passed several updates to various bylaws. One of the most significant ones involves new enforcement options for bylaw enforcement officers, including automatic fines.
The council is updating several bylaws, adding AMPs (Administrative Monetary Penalties). These include the Property Standards bylaw and the Signs, Noise, Parks, and Idling bylaws.
Traditionally, Bylaw officers could enforce the bylaws by letting the property owner correct it themselves or issue a work order. If the work order isn’t fulfilled, the city issues a fine under the Provincial Offences Act and goes off to the province to adjudicate. Adding AMPs to the bylaw strengthens laws similar to those for parking tickets. If you violate the bylaw, you’ll now be subject to a city fine and a work order that will be paid within 15 days.
When the council discussed these bylaw updates, a scenario in which someone’s blue bin tips over in the wind or weather and spews recycling down the street, property owners would be responsible for cleaning up the mess on their property or facing these fines. So it is now our collective responsibility to keep Markham beautiful - unless you want to pay the city.
Councillors voted unanimously on these bylaw updates. You should expect a comms update from the city about these changes soon.
Community Notes
Markhamite and Toronto Blue Jays Closer Jordan Romano takes us inside his Baseball card collection.
Tuktu Care Launches in Markham, offering community care at the touch of a button.
Unionville GO station gets funding to make rail crossings safer.
Aviva and Hyundai are named among the best workplaces for Women.
What’s happening in Markham this week?
March 22nd
10:30 AM -11:30 AMM - Special Council Meeting - Livestream here
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Rogue River Brewing Company - Live music with an all-female Lineup.
March 23rd
3:00 - 5:00 pm - Paint Nite at Milestones - Tickets here
4:00 - 5:00 PM - Springer Garden Studio - Parents and Kids Succulent Arrangement class - Tickets here
March 25th
10:00 am - Unionville Library - Point Click Connect adult and older adult digital literacy program. Details here.
6:30 - 8:30 PM - Cineplex VIP theatres - York Endo Network presents - Endometriosis Awareness Month Screening: Below the Belt. Tickets here.
March 26th
9:30 AM - Development Services Committee Meeting - livestreamed here.
2:00 PM York Alzheimers Society, Amica and Markham at the movies present The Eternal Memory. Tickets here.
7:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Markham at the movies Presents: Scrapper - Tickets here
If you would like to submit your photos of Markham - feel free to follow and tag our Instagram page, and we’ll credit you!