Don't look up ( Markham's population growth)
Good Morning Markhamites,
Did anyone else catch the Northern Lights last week? According to a scientist at the Ontario Science Centre, We might get more glimpses of them before July 2025.
I’ll add the details below, but Rouge River’s 8th-anniversary party is this weekend. Here’s to many more years of not just being one of the most underrated breweries in the GTA but also fostering community, the arts, and local culture since opening its doors.
Today’s reading time is 4 minutes.
Markham’s population and employment rate fall behind expected targets
A report was presented at this week’s development services meeting. Besides some positive numbers around enriching green space and keeping our waterways and wetlands intact, it paints a dire picture of population growth and employment. The city is behind the benchmark in both of these key growth indicators. Since 2016, the city acknowledges it has lagged behind its population goals, but that gap is widening, approaching the key checkpoints of 2026 and 2031. 2026 is a measurement checkpoint as it is five years from the provincial deadline of reaching the province's housing target by 2031.
The city is banking on two key growth projects: the intensification of high-rise developments within the Markham Centre corridor and the intensification around the Langstaff gateway.
Employment in Markham is also lagging behind its projections, although it is still hitting the key performance indicator of 1 job for every 2 residents.
Despite these setbacks, we are still doing better than our other counterparts in York Region.
While it’s great to hear that there’s a plan in place to address this shortfall, this report comes out alongside another that states Young adults and renters have to be saving for almost 40 years to afford a starter home in Markham. Yikes.
Community Notes
Markham is the 5th best city in Canada for ordering takeout, you introverts.
Car dealership to replace abandoned building across from Markville Mall
More details around the Megadevelopment on the old Sheridan nurseries grounds
What’s Happening in Markham this week?
October 17th
7:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Machine De Cirque: La Galerie - Tickets here
October 18th
7:00 PM - Centennial Community Centre - Toronto Jr. Canadiens vs Markham Royals - Tickets are just $15 at the door!
8:30 PM - Terre Rouge, Markham Marriott, Downtown Markham - York Pride proudly presents Halloween, 19+ 2SLGBTQ+ Downtown Party
8:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Girls Nite Out stand-up comedy Tickets Here!
October 19th
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Rouge River Brewery - Rouge River’s 8th-anniversary party - Free
8:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Kindred Spirits Orchestra - Dances and Dreams Tickets Here!
October 20th
9:00 am - 12:00 - Milne Damn Conservation Area - Run for Markham in support of MSH - Register here
1:00 - 2:00 - F45 Markham - Yoga Kawa Puppy yoga ft. King Charles Spaniel pups. Tickets here
1:00 - 4:00 PM - Angus Glen Community Centre - Comic Book Consulting @ Markham Public Library.
2:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Haunted Harmonies - Halloween fun! 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!
If you’ve got a story pitch, send it to themarkhamite@Substack.com
Happy New Year folks - I haven't unsubscribed but Oct.17 seems to be the last edition of your publication that I've received. Are you still publishing? Please check if my email addie is included in your listing. I've also checked my Spam box. Keep up the good work. <suzinjane@yahoo.ca>