Good Morning Markhamites
This weekend, Main Street Markham turns into a Hallmark movie set. Friday night is the Festival of Light and on Saturday morning, the Santa Claus Parade rolls into town.
More on that below
Main Street Shines this weekend.
On Friday night, Main Street Markham is turning into a festival of lights, with train rides, live music and carolling all before a tree lighting ceremony, fireworks and from what has been rumoured, a visit from someone really special…
No, it’s not the mayor - Although he will be on hand.
Saturday Main St Markham is closed from Highway 7 to 16th Avenue from 8 AM until after the parade finishes around 1 PM.
Notable Markham resident and official voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Joe Bowen is the grand marshal, so expect to hear a few “Holy Mackinaws.“
There’s no parking on Main Street, so if you come on Saturday, it would be wise to carpool or take public transit.
This 20-year-old Greenbelt dispute is about to go into extra innings
A parcel of Markham Greenbelt land owned for 20 years was included in the “More Homes Built Faster Act” of 2022. With the Ford government recently walking back their Greenbelt plans, that land is being re-added to the Greenbelt once more and the developers are not happy about it.
This property, owned by Minotar Inc., is located north of Major Mac, between McCowan and Kennedy roads. It was purchased in 2003, two years before the original Greenbelt legislation became law. The developer claims it is “flat land” of no environmental value that should never have been added to the Greenbelt.
The province defends their position, arguing that significant wetlands cut through the property via two tributaries dumping into Robinson Creek, making it environmentally significant. A look at the property from above confirms that.
The Ontario government said that after ten years, they would re-assess to determine if it could be removed. It never was.
In 2017, Minotaur filed a lawsuit with the Ontario Superior Court, asking for $120 Million in damages for alleged "negligence, negligent misrepresentation, and misfeasance in public office."
So, when the Ford government began its hasty assessment of removing land from the Greenbelt in 2022, they included the Minotar property as one of the 15 plots of land recommended to be removed. One of the conditions of including along with the other 14 properties selected by the housing minister’s chief of staff was that Minotar had to drop any legal proceedings against the government, so they did.
We all know how the next part goes, with Ford announcing and reversing his decision to open the Greenbelt. Here’s where things get spicy…
In the current bill tabled by Paul Calandra to reverse the 2022 act, there’s a particular clause:
The bill includes clauses prohibiting legal action, compensation or damages related to "the Superior Court of Justice proceeding commenced at Newmarket and identified as Court File number CV-17-131956-00," which is the 2017 Minotar lawsuit.
So, to recap, the Ford government utilized an ill-advised policy to quash a long-standing legal dispute, got blowback from the media and the public, forcing them to reverse their decision, and then included clauses making it impossible to sue the government over this decision.
This leaves Minotar with no choice but to plead with the government to make an exception. Their lawyers are raising the prospect of a constitutional challenge if the legislation passes as is.
Community Notes
Markham wants to hear from you - fill out this survey to contribute to the 2026 strategic plan
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School alumnus in Markham benefits from TELUS bursary program
Markham lays out its bold vision for a sustainable transportation plan into 2051
Things to do in Markham this weekend.
Nov 23 8 PM Flato Markham Theatre - A very Motown Christmas Get your tickets here
Nov 23 - Open Mic night at The Duchess of Markham
Nov 24 5-9 PM Markham Main Street - Festival of light
Nov 25 11AM -1 PM Markham Main Street - Santa Claus Parade
November 25th, 1-3 PM Varley Art Gallery - Artist Workshop with Shantel Miller
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