Tax Time, Mayor talking about the Megacity again
Plus, MSH limits visitors and warns of long ER wait times.
Good Morning Markhamites
The first municipal tax deadlines are approaching, so check your mailboxes. As reported earlier, the regional tax levy increased, so expect to see an average increase of about $100 in your municipal rate.
Meanwhile, at City Hall, a special meeting concerning the municipal budget was scheduled for Monday the 29th. Hopefully, we’ll have insight into how the city is strategically spending this year next week.
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Today’s read time is less than 5 minutes.
The Mayor wants to turn the region into a megacity…again.
Last year, The Ford Government introduced legislation that would begin the process of breaking up Peel region into the two cities that make it up currently. Mayor Scarpitti took that opportunity to go to the media and signal his interest in amalgamating all of York Region into one megacity.
Naturally, this was rejected by all of the other York Region mayors as well as the Province. As they are now famously known to do, the province has since walked back the legislation breaking up Peel region and has handed off regional audits to the standing committee on heritage, infrastructure and cultural policy.
During these reviews, Mayor Scarpitti once again doubled down on his idea, suggesting that the nine cities and municipalities that make up the region are more efficiently governed through one megacity, stretching from Steeles to Lake Simcoe.
His rationale is that the City of Toronto, which has 3.3 million people, only have 26 representatives. Meanwhile, between the municipal and regional councillors within York region, there are 77 representatives for 1.2 million people.
Like last year, the province and most local municipalities immediately rejected his idea. Womp womp.
MSH limiting visitors
Lack of primary care physicians and an outbreak of RSV in the community have led to the Hospital limiting visitors and warning of long wait times in the emergency department. Compounding those issues are system-wide staffing and bed shortages as well as an active covid outbreak in one of the wards, making it harder to admit patients.
The Hospital is asking anyone with non urgent needs to seek out the Community Health Clinic (CHC) and Virtual Urgent Care Clinic (VUCC), which are in partnership with Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team.
Both the CHC and the VUCC are staffed with health care professionals specializing in adult and pediatric care, and same and next-date appointments are available at both:
Oak Valley Health’s Community Health Clinic — Adult Services
5402 Main St, unit 5, Stouffville
Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 905-591-5454
Oak Valley Health’s Community Health Clinic — Children's Rapid Access
5402 Main St, unit 5, Stouffville
Community notes
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Indie 88 Ranks the best sushi restaurants in Markham. What do you think?
What’s Happening in Markham this week
January 26th
7:30PM -Centennial Community Centre - Coburg Cougars at Markham Royals. Tickets are just $15 at the door.
January 27th
2:00 - 4:00pm- Varley Art Gallery Winter Reception. Admission is free.
8:00 PM Flato Markham Theatre - Emilie Claire Barlow - Tickets here
9:00 - 11:00 PM - Rouge River Brewery - DJ Dance Floor party ft DJ KC Decker - $5 at the door.
Jan 28th
10AM - 12:00pm Pause with Paws and Pints - Dog-Friendly Yoga session at Rouge River Brewery with a Pint afterward. Get your tickets here.
January 29th
10AM - Special Council Meeting - Budget. Will be Livestreamed
January 30
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM - General Committee Meeting
7:00 -9:30 Joey Markville Registered Graphic Designers Design Social Tickets here
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Development Services Public Meeting - 16th Avenue just west of Kennedy Road. - Here’s how to contribute
January 31
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM - General Committee Meeting
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